The Desktop App Does the Heavy Lifting
Browsers can detect media, but they cannot download HLS/DASH streams, merge video and audio, or convert formats. Those jobs all run in the desktop app — locally, at native speed.
Why the Desktop App Is Required
The browser extension sniffs media resources and shows the UI. The actual downloading, stream merging, format conversion, and file management all happen in the desktop app — browsers simply cannot do this.
Extension Only
Limited- Detect media resources on web pages
- Show the download popup and pick quality
- Cannot download HLS / DASH streams (m3u8, mpd)
- No format conversion or audio extraction
- No resume for broken downloads
- Capped by browser file-size and speed limits
Extension + Desktop
Full Power- Everything the extension does
- Download HLS / DASH streams and merge segments
- Merge video + audio, extract MP3 (built-in ffmpeg)
- Resume broken downloads, queue batch tasks
- Native Rust + tokio engine — no browser limits
- Runs locally — no media leaves your machine
Native Download Engine
Built on Rust + tokio, the desktop app bypasses browser download limits for maximum speed and stability on large files and live streams.
HLS / DASH Stream Merging
Downloads m3u8 and mpd playlists, fetches every segment, and merges them into a single MP4 — something a browser cannot do.
Conversion & Audio Extraction
Ships with ffmpeg: video to MP4, video to MP3, audio extraction, and remuxing — no extra software needed.
Resume & Batch Processing
Resume broken downloads, queue multiple tasks, and run them in the background while you keep browsing.
All processing is local. The extension and desktop app talk over Chrome Native Messaging — no media passes through any server.
How the Two Pieces Talk
The extension sniffs media. The desktop downloads and converts. They connect automatically via Chrome Native Messaging — a local, secure channel that needs no server.
Browser Extension
Sniffs videos, images, and audio on the page and shows the download UI.
Native Messaging
Local, secure channel between the extension and the desktop app.
Desktop Engine
Rust + tokio downloads streams; ffmpeg merges and converts them.
Your Files
Saved to your download folder, organized and ready to use.
Browser Extension
Sniffs videos, images, and audio on the page and shows the download UI.
Native Messaging
Local, secure channel between the extension and the desktop app.
Desktop Engine
Rust + tokio downloads streams; ffmpeg merges and converts them.
Your Files
Saved to your download folder, organized and ready to use.
The desktop app is the real download engine — it downloads, merges, and converts media. The browser extension only sniffs resources on the page.
Browser Compatibility
VDA extension works with all Chromium-based browsers including Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi.
Installation Guide
Follow these steps to get started in just three minutes
Install the Browser Extension
Search for VDA on the Chrome Web Store and click 'Add to Chrome' to install. The extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar.
Download the Desktop App
Download the Windows installer and run it. The desktop app runs as a background helper — no manual operation needed. It auto-connects with the extension.
Start Downloading
Open the web page with media you want to download, click the extension icon, select your desired resource and quality, and click download. Files save automatically to your download directory.
Download FAQ
Common questions about installation and usage