Is it legal to download Vimeo videos?
Last updated
There is no single yes-or-no answer. Whether you may download a Vimeo video depends on three separate things: what the video's owner allows, what Vimeo's Terms of Service allow, and what copyright law allows where you live. Vimeo's Terms prohibit downloading content "except as expressly authorized by the Service or with our prior written permission", and a Download button that an owner has turned on is the clearest case of a download the service itself offers. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The sources below are quoted as they read on October 6, 2026.
The short version
- Your own video: you can download it from your Vimeo Library if you are on a paid plan.
- A video with a Download button: the owner turned downloads on, so Vimeo is offering you the file. Store it securely and don't redistribute it without permission.
- A video with no Download button: the owner hasn't made downloads available. Ask them, or check whether a license applies.
- A private, password-protected or paid video: don't try to get around the access limits. Vimeo's Terms prohibit that.
- Anything beyond that: it depends, and a lawyer is the right person to ask.
Three things decide the answer
1. What the owner allows
Owners control whether viewers can download. Vimeo's help center says: "You can download videos from Vimeo if the owner has enabled downloads. Vimeo provides creators with the option to enable or disable downloads for their content." (How to download a video on Vimeo)
Two details from Vimeo's help center matter here:
- "Free and Basic members cannot enable video downloads. They also cannot download videos from their own account." (Troubleshooting: I don't see a download button on a video)
- "Viewers can only download your video from the video's page on vimeo.com. It is not currently possible for viewers to download your video from the embedded player." (How to change downloading permissions on my videos)
2. What Vimeo's Terms of Service allow
The Vimeo Terms of Service (last updated July 8, 2024) are an agreement between you and Vimeo.com, Inc. Section 5.4, "Prohibited Technical Measures", begins "You will not:" and lists, among other things:
- "Access, download, reproduce, redistribute, frame, mirror, create derivative works from, decompile, reverse engineer, alter, archive, or disassemble any part of our Services or any content except as expressly authorized by the Service or with our prior written permission"
- "Attempt to circumvent any of our security, rate-limiting, filtering, digital rights management measures, or other access restrictions"
- "Remove or modify any logo, watermark, or notice of proprietary rights embedded on or in the Services or any output thereof without our permission"
Read plainly, the first item means that a download is covered when the service expressly authorizes it, for example through the Download button an owner can turn on, or when Vimeo has given written permission. We can't tell you how Vimeo applies this to any particular case.
3. What copyright law allows
Section 6 of the Terms says: "As between you and Vimeo, you own and will retain ownership of all intellectual property rights in and to the content you submit." Vimeo's help center puts it the same way: "Our members retain copyright ownership of their works and have the discretion to determine the extent of permissible usage." (Creative Commons videos on Vimeo) So the person who uploaded a video, or whoever licensed it to them, is the one whose permission matters.
Copyright law is separate from Vimeo's Terms. We cite U.S. sources because this page is written for readers in the United States; if you live elsewhere, the rules where you live apply. The U.S. Copyright Office describes fair use as "a legal doctrine that promotes freedom of expression by permitting the unlicensed use of copyright-protected works in certain circumstances", and says: "Courts evaluate fair use claims on a case-by-case basis, and the outcome of any given case depends on a fact-specific inquiry." It adds that if you are unsure whether a use is fair, "it is best to consult an attorney", and that the Office itself can't give specific legal advice to individual members of the public (U.S. Copyright Office, Fair Use Index).
Common situations
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| It's your own video | Download it from your Library. Vimeo says this requires a paid plan (instructions). |
| The video page has a Download button | The owner turned downloads on, so use the button. Vimeo's help center advises storing downloaded files securely to prevent unauthorized distribution. |
| The video has a Creative Commons license | Vimeo says others can use it "according to the applicable license's terms and conditions", and that it is "always a good idea to contact the video's owner". It also says it can't guarantee that every uploader has the rights needed to apply the license, and its article doesn't address downloading. Read which license it is and follow its terms. |
| There is no Download button | The owner hasn't made downloads available, or their plan doesn't allow it. Ask the owner for permission or for the file. See why a Vimeo video has no Download button. |
| The video is private or password-protected | You don't have open access. Don't try to get around the limit: the Terms prohibit attempts to "circumvent any of our security, rate-limiting, filtering, digital rights management measures, or other access restrictions". |
| You want to repost, share or reuse a saved copy | You need the owner's permission or a license that allows it. The Terms also list "redistribute" among the things you won't do without authorization. |
| You want a copy of a public video just for yourself | There is no blanket answer here. Vimeo's Terms and copyright law are separate questions, and fair use is decided case by case. |
Where Vimeo Downloader fits
Vimeo Downloader is an independent tool operated by Ginyo Technologies Limited. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Vimeo, Inc. Vimeo is a trademark of Vimeo, Inc. The online tool saves a public Vimeo video as an MP4, one link at a time. It does not unlock private, password-protected or paid videos, and it does not remove DRM.
It also does not check whether you have permission to save a video, and it can't make a download permitted. It is not Vimeo's Download button. Before you use any third-party downloader, including ours, decide whether you have the owner's permission, a license or another right to keep the copy. If you do, How to download a Vimeo video shows the steps.
A checklist before you download
- Is it your video? Use your Vimeo Library.
- Is there a Download button? Use it.
- Is there a Creative Commons license? Read it and follow its terms.
- Neither? Ask the owner. Vimeo says it is "always a good idea to contact the video's owner if you want to use a video."
- Is the video private, password-protected or paid? Don't try to get around the access limit.
- Are you going to share the copy? Don't, unless you have permission or a license that allows it.
- Is it for commercial use, a course or your employer, or are you unsure? Ask a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to download Vimeo videos for personal use?
There is no blanket answer. Vimeo's Terms limit downloads to what the service authorizes or Vimeo permits in writing. Copyright law is a separate question, and the U.S. Copyright Office says fair use is decided case by case. If the owner turned downloads on, you are using a feature Vimeo offers. Otherwise, ask for permission.
Can I download my own Vimeo videos?
Yes, from your Library, if you are on a paid plan. Vimeo says Free and Basic accounts can't download videos from their own account.
Can Vimeo Downloader download private or password-protected videos?
No. The online tool only works with public videos. It does not unlock or bypass Vimeo's access controls, and it does not remove DRM.
Does a Creative Commons license mean I can download the video?
The license decides how you may use the video. Vimeo's help article on the topic doesn't address downloading, so read the license terms and contact the owner if anything is unclear.
Can I use a downloaded Vimeo video in class or at work?
That depends on the owner's permission or the video's license. Ask the owner, and check with your school, employer or a lawyer if the use isn't clearly covered.
Is Vimeo Downloader affiliated with Vimeo?
No. It is an independent third-party tool, and you are responsible for copyright law and for the terms of Vimeo and of the video's owner.