chat-downloader
Chat Downloader retrieves chat messages from livestreams, videos, clips, and past broadcasts without authentication, with Python installation options.
About chat-downloader
Chat Downloader is an open source tool that retrieves chat messages from livestreams, videos, clips, and past broadcasts. It runs from the command line or from Python code. The project states that no authentication is needed. It is distributed on PyPI and can also be installed from its git repository. Messages are parsed into JSON objects, and the command line can save them to a file.
Support is limited to the sites listed in the project documentation: YouTube, Twitch, and Zoom. Facebook support is marked as currently in development. The command line also accepts cookie and proxy options.
Key features
- Retrieves chat messages from YouTube livestreams, premieres, and past broadcasts
- Retrieves chat messages from Twitch livestreams, past broadcasts, and clips
- Retrieves chat messages from Zoom past broadcasts
- Command-line options for start and end times, message types, and output file
- Python interface that iterates over chat messages and prints formatted output
- Parses messages into JSON objects with fields such as message ID, timestamp, and author
Best for: Python users and developers who need to collect chat messages from supported livestream, video, or clip platforms.
Good for
- Open source under the MIT license
- Can be installed with pip from PyPI or from the git repository
- Project states that no authentication is needed
Watch out for
- Facebook support is listed as currently in development
- Only the sites named in the project documentation are listed as supported
- The project's frequently asked questions section is marked as coming soon
chat-downloader at a glance
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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chat-downloader FAQ
How do I install Chat Downloader?
Run pip install chat-downloader. Alternatively, clone the git repository and run python setup.py install from the project folder.
How do I save chat messages to a file?
Add the --output option to the command, for example: chat_downloader --output chat.json, which saves the messages to a JSON file.
Which sites are supported?
YouTube supports livestreams, past broadcasts, and premieres. Twitch supports livestreams, past broadcasts, and clips. Zoom supports past broadcasts. Facebook support is listed as currently in development, with livestreams and past broadcasts.
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