yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]/best[ext=mp4]" --merge-output-format mp4 -o "%(playlist_title)s/%(playlist_index)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" "YOUR_PLAYLIST_URL_HERE" Once the download finishes (this may take hours for large playlists), navigate to the folder. Right-click the playlist folder -> Send to -> Compressed (zipped) folder .
The phrase "youtube playlist to zip" is a workflow, not a button. For the average user, using (Method 2) is the most realistic path. For the power user who wants to archive a 500-video history lecture series, yt-dlp (Method 1) remains unbeatable.
But is converting a YouTube playlist directly to a ZIP file actually possible? And if so, how do you do it safely, quickly, and legally?
Therefore, you cannot click a button on YouTube to "Download Playlist as ZIP." There is no native feature for this.
You are explicitly prohibited from downloading content unless a download button is visible on the YouTube interface (YouTube Premium users get this for offline viewing within the app).