How to Download Udemy Courses on PC & Mac? 2026 Guide

Udemy, an online learning platform, provides over rich video courses catering to diverse interests. With new courses added monthly, users can access this vast library either for free or at affordable prices. But Udemy's official offline viewing service can't help us really own these courses we bought.

Whether you are looking for a way to get the real MP4 files from Udemy, use a Udemy downloader extension for Chrome, or try to figure out how to download Udemy courses for free, the goal is the same: true digital ownership. Let's bridge the gap between "buying" a Udemy course and actually "owning" the files on your hard drive, with the 3 verified methods.

Does Udemy Have a Desktop App for Windows 10/11?

If you're searching the Microsoft Store or searching for a "Udemy.exe" file as I did, the result is frustrating: There is no official Udemy desktop app for Windows 10, Windows 11, or macOS. The only way to watch Udemy courses on a PC is to visit the official site through a browser.

Udemy puts more effort into a "Mobile-First" offline strategy. They want you on their iOS or Android apps, where the environment is "walled" and easier to protect. On a PC, the open nature of file systems makes piracy a nightmare for creators. This leaves millions of us—students who prefer a bigger screen—searching for workarounds (jump into Section 3) just to truly download videos from Udemy on Windows PC or Mac.

Alyssa

Although Udemy provides an official download service via the browser, the button actually depends on the creator. 

Due to EME and DRM, you'll find that the "Download Lecture" button in the browser settings is greyed out for about 90% of content.

Why "Udemy Downloader" Chrome Extensions Often Fail?

Most users' first instinct is to use a Udemy downloader extension for Chrome. Yes, it's the easiest and most convenient method. But in my research, I've found that extensions are increasingly hitting a brick wall.

• 🔐 The DRM Block: As of 2026, Udemy's updated encryption means most basic extensions simply download an empty file or a "Access Denied" error message.
• ⚠️ Security Flags: Google frequently removes these extensions for violating Terms of Service, meaning the "reliable" tool you used yesterday might be malware-laden tomorrow.
• 💻 Resolution Caps: Most add-ons can only "scrape" the source, often resulting in grainy 360p or 480p.
• 🚩 Account Flagging: Udemy's security algorithms can detect "unnatural" requests from specific browser extensions. Using an outdated or poorly coded tool is a fast track to getting your account flagged for suspicious activity.

3 Methods to Download Udemy Videos for Offline Watching on PC/Mac

Although extensions are not recommended, there are 3 other methods that can help us watch Udemy courses offline, including third-party tools and the official app/site.

Alyssa

I don't recommend open-source tools because they're a real pain to use. You need at least some basic coding skills, and the learning curve is just too steep. Plus, they aren't updated often, so they break all the time.

Whether you are a student on a budget looking for how to download Udemy courses for free or a professional who needs a high-fidelity archive of your $200 certification course, one of these will fit your workflow.

Method 1: Professional Udemy Video Downloaders

If you value your time and want to avoid the headache of broken links (what we get from add-ons and online video downloaders), a dedicated Udemy video downloader like KeepStreams for Udemy is a good choice. What's more, KeepStreams can download all videos on Udemy that can be played under your account, and the downloads are saved in compatible MP4/MKV format (never expires).

KeepStreams for Udemy

Download videos from Udemy into 1080p MP4/MKV video files.

• Compatible with both Windows and macOS
• Download Udemy courses in Full HD 1080p
• Detect and extract subtitles into SRT files
• Support audio and subs in various languages
• Save a lot of videos at the same time
• Use GPU Acceleration to speed up downloads
• Easy and safe built-in browser
• Trusted by 172+ security vendors
• Free trial: Save 3 full-length videos for offline viewing

 Free Trial  Free Trial

Learn More

KeepStreams works by analyzing the data hidden in the video URLs. As long as you can play the Udemy videos, KeepStreams can help you download them (if or if not the download service is enabled by the creator).

It's a go-to choice for all Udemy learners. With the built-in browser, it's quite easy to download Udemy videos with KeepStreams:

⚠️ Note: KeepStreams doesn't recommend DRM bypass or removal. Therefore, it asks for a login to verify the accessibility. By doing so, you can also help KeepStreams to access the source data of the videos that you've subscribed to or purchased.

Click on the "Downloads" tab to check the download progress and find the downloaded titles. Click the little folder icon beside each video to open the folder where the video and subtitles are saved.

Method 2: The Official App or Site

If you aren't ready to use third-party tools, your best bet is the official mobile route. With the Udemy official service, downloading Udemy courses is simple and can be done on both mobile devices and computers. However, please note that you can't move or own the downloads. They will expire after 30 days.

Anon

How to download Udemy courses for free?

Alyssa

The mentioned official download service is available on titles that you can play, including the free and paid ones.

Therefore, you can go to DiscUdemy or UdemyFreebies, which aggregate 100% off coupons. Once you "purchase" a course for $0, you can download it without costing a penny (if enabled).

Download Udemy Courses on Mobile Devices

1. Download and install the Udemy app on your mobile device.
2. Open the Udemy app and sign in to your Udemy account.
3. Browse Udemy for the video course you wish to download.
4. Enter the video details page; you'll find a download button if the video is downloadable.
5. Click the download button and select Download Course to initiate the download of Udemy videos.

Download Udemy Courses on PCs

1. Visit udemy.com in your web browser and log in to your Udemy account.

2. Search for the course you wish to download and begin playing the video.
3. Click the Settings button in the lower right corner of the player. If the Download Lecture button is active (not grayed out), the video is downloadable.

4. Click on Download Lecture to start the download process.

Method 3: Browser Resources Recording

Of course, you can choose the most traditional and quick method: record the screen of Udemy to save the courses. It's more like the digital equivalent of transcribing a lecture by hand. And based on my testing, most recorders can capture the screen successfully without a black screen.

You can choose a built-in recorder (such as Snipping Tool on Windows and QuickTime Player on Mac), or a third-party screen recorder (such as OBS Studio) to do this. Here's how:

1. Launch the recorder, and click "record" or add a source in OBS.
2. Record the screen, and remember, do not use your PC for other tasks during recording, in order to get the best results.

3. Click on a red button to end recording. Normally, the recorded video will be saved in the local folder.

Advanced Tips for Your Udemy Learning Library

Downloading Udemy videos into MP4 video files is just the first step of offline viewing. For better offline viewing, I summarized several useful tips below.

Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Download My Udemy Lectures?

Even with the best tools, you might hit a snag. When you get frustrated by the "greyed-out download button or your Udemy video downloader is suddenly acting up, here is a quick diagnostic checklist:

🔧 Quick Fixes: Clear cache > Check permissions > Update tool

Some instructors specifically disable the native "Download" feature in the course settings to protect their intellectual property. If the button is grey, the platform's official browser method is off the table.

As we discussed, Udemy’s DRM is dynamic. If your Udemy downloader extension for Chrome was working yesterday but failed today, it’s likely because Udemy updated its encryption keys. You’ll need to wait for the extension developer to patch it or switch to a more robust browser-based tool like KeepStreams.

If you are trying to download Udemy courses for free (legally via free-tier access), remember that free lectures are often hosted on the same high-traffic servers as paid ones. If your download stalls at 99%, it’s usually a server-side timeout.

Managing Downloaded Content: Formats and Subtitles (MP4/SRT)

When we download a course, the file format determines where we can learn. Complete metadata can help us better organize the offline library. Here's the reason:

• The MP4 Standard: A recorder or downloader can help save files as MP4s. As a universal language of video, they are compatible with everything from your Windows 11 laptop to a smart TV.
• The SRT Subtitle: Most pro downloaders allow you to remux (embed) subtitles directly into the video or save them as separate .srt files, to help us better follow the jargon.

Alyssa

My Personal Tip: Use a media player like VLC or Plex. They allow you to toggle multiple language tracks and increase playback speed to 1.5x.

Is it Legal to Download Purchased Courses from Udemy?

To answer the question, we need to distinguish between Personal Backup and Piracy first.

✅ Personal Backup: When you buy a Udemy course, you are technically buying a license to view it, not the file itself. However, under "Fair Use" (a nuanced legal doctrine), making a single copy for personal, offline study is generally acceptable.

❌ Share the Downloads: Please always treat your downloads as a private archive. Never share, upload, sell, or use the videos downloaded from Udemy for purposes other than personal offline study.

Note: Want Udemy courses for free? Use the official coupons I shared above. Do NOT save a paid course from a torrent site. It isn't just a security risk (malware!). It's also devaluing the education you're trying to receive.

FAQs

Q1. Can I download Udemy courses to my laptop for offline viewing?

A1. Yes. Although there is no official desktop app, Udemy provides a download service via the browser. As long as the creator enables the download button for their videos, you can download the Udemy courses directly on a PC. Or, you can use KeepStreams for Udemy to download nearly all Udemy videos you can play.

Q2. How to download Udemy courses for free legally?

A2. The most effective way is to use "100% Off" coupons provided by instructors on sites like DiscUdemy. Once you enroll in a free course, it is added to your library forever. To take it offline on your PC, you need to ensure the "allow to download" button is on, or use a third-party downloader.

Q3. What is the best Udemy downloader extension for Chrome now?

A3. To be honest, most of them have been purged from the Chrome Web Store. Those that remain often fail to handle the latest Widevine DRM updates. If you find one that works, it likely only downloads in 480p. Compared with extensions, the official download service, pro Udemy video downloaders, or video recorders are a better choice.

Q4. Why is my Udemy download button greyed out?

A4. The instructor has disabled the "Downloadable" toggle in the course settings. Udemy's default is to protect the content from easy copying. In these cases, even a legal purchase won't give you a native download link. Using a pro downloader or recorder is the only viable workaround for offline study on a laptop.

Conclusion

For those of us trying to learn during commuting or travelling, Udemy's "always-online" requirement for desktops is a major productivity killer. Although it provides an official download service for PC and mobile, it comes with a lot of limitations. I summarized several workarounds in this post to help you better download Udemy courses:

• Professional Udemy video downloaders, such as KeepStreams
• Traditional video recorders, such as OBS Studio
• Advanced command tools on GitHub, such as how-to-download-udemy.md

The "best" method usually depends on whether you're a casual learner or a power student. Remember, the goal isn't just to "have" the files. It's to use them. Organise your MP4s, sync your SRT subtitles, and turn that "Lifetime Access" into actual, tangible knowledge.

Further reading since you're here: 

How to download Vimeo videos?

How to download videos from Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter?

How to download Gaia videos?