How to Download Niconico Videos (Nicovideo): 4 Working Methods in 2026

Niconico (Nicovideo.jp) is a Japanese video sharing site with many popular videos. Many users, like the Reddit user above, are looking for a reliable way to download Niconico videos. In early 2025 NicoNico makes a massive rebuild and server migration, Most methods that used to work are now outdated. Nicovideo download tricks hasn't been updated to support the new HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) delivery system NicoNico now uses.

For some users they are facing the issue of Geo-blocking which NicoNico uses to block overseas users. They can’t playing the video, let alone downloading it.

Thankfully, there are still reliable ways to save Niconico videos with the right tools. This article will show you 4 proven solutions to download Niconico videos to your computer or mobile devices. Just follow our up-to-date guidance for successful downloading.

 

Quick Jump (2026 Working Methods)

1. Method 1: iFunia Video Downloader – Easiest One-Click Downloader (Recommended) 
2. Method 2: yt-dlp – Best & Free (100% Working in 2026) ← what 90% of Reddit uses recommend
3. Method 3: Nicozon + Downloader – Fastest for Casual Users 
4. Method 4: Nico Downloader(Chrome extension) ← still works

 

 

Before You Start: 

• Dealing with Regional Restrictions
  Some NicoNico videos are restricted to Japan users only, you need a way to download blocked videos, and for some video a logged-in account is required to "see" the video, or to see videos in high quality, in this case you need to log in before a downloader can "grab" it.
• Quality Alert
  NicoNico will automatically reduces video quality during certain times in Japan (typically 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM JST), they call this Economy Mode, we recommend you download outside of this time or use a Premium Account.
• Legal Alert
  Please only download Niconico videos for offline viewing when it is allowed in your region and for personal use. Never re‑upload or share copyrighted Niconico content without permission from the creator.

 

1. iFunia Video Downloader – Easiest One-Click Downloader (Recommended)

Applied to: Windows, Mac 

The easiest and fastest way to download Nicovideo is to use a dedicated third-party Nicovideo downloader. iFunia YouTube Downloader is a powerful video downloader that allows you to easily download all kinds of videos from Nicovideo to watch offline on any device. With this powerful program, you can save Niconico videos in the highest quality and freely choose the resolution of each clip before downloading. It’s a best option for anyone who wants to download online videos from Nicovideo effortlessly.

How to easily download Niconico videos to PC:

Step 1. Download and run iFunia YouTube Downloader for Windows or Mac.

Free Download Windows 10 or later Free Download macOS 10.13 or later

Step 2. Copy the video URL. Right click on the Niconico video you want to download, and select the first option “Copy video URL”.

Step 3. Go back to the downloader, paste the video URL into the box and press Enter to get the video information. You can download multiple videos in bulk by click the plus icon and add multiple URL at a time.

(Optional) Step 4. Select your desired video quality. This best Niconico video downloader will select the highest quality by default, you can also manually adjust the resolution from the Format drop-down list.

Step 5. Finally, click the Download button at the bottom right corner to start downloading video(s) to your computer.

Tip: After the download is completed, you can click the Check icon to open the file location. You can also watch the video via the built-in player by clicking the Play button.

 

2. yt-dlp – Best & Free (100% Working in 2026) ← what 90% of Reddit uses recommend

Applied to: Windows, Mac 

Verified Working: April 2026

Most Reddit users swear by yt-dlp. It’s a command-line program that lets you download videos and audio from many websites like Nicovideo. yt-dlp is a fork of youtube-dl and the latest release can easily download user-uploaded Niconico videos to PC/Mac. The learning curve is rewarded with automated downloading. To download Niconico videos with yt-dlp:

1. Install yt-dlp on your computer. Windows users can go to https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp, scroll down to Release Files and download “yt-dlp.exe” for Windows. Mac users can install via Homebrew with a simple command brew install yt-dlp.  
2. Enter a command line. Open Command Prompt tool (or Terminal on Mac), then Type cd Downloads to navigate to “Downloads” folder or wherever you put the program. Then type a command like yt-dlp [video URL].
3. Press Enter to start the download process. yt-dlp will automatically select the highest quality available and display the progress.

3. Nicozon + Downloader - Fastest for Casual Users (online Nicovideo downloader)

Applied to: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari and other major browsers

After trying numerous ad-full online downloaders and unreliable browser extensions, Nicozon.net is probably the only reliable website that lets you download from Nicovideo. Nicozon is a website designed to downloading Nico Nico Douga videos through bookmarklet in web browser. With the help of this online Nicovideo downloader, you can use Chrome, Firefox, Safari and other browsers to download Niconico videos on PC, iOS, iPad and Android devices. Here is how it works:

1. Go to Nicozon.net. Enter the URL of the video you want to download into the search box and click the third option to open the video.

2. Click the third button under the thumbnail to save the video.

3. On the save page, choose a version you like and click copy.

4. On the new page, click on the link you just copied and a download link of the MP4 video file will appear. Juts right-click the link and select Save Link As to start downloading the niconico video.  

  

Note: Do not close the page or put your computer to sleep during the download process, otherwise the download will fail.

 

4. Use Nico Downloader (Chrome extension)

Applied to: Chrome

Although most Nicovideo downloader extensions/add-ons don’t work now, you can still save Niconico videos via Nico Downloader. This Chrome extension lets you save Niconico videos delivered as MP4 files. To download Nicovideo with browser extension:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store, search for nico downloader and add it to Chrome.

2. After adding this extension to Chrome, click the extension icon in the upper right corner of the browser to pin it.

3. Click the Nico Downloader icon, select "Options," and confirm that "Initial setup mode" is set to "OFF." 

4. Open the Niconico video you want to download, you will see the text like ...mp4 in the lower right corner of the video playback screen. Clicking on the text, it will start downloading the video.

 

FAQs about Nicovideo Download

How to download Niconico videos on mobile phone?

You can download Niconico videos on iOS and Android smartphones via Nicozon.net. More detailed information can be found on this page https://www.nicozon.net/howto_bookmarklet.html.

Alternatively, it can be simpler to download the Niconico video on computer and transfer it to your mobile phone. Professional Nicovideo downloaders like iFunia can batch download Niconico videos to H.264 MP4 files in different definitions, compatible with all devices.     

How to download Nicovideo to MP3 audio?

Consider a professional Nicovideo downloader app, such as iFunia, which can download and convert niconico videos to MP3. Or you have to download the video first and extract the audio from the video using a video converter program.

Can I download Niconico Videos with online downloaders?

Most online downloaders don’t work for Nicovideo, either they don’t recognize the URL or just redirect you to some other pages. So beware of scams and malvertising when trying online options, including Nicozon.net. The safest way to download Nicovideo is to use a desktop program.  

 

Conclusion

We’ve explored 4 ways to download videos from Nicovideo, each comes with its own advantages and limitations. For casual users who only need to download an occasional video, the online downloader and browser extensions provide a quick solution without requiring additional software. iFunia Nicovideo Downloader, on the other hand, offers more power and convenience for frequent downloaders, with batch download capabilities and advanced options. Those who prefer open source tools and are comfortable with the command line will appreciate yt-dlp.

With these tools at your disposal, it’s simple to save Niconico videos for offline viewing on any device. Happy downloading and watching!  

Free Download macOS 10.13 or later Free Download Windows 11/10