twdown: what it is, how it downloads X (Twitter) videos, and a cleaner alternative in 2026

What is twdown?

twdown (twdown.net) is a web tool for downloading videos from X (formerly Twitter). You copy the link to the tweet with the video, paste it into the site, and twdown returns the file as MP4, usually with several resolutions to choose from. There's nothing to install and no need to log in.

It focuses on a single platform: X. It works with videos from public tweets and also with X GIFs, which are actually short videos and download as MP4. It cannot access videos from private accounts or protected content.

Is twdown safe?

The file twdown downloads is the X video itself, not a modified file. The risk isn't the video, but the site experience: twdown is funded by advertising and shows banners and buttons that can be mistaken for the download action. On mobile it's easy to tap the wrong element and end up on an unexpected page.

Pop-ups or redirects may also appear before the download completes. There's no evidence that the site installs malicious software, but it's worth paying attention so you tap the real button and not an ad.

Why look for an alternative to twdown?

• Banners and download buttons that can be confused with the real download.
• Pop-ups and redirects that interrupt the process.
• It only works with X: no use for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook.
• The interface can change and the domain's availability isn't always stable.

PullVid: download X videos and GIFs without fake buttons

PullVid downloads videos and GIFs from X directly from the browser, with no banners or fake download buttons. You paste the tweet URL, PullVid processes the video, and it shows you only the real formats: MP4 in the available resolutions or MP3 with audio only. For more detail, check our guide on downloading X (Twitter) videos and GIFs.

Like twdown, PullVid only downloads public content: it can't access videos from private accounts. The difference is that, beyond X, PullVid works with YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook from the same tool and in 10 languages. To compare more options, see our guide to the best video downloaders.