How to download Skillshare videos (2026 guide)

You can download some Skillshare classes for offline viewing inside Skillshare’s own apps, but those files usually only play inside the app and cannot be moved. If you want regular video files on your computer, you need a separate tool, such as a browser extension, that works with classes you already have access to.

This guide walks through every common way to download Skillshare videos in 2026, compares the options, and explains what each method can and cannot do.

What “downloading Skillshare videos” really means

Before choosing a method, it helps to be clear about what you want to do.

For most people, downloading Skillshare videos means one of these:

1. Watch classes offline on a phone or tablet during travel.
2. Save lessons as standard video files on a laptop or desktop.
3. Keep a backup of classes you are currently enrolled in.

Skillshare’s own apps mainly help with the first case. If you need portable video files for laptop use, you will usually need an extra tool.

Always respect copyright and Skillshare’s Terms of Service. Only download videos from classes you can access, and only use them in ways that are allowed where you live.

Method 1: Use Skillshare’s own offline viewing (mobile apps)

Some Skillshare memberships and regions let you save lessons to watch offline in the official app.

Steps (Skillshare app offline viewing)

1. Install the official Skillshare app from your device’s app store.
2. Sign in with the same account you use on the Skillshare website.
3. Search for the class you want to watch offline.
4. Open the class and look for an option such as "Download" or an offline icon.
5. Tap to save the lessons or the whole class for offline viewing.
6. When offline, open the app’s Downloads or Library tab to play saved lessons.

Where this method works well

• You mainly watch on mobile.
• You are fine staying inside the Skillshare app.
• You want something that does not need extra tools or credits.

Where this method fails or is limited

• Downloads usually cannot be exported as standard video files.
• You may not see download options on desktop browsers.
• Offline access can stop if your membership ends or a class is removed.
• Device storage limits how many classes you can keep.

If you need .mp4 or similar files on your laptop or desktop, you will need a different method.

Method 2: Download Skillshare videos on desktop with Skillshare Downloader

Skillshare Downloader is a Chrome extension built specifically to download video files from Skillshare classes you can access. It runs in your browser, next to the official Skillshare website.

At the time of writing, Skillshare Downloader uses a credit system:

• 15 free credits when you sign up with Google (enough for 3 new video downloads).
• 5 credits per new video download.
• Standard plan: $9.80/month for 100 credits (about 20 new videos per month).
• Pro plan: $29.80/month for 750 credits (about 150 new videos per month).
• Re‑downloading the same video is free after you have paid the initial credits.

Steps: how to download Skillshare videos with Skillshare Downloader

1. Install the extension.

   1. Open the Chrome Web Store page for Skillshare Downloader at the official install URL.
   2. Click Add to Chrome and confirm.

2. Create your account and claim free credits.

   1. Click the Skillshare Downloader icon in Chrome.
   2. Sign in with your Google account to create an account and receive 15 free credits.

3. Open the Skillshare class you want to download.

   1. Go to the official Skillshare website in Chrome.
   2. Sign in and navigate to the class page.

4. Open the Skillshare Downloader panel.

   1. With the class page loaded, click the extension icon again.
   2. Wait a moment while it detects the available video lessons.

5. Choose the lesson and quality.

   1. In the panel, select the specific lesson you want to save.
   2. Pick the video quality if multiple options are shown.

6. Confirm the credit cost and start the download.

   1. Check how many credits the download will use (5 credits per new video).
   2. Confirm to spend the credits and start the download.

7. Save and play the file.

   1. When Chrome finishes downloading, open the file from your Downloads folder.
   2. Play it with your usual video player, or move it into your own folder structure.

Where this method works well

• You want standard video files on your computer.
• You need to re‑download the same lesson without paying again.
• You are comfortable using Chrome extensions.
• You prefer a predictable credit system for budgeting your downloads.

Where this method fails or is limited

• It only works in browsers that support Chrome extensions.
• It only downloads classes that your Skillshare account can currently access.
• You need enough credits for new downloads once you use your free 15.
• It depends on Skillshare’s current player; major platform changes can temporarily break support until the extension updates.

Method 3: Other desktop download tools (and their trade‑offs)

Beyond Skillshare’s app and Skillshare Downloader, some people try:

• Generic browser extensions that claim to download any video.
• Screen recording software.

Each of these has its own limits.

Generic video downloaders

Generic video downloaders attempt to capture whatever streams through your browser.

Pros:

• May work across many sites, not just Skillshare.
• Sometimes free or one‑time purchase.

Limits and risks:

• They may not detect Skillshare videos if the site changes how streaming works.
• Some extensions in this space can be unsafe or violate store policies.
• Support for new Skillshare player versions can lag or never arrive.

Screen recording

Screen recorders capture what plays on your screen.

Pros:

• Works on almost any content that can be played on your device.
• Lets you capture additional elements like cursor movements.

Limits and drawbacks:

• Real‑time recording: a 40‑minute lesson takes 40 minutes to capture.
• Potential quality loss, audio sync issues, or background noise if not configured.
• File sizes can be large, and recording whole courses can become unmanageable.

Again, regardless of method, you are responsible for following Skillshare’s Terms of Service and local laws.

Comparison: ways to download Skillshare videos in 2026

Method	Device type	File type you get	Speed per lesson	Ongoing limits	Best for
Skillshare mobile app offline viewing	Phone / tablet	In‑app offline lesson only	Fast once downloaded	Stays in app, tied to account and membership	Casual offline watching on mobile
Skillshare Downloader Chrome extension	Laptop / desktop	Standard video file (e.g. mp4)	Fast, direct from stream	Requires credits; Skillshare access required	Keeping lessons as regular files on computer
Generic video download extensions/tools	Laptop / desktop	Varies, often video file	Varies	May break when Skillshare updates player	Occasional downloads across many websites
Screen recording software	Any	Recorded video of your screen	Real‑time or slower	Time‑consuming; quality and storage constraints	Last‑resort one‑off captures

Use the table to decide which method fits what you actually want: app‑only offline viewing, portable files, or one‑off captures.

Troubleshooting common Skillshare download problems

The download button is missing in the app

• Check that you are using the latest version of the Skillshare app.
• Some classes or regions may not support offline downloads.
• If you recently changed plans, log out and log in again.

The extension does not detect my class

• Confirm you are signed in to Skillshare in the same browser.
• Refresh the class page and reopen the extension panel.
• Check that the class is actually playable in your region and membership.
• If Skillshare’s player looks recently changed, the tool may need an update.

Downloads stop or are corrupted

• Test your internet connection with another website.
• Try downloading a shorter lesson to see if the issue is file‑specific.
• Pause other heavy downloads or streams while you fetch the video.

If none of these help, check the support resources for the app or extension you are using, and share details like your browser version, operating system, and a link to the affected class.

The short version

You can download some Skillshare classes for offline viewing in the official mobile apps, but those files stay locked inside the app and tied to your account. For portable video files on desktop, tools like the Skillshare Downloader Chrome extension let you spend credits to save lessons from classes you can already watch, as long as you stay within Skillshare’s terms and your local copyright rules.