# Bulk File & Image Downloader – Download URLs to ZIP (`chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader`) Actor

Download files, images and PDFs from a list of URLs in bulk – paste the URLs or send them from the API, Make or n8n. Each file is saved to the Key-Value store with a status row, plus one optional ZIP. Dedupes, safe filenames, size caps. $1 per 1,000 files; failed downloads are free.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader.md
- **Developed by:** [Chris Elder](https://apify.com/chris_elder) (community)
- **Categories:** Developer tools, Automation, Integrations
- **Stats:** 8 total users, 7 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $0.60 / 1,000 file downloadeds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## Bulk File & Image Downloader – Download URLs to ZIP

**Bulk File Downloader** downloads files, images and PDFs from a list of URLs in bulk. Each file is saved to the run’s Key-Value store with one status row per URL, and you can get everything as one **ZIP**. Built for scraper clean-up, dataset exports, creative ops and agent pipelines that need “save these URLs as files”.

Store page: [apify.com/chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader](https://apify.com/chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader)

✅ Pay per result: **$1 per 1,000 files** · 🆓 Failed downloads are never charged · 🔑 No API key

[▶ Try it with one click](#how-to-use-it) · [📄 Real example output](#output-example-from-a-real-public-run) · [💲 Pricing](#how-much-does-it-cost-to-download-files) · [🔌 API & integrations](#integrations-api-ai-agents-make-zapier) · [❓ FAQ](#faq) · [🛟 Support](#support-reliability-and-feature-requests)

### What does Bulk File Downloader do?

It is a bulk downloader for a **list of file URLs** or an **Apify dataset** (images, PDFs, CSVs, ZIPs, audio – any file type within the size cap). You give it URLs – or a scraper run’s dataset – and it gives you the files.

- 📥 **Bulk download** from any http(s) URL list (strings or `{url, fileName, key}`)
- 🗃️ **Download from an Apify dataset** – pass `datasetId` + `urlField`; no copy-pasting URL columns
- 🗂️ **Key-Value store output** – each file saved under a stable key
- 📦 **Optional ZIP** – `OUTPUT.zip` with all successful files
- 🔁 **Deduping & safe names** – duplicate URLs skipped; filenames sanitised
- 🛡️ **SSRF guard** – private/internal hosts refused (not charged)
- 📏 **Size cap** – oversize files skipped free (default 10 MB, max 50 MB)
- 🆓 **Failures free** – 404s, timeouts and blocked hosts are listed and not charged

### Use cases

- **Scraper users** – point `datasetId` at a scraper run and turn its image/PDF URL column into a ZIP for hand-off
- **Creative / marketing ops** – batch-pull assets from a sheet
- **Agents & n8n/Make** – “download these links” as one step
- **Developers** – archive attachments from an API response list
- **E-commerce / catalogue teams** – download product images from a URL column (export the column from your sheet or CSV and paste it as `urls`)

### How to use it

1. Click **Try for free** – the prefill downloads a tiny PDF and a PNG (2 files ≈ $0.0025 including the start fee).
2. Paste your URL list into `urls`.
3. Leave `createZip` on to get `OUTPUT.zip` in the Key-Value store.
4. Download individual keys or the ZIP from the run storage.

#### Input example

```json
{
  "urls": [
    "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf",
    { "url": "https://httpbin.org/image/png", "fileName": "sample.png" }
  ],
  "createZip": true,
  "maxFiles": 100
}
```

Other options: `maxFileBytes`, `zipKey`, `dedupe`, `maxConcurrency`, `requestDelayMs`, `timeoutSecs`.

#### Download files from an Apify dataset

Already scraped the URLs with another Actor? Skip the copy-paste and point this Actor at that dataset:

```json
{
  "datasetId": "YOUR_DATASET_ID",
  "urlField": "imageUrl",
  "createZip": true,
  "maxFiles": 500
}
```

- `datasetId` – a dataset ID or name (for a scraper run, use its `defaultDatasetId`). The Actor gets read-only access to that one dataset only.
- `urlField` – the field holding the URL (default `url`). Dots reach nested fields (`file.url`); a field holding a **list** of URLs (e.g. `images`) downloads each one.
- Rows with a missing or blank URL are skipped and **never charged**; the count is in `RUN_SUMMARY` (`skippedMissingUrl`). Failed downloads stay free as usual.
- You can combine `urls` and `datasetId` in one run; duplicates are removed. In the Console form the 2 sample URLs are ignored automatically when a dataset is given.

#### Example: 2 URLs in → 2 files + a ZIP out

| Input URL | What you get |
|---|---|
| `https://www.w3.org/.../dummy.pdf` | Key-Value record `file-0000-3eba3cf786-dummy.pdf` (13,264 bytes, `application/pdf`) |
| `https://httpbin.org/image/png` | Key-Value record `file-0001-e10e7241ca-png.png` (8,090 bytes, `image/png`) |
| (both) | `OUTPUT.zip` with both files (21,560 bytes) + `RUN_SUMMARY` `{"saved": 2, "failed": 0}` |

#### Output example (from a real public run)

Public run data (no login needed): [dataset JSON](https://api.apify.com/v2/datasets/TywwXrinudMG7Lmqo/items?format=json\&clean=1) · [dataset CSV](https://api.apify.com/v2/datasets/TywwXrinudMG7Lmqo/items?format=csv\&clean=1) · [OUTPUT.zip](https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/zyIAZbxltHR06NpSM/records/OUTPUT.zip) · [RUN_SUMMARY](https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/zyIAZbxltHR06NpSM/records/RUN_SUMMARY)

One dataset row per URL:

```json
{
  "index": 0,
  "url": "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf",
  "ok": true,
  "key": "file-0000-3eba3cf786-dummy.pdf",
  "fileName": "dummy.pdf",
  "contentType": "application/pdf; qs=0.001",
  "bytes": 13264,
  "statusCode": 200,
  "finalUrl": "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf"
}
```

Failed rows include `ok: false`, `error`, `errorCode` and are **not charged**. A `RUN_SUMMARY` record counts saved/failed files and ZIP size.

### How much does it cost to download files?

| Event | Free / Bronze | Silver | Gold+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actor start (× memory GB) | $0.0005 | $0.0005 | $0.0005 |
| File downloaded | $0.001 | $0.0008 | $0.0006 |

**Failed, blocked and oversize downloads are free.**

| Job | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Prefill (2 successful files) | ≈ $0.002 + $0.0005 start |
| 1,000 files | $1.00 |
| 10,000 files (Gold) | $6.00 |

Large files also consume Apify data-transfer / storage from your plan quota – keep `maxFileBytes` tight. Use **Max cost per run** to cap PPE spend.

### Integrations (API, AI agents, Make, Zapier)

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/chris_elder~bulk-file-downloader/run-sync-get-dataset-items?token=YOUR_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"urls":["https://httpbin.org/image/png"],"createZip":true}'
```

Python (`pip install apify-client`):

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("YOUR_TOKEN")
run = client.actor("chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader").call(run_input={
    "urls": ["https://httpbin.org/image/png", "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf"],
    "createZip": True,
})
for row in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(row["ok"], row["url"], row.get("key"))
zip_url = f"https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/{run['defaultKeyValueStoreId']}/records/OUTPUT.zip"
```

MCP (AI agents): `https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader`

Make / Zapier / n8n: use the Apify **Run Actor** module with `chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader`, map your URL list into `urls` (or pass the previous Actor run’s `defaultDatasetId` as `datasetId`), then read the dataset rows or fetch `OUTPUT.zip` from the run’s Key-Value store.

### Limits and good to know

- Only **http/https** URLs; private/localhost/cloud-metadata hosts are refused.
- Default size cap 10 MB per file (max 50 MB). Raise memory if you ZIP many large files.
- You must have the right to download and use each file.
- ZIP uses store-only (no compression) for speed and simplicity.

### Is it legal?

This Actor downloads **URLs you supply**. It does not bypass paywalls, logins or bot protection. You are responsible for having rights to the files and for complying with site terms and copyright law. See [Apify’s legal overview](https://blog.apify.com/is-web-scraping-legal/).

### FAQ

**Can it download images and PDFs?** Yes – any file type, within the size cap.

**Where is the ZIP?** In the run’s Key-Value store under `OUTPUT.zip` (or your `zipKey`).

**Why was a file free?** HTTP errors, timeouts, SSRF blocks, oversize files and dataset rows with no URL are not charged.

**Does it scrape websites for images?** No – pass explicit file URLs only. To get image URLs from pages first, use a scraper, then pass its run’s dataset ID as `datasetId` with the URL column as `urlField`.

**Can I download files from an Apify dataset?** Yes – set `datasetId` and `urlField`. Rows without a URL are skipped free.

**How do I download files from a Google Sheet or CSV?** Copy the URL column into `urls` (one URL per item), or send it as a JSON array through the API, Make or n8n.

**How do I download all the files in one go?** Leave `createZip` on and download `OUTPUT.zip` from the run’s storage.

### Support, reliability and feature requests

- Failed downloads are free.
- Every release is tested on real public URLs; the one-click example works.
- Issues answered within 2 business days via the Actor **Issues** tab.
- Breaking input or price changes are announced in this README first.

Built by Chris Elder with AI-assisted development; every release is reviewed and tested.

### Need the data done for you?

If you'd rather not set up runs yourself, the UK company behind these tools (GPT Shop Ltd) offers a fixed-price done-for-you scrape. Tell us the website and the fields you need, and you get a clean CSV or Google Sheet within 48 hours of the confirmed brief, up to 5,000 rows, for £149 or $179. If we can't get the data, you're refunded in full. [See the done-for-you scraper service](https://sme-free-tools.pages.dev/done-for-you-scraper/?utm_source=apify\&utm_medium=readme\&utm_campaign=bulk-file-downloader)

### More tools by Chris Elder

[Dataset Transformer](https://apify.com/chris_elder/dataset-transformer) · [Sitemap URL Extractor](https://apify.com/chris_elder/sitemap-url-extractor) · [PDF to Markdown](https://apify.com/chris_elder/pdf-to-markdown) · [Image to Text OCR](https://apify.com/chris_elder/image-to-text-ocr) · [HTTP Request Sender](https://apify.com/chris_elder/http-request-sender) · [Multi-ATS Jobs API](https://apify.com/chris_elder/multi-ats-jobs-api) · [all tools](https://apify.com/chris_elder)

### More use cases (FAQ)

- **How do I download all images from a list of URLs at once?** Paste the URLs, or point the Actor at a dataset from another scraper. Every file goes to a key-value store with a public download link.
- **Can I bulk download PDFs for AI/RAG pipelines?** Yes. Chain it with [PDF to Markdown](https://apify.com/chris_elder/pdf-to-markdown).
- **Does it work with Make, Zapier or n8n?** Yes. Trigger it through the Apify API and read the output dataset.

# Actor input Schema

## `urls` (type: `array`):

List of http(s) URLs to download. Each item is a URL string or {"url": "...", "fileName": "optional.ext", "key": "optional-kv-key"}. Provide this and/or a dataset ID below (at least one is needed). Only download files you have the right to use.

## `datasetId` (type: `string`):

Download URLs from an Apify dataset instead of (or as well as) the list above – e.g. a scraper run's output (use the run's defaultDatasetId). Paste a dataset ID or name. Read-only access to this one dataset is requested. Rows without a URL are skipped and never charged. The 2 sample URLs above are ignored automatically when a dataset is given.

## `urlField` (type: `string`):

Field on each dataset item that holds the file URL. Dots reach nested fields (e.g. "file.url"). The field may also hold a list of URLs (e.g. "images") – each one is downloaded.

## `maxFiles` (type: `integer`):

Hard cap on downloads this run.

## `maxFileBytes` (type: `integer`):

Skip (free) files larger than this. Default 10 MB.

## `createZip` (type: `boolean`):

When true, also write OUTPUT.zip to the Key-Value store with all successful files.

## `zipKey` (type: `string`):

Key for the ZIP record in the default Key-Value store.

## `dedupe` (type: `boolean`):

Skip duplicate URLs (after normalisation).

## `maxConcurrency` (type: `integer`):

Max concurrency

## `requestDelayMs` (type: `integer`):

Per-host delay (ms)

## `timeoutSecs` (type: `integer`):

Timeout per file (seconds)

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "urls": [
    "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf",
    "https://httpbin.org/image/png"
  ],
  "urlField": "url",
  "maxFiles": 100,
  "maxFileBytes": 10485760,
  "createZip": true,
  "zipKey": "OUTPUT.zip",
  "dedupe": true,
  "maxConcurrency": 5,
  "requestDelayMs": 100,
  "timeoutSecs": 60
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

No description

## `zip` (type: `string`):

No description

## `summary` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "urls": [
        "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf",
        "https://httpbin.org/image/png"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = { "urls": [
        "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf",
        "https://httpbin.org/image/png",
    ] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "urls": [
    "https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tests/xhtml/testfiles/resources/pdf/dummy.pdf",
    "https://httpbin.org/image/png"
  ]
}' |
apify call chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,chris_elder/bulk-file-downloader"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/Z2samcXlPvSQy1oTq/builds/oOa3NRVAKyTFyCWVt/openapi.json