Free limits explained: runs, links, and files
Why a 20-link list can save 21 files, what a Download All run counts, and when the week resets.
Free is meant to be genuinely useful, not three downloads and a paywall. Here is exactly what is counted, because it is easy to mix up runs, links, and files.
One-click downloads: not capped
Saving a single post, Reel, Story, Highlight, or carousel from the download button on Instagram is free without a counter.
Bulk runs: 20 per UTC week
A bulk run is any of these started from the panel: Download All, Manual Selection, Range, or a 7-day / 30-day preset. They share one weekly allowance.
- The unit is a run, not a file. A run that saves 500 files is one run. There is no per-file cap.
- A run only counts when it finishes normally, attempts at least one file, and saves at least 80% of what it attempted. Failed or cancelled runs do not use up your allowance.
- The week resets Monday 00:00 UTC. Limits are tracked per Chrome browser profile.
Download New: 10 accounts
Free can run Download New on up to 10 Instagram accounts. There is no per-file cap, and it does not use the bulk-run allowance.
Download by Link: 20 links per task
- The unit is a link. A carousel post with three videos is one link and three files.
- So yes: a 20-link free list can save 21, 25, or 40 files. That is expected, not a bug.
- Lists longer than 20 links show a dialog: download the first 20 or upgrade.
When you reach a limit
Nothing already saved is deleted. Bulk runs become available again next UTC week, Download New keeps working on profiles already set up, and Download by Link still takes the first 20 links.
Had Pro without paying?
If you accepted an invite from a friend, you got 3 days of Pro. Posting a public link to extbid.lol earns 1 day per network. During those days the limits above are lifted, which can look like the free plan is not enforcing them. Check the Account page in the extension to see your plan and its end date.