Many people enjoy watching videos online in their spare time, and YouTube remains one of the most popular platforms. From tutorials and documentaries to music videos and entertainment, it offers a vast range of content. Sometimes, you may want to save these videos for offline viewing—whether to watch later without an internet connection or to archive content for personal use. However, downloading directly from YouTube isn't straightforward due to legal and policy restrictions. Fortunately, numerous free tools exist to help you accomplish this.
Below, we explore how to download YouTube videos and list ten of the best online downloaders that let you save videos at no cost.
How to Download YouTube Videos
Subscribing to YouTube Premium
If you're looking for a simple and legal way to download YouTube videos, YouTube Premium is a solid option. By subscribing, you can use the "Save Offline" feature to download videos for offline viewing, all while enjoying an ad-free experience. YouTube Premium offers individual, family, and student plans, along with a one-month free trial.
However, there are limitations. Downloaded videos can only be watched within the YouTube app, even offline. They aren't saved as standard video files, so you cannot edit them or use them in other applications.
Using Online Services
Online services allow you to download YouTube videos easily without any installation. They work on most devices, but often feature many ads—so be cautious of misleading ads and fake download buttons. For Apple users, only Safari supports video downloading this way, as other browsers on Apple devices restrict saving videos.
Using Browser Extensions
Browser extensions are convenient tools for downloading YouTube videos. They operate within your browser, eliminating the need to visit external websites. To use one, find a YouTube video downloader extension in your browser's app store and install it. Once installed, it typically adds a "Download" button under YouTube videos. Simply click this button to save videos.
Before installing an extension, read user reviews to check its functionality and safety. Be wary of extensions with few downloads or reviews. Also, ensure your browser is up to date for proper extension performance.
Using Third-Party Programs
For advanced features like batch downloads or saving private videos, consider third-party programs such as 4K Video Downloader or YTD Video Downloader. These tools are user-friendly—you can download videos with one click. Many also offer a "smart mode" that remembers your preferences, like subtitle language, video quality, and format. Once set up, it automatically applies your settings for future downloads, making the process quicker and easier.
Maximize YouTube Video Download Potential
Downloading many YouTube videos at once can be time-consuming and tiring. Repeated clicking may lead to fatigue and errors. At Masbrowser, we compare tools that can help streamline this process. For instance, using a multi-window synchronization feature in certain browsers allows you to download videos across multiple windows simultaneously, turning tedious tasks into organized work.
Let's use SaveFrom.net as an example to demonstrate how to download multiple YouTube videos at once:
- Bulk create profiles in your browser and enter the following link in the Platform section:
https://en1.savefrom.net/1-youtube-video-downloader-3vV/ - After creating the profiles, click OK, then open each profile.
- Use a synchronization tool. Set one window as the main window and assign others as controlled windows. Start synchronization.
- In the Text > Designated text section, choose "Enter in order." Enter the video links in the blank space.
- Click "Type as human" to automatically enter links into each window in order.
- After links are entered, click "Download" to complete the process.
Note: This method is not applicable to desktop downloaders, as browsers cannot control other software on your computer.
If you encounter synchronization issues during multi-window operations, refer to troubleshooting tutorials available online.
Best 10 YouTube Video Downloaders
1. 4K Video Downloader
4K Video Downloader is a simple, easy-to-use app for downloading videos. Its "Smart Mode" feature allows one-click downloads, saving time and effort. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and is available in multiple languages like German, French, Spanish, and Japanese.
Many consider it free, but it also offers paid features. The premium version lets you download entire YouTube playlists with more than 25 videos at once and automatically download new videos from subscribed channels. For most users, the free version is sufficient.
2. YTD Video Downloader
YTD Video Downloader is a good choice for saving videos on your computer. Upon starting the program, the differences between free and paid versions are clearly explained. The free version only allows one download at a time, meaning you must wait for each video to finish before starting the next. While time-consuming, this is a limitation of the free version.
3. Freemake Video Downloader
Freemake Video Downloader is a handy tool for Windows users. It's easy to use and offers features like adjustable download speed and the ability to save videos directly to Dropbox or Google Drive.
The free version has limits: it downloads videos at only 4 MBps and adds a watermark at the beginning and end of each video. The paid version removes these restrictions, offering faster downloads and no watermark, along with a one-click download option.
4. ClipGrab
ClipGrab is a free tool for downloading YouTube videos. Be cautious during installation, as it may try to add extra programs. Despite this, it works well for saving videos. You can download by pasting a video link or using its built-in search tool. It also supports proxy usage by entering an IP address and port number. Additionally, ClipGrab can extract audio from videos and save it as MP3 files.
5. aTube Catcher
aTube Catcher is a safe, versatile program that does more than download videos. It can save videos from many websites, convert them to different formats, and record your computer screen. This makes it a useful tool for keeping your favorite videos available offline in formats that work best for you.
6. By Click Downloader
If you have an older Windows computer and want an easy way to download YouTube videos, By Click Downloader is a good option. It works on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems and supports downloading from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, and Dailymotion. As the name suggests, you can download entire playlists and channels with one click.
It has two versions: a free one with basic features and a paid one with more options. The paid version allows unlimited downloads, including long HD and UHD videos (over an hour), subtitles, multiple simultaneous downloads, and access to private videos on YouTube and Facebook.
7. VideoProc
VideoProc is a versatile software that handles video editing, DVD conversion and backup, video downloading, and screen recording. Its download tool is powerful, supporting batch downloads of movies, music, and videos at 60 frames per second. It can also download playlists and subtitles from YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. The software handles high-quality videos up to 1080P, 4K, and even 8K.
8. Airy
Airy is a secure YouTube video downloader compatible with Windows XP through 11, designed for saving HD and UHD videos. It features a minimalist design, focusing only on essential functions. The free version is limited to downloading just 2 videos, allowing users to test its capabilities. The paid version offers batch downloading and the ability to save entire playlists.
9. Gihosoft TubeGet
Gihosoft TubeGet is a simple tool for downloading videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, and Niconico. It can download high-quality videos in HD and UHD, including 1080P, 2K, 4K, and 8K. It supports videos at 48 or 60 frames per second, can download age-restricted videos, and handles entire playlists or channels, including subtitles. The free version allows up to 5 downloads per day.
10. iTubeGO
iTubeGO is a versatile tool for downloading YouTube videos on Android, macOS, and Windows. It includes a built-in converter for MP3, MP4, 4K, and HD MP4 formats. Users can convert videos to MP3 audio, download entire playlists, and manage multiple downloads simultaneously.
FAQs
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
According to YouTube's Terms of Service, downloading videos using third-party tools without permission is illegal. Additionally, copyright laws in your region may pose legal risks if you download content through unofficial means. Violating platform rules can result in penalties, such as account blocking.
For example, U.S. copyright law clearly states that copying content without the copyright owner's permission is illegal, even for personal use. Downloading copyrighted videos, movies, or shows from YouTube without authorization is a violation and could lead to legal action.
However, there are specific circumstances where downloading may be allowed:
- When the download button is available in the YouTube app for offline viewing.
- Videos not protected by copyright or where reproduction is permitted by law.
- Copyleft videos, which allow free use under certain licenses.
- Public domain videos, where copyright has expired or never existed.
- Creative Commons videos, where the creator has granted permission for public use.
In these cases, downloading is considered legal.
How to avoid legal issues on YouTube?
To stay out of trouble with copyright issues on YouTube, follow these steps:
- Learn YouTube's rules: Understand what is allowed and what is not, such as downloading without permission.
- Know about "fair use": This rule allows limited use of copyrighted content in specific ways, but avoid copying entire videos or using them for profit.
- Be selective about what you download: Non-fiction or less creative works are safer, but only use small portions and avoid competing with the original content.
- Play it safe: Always aim to stay within the law. Learn the rules and be cautious when using others' content.
Remember, it's best to ask for permission or use freely available content. When in doubt, avoid downloading content that may belong to someone else.
At Masbrowser, we help you discover, compare, and choose the right tools for your needs. Browse our directory for more insights on video downloaders and other browser-related tools.