Are you searching for the best YouTube video downloader? Well, look no further, because you’re in the right place. Just pick one of the top 15 downloaders from YouTube to MP4 (or other format that you need).
YouTube has grown to become the most popular video-sharing and streaming platform by a country mile. Going through its contents, one cannot help but wish to be able to download some of it for personal or professional use.
While YouTube permits some form of download, they all occur within the app and cannot be transferred or converted directly. Using certain websites and apps, however, can solve this problem. You can conveniently save videos to your device via a YouTube video downloader program.
This guide contains a review of the best YouTube video downloading apps, their features, licenses, pros and cons, among others.
As with most other video downloading tools on this list, Snaptube allows videos to be downloaded from YouTube and other sites in the most convenient way possible.
License
Platform
Format
Freeware
Supported on Android and iOS via APK. Also supports Windows via an Android system emulator
Supports M4A, MP4, and MP3
Key Features
Download video directly from its URL from up to 50 sites
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Dark theme and picture-in-picture mode
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Comprehensive search option
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Allows for online play or direct download to terminal
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Pros
+ 100% free with unlimited downloads
+ Supports the downloading of videos in 2K HD resolution
Cons
– Cannot be downloaded on Google Player other smartphone stores
To download YouTube videos and watch them offline on your device, look no further than MassTube. This application software is frequently updated and has been so thrice within the last 6 months.
License
Platform
Format
Freeware
Windows 7/8/8.1/10
MP4, WebM, OGG, 3GP, FLV, and M4A
Key Features
Downloads YouTube videos in high resolution (HD), UHD,720p, 1080p, 4k & 8k
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Integrated with a history manager
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Supports browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari
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Uploads restricted media files
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Converts files to different formats
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Pros
+ Commences download with a few mouse clicks
+ Does not require logins to download age-restricted videos
A download manager built that supports downloads of video and audio clips from various websites either with their original file extensions or those that have been modified. The staggering amount of features makes it an “all-in-one” tool that can suit every need.
License
Platform
Format
Free, paid premium
Windows
MP4
Key Features
Possesses a one-click download mode that allows users the opportunity to hasten the download process by activating them with one click
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Transfers films from YouTube to cloud if a Dropbox or Google drive is designated as the default destination
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Pros
+ The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is pleasantly designed, with first-time users quickly adapting
+ One-click download mode is a life saver
+ Parental control: Parents can restrict access to websites they deem unfit for their wards with a password
Cons
– Watermark and limited download speed (4MBp/s) on the free version
– Lack of clipboard monitor to ensure the continuous/automatic downloading of videos the moment the links are copied
– A not-so-smooth installation process rigged with adware
As the name suggests, ClipGrab is free application software that is useful when trying to obtain video clips online and is one of the best of its kind which grants extensive YouTube downloading capacity.
License
Platform
Format
Freeware
Windows, Mac OS, Linux
MP4, MP3
Key Features
Directly downloads YouTube videos via copied links or searched keywords
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Extracts audio from video clips and saves as MP3 files
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Built-in browser to aid searches
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Contains proxy server
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Pros
+ Easy searches via the built-in browser
+ Batch download multiple videos and even resume interrupted downloads
Cons
– Annoying adware during installation such as Opera Browser
This application is one of the best tools for downloading videos in resolutions up to 8K from over 900 websites, YouTube included. The free version is only available for 24 hours, during which one has access to unrestricted features. The premium edition is presently on sale for $19.99 for a lifetime license.
License
Platform
Format
Paid
Windows, Mac OS
MP4, MP3
Key Features
Downloads videos in resolutions such as 8K/4K/2K/1080p/720p
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Create an in-app proxy to download restricted videos or websites in your location
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Simultaneous downloads from several websites
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Pros
+ User-friendly Interface
+ Allows for the easy download of videos at premium quality and at high speeds
Likened to a Swiss Army knife, VideoProc is perhaps the most decorated application software on this list. This multipurpose software’s star attraction is its video editing, video downloading, screen recording, and DVD converting features.
License
Platform
Format
Paid
Windows, Mac OS
MP4
Key Features
Equipped with a powerful video downloader engine that downloads, edits and converts YouTube and other online video clips
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Batch download videos at 60fps
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Downloads in resolutions of up to 8k without any squabble
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Pros
+ Offers additional features not typically found in YouTube video downloaders such as screen recording tools and video editing
Developed by a Russian-based company, this multi-platform shareware allows for free video, audio, and subtitle download from sharing platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Flickr.
License
Platform
Format
Free, paid premium
Windows
MP4, MKV, OGG Theora, MP3, M4A
Key Features
Allows for downloading entire playlists and channels in one mouthful
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Smart mode downloads videos with a single click
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Has a subscription function that automatically downloads new videos from a user-defined YouTube channel when available
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Possess a multilingual and cross-platform nature, with Windows, Mac, and Linux versions
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Pros
+ Easy installation
+ Great UI and UX
+ Supports subtitles download
+ Super fast downloading
Cons
– Not compatible with mobile platforms, thereby limiting ready-usage and efficiency
– Free version has a lot of ads and also restricts the amount of playlist and channel downloads
Featuring in this exclusive list is what is arguably the overall best web-based YouTube trimmer and downloader. This is one of the more unique tools in that it is one of the few that permits you to download certain parts of videos for personal or professional purposes.
License
Platform
Format
Freeware
Windows, Mac OS, Android
MP4, GIFs
Key Features
Easy editing
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Allows for the download of various parts of the same video in equally various formats (even as GIFs)
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Edited videos retain the same quality as the original
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Take screenshots of YouTube videos with high cropping precision (0.1 sec)
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Pros
+ Works online, no registration needed
+ It includes a simple and user-friendly design and a variety of download options
+ Surprisingly fast editing
+ Edits and subsequent downloads are done in quick succession
This application software developed by KastorSoft offers a practical solution to problems by enabling the download of videos from over 200 video services simultaneously.
License
Platform
Format
Freeware
Windows, Mac OS
AVI, WMV, MP3, FLV, MP4, AAC
Key Features
Equipped with a built-in search engine for easy search and download without needing to access the browser
This program is available as part of the Leawo Total Media Converter Ultimate package. Its downloader component costs $29.95 for a one-year license and $39.95 for a single-user, lifetime license.
License
Platform
Format
Paid
Windows
MP4
Key Features
Downloads live stream videos from YouTube in two modes, direct live video URL downloading and live video M3U8 link downloading
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Uses innovative video loading technologies as well as hardware acceleration
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Cannot convert videos to other formats on its own, although a video converter module is available in the Leawo Total Media Converter Ultimate package
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Pros
+ User-friendly and efficient
+ Smart download settings like setting maximum download tasks will greatly improve your user experience
Cons
– Non-inclusion of a browser plugin and format conversion tools hurts its performance
– Does not recognize and download videos from other browsers automatically
YouTube Video Downloaders FAQs
What is a YouTube Video Downloader?
They are web-based tools or applications used to extract video clips from YouTube and other sites.
Is it legal to download a video from YouTube?
Yes, because it is in breach of their terms of service. YouTube could sue for this but has shown great reluctance in doing so.
Is it safe to use YouTube Video Downloader?
Most times, yes. However, some apps may contain malware, so it is highly advisable to download from a reliable source.
Why use a YouTube Video Downloader?
To enjoy music or videos offline without having to open the YouTube app.
What formats are supported by Video Download Applications?
MP4, MP3, 3GP, AVI, WMV, FLV, AAC, MKV, and M4A among others.
What’s the difference between Online YouTube video downloaders and desktop apps?
Online YouTube downloaders are web-based and can only be accessed online from a browser. You don’t install them.
Desktop downloader apps, however, must be installed on a device to work.
YouTube Video Downloader to MP3
If you’re looking for a YouTube Video Downloader to MP3 or Converter to MP3, check out this list here.
Wondering how to download your videos? Check this guide here.
