To be sincere, I do not obtain movies from YouTube all that always. However after I do (often to create video tutorials and webinars for my fellow writers), it is essential that the app works flawlessly and meets my each loopy want, whether or not it is saving a video fragment or a whole playlist.
Through the years, I’ve curated a set of instruments that assist me obtain movies for offline use, regardless of the scenario or gadget. Right here’s my checklist of the perfect YouTube downloaders, with choices for Mac, Home windows, Linux, Ubuntu, internet, and Android.
Greatest YouTube downloaders: Comparability desk
I’ll begin with a fast comparative overview — this can be all you want. If not, scroll down or click on on an app title within the desk to see a extra detailed description.
Let’s evaluate! |
Platform |
Greatest characteristic |
Browser extension |
Worth |
Downie |
macOS |
Limitless downloads from 1200+ websites |
✓ |
$9.99/mo (included in Setapp with 250+ different apps) |
Pulltube |
macOS |
Can obtain a selected a part of the video or break up it by timecodes |
✓ |
$9.99/mo (included in Setapp with 250+ different apps) |
4k Downloader |
macOS, Home windows, Ubuntu, Android |
Subscription to automated video downloads out of your favourite channels |
✖ |
From $15/yr |
Snaptube |
Android |
In-app video advice system |
✖ |
Free |
Y2Mate |
Internet |
Limitless on-line downloader |
✓ |
Free |
YT Reduce Golem |
Internet |
Reduce clips from YouTube movies |
✖ |
Free |
Ethereal |
macOS, Home windows |
Tremendous easy interface |
✓ |
From $19.95 |
ClipGrab |
macOS, Home windows, Linux |
Downloader + video converter |
✖ |
Free |
aTube Catcher |
Home windows |
Video downloader + display and audio recorder. |
✖ |
Free |
Downie: Limitless 4K video downloads for Mac
Downie gives spectacular obtain speeds for limitless downloads from YouTube and over 1,200 different web sites (Vimeo, TikTok, Fb, and extra). You possibly can seek for movies immediately within the built-in search field or just drag and drop hyperlinks into the app.
I’d suggest Downie to anybody who wants to avoid wasting giant quantities of movies, YouTube playlists, audio, or subtitles actually shortly and with none lag.
Platform: macOS
Worth: Included in Setapp for $9.99/mo (+ over 250 different apps)
- You possibly can obtain subtitles, audio, or thumbnails from movies individually.
- There are extensions for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.
- There’s a Permute integration for video conversion.
- No preview choice earlier than obtain.
- No trimming options.
Pulltube: Cut up or trim your video earlier than downloading
Pulltube’s standout characteristic is the flexibility to obtain particular elements of a video, whether or not it’s a random snippet or a piece trimmed by timecode.
I additionally love the interface. It has one-click obtain, subtitle assist, audio and thumbnail extraction, and extra — and each characteristic that’s essential to me is only a click on or two away.
Platform: macOS
Worth: Included in Setapp for $9.99/mo (+ over 250 different apps)
- YouTube movies might be transformed to MP3 — nice for music.
- It can save you a video to obtain later or obtain a number of directly.
- Downloads can be found from over 1000 websites.
- Preview mode for trimming is usually a bit gradual, relying on web pace.
4k Downloader: For infrequent hassle-free downloads
The free model of 4K Downloader gives 10 downloads per day, permitting one video obtain at a time. The Premium model will increase these limits based mostly in your chosen plan (there are three tiers), and it additionally allows you to arrange automated downloads out of your favourite YouTube channels.
Platform: macOS
Worth: From $15/yr
- 8K and 4K assist.
- Obtain presets, so you may obtain movies with the identical settings each time.
- Detailed customization choices for video settings.
- The free plan doesn’t assist simultaneous downloads.
- Playlists are restricted to 10 movies on the free plan.
Snaptube: Limitless downloads on Android
Snaptube is a Chinese language YouTube video downloader that’s tremendous widespread on Android. The app is free to make use of and has a advice system — form of like its personal YouTube, suggesting channels and movies based mostly in your preferences. Nonetheless, there’s a cautionary word to contemplate within the “Cons” part beneath.
Platform: Android
Worth: Free
- Limitless downloads for movies and audio information of any dimension or high quality, together with TV reveals and playlists.
- Helps 100+ different platforms.
- Contains further instruments like junk cleaner and battery saver.
- Repute: In 2019, Snaptube was accused of secretly charging customers for premium purchases and serving invisible advertisements for income.
- Intrusive advertisements.
Y2Mate: On-line downloader with in-built search
Y2Mate is a well-liked on-line software for downloading YouTube movies. You possibly can paste a video hyperlink immediately on Y2Mate or add “pp” after “youtube” within the video URL to obtain straight from YouTube. Nonetheless, remember that Y2Mate opens a brand new browser web page with every obtain, which might get a bit annoying.
Platform: Internet
Worth: Free
- No restrict on every day downloads.
- Constructed-in search perform for YouTube.
- Helps audio extraction.
- Comprises many advertisements, a few of which can embrace malicious information.
- Lacks a video editor and subtitles extraction.
YT Reduce Golem: Reduce clips earlier than downloading
YT Reduce Golem lets you minimize clips from YouTube movies and obtain them in MP4, MP3, or GIF codecs. One enchancment I’d prefer to see is the flexibility to separate movies by timecode, as at the moment, you must use the timeline slider to search out the specified clip manually.
Platform: Internet
Worth: Free
- Distinctive slicing characteristic for on-line YouTube downloaders.
- Person-friendly interface.
- Free downloads in 4K.
- No clear preview of the chosen minimize fragment.
- Gradual processing speeds.
- Restricted further options and codecs.
Ethereal: One-click app
Ethereal allows you to obtain two YouTube movies without spending a dime (further downloads require a paid license). Regardless of the restricted trial, I actually just like the app for its one-click simplicity, playlist assist, capacity to obtain a number of movies directly, and MP3 conversion choices.
Platform: macOS, Home windows
Worth: from $19.95/license
- It’s tremendous straightforward to make use of and has one of the easy interfaces I’ve ever seen.
- Helps playlist downloads and MP3 conversion.
- Restricted to YouTube downloads solely.
- Requires sign-in for age-restricted content material (although I can also view this as a profit).
- Very restricted trial model.
ClipGrab: Downloader + video converter
This is without doubt one of the most useful free instruments on the market. ClipGrab lets you obtain movies from a hyperlink, search YouTube utilizing the built-in search field, and choose the format for video conversion prematurely. Whereas the performance is sort of fundamental, it could nicely cowl the wants of many individuals.
Platform: macOS, Home windows, Linux
Worth: Free
- Clear, easy interface — no litter!
- Downloads from Vimeo, Fb, and different comparable web sites.
- 4K obtain assist.
- No choices to obtain subtitles, crop movies, delay downloads, and so forth.
aTube Catcher: YouTube downloader + display recorder
aTube Catcher for Home windows combines a video downloader with a display and audio recorder. It helps downloads in numerous codecs, together with MKV, 3GP, AAC, AVI, DVD, and extra. The app additionally features a video converter, fundamental editor (for resizing, slicing, trimming, and becoming a member of information), and extra instruments. Whereas I discover the interface a bit cluttered and sometimes bothersome with further prompts, it’s onerous to complain given the characteristic set and the truth that it’s free.
Platform: Home windows
Worth: Free
- It could actually substitute a dozen different video and recording instruments.
- Downloads from numerous web sites (Vimeo, Fb, Dailymotion™, Metacafe™, and so forth.)
- Home windows solely.
- Interface can really feel cluttered.
How I chosen the perfect YouTube downloaders
I’ve been reviewing software program and apps for over 5 years, and I observe a constant course of. For YouTube downloaders, I centered on these key questions:
-
Is that this service dependable?
I check each out there characteristic to evaluate performance, comfort, and pace. I test for app stability below heavy masses, obtain and processing speeds, and basic efficiency. -
Am I glad with the video high quality?
I consider whether or not the app helps high-quality downloads in 4K and 8K, and if it maintains high quality with out degradation. -
Does it supply further options?
Generally downloading a video from YouTube isn’t sufficient. I search for options like subtitle extraction, audio downloads, and format conversion. -
Is it secure?
For Setapp apps like Permute and Downie, I depend on Setapp’s rigorous choice course of. For others, I look into information safety, recognized breaches, and consumer opinions, and spotlight any considerations in the event that they come up. -
Is the worth well worth the high quality?
I’m open to paying for an app license, however I count on extra than simply fundamental downloads — for instance, playlist assist, video trimming, and different modifying choices.
Primarily based on these standards and my expertise with YouTube downloaders, this prime checklist was compiled.
How to decide on a YouTube downloader that works for you
Whereas selecting the perfect free YouTube downloader, focus in your priorities. Do you want a software with probably the most in depth file format assist? Is 4K high quality a should? Do you want trimming characteristic or batch downloads?
Fact be advised, a lot of the reviewed YT video downloaders do not have all of it. Nonetheless, you try to discover a mixture that works completely for you. For Mac customers, I like to recommend Downie and Pulltube — collectively, they need to meet all of your YouTube obtain and modifying necessities.
You will get them each for $9.99/month on Setapp — an app subscription service that opens up entry to 250+ apps for Mac and iPhone. Attempt Setapp for 7 days free so you may determine which one works finest for you.
FAQ
Find out how to use YouTube downloader?
The most typical methodology is to repeat and paste the video hyperlink into the downloader app. Some instruments additionally present browser extensions that allow you to seize movies whereas searching the online. Extra superior apps typically include a built-in browser, so you may seek for movies proper within the app.
Is YouTube downloader authorized?
Many apps with video obtain options, equivalent to Downie and Pulltube, are secure. Legality depends upon how you employ the downloaded content material and will differ by nation. Usually, it’s unlawful to distribute or monetize copyrighted content material. Nonetheless, utilizing small video fragments for non-commercial functions, like illustration, is usually allowed.
Word: On-line downloaders generally embrace advertisements, which might carry malware, so proceed with warning.
What’s the finest YouTube downloader?
Downie and Pulltube stand out for his or her comprehensiveness. They permit you to obtain from over 1000 totally different websites, assist simultaneous downloads of a number of information, conversion, audio and subtitle extraction, and extra.
Which is the perfect YouTube video downloader?
For Mac, Downie and Pulltube are prime suggestions — they assist downloading, trimming, and changing. For Home windows, attempt aTube Catcher (it is free). For on-line downloads, Y2mate is an efficient choice, however be conscious of pop-ups and advertisements on the web site.
The place to obtain YouTube downloader?
Obtain Downie and Pulltube from Setapp — an app subscription service with 250+ apps for Mac and iPhone. It gives YouTube downloader apps, media converters, display recorders, and different apps to unravel your duties.