Are you looking to download videos from YouTube and other video hosting sites? Check out our list of the best YouTube downloaders to watch videos offline. Almost all of our recommendations work regardless of browser or operating system. Just copy and paste the downloadable URL into one of these software and the video file will be instantly saved for offline use.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
Downloading from YouTube is very simple and widely used, with hundreds of sites and apps providing this service. Millions of users do it every day anyway. Does this make it legal?
Technically, no. If you look at the, it clearly states that you are not authorized to “access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, transmit, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use any part of the Service or any Content except : (a) as expressly authorized by the Service; or (b) with the written permission of YouTube and, if applicable, their respective rights holders. "
In the worst case, any ToS violation can lead to the termination of your YouTube services. This includes any unauthorized downloads of content.
It is for this reason that YouTube has blocked mobile and tablet users from downloading videos, especially on Android or iOS devices with third-party apps. This is also why you won't find any recommended YouTube specific app downloader on the Google Play Store or App Store. You can use other open source apps at your own risk, but again this is a YouTube ToS breach.
That said, some video download categories are within fair use. These include your own videos and, by extension, any shareable videos uploaded by your academic institution, company, peer group or social club. (YouTube cannot deny users access to their source files.) You can also download copyright-free videos that have been shared under a Creative Commons license. YouTube allows you to search for such videos in "filters".
Why download YouTube videos?
There are many reasons why you would want to download a video for offline use.
- You have lost access to the original source file of one of your videos.
- To add captions and sound effects.
- The videos have a Creative Commons license which gives you the right to use them with the correct attribution.
- To watch videos offline without internet access.
- Your favorite video may have been deleted or removed.
- You are a student or an educational institution and need offline access to educational content.
Best YouTube video downloaders
Below is a list of the best YouTube video download sites. All of them support other video sites like DailyMotion, Vimeo and Facebook.
Unless otherwise noted, these online software are supported on all desktop and mobile browser platforms.
savefrom
Savefrom (also Savefromnet) is one of the oldest and most trusted video downloader sites. As soon as you paste the video link, you are offered numerous file format options. The download starts immediately on your browser and you don't have to worry about pop-up ads or other intrusions. (Ads are very minimal.)
Savefrom's maximum MP4 resolution is limited to 720p and lacks some of the great features of other premium software on our list, but it's totally free to use as many times as you want.
Availability : in. Optional extensions available with,
Keepvid
Keepvid is another great video downloader, which despite being free, far outweighs its weight. Besides MP4 and WebM, it also supports MP3 format, which is a great way to extract audio from video files. After copying and pasting the video link, you can download the media files up to Full HD (1080p) resolution. Although Keepvid software is meant to be used online with any operating system, you can download its free installers for Windows and Mac.
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Y2Mate
Y2Mate (or Y2Mate Guru) is another good example of a free browser-based video downloader that doesn't require sign-up pages or installers. It works the same way as Savefrom and Keepvid, so you just have to copy and paste the video link. The software supports resolutions up to 4K for WebM (2160p) and full HD (1080p) for MP4. Y2Mate should be your favorite free downloader for any high resolution source video.
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YouTube-dl
Although free, YouTube-dl should only be used by those with advanced needs. Whether you're using Windows, Mac, or Linux, YouTube-dl offers a full desktop video download experience.
It just requires some familiarity with Git bash and GitHub software. With a full list of commands in the website's documentation, you can get a lot out of your Git bash window:
- Unblock Geo-Restrictions: We've all come across YouTube videos that are subject to region-based restrictions. The geo-bypass command helps you bypass these restrictions.
- Download videos by date and maximum number of views.
- Download subtitles and announcements
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Internet Download Manager
Internet Download Manager (IDM) is 100% premium software, the only one we will recommend, as it makes it much easier to download several large files together. IDM accelerates download speeds up to five times along with a “Scheduler” feature to set download schedules. All downloads are supported with one click, which is useful for bulk / massive download.
Availability : 30-day free trial for. Free helper extensions and other browsers.
4K Video Downloader
If you are looking for free video download software with advanced features, 4K Video Downloader is an excellent tool to have. By supporting Mac, Windows and Linux, it is guaranteed to give you up to 8K resolution for MP4 download. (The source file must be 8K and above.) For those looking to download visually appealing videos, the dollar really stops there.
The only drawback: you can only download up to 30 videos per day, which seems doable.
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Freemake Video Downloader
Freemake Video Downloader is a powerful video downloader that remains free to use on Windows and Mac, with some restrictions. After copying and pasting, save the videos in a wide variety of formats so that you don't have to search for video converting software. However, the free version of the tool shows a prominent watermark. A lifetime license can be purchased for under $ 30 with a secret discount within the trial software.
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iTube HD Video Downloader
We will complement our freemium tools with iTube HD Video Downloader software. It supports downloading videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo and many other sites. iTube also allows you to convert videos and download them at lightning speed. You can use the software's media player to play your videos. Keep pasting the URLs of the downloaded videos to create your playlist.
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YT Cutter
So far we have seen software that helps you download YouTube videos in their entirety. How about saving a small part of it? Assuming you only need a one-minute favorite scene in a 3-hour video, you shouldn't have to download the entire clip. YT Cutter is outstanding software that allows you to capture those precise few seconds or minutes. You just have to set the start and end time.
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Scarica video with YouTube Go and YouTube Premium
YouTube allows you to "download" the video on your smartphones and tablets if you have a paid subscription. However, it's not a download in the truest sense of the word, as the file stays embedded in your YouTube app and only for 48 hours.
During your active subscription, you can download the video as many times as you want, but it is no longer available after the subscription expires. However, for those who wish to have internet-free access to high-bandwidth video files, the download feature is a good option to have on their Android device, iPad or iPhone.
How to download YouTube videos with VLC
is a versatile media player, which helps you to download YouTube software. To download a YouTube video, follow the steps below:
- Go to “Media -> Open Network Stream”.
- Enter the YouTube URL in the URL section of the network protocol.
- Click a small arrow next to the Play button and click "Stream". You can also enter Alt + S.
- A “Stream Out” dialog will open. Click "Next" to proceed.
- In the Add Destination section, make sure “File” is enabled and click “Add”. This will save the file with a name.
- Select a folder to save the file in and give it a name.
- Select “Enable transcoding” for the saved file and click “Next”.
- Click "Stream" to complete the download process.
