10 Best YouTube Downloaders to Watch Videos Anywhere (Spring 2023)
From YouTube downloaders that work with smartphones to those that download videos directly onto your PC we’ve ranked 10 options on our list of favorites according to the perks you get with each.
With over 3.5 million videos uploaded to YouTube daily, the app has everything you could wish for, from music, entertainment news, how-to videos for fixing and building things to even podcasts. The one thing it doesn’t do is allow people to download these videos to their defines so they can watch them when they don’t have an internet connection.
This is where the best YouTube downloaders come in. We reviewed and examined the different options according to the pricing, OS compatibility, format conversion, ease of use, etc., given that they determine the accessibility and usability of the downloaders. Consequently, we can easily recommend the ten downloaders listed below for their suitability for different users and use scenarios, especially, the By Click Downloader which is a leader on our list.
| Name | Nomination | Overall rating |
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The By Click Downloader is a well-rounded app with the ability to download and convert video files to different formats |
Editor’s Choice | 9.9 |
| 2. Wondershare UniConverter
While users may have to pay extra for the Wondershare UniConverter, the extra AI functionality and editing features make it worth it |
Premium Pick | 9.8 |
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3. VideoHunter The VideoHunter can download videos from 1000+ sites and can even bypass location restrictions |
Best YouTube Downloader for Windows 10 | 9.8 |
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4. iTubeGo With the iTubeGo, users get a built-in browser, making the user interface simpler |
Best YouTube Downloader for MacOS | 9.6 |
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With the 4K Video Downloader, users can download 3D and 360° videos |
Best YouTube Video Downloader for PC | 9.4 |
| 6. WinX YouTube Downloader
In addition to downloading videos, the WinX YouTube Downloader offers extra functionality such as processing and resizing high-res uncompressed footage |
Best YouTube Downloader App | 9.3 |
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7. VideoGet With VideoGet, users can download YouTube videos in easy playback formats such as MP4 |
Best YouTube to Mp4 Downloader | 9.2 |
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8. Savefrom.net Savefrom.net is a totally free YouTube downloader with no app downloads required |
Best Free YouTube Downloader | 9.0 |
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The YT3 is designed solely for the Android platform, which is evident from the simplicity of the user interface |
Best YouTube Downloader for Android | 8.8 |
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10. YTD Video Downloader & Converter The YTD Video Downloader & Converter is one of the more affordable apps of its caliber on the market, offering an ad-free experience |
Best Value | 8.5 |
Detailed Product Reviews
Features:
- Price: $3.99 per year
- Supported Quality: 720p, 1080p, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
The By Click Downloader is our Editor’s Choice because it’s one of the most well-rounded YouTube downloaders on the market. It has everything from the ability to convert file formats to direct file exportations to iTunes for those with MacOS and iOS devices. Also, its ability to download playlists and YouTube Channels with one click is pretty neat.
A brief look at the By Click Downloader features reveals how it made it onto our list. For instance, in addition to YouTube, users can download from other websites and apps, e.g., Dailymotion, Twitter, Facebook, and several others. Also, you don’t have to compromise on video quality with the app capable of downloading up to 8K video. Another perk is the ability to download entire YouTube playlists and channels with a single click. This is made easier by the fact that the downloader allows multiple downloads at the same time. The By Click Downloader even supports direct exports from YouTube to iTunes, allowing for easier transference between your apple devices. Lastly, this app allows for video conversations into different formats during the download, including audio, and will even download private videos.
The By Click Downloader is easily comparable to the VideoHunter that gets second place on our list since they both allow downloading entire playlists and YouTube channels. Nevertheless, if you want to transfer files onto your iPhone or iPad once you’re done downloading, By Click’s ability to export to iTunes should come in handy. On the other hand, if your devices don’t require iTunes, either option should work great.
What we liked
- Capable of downloading up to 8K video
- Can export files to iTunes for syncing with iPads and iPhones
- It can download entire playlists and YouTube channels
What could be better
- It supports a limited number of video services compared to other downloaders listed
- It isn’t available for smartphones
Features:
- Price: $49.99 per year
- Supported Quality: HD 1080p, 2K, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
As for the Wondershare UniConverter, it’s capable of downloading videos from over 10,000 websites. That said, the main reason we think it’s one of the best YouTube downloader apps is its other capabilities. They include lossless video conversion into different formats, easy compression to save on storage space, and the ability to merge videos to create something new. There’s also the artificial intelligence element which should be especially handy for content creators who want to use the videos they download for their own creations. Some of the perks of this AI include a voice changer, watermark editor, noise remover, subtitle editor, and even smart trim capabilities. Also, with all these features, you don’t need to keep paying a subscription thanks to the perpetual plan, which involves a one-time payment.
As the Premium Pick, you may have to pay more for the Wondershare UniConverter than other options listed and in the market. However, you also get superior functionality. It has all the perks of most other downloaders, including saving videos from over 10,000 sites, compressing and converting videos to merging videos for re-uploading. Furthermore, it has an AI noise remover, voice changer, watermark editor, and other unique features.
The Wondershare UniConverter and iTubeGo app are the only two capable of downloading videos from more than 10,000 websites, including YouTube. Both are great, but the iTubeGo takes the cake in download speeds due to the Turbo-fast mode. Conversely, the Wondershare UniConverter is the one you go to for AI functionality.
What we liked:
- Works with more than 10,000 websites and video services
- Has AI video editing features
- Allows for lossless video conversion
What could be better:
- Fairly expensive
- It doesn’t work with smartphones or Linux devices
Features:
- Price: $39.95 per year
- Supported Quality: HD 1080p, 2K, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
VideoHunter is another easy pick for the list since it lives up to its name. Its ability to help you pick and download videos from over 1000 websites, including YouTube, is particularly impressive. Furthermore, just like its predecessor on the list, you can download playlists and entire YouTube channels, including even the subtitles, once you have it on your PC. Speaking of PCs, it’s compatible with both Mac and Windows PCs. It’s also worth noting all videos you download with this app can be saved in their original quality, including even 8K. However, this will depend on the quality of the upload. Another impressive feature is the built-in proxy integration that should allow you to download even videos blocked in your region.
We chose this option as the best YouTube Downloader for Windows 10 due to its built-in proxy integration for the platform. The resulting ability to download videos that may be blocked in your region should be enough for Windows users to want to download the app. That said, it should still work pretty well for other platforms as well if you don’t plan to download restricted videos.
For the VideoHunter it shares the built-in proxy with our best YouTube downloader for PC, the 4K Video Downloader mentioned below. If you like this feature and have a MacOS or Windows PC, you can go with the VideoHunter. However, for those with an Ubuntu operating system, they might have to go with the 4K Video Downloader to get the same feature.
What we liked:
- Downloads from more than 1000 video sites
- Built-in proxy to bypass location restrictions
- You can download playlists and YouTube channels
- Downloads up to 8K video
What could be better:
- Output formats are fairly limited
- The free version has fairly limited features
- There’s no iOS version of the app
- The Android-compatible version isn’t as good as the PC version
Features:
- Price: $29.95 per year
- Supported Quality: 480p, 720p, Full HD, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
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Following the VideoHunter is the iTubeGo, an easy-to-use YouTube downloader compatible with Android, Mac, and Windows. That said, even if you have an iPhone or iPad, its ability to convert video to different formats should help if you want to transfer and watch or listen to downloaded files on your iOS device. We chose this downloader not only for its ability to download videos from 10,000+ sites and maintain top-notch video quality but for other perks as well. For instance, it comes with a built-in browser in the app, eliminating any need to copy and paste URLs. Instead, you can just browse YouTube from the app making the download process much simpler. There’s also the multi-thread technology that makes downloads more efficient. Add the Turbo-fast mode, and you can speed up downloads even further. As our best YouTube downloader for MacOS, the iTubeGo is a pretty impressive app in many respects. The ability to download videos from 10,000+ sites is one example. However, what really sets it apart on the MacOS platform is the multi-thread technology and turbo-fast mode. With these, you can get faster downloads without losing any of the other perks like downloading subtitles, converting to mp3, downloading playlists, etc. Comparing the iTubeGo to the VideoHunter, you can get 8K video downloads with either. However, if you need to convert your 8K videos to different formats after download, the iTubeGo’s capabilities may be better suited to your needs. |
- Compatible with Android, Windows, and MacOS
- Works with over 10,000 video services
- Fast downloads
- Built-in browser
What could be better:
- There’s no app for iOS
- The free version is rather limited
Features:
- Price: $10
- Supported Quality: HD 1080p, HD 720p, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
The 4K Video Downloader is easily one of the best YouTube video downloaders for PC. It’s compatible with three operating systems, i.e., Windows, MacOS, and Ubuntu. That said, there’s also a different 4K Video Downloader app for Android. We picked this option for the list for its ability to download 3D and 360° videos for those who want a more immersive video-watching experience and have the equipment for it. With its smart mode, users can pick the settings for all future downloads, so they won’t have to change the settings every time they use the app. Furthermore, like the VideoHunter, the 4K Video Downloader comes with an integrated in-app proxy setup. This should help work around location restrictions and even firewalls with ease.
While many of the YouTube downloaders on the list are only compatible with Windows and MacOS, the 4K Video Downloader is also compatible with newer Ubuntu operating systems. This is why we picked it as the best YouTube downloader for PC. Its ability to download 3D and 360° videos also sets it apart from the rest of the fray.
As mentioned above, the 4K Video downloader shares the built-in proxy feature with the VideoHunter. However, one thing that sets this option apart from its predecessor is its ability to download 3D and 360° videos. Therefore, it might work better for those downloading immersive clips.
What we liked:
- Compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux devices
- Can download 3D and 360° videos
- Built-in proxy to bypass location restrictions
What could be better:
- No available version for smartphones
- Only available on a paid subscription basis
Features:
- Price: $95 per year
- Supported Quality: 1080p, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
For some users, downloading YouTube videos is not enough. They also want to cut or merge their videos with other clips for entertainment or re-upload them to other platforms. This is one of the chief reasons we picked the WinX YouTube Downloader for our list. Its ability to compress or resize videos may also come in handy depending on how you intend to store and use the videos. The WinX Downloader can handle even high-res uncompressed & raw footage giving it an edge over the competition. With regard to resizing, it can transcode footage allowing you to upscale and downscale video clips as desired. What’s more, it does this using GPU acceleration, so you don’t put unnecessary strain on your CPU.
The WinX YouTube Downloader received its nomination for the best YouTube downloader app due to its capabilities past downloading that may be helpful to users. One example is the ability to compress or resize videos. This should be particularly handy if you’re looking to save on internal storage space. Other examples include how you can cut or merge video and how it’s even able to handle high-res uncompressed and raw footage.
The WinX YouTube Downloader and Wondershare UniConverter are two of the most advanced downloaders listed. One reason to pick the WinX option over the Wondershare is its ability to process high-res uncompressed and raw footage. Conversely, if you don’t deal with uncompressed footage and want something to upscale and edit your video, downloading the Wondershare UniConverter makes sense.
What we liked:
- It’s fairly efficient in using PC resources
- It can handle even uncompressed footage
- Users can resize and compress videos
- Users can also edit their videos
What could be better:
- It isn’t compatible with Linux, Android, or iOS
Features:
- Price: free
- Supported Quality: HD, Full HD, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
For those with Windows PCs, VideoGet provides an easy way to download and store videos on your computer for later viewing. It comes with plugins for browsers like Mozilla Firefox. Furthermore, our testing showed an uncanny ability to detect the video service you’re downloading from. Speaking of video services, this particular app can pick videos from more than 600 video services, including YouTube. Also, while most people don’t know how to work around and playback the FLV video files that are common on these websites, the VideoGet app offers the option of converting. As such, you can download in formats like Mp4 that are much easier to deal with. Lastly, the fact that it can download a new file while converting the previous download helps eliminate some of the lag in other downloaders.
We picked VideoGet as our best YouTube to MP4 downloader since it allows converting files saved as FLV to MP4 for easier playback. That said, it’s not the only file format you’ll have at your disposal once you start using the app or plugins. There are also AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2, 3GP, and about 20 other formats. Furthermore, you can customize several aspects of the video or audio quality to match your needs, e.g., the video frame rate and audio sampling rate.
Both VideoGet and the iTubeGo app listed above offer the capabilities to convert video to MP4, which makes them somewhat similar. That said, one reason to pick VideoGet over its predecessor is how it can multitask downloading and converting video. The iTubeGo app, on the other hand, has other perks, like how it can download videos from more than 10,000 sites.
What we liked:
- Works with over 600 video services
- Easy to use
- Capable of converting video files to more common file formats
- The app can multitask between converting previous downloads and downloading new videos
What could be better:
- Output file formats are fairly limited compared to other downloaders listed
- The app is only limited to MacOS and Windows platforms
Features:
- Price: free
- Supported Quality: Full HD, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
Unlike some of the other YouTube downloaders on the list, Savefrom.net doesn’t require you to download an app. Instead, you can just paste the link to the YouTube video on the downloader page of Savefrom.net’s website. After that, you press Enter, and voila, you’re downloading the video. Other ways to go about this include installing an extension, adding “savefrom.net/” or “sfrom.net/” before the URL for your video and pressing Enter, or adding ss before the domain. One of the reasons it made it onto the list is how it works with all chromium-based browsers in addition to Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox. The other major reason is the ease of use and the fact that you don’t need another app taking up space on your phone or PC.
Looking at Savefrom.net, it’s easy to see why it’s the best free YouTube Downloader. You pay nothing to use the service, and it’s still one of the easiest options to use. Its compatibility with browsers also means it can work on most PC and phone platforms without much fuss. Lastly, you don’t need to download an app to use it.
Compared to the rest of the list, Savefrom.net is among the only options that don’t require you to download any software. Use just involves opening the Savefrom.net website making it compatible with almost all devices with internet access.
What we liked:
- Easy to use
- It doesn’t require a download to work
- Is totally free
What could be better:
- It doesn’t offer much functionality after downloading videos
- It may not be as secure as other downloaders
Features:
- Price: free
- Supported Quality: 480p, 720p, HD, Full HD, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
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The YT3 YouTube Downloader is, in our opinion, one of the best YouTube downloaders for Android, and that is exemplified by its simple user interface. It features a flat design; hence users don’t need instructions to use the app. They can just intuit their way through. Like other YouTube Downloaders, you can paste the link on the app to access download options. Alternatively, you could log into the app and access any number of video services and social media platforms, like YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, etc., to download the videos. Users have the option to choose video download quality depending on the upload. Additionally, there’s lyrics support when you download any music, just in case you want to learn the words to your new favorite song. We picked the YT3YouTube Downloader as the best YouTube downloader for Android since it’s the only option listed designed solely for the Android platform. You can see this in the app interface, which is simple to use and gives you almost immediate access to video services and social media such as YouTube, Tiktok, Facebook, etc. Compared to the rest of the list, the YT3 YouTube Downloader is the only option designed for one particular platform. This makes it one of the best for android phones since the company doesn’t have to worry about cross-platform compatibility. |
What we liked:
- Simple user interface
- Free to use
What could be better:
- Limited to the Android platform
- It doesn’t have much functionality after downloading videos
Features:
- Price: $47.88 per year
- Supported Quality: 720p, HD, Full HD, 4K, 8K
- Download Limits: no
Last is the YTD Video Downloader & Converter, which is available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Depending on which of these platforms you’re using, you can download up to 8K videos from over 60 popular websites. Our testing revealed a seamless ad-free experience for the paid versions as well as a panel for monitoring downloads. Consequently, we noticed that even when there was a connection failure, the app would automatically retry or resume downloads as soon as the internet connection was back up. Another reason we think it’s one of the best YouTube downloaders for iPhone and other platforms is its ability to convert videos to supported formats.
The YTD Video Downloader & Converter is our pick for the best YouTube music downloader, given its ability to download playlists. It also offers an ad-free experience for a relatively low price especially compared to other YouTube downloaders listed. Lastly, the automatic retry/resume functionality whenever there’s an interruption to your internet connectivity means you don’t have to miss out on any of the songs in your playlist.
With the YTD Video Downloader and Wondershare UniConverter both being paid apps, you get an ad-free experience. However, the YTD option is more affordable and hence should be the go-to for those strapped for cash. With the Wondershare option, you pay more, but you also get more features.
What we liked:
- It can automatically resume downloads after temporarily losing an internet connection
- It can convert videos to supported formats for mobile devices
- Available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS
What could be better:
- No trial or free versions
- Not available for Linux
Buying Guide
According to Statista, YouTube has 2.1 billion users worldwide. This exemplifies how popular the platform is for user entertainment needs. People use it to view high-quality video content from major entertainment companies and even amateur content from smaller creators since it’s free to upload. As an online service, these people need to be connected to the internet whenever they want to watch or rewatch a video.
However, they may not always have that, so they look for ways to watch the videos offline. This is where the YouTube downloaders highlighted above come in. There are more than 10 options in the market. However, given the perks and features, we’ve only listed what we consider the best options.
People interested in using these apps will still have to choose between them, which is where this buying guide comes in. It can help you compare or contrast the different options with regard to your needs so you can download the best option for your particular needs.
What Is a YouTube Video Downloader?
As a video service, YouTube mostly depends on showing ads to viewers for ad revenue. As such, it doesn’t offer a download button for uploaded videos since it needs people to be online to show them the ads.
A YouTube downloader helps bypass this restriction, allowing you to store a copy of the video on your device, whether it’s a phone or PC.
Doing so gives you unlimited access to the video without having to deal with ads. You can also view the videos without needing an internet connection, such as when your WiFi is out, or you’re out of the house.
They can also help you download videos from other services such as Tiktok, Vimeo, Bilibili, and more that typically require an internet connection to use.
How to Choose the Best YouTube Video Downloader
Ultimately, choosing a YouTube video downloader is not as easy as picking the first option that shows up on your search engine results. It requires a little more finesse to determine your needs and how each app you’re considering would help fulfill those needs. This involves looking at all the features provided, including options like video manipulation, download limits, ease of use, OS compatibility, and more, as highlighted below.
Pricing
As mentioned above, some of the YouTube downloader services on the market are free. Others are available on a subscription basis. That said, even among the paid versions, there are variances.
The Wondershare UniConverter, which is our premium pick, for instance, is available with a quarterly, annual, or perpetual plan and is easily one of the more expensive options in the market. Looking at the features of the downloader, it’s easy to see why it’s priced higher than other options.
Comparatively, the YTD Video Downloader is another paid option on the list. However, you can get it for significantly cheaper. You may have to get one or the other, depending on budgetary constraints. That said, the more costly downloader typically tends to have more advanced features.
Video Merging and Compressing
Among those downloading YouTube videos, some just want the files to remain as they are. They even have the storage resources necessary to maintain files in their original size. Others want the ability to merge or compress videos.
With regards to compression, they get a smaller version of the same video, therefore, saving device storage space. According to New York University, there are two processes for compressing video data. One is lossy, and the other is lossless.
Lossy compression reduces the video quality to achieve a smaller file size. On the other hand, lossless compression helps ensure that data in the original video isn’t permanently lost. As such, you may have to choose between options that offer lossless or lossy compression.
Some don’t even offer compression, so it all depends on what you need from your downloader and how you intend to use it.
Regarding video merging, if you want to combine the different videos you download into one clip, some of the options available offer the capacity to do that. The WinX YouTube Downloader listed is one example. With it, you can cut and merge different videos as well as compress your videos to a size that works better for your storage needs.
Download Limits
You must consider download limits as you shop for the right YouTube downloader for your phone or PC. With free versions of certain downloaders, you might be unable to download as many YouTube videos as you’d like in a day.
The 4K Video Downloader is a great example. With the free version, you can only download 30 single videos per day and are limited to 10 videos per playlist and 5 videos per YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can pay for the Lite, Personal, or Pro subscriptions which will lift some of the download limits.
The download limits vary from downloader to downloader, and some don’t even have limits.
OS Compatibility
You also want to check for operating system compatibility before you settle on the YouTube downloader you want. Most of the options listed above are cross-platform compatible. The VideoHunter, for instance, can be used on both Windows and MacOS PCs. However, it may not work with Ubuntu PCs.
According to Statcounter, Ubuntu/Linux only holds 2.8% of the desktop OS market share. Not many app developers are lining up to create compatible YouTube downloaders. That said, there are still some exceptions. Ubuntu users may want to consider options like the 4K Video Downloader, which is compatible with their OS.
Similarly, those intending to use the downloader on their phones are limited to options that work with their operating system. For instance, people with iPhones and iPads can’t pick the YT3 YouTube Downloader mentioned above since it’s only designed for Android phones.
Format Conversion
Also, you can get multiple video file formats when you download clips from YouTube and other video services. Some of these might be easy to playback, but others might not. This could necessitate you to convert the video to something more user-friendly and tuned to your needs.
Additionally, depending on how you intend to use the video, the ability to convert the file to a different format may come in handy. The IEEE Computer Society lists some of the more common video file formats as MP4, WMV, FLV, MOV, WebM, MKV, AVCHD, and AVI.
MP4 is one of the more popular video file types since it can provide high-quality video without taking up too much storage space. It’s also supported by most devices and digital platforms.
WMV, on the other hand, is mostly used in Windows media players. Since it provides better compression than MP4, file sizes tend to be even smaller. However, it may not be compatible with iOS and MacOS devices unless you also download and install the Windows media player.
As mentioned in our VideoGet review above, you’re likely to encounter FLV files on most video services. The file format is used by Adobe Flash Player and is supported by most browsers. It should also be easy to download due to the small file sizes. However, it may not be compatible with some mobile devices.
Similarly, each of the other video file formats you encounter while downloading clips from YouTube and other services will each have its perks and downsides. As such, you may have to convert from one format to another to get the best of all worlds. In that case, the ability of some options, like the By Click Downloader, to convert video files to different formats may come in handy.
In a few cases, you may even convert video to audio if you don’t need the visuals.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is another essential consideration for anyone looking to get a YouTube downloader. However, it often depends on the features included. In the case of the YT3 YouTube Downloader, using the app may be a cinch due to the flat, one-dimensional design. It’s also fairly limited on some features.
Conversely, our Premium Pick, the Wondershare UniConverter, is a different case. Features like converting video, editing video, compressing video, merging video, and even AI features all have to fit into the interface. This makes it infinitely more complicated to use.
Depending on whether you need the extra features or not, you may have to pick the option that’s more difficult to use. If you just want something that can get you your favorite videos from YouTube, you should be fine with an easy-use app.
How to Use a YouTube Downloader
There are several ways to use a YouTube downloader, and it all depends on the app’s interface. One of the easiest ways is to copy a video link and paste it to the downloader page of your app interface. You’ll then click Enter to reveal your options, such as video quality. You can then pick the video quality you want and download it.
Alternatively, some options have a one-click download mode. These downloaders typically require that you download an app or extension to your device. Once it integrates with your browser, it can detect when you open clips on different video services.
Consequently, you’ll get a pop-up message with each open video asking whether you’d like to download it.
You can then click on the pop-up before selecting file format, destination folder, and video quality options. The last step is to click download or press Enter, depending on your interface, to start the download. Some options also detect playlist URLs so you can download the full playlist. You may have extra steps and options, like editing or renaming the playlist, before you press the download button.
Lastly, some options offer inbuilt browsers on the app interface. You can log in to your YouTube account via the downloader revealing your favorite content pieces.
With that, the downloader will detect the video URLs and allow you to download the clips directly from the app interface.
You should still be able to pick things like download settings and destination folders.
FAQ
- Will a YouTube downloader slow down my PC?
Unfortunately, the more apps you have running on your computer, the slower it gets. Typically, when apps are running, they take up some of your computer’s processing power. If you’re using a YouTube downloader while at the same time using other apps like Microsoft Office or Google Chrome, you might notice some lag.
You can counter this by closing some apps running in the background. Alternatively, you can try to use your downloader when you’re not using the PC for anything else. For instance, you can leave it downloading a playlist or YouTube channel when you’re stepping out of the house for an hour or two. That way, all the resources can be dedicated to the download, allowing it to go faster.
Some downloaders, like the WinX YouTube Downloader, even split the workload between the CPU and GPU to help with processing speeds.
- Can I use a Windows 10 YouTube downloader on MacOS?
For the most part, you can’t use Windows 10 apps on the MacOS operating system, the same way you can’t use MacOS apps on a Windows PC. This applies to YouTube Downloaders as well. That said, there are some workarounds that may work.
Some people opt to set up a virtual Windows system on their MacOS computers. This should allow them to install and run windows apps within that virtual environment. Alternatively, you could install a Windows emulator app on your computer. This works with some YouTube downloaders but not all, and it may be hit or miss depending on the downloader you pick.
That said, using these workarounds is more hassle than it’s worth. You would be best served by a downloader designed for your operating system.
- Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
According to the U.S. Copyright Office, it is illegal to download copyrighted content with the authority or express permission of the copyright owner. With YouTube videos often being copyrighted, it is, therefore, illegal to download them onto your phone or PC. However, people still do it and rarely end up in trouble, especially if they are for personal use and entertainment.
You could find yourself in legal woes if you try to re-upload it onto a different platform. That said, the fair use doctrine also allows you to use limited versions of YouTube videos for commentary, criticism, reports, etc.
Our Verdict
All the best YouTube downloaders listed above are amazing in different respects. However, to single out a few, there’s the Editor’s Choice, Best Value, and the Premium Pick. The Editor’s Choice, which is the By Click Downloader, balances out video quality, a simple enough user interface, and even some extra features that you could use, like video conversion. As such, it could work for almost anyone in most circumstances.
Our Best Value pick, the YTD Video Downloader & Converter, offers an ad-free experience, resume download functionality, and even video conversion capabilities. What’s more, all these are available for a relatively small subscription fee.
With the Wondershare UniConverter, our Premium Pick, users get so much more than just the ability to download videos. Some of these functionalities, e.g., the AI voice watermark editor, are also unique to this app, making it one of the best YouTube downloaders available.
References:
https://www.statista.com/topics/2019/youtube/#dossierKeyfigures
https://wp.nyu.edu/dispatch/the-beginners-guide-to-compressing-video-files/
https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide