YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing platform, and millions of people spend hours every day watching, learning, and being entertained on it. But when you stumble across a video you love — a tutorial, a documentary, or a favorite creator’s latest upload — you might not know how to save it for offline viewing. That’s where a reliable YouTube video downloader comes in handy.
Many tools claiming to download YouTube videos exist online, but most of them stop working within months or are riddled with ads and broken links. Below is a list of YouTube video downloaders and websites that have been tested and confirmed to work, so you can pick the one that best fits your device — whether that’s a Windows PC, a Mac, a tablet, or a smartphone.
1. 4K Video Downloader
Among all the desktop-based YouTube video downloader tools available, 4K Video Downloader stands out as one of the most complete and reliable options.
This software supports 13 languages, including English and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices. Once installed, the free version lets you download up to 30 YouTube videos per day, while the paid version removes that limit entirely.
Some of the standout features that make this tool worth considering include:
- A permanently free trial tier, with an affordable and feature-rich paid upgrade
- Support for downloading entire YouTube channels
- Support for downloading full YouTube playlists
- The ability to save subtitles, both embedded and external
- Support for downloading private YouTube videos
- 4K and 8K resolution downloads
- Multiple output formats, including MP4, MP3, MKV, OGG, FLV, M4A, 3GP, and Theora
- Selectable resolutions ranging from 720p up to 4320p (8K)
- Compatibility with other platforms such as Vimeo, Instagram, Dailymotion, Tumblr, Facebook, TikTok, SoundCloud, Flickr, and Twitch
- A built-in YouTube-to-MP3 converter for batch audio extraction
- Extra tools for format conversion, subtitle merging, and audio extraction
Pricing: The free version allows 30 downloads per day, with a limit of 5 videos per channel and 10 videos per playlist, and only one download at a time. The paid version removes all restrictions, enabling unlimited downloads, simultaneous downloads, and full playlist or channel downloads. A personal lifetime license costs around $15, while the professional lifetime license is about $45 — reasonably priced for the amount of functionality on offer.
If you only need to download the occasional video, the free tier will likely be enough. But if you download YouTube content regularly, the paid version is well worth the small one-time investment.
How to use it:
- Visit the official 4K Video Downloader website and download the installer for your operating system, then follow the on-screen setup instructions.
- Copy the link of the YouTube video you want to save, open the software, and click “Paste Link.”
- Choose your preferred video format and resolution, then click “Download.”
Note that the free account is capped at 30 downloads a day, while paid accounts have no such restriction.
2. Notube.net
If you’d rather not install any software, browser-based tools are a convenient alternative. Notube.net is a straightforward online YouTube video downloader that requires nothing more than pasting a link.
To use it, open the Notube.net website and paste the YouTube video URL into the search box. Next, select your preferred output format — options include M4A, MP3, MP3 HD, MP4, MP4 HD, and 3GP — and click “OK.” Finally, click “Download” to save the file to your device.
3. Y2mate.com
Y2mate.com offers a smooth user experience and is available in 21 languages, so switching to your preferred one is easy if English isn’t your first language.
Paste the YouTube video link into the search bar, and the site will automatically display several resolution options. If it doesn’t appear automatically, simply click “Start” next to the search field. Generally, 1080p or 720p is recommended for the best balance of clarity and file size — the site conveniently displays the estimated file size for each resolution, from roughly 376 MB at 1080p down to about 28 MB at 144p.
After selecting your resolution, click “Download,” then confirm again in the pop-up window and choose the folder where you want the file saved. Once the download finishes, you can repeat the process for additional videos.
4. Qdownloader.net
Qdownloader.net is a clean, simple option that works not only as a YouTube video downloader but also supports downloading content from Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The site is available in 18 languages. Paste your YouTube video link into the search box and click “Download.” You’ll then be able to choose between a version with audio, an audio-only file, or a silent video, along with a resolution ranging from 1080p down to 144p. After selecting “Download” again, right-click the video preview and choose “Save video as” to store it in your chosen folder.
5. Clipconverter.cc
Clipconverter.cc follows a similar three-step process: paste the video URL into the “Video URL to Download” field and click “Continue,” then choose your desired resolution (360p, 480p, 720p, or 1080p) and format (MP3, M4A, AAC, MP4, 3GP, AVI, MOV, or MKV are all supported). The site also displays the estimated file size for each option. Once you’ve made your selection, click “Start,” followed by “Download” to save the file.
6. Yout.com
Yout.com uses a clever trick: open the YouTube video you want in your browser, then simply delete “ube” from “youtube.com” in the address bar so it reads “yout.com” instead. This redirects you straight to a download page for that video.
Video download options page with format and quality selectors
From there, you can choose to download the full video or just a specific clip, select your output format (MP3, MP4, or GIF), and pick a quality setting between 144p and 1080p. You can also rename the file before downloading, or keep the original title. Once everything is set, click “Download” to finish.
7. Browser Extension: YouTube Video Downloader
For everyday use, many people find that a browser extension is the most convenient method, since it lets you download videos directly from the YouTube page without switching tabs. The “YouTube Video Downloader” extension works with Chrome, Opera, UC Browser, Edge, and Vivaldi.
To install it, visit the extension’s official download page and select the browser version that matches yours before clicking “Install.” You’ll be redirected to your browser’s extension store, where you should click “Add to Chrome” (or the equivalent for your browser), then confirm by clicking “Add Extension.” The extension will then request permission to download files — grant this so it can function correctly.
Confirmation screen showing successful extension installation
Once you see a confirmation message, the extension is ready to use. Open any YouTube video, and a download button will appear beneath the video itself.
Click the download button and choose a save location, or click the three dots next to it to pick a specific resolution, such as 720p or 360p. Within moments, the video will be saved to the folder you selected.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer a full-featured desktop application, a quick browser-based converter, or a lightweight extension, there’s a YouTube video downloader suited to your needs. 4K Video Downloader is the strongest all-around choice if you want batch downloads, playlists, subtitles, and high-resolution formats, while sites like Y2mate, Notube, and Qdownloader are convenient for occasional, one-off downloads without installing anything. Browser extensions, meanwhile, offer the fastest workflow for people who download videos frequently and want a one-click solution right from the YouTube page.
Before downloading any video, it’s worth remembering that copyright rules still apply — downloaded content should be used for personal, offline viewing rather than redistribution. With the right tool and a bit of practice, saving your favorite YouTube videos for offline access takes only a few clicks.