YouTube has grown into the world’s largest video-sharing platform since its founding in 2005 and its acquisition by Google in 2006, and millions of people now spend hours every day watching, learning, and being entertained on the site. Sooner or later, almost every regular viewer runs into the same problem: they find a video they love and want to keep it, but they don’t know how to use a reliable YouTube video downloader. The internet is full of so-called YouTube downloader tools, but a large share of them are broken, outdated, or simply don’t work anymore. Below is a curated list of YouTube video downloader software and websites that have been tested and confirmed to work, so you can save videos to your Windows or Mac computer, tablet, or Android/iPhone device without wasting time on dead links.
1. 4K Video Downloader
Among all the YouTube video downloader software available online, 4K Video Downloader stands out as one of the most complete options. It supports 13 languages, including English and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Once installed, the free version lets you download up to 30 YouTube videos per day, while the paid version removes that limit entirely.
What sets this tool apart from other YouTube downloader options is its range of advanced features. It can download entire YouTube channels and full playlists in one go, save embedded and external subtitles, and even access private videos. Resolution support goes all the way up to 4K and 8K, and users can manually choose formats such as MP4, MP3, MKV, OGG, FLV, M4A, 3GP, and Theora, along with resolutions ranging from 720p to 4320p. Beyond YouTube, it also works with Vimeo, Instagram, Dailymotion, Tumblr, Facebook, TikTok, SoundCloud, Flickr, and Twitch, and the paid version adds high-quality music downloads, batch conversion to MP3/M4A, subtitle merging, and audio extraction.
The free version caps downloads at 30 videos per day, five videos per channel, and ten videos per playlist, with only one simultaneous download allowed. The paid version removes every restriction, allowing unlimited downloads, multiple simultaneous downloads, and full channel or playlist downloads. Pricing is modest — a personal lifetime license costs around $15, while the professional lifetime license is about $45. Casual users can rely on the free tier, but anyone who downloads YouTube videos regularly will find the paid version far more efficient.
To use it, open the official 4K Video Downloader website, download the installer that matches your device, and follow the setup prompts. Then copy the link of the YouTube video you want, open the app, and click “Paste Link.” The software automatically detects the video, after which you simply choose your preferred format and resolution and click “Download.”
2. Notube.net
Notube.net is a browser-based YouTube video downloader that requires no installation. Simply open notube.net, paste the URL of the YouTube video into the search box, and the site will pull up the video details automatically.
After pasting the link, choose the output format from the available options — M4A, MP3, MP3 HD, MP4, MP4 HD, 3GP, or FLV — and click OK. Then click “Download” to save the file directly to your device. Because it works entirely in the browser, Notube.net is a convenient option for people who don’t want to install extra software just to grab an occasional video.
3. Y2mate.com
Y2mate.com offers one of the smoother user experiences among online YouTube downloader websites, with 21 language options including Simplified Chinese for users who prefer it.
To use it, paste the YouTube video link into the search bar on the homepage. The site will automatically detect the video and display the available resolutions; if it doesn’t appear automatically, click “Start” next to the search box. It’s generally best to choose 1080p or 720p for the clearest picture, keeping in mind that higher resolutions mean larger file sizes and longer download times. Y2mate.com conveniently shows the file size for each resolution — for example, 1080p might run around 376 MB while 144p is closer to 28 MB. Once you’ve picked a resolution, click “Download,” confirm the download in the pop-up window, choose a save folder, and the download will begin. You can repeat the process for as many videos as you like.
4. Qdownloader.net
Qdownloader.net is a straightforward, clean-looking YouTube video downloader that also supports Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter videos, making it a versatile choice if you download content from multiple platforms.
The site offers 18 language versions, so switching to your preferred language is easy from the menu in the top corner. To download a video, paste the YouTube link into the search bar and click “Download.” You’ll then be able to choose between downloading the video with sound, audio only, or video without sound, along with a resolution ranging from 1080p down to 144p. After selecting your preferred version, two windows will open — keep the one containing the actual video, right-click on it, choose “Save video as,” and select the folder where you want it stored.
5. Clipconverter.cc
Clipconverter.cc is another web-based option that keeps things simple. Open clipconverter.cc, paste the YouTube video URL into the “Video URL to Download” field, and click “Continue.” From there, select your desired resolution — options range from 360p to 1080p — and format, which can include MP3, M4A, AAC, MP4, 3GP, AVI, MOV, or MKV. The site also calculates the estimated file size for each resolution before you commit. Once you’ve made your selections, click “Start,” then click “Download” to save the file to your device.
6. Yout.com
Yout.com uses a clever trick: simply take any YouTube video URL and remove the letters “ube” from “youtube.com,” turning it into “yout.com.” Opening the modified link automatically redirects you to Yout.com’s video page for that specific video.
Browser address bar showing a YouTube video link being edited to redirect to Yout.com
Once on the Yout.com page, you can choose to download the entire video or just a specific segment. Select your preferred format — MP3, MP4, or even GIF — and pick a quality level ranging from 144p to 1080p. You also have the option to rename the file before downloading, or keep the original title. After making your selections, click “Download” to save the file.
7. Browser Extension: YouTube Video Downloader
For people who prefer not to juggle multiple websites, a browser extension can be the most convenient YouTube video downloader method. The “YouTube Video Downloader” extension works with Chrome, Opera, UC Browser, Edge, Vivaldi, and other Chromium-based browsers.
To install it, visit the extension’s official page, click “Select Browser” to match your browser type, then click “Install via Crosspilot.” On the page that opens next, click “Add to Chrome,” then confirm by clicking “Add Extension” in the pop-up.
After installation, the extension will ask for permission to download videos — click “Grant Permissions” and then “Allow” in the confirmation pop-up.
Extension permissions request window asking the user to grant download access
Once you see a “Congratulations!” message, the extension is ready to use. Open any YouTube video, click the download button that appears beneath the video player, and choose a folder to save it in. Clicking the three dots next to the download button also lets you select a specific resolution, such as 720p or 360p, before the download begins. After a short wait, the finished file will appear in the folder you selected.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right YouTube video downloader really comes down to how often you download videos and what features matter most to you. If you want a powerful all-in-one solution with playlist and channel support, 4K Video Downloader is hard to beat. If you only need to grab the occasional clip, a browser-based tool like Notube.net, Y2mate.com, Qdownloader.net, Clipconverter.cc, or Yout.com will get the job done without any installation. And if you’d rather download videos without leaving your browser tab at all, a trustworthy extension is a convenient middle ground. Whichever YouTube downloader you choose, always download from official sources, be mindful of copyright restrictions on the content you save, and use these tools responsibly for personal, non-commercial purposes. Explore the options above, find the one that fits your workflow, and you’ll never have to wonder how to save a favorite YouTube video again.