There are loads of tools available that can download YouTube videos to your Mac. Some of these options are free and some are paid for. In fact, there is a way of recording a YouTube video, with.

1. Download with Safari web browser. This is the most easy and highly practiced method to download.
2. We offer the fastest way to save YouTube videos in mp3, mp4, or in other range of formats. It’s the most convenient YouTube video downloader you’ve ever tried!

You may hate funny cat videos or game reviews, but the chances are you still use YouTube. A mammoth of video content, YouTube is a go-to spot for many. In fact, the platform has over 1 billion users which is one-third of all internet users. Huge.

Youtube Video Download Mac Firefox

Or, maybe your daily companions are Vimeo and Twitch. One way or another, video content is a part of your digital life. The question is how to utilize it.

In this article, we compare top YouTube downloaders for Mac and explain how you can legally save video to Mac to watch it anytime and anywhere.

Best YouTube downloaders
Download mac torrent. Apple - Support - Downloads.

Get a huge set of top tools to download videos from Youtube. Most helpful utilities in one pack, give it a go!

Let us warn you in advance, all YouTube download tools reviewed in this article are worth a try. To help you narrow down the choice, check the nice-to-have assets every safe YouTube downloader should have:

• Works with all major video streaming platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.
• Allows to save mp4 content and, optionally, convert to different formats.
• Has support for audio output — allowing you to save music from videos.
• Downloads entire playlists or channels in batch.
• Caters for both professional and everyday use.
• Guarantees data security, not collecting any of your personal information.

For sure, these are not one-size-fits-all qualities. You may need to batch download playlists, or this might be a totally useless feature for you. We made sure the reviewed tools satisfy the key needs — like security and integration with video streaming platforms. The rest is up to you and your priorities.

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It’s not easy to step into the jungle of video downloaders and instantly pick the right fit – impossible if you’re new to Mac. There’s help, though.

How to download from YouTube

Whether to capture a few movies for an upcoming flight or save favorite clips to rewatch, Mac owners love to save content. The most basic tool should teach you how to download YouTube videos directly from URL. The problem is that it’s complicated to find an efficient free YouTube downloader. Not to mention they could be used for copyright infringement.

To legally save content from YouTube and video streaming services to Mac, as well as download music from videos, you can use third-party apps. As long as you’re not earning money from downloads or breach copyright, they are safe to use.

Download streaming video

Streaming content is a huge chunk of your internet traffic. Think Vimeo, Twitch, YouTube, Dailymotion, and other platforms where you can watch video displayed in real time. Relying on online streaming stymies your watching experience in many ways – from limited data usage to network issues. Plus Wi-Fi often fails you at the most crucial moments. Therefore, you need a reliable tool that helps you capture YouTube video.

If you’re wondering how to watch favorite YouTube videos offline without breaking any laws, let us help you.

1. Choose the video and copy the URL (the app has in-build video search on YouTube/Vimeo/Dailymotion).
2. Paste the link into the app and wait for the app to finish the download.
3. Choose/customize the output format and storage location.

When using third-party tools, be careful about YouTube blocking downloads. If you comply with YouTube’s Terms of Service, you should be fine.

Download and save video from YouTube in mp4

Whether it’s native YouTube Premium or a third-party application, the tools you use to download mp4 from YouTube will by default save video files in mp4. There are different options on tweaking formats, though:

• Retrieve only audio from your video file — tools like Downie and Folx will work for it.
• Download video in mp4 with Elmedia Player.
• Use Downie + Permute to download and convert to different formats — from FLV to MKV to AVI. The two work well together and are both available with Setapp subscription.
• Customize the output before downloading and convert a poor-quality YouTube video to mp4 HD.

Grab YouTube video with YouTube Premium

Since recently, you can’t download YouTube video anymore. That’s because the service created a native tool for the job.

So if you ask YouTube for the best YouTube downloader, it will probably suggest you use YouTube Premium, a native paid subscription service to save content. For the monthly cost of $11.99, it allows you to keep YouTube videos on iPhone and Android devices. Here’s how it works:

1. Open the video in your YouTube mobile app.
2. Click on the download button below the video player.
3. Customize the quality of the output.
4. Once the video is downloaded, you’ll see the “download complete” icon below the player.

The app will automatically save YouTube videos you download to the Library or Account tab.

Top YouTube downloaders compared

Below you’ll find a small collection of best Youtube downloaders that we recommend you look into. Use the apps to play, manage, and automatically save videos.

Best of all, you can use the full toolkit of apps reviewed in this article for a flat fee. Have a look at the full collection. You’ll find extensive descriptions of every YouTube downloader below.

Downie: Save YouTube videos within seconds

The easiest version of a YouTube downloader you can imagine. Grab a link, drag it onto the app icon, wait a few seconds for the content to travel to your Mac.

While you don’t really do much, you can do even less with the browser extension. Downie already has it, so you don’t have to install the extension separately – check the box in your browser preferences and you’re good to go. Magically, Downie can also scan text files for links and download video content from there.

In other words, Downie is a media downloader that commits to cherishing your time. Here are the key ways to align the app with your workflow:

1. Enable Simple mode to get rid of distractions in Preferences > General. Perfect for those who are annoyed by a progress bar showing up each time a download takes place.
2. Downie is also a search machine. You can find YouTube videos on for download by searching right in the app, without opening a browser.
3. If you love YouTube concerts and music videos, you can download audio only. To set Downie to the MP3 mode, open Preferences > Postprocessing > Enforce MP3.

This downloader automatically converts all videos to MP4, but if you need more options there’s Permute to help. It covers virtually all media formats and works both for video and audio. The app is basically Downie’s cousin, created by the same team of developers, Charlie Monroe Software. So you get a discount if you buy the two. Also, Downie and Permute are both available on Setapp.

Youtube Video Download Mac

Pros:

• Simple and clean interface
• Customizable functionality
• 4K support
• Integrates with YouTube video converter

Cons:

• Limited file conversion options

Price:

$19.99 if purchased separately

$26.99 Downie + Permute

Starting at $9.99 per month Downie, Permute and 150+ apps on Setapp

Play and download video content with Elmedia Player

Elmedia Player is one of the best tools to entrust your movie watching experience to. Not only does it tell you how to save videos from YouTube, it also enables viewing content ad-free, right from the app. Download audio, convert to different media formats, or stream via AirPlay – it solves tons of problems.

Not limitless, but the functionality is pretty impressive. It’s a good idea to work with Elmedia Player if you want to:

1. Organize downloads and bring them into curated playlists.
2. Play Vimeo, Dailymotion, and YouTube videos in the app, without downloading.
3. Open and convert files to different formats – from MP3 TO MKV.
4. Extract audio tracks from YouTube videos.
5. Stream media content to all Apple devices that support AirPlay.

Compared to Apple’s native QuickTime, Elmedia Player supports a bigger number of formats and is generally a decent alternative to the default program.

Pros:

• Intuitive interface
• Covers virtually all video and audio formats
• Streaming capabilities

Cons:

• Lots of features confusing for a beginner

Price:

$19.95 Elmedia Player Pro license

Starting at $9.99 per month Elmedia Player Pro and 150+ apps on Setapp

Swiftly download large videos with Folx app

There’s no better option than Folx if you’re big on big downloads. Combining the functionality of a download manager and torrent client, the app brings large videos to your Mac in a matter of minutes.

With your browser and Folx open, you can download any video from YouTube by URL. Once you have the URL, paste it directly into the search bar or click on the plus button > YouTube > paste the link. Give the app a few seconds to prepare a download, and click OK. Before you know it, the video is on your Mac.

The in-built torrent client that is available to Pro plan users works in a similar way – simple and lightning fast. Navigate to the Torrent tab via the plus button. In the top search field, click on the three dots to select a torrent file, customize default preferences if needed, and click OK.

To accelerate the process, Folx splits downloads in up to 20 streams. The app also cleverly adjusts download speed to your online activities, so that not to hamper important programs and processes running on your Mac. To tweak the default speed settings in Folx, access Preferences > Smart Speed.

Pros:

• Torrent search right in the app
• Speed optimization
• Download scheduling and auto-resume

Cons:

• No free trial for Pro features

Price:

$19.95 Folx Pro license

Starting at $9.99 per month Folx and 150+ apps on Setapp

AnyTrans to download and transfer content

Many think of AnyTrans as an alternative to iTunes, but it’s much more than that. The app is an all-mighty file manager that works with all your devices. So whether you want to copy images from iPhone to Mac, or transfer from Android to iOS, AnyTrans has you covered.

Apart from cleverly managing your content, the app also helps you grab some new. Using an in-built Media Downloader, you can save video from 900+ websites, including Vimeo, Dailymotion, and YouTube.

Capturing and instantly sharing media is why you should pick AnyTrans over the other options. It has limited functionality in terms of download preferences, but is pretty good for capturing short videos.

Pros:

• Clean and understandable interface
• Excellent file control
• Media transferring options

Cons:

• Limitations in terms of integration with iTunes library.

Price:

$39.99 AnyTrans Single license

Starting at $9.99 per month AnyTrans and 150+ apps on Setapp

It’s ok if you have a hard time choosing your favorite. Some of the apps complement each other – like you could use Folx to capture large videos and transfer with AnyTrans. With Setapp subscription, you can try every mentioned YouTube downloader for free and choose what suits your flow. Or, don’t choose. Your Mac deserves all of them.

Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.

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At times, while browsing, you'll come across the perfect YouTube video to use for your own content. “If only there was a way to download it without asking the owner” – you mutter. The good news is, there are certain websites and applications, commonly referred to as YouTube Downloader, that let you do just that.

There are tons of options when it comes to YouTube downloaders.

While some may cost you a good few dollars to acquire, most are 100% free.

In fact, there are certain platforms that don’t even require you to download any software (all you need is the video URL and you’re good to go).

If you’ve never done this before, and are paranoid that you might end up with a malware, keep reading.

We’ve talked about YouTube video editors in the past. This time, we’ll take you through 15 of the best free YouTube downloaders to try in 2020. In the end, I’ll also take you through quick do’s and don’ts of using these video downloaders.

Let’s get started.

The Best YouTube Downloaders to Try This Year

The following YouTube video grabber tools will reign supreme in 2020.

1. KeepVid

Let’s start off with the most basic (and one of the most popular) tools.

KeepVid (by iTubeGo) is the go-to website to download YouTube videos in MP4 format.

Apart from individual videos, the tool also lets you conveniently download complete YouTube playlists in one go.

Other than that, you can also download videos from Facebook, Instagram, and Dailymotion.

2. y2mate

y2mate is another (rather simple) YouTube to MP4 converter.

Simply copy and paste the video link into the field on the homepage and click “start.”

A great thing about y2mate is that it allows you to download videos in different resolutions, from 144p to 1080p.

Additionally, the tool also lets you download just the audio, or convert and download videos into MP3 files.

3. Videoder

Videoder is a free video downloader available for Windows and Android.

The software lets you download 4K videos from not only YouTube, but over 1,000 other websites, as well (whereas the android version lets you download from a little over 50 different sites).

Furthermore, the desktop version lets you create personal collections of videos and audios. This means no more buffering or browsing through a clutter of files.

Want to create the best YouTube videos? Sign up to Lumen5 and produce thumb-stopping social media content in minutes.

4. Snaptube

Snaptube is another user-friendly tool that lets you download YouTube videos in different resolutions and formats.

Some of the formats that Snaptube supports include M4A, MP4, and MP3.

As of now, the tool is only available for Android, but it isn't available on Google Play - so you’ll need to download the APK.

Similar to the Android version of Videoder, Snaptube lets you download videos from over 50 different sites, besides YouTube.

5. Airy

Airy is a renowned YouTube video downloader that lets you convert videos into various formats and resolutions (including Ultra HD).

Some of the supported formats include:

• MP4
• FLV
• 3GP
• MP3

Unlike some plug-and-play tools, you'll need to download Airy before you can use it. As of now, it’s available for both Windows and Mac OS.

The tool also integrates with all popular browsers, including:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
• Opera

This allows you to “save” the videos you like, and download them later.

6. TubeMate

TubeMate is another standard YouTube downloader that lets you grab your favorite videos in MP4 and 4GP formats (as well as in audio formats, including MP3 and WAV).

The tool also comes with its own video player and a built-in search feature that lets you find videos conveniently.

TubeMate is available for both Android and Windows.

7. 4K Video Downloader

4K Downloader is a well-known provider of free content-grabbing products.

Their most popular tool is the 4K Video Downloader, which lets you download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and more.

As with TubeMate, this is another tool you'll need to download before you can start using it. At the moment, it’s only available for Windows.

Like a few of the tools discussed earlier, the 4K Video Downloader also lets you download complete playlists. Furthermore, it lets you download complete channels in one go.

8. YT Cutter

At times, we only need certain parts of videos.

While there are many free tools that let you trim and embed videos, only a few let you actually download them.

One of them is YT Cutter - it lets you download the bits that you like in a few different formats, like so:

It even lets you download files as a GIF. However, if you’d like to learn how to make a GIF, I suggest using a different tool.

9. Gihosoft TubeGet

Gihosoft is a renowned provider of (both paid and free) data recovery tools, file encryption, video convertor, and downloading tools.

One of their popular products include the Gihosoft TubeGet – a standard, user-friendly YouTube downloader – that’s available for Windows and Mac operating systems.

The tool allows you to download videos in 4 different formats (MP4, MKV, AVI, and MOV).

In addition, it also lets you:

• Convert downloaded videos from WebM into various popular formats
• Add subtitles to your videos

There are both free and paid versions available for Gihosoft TubeGet. The only differences between the two versions is that with the later, you also get license(s) and technical support.

10. YTOFFLINE

YTOFFLINE is a plug-and-play, ready-to-go, YouTube downloader that lets you save your favorite videos on the go.

Just copy and paste the URL into the field and click “Go.”

Once it finishes processing your video, follow these steps:

• Scroll down and right click on the “Download” button.
• Select “save link as” (will vary from browser to browser), choose where you want your video to be saved, and click on “Save.”

YTOFFLINE is 100% secure and uses SSL encryption.

11. VideoProc

VideoProc is an extensive video processing software (by Digiarty), with a wide range of capabilities.

With the help of this tool, you can cut, merge, crop, rotate, and do much more to make click-worthy videos.

In addition, the software also includes an built-in “media downloader,' which lets you download videos from over 1,000 websites.

The tool also lets you convert downloaded videos into MP4, MP3, and other formats supported by both iPhones and Android devices.

VideoProc is available for free (for Windows and Mac). There’s also a pro-version with advanced features and additional services.

12. VidMate

Next on the list is VidMate, yet another YouTube downloader for Android.

The platform lets you download videos from YouTube, along with over 200 other platforms.

It also lets you stream online videos in HD.

A key feature of VidMate is its integrated downloader, which provides fast download speeds (even with slow internet connections).

Like all video downloaders, this tool isn’t available on Google Play due to Google’s policy against downloading content from YouTube. Due to that, you’ll have to download the APK and install it manually on your device.

13. iTubeGo YouTube Downloader

iTubeGo is an extensive content-grabbing tool that lets you download music and video.

On top of that, it also lets you convert videos into MP3 (audio), download YouTube playlists at once, and manage multiple downloads.

Right now, it’s available for both Windows and Mac. You can enjoy all of the main features with the free version.

14. Softorino YouTube Converter 2

Built for Mac and Windows, Softorino YouTube Converter 2 allows you to convert and download YouTube videos into different formats.

Apart from YouTube, the software also supports up to 60 other platforms.

15. ClipGrab

Marketed as a “friendly downloader for YouTube,” ClipGrab is the last on the list.

However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not as good as the others. In fact, in terms of simplicity and ease-of-use, it’s one of the best tools out there.

Not only does it allow you to download videos from YouTube, but Vimeo and Facebook, as well.

As of now, ClipGrab is only compatible with Windows.

Is Downloading YouTube Videos Legal?

Whether you want to do video marketing or just want to keep content saved on your device, it is illegal to download YouTube videos.

Because of that, most of the tools discussed above aren’t available for download from major app stores.

You should only download a video if:

• It’s your own property
• It’s a royalty-free stock footage
• You get permission from the original owner/uploader

The reason why YouTube discourages downloading is to protect its users and retain them on their platform.

Enjoy Your Videos

Now that you’ve downloaded your favorite video(s), it’s time to spice them up and make them your own assets.

Remember – you can always use Lumen5 to create stunning videos with just a few clicks.

Obaid is the Founder & Creative Director of Planet Content. His focus lies on content creation, 2D animation, and taking the boring & annoying out of marketing.