Many users who use Youtube like to save their favorite videosThis article will cut through the noise and highlight the 10 best YouTube video downloader options based on essential criteria like download speed, video quality, ease of use, supported formats, and more. Whether you casually need to save a few videos or regularly download in bulk, we’ll review the standout tools that allow you to quickly and seamlessly save YouTube clips in their original quality so you can enjoy them anytime – no internet required. You’ll get a comprehensive overview of each downloader’s strengths and limitations to empower you to choose the ideal one for your needs.
Criteria for Selecting the Top YouTube Downloaders
When looking for the best YouTube video downloader, there are several key factors to consider:
Download speed
A good downloader should save videos quickly without compromising quality. Slow download speeds are frustrating.
Video quality
The ability to download videos in HD, 4K or even 8K quality is important for high resolution playback.
Ad-free experience – Downloaders with intrusive ads make for poor user experiences. The best options are ad-free.
Browser extensions – Having an associated browser extension makes downloading easier directly from YouTube.
Conversion capabilities – Converting YouTube videos into other file formats for usabjuiility is convenient.
Cost – While some excellent downloaders are paid, there are also good free options.
Using these criteria, we’ve identified the top 10 YouTube video downloaders available today.
How to Download YouTube Videos
Before reviewing the top 10 picks, let’s look briefly at the main ways to download YouTube videos:
- Using a web-based online tool – This is the easiest option. Simply input the YouTube URL and download the video.
- Browser extensions – These add download functionality directly to the YouTube site for quick saving.
- Desktop applications – Downloading and converting software provides the most features for power users.
- Mobile apps – For downloading to your smartphone or tablet from YouTube when on-the-go.
- YouTube Premium – Paying for this subscription service allows downloading videos directly within the YouTube app.
The downloaders covered below encompass all these methods to provide a good selection.
Top 10 YouTube Video Downloader Comparisons
Here are the top 10 best YouTube video downloaders available in 2022 based on the criteria outlined above:
SSyoutube online
Best for: High quality, fast downloads
Pricing: There are no in-app purchases or premium versions to pay for.
SSyoutube online supports downloading entire playlists and channels and can extract audio into MP3 format.
It’s great for building local libraries of videos for personal viewing. The software also makes it easy to download entire playlists for listening to audio content like podcasts or music mixes on the go without an internet connection. Overall, SSyoutube online is a versatile tool for downloading online video and audio.
Features:
- Downloads extremely quickly while retaining original quality
- Supports resolutions up to 8K
- Easy-to-use browser extensions for one-click downloading
- Can download full YouTube playlists and channels
Cons: No video conversion features
Verdict: The best overall free YouTube video downloader available.
SaveFrom
Best for: Quick, simple online downloading
Pricing: SaveFrom is completely free to use without needing to register for an account. There are no limits imposed on downloads or caps on usage.
SaveFrom is a free online service that allows you to download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and 1000+ other video sites. It can download videos in all available resolutions up to 4K. SaveFrom also enables downloading entire YouTube playlists or channels at once. The service also has options to bypass age restriction and download regionally restricted content.
You can use SaveFrom to easily and quickly download Youtube videos to store and watch offline. It’s useful for grabbing videos while traveling or that you want to archive. The web-based platform makes it simple to save video from nearly any device. Overall, SaveFrom is a convenient online tool for downloading videos.
Features:
- Fast online downloading without registration
- Handles even 8K YouTube videos
- Simple clean interface without ads
- No limits on downloads
Cons: No conversion features offered
Verdict: The best web-based tool for fast unlimited YouTube video downloads.
aTube Catcher
Best for: Downloading and converting YouTube videos
Pricing: aTube Catcher is 100% free desktop software for Windows without paid upgrades. It’s fully open source as well.
aTube Catcher is a free YouTube downloader and converter software for Windows. It allows downloading videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and 1000+ more sites. Key features include the ability to download HD and 4K videos, extract audio into MP3, and convert files into various formats. aTube Catcher also enables downloading entire playlists or channels in batch.
Additional capabilities include screen recording, ability to edit metadata, and video stabilization. The software also supports proxy downloading and has options to auto-rename files during download. Overall, aTube Catcher provides an all-in-one solution for downloading, converting and editing online video content.
You can use aTube Catcher to easily build offline collections of YouTube videos to watch anytime without an internet connection. It’s great for grabbing videos for personal entertainment or to sample content before subscribing. The batch downloading tools make it simple to archive entire channels or playlists with just a couple clicks.
Features:
- Downloads in up to 4K resolution
- Video conversion to MP3, MP4 and more
- Basic video editing tools
- Open source software
Cons: No 8K support
Verdict: Top free software for downloading and converting YouTube videos.
WinX YouTube Downloader
Best for: High quality and fast paid software
Pricing: WinX YouTube Downloader costs $29.95 for an individual license. A lifetime license is $39.95.
WinX YouTube Downloader is a free desktop program for Windows that allows downloading videos from YouTube and 1000+ other video sharing sites. It can download High Definition and 4K videos. WinX YouTube Downloader also enables downloading entire YouTube playlists or channels in batch.
Other key features include the ability to extract MP3 audio from videos, download embedded subtitles, and convert downloaded files to various formats. The software supports multi-threaded downloading to accelerate download speeds. It also allows users to apply proxy settings for downloading regionally restricted content.
You can use WinX YouTube Downloader to download videos for offline viewing during travel or unstable connections. It’s also useful for creating backup copies of your favorite YouTube content. The batch download tools make it easy to archive full playlists or channels. Overall, WinX YouTube Downloader provides a fast and convenient way to save online videos on your Windows PC.
Features:
- Downloads in up to 8K resolution
- Very fast downloading speeds
- Intuitive and clean interface
- Regular software updates
Cons: More expensive than competitors
Verdict: The premium software option for the fastest 8K YouTube downloads.
ClipGrab
Best for: Basic free YouTube downloading
Pricing: ClipGrab is completely free with no paid upgrades or premium versions. It’s open source software as well.
ClipGrab is a free software for downloading and converting online videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion and other major sites. ClipGrab also enables downloading complete YouTube playlists or channels.
Additional capabilities include bookmarking videos for batch downloading, auto-renaming files during download, and proxy support. It also has options for adding subtitles and changing metadata in downloaded videos. ClipGrab has versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Overall, it provides a versatile tool for downloading and converting videos from major online sites.
You can use ClipGrab to easily build up collections of videos from YouTube or other sites for offline viewing. It’s handy for grabbing videos to watch during travel or save as backups. ClipGrab makes it simple to download whole playlists or channels for entertainment or archival purposes with just a couple clicks.
Features:
- Saves playlists and channels
- Downloads in up to 4K
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Free and open source
Cons: Lacks advanced features of premium software
Verdict: A great option for straightforward free YouTube video downloading.
VideoProc
Best for: Downloading and video conversion
Pricing: VideoProc costs $29.95 for an annual individual plan. Lifetime access is $79.90.
VideoProc is a paid video processing software for Windows and Mac that provides fast 4K video downloading from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Twitch, and 1000+ sites. Key features for downloading include options to extract MP3 audio, download entire playlists and channels, and auto-convert videos during download.
VideoProc also enables users to edit, convert, compress, record and enhance videos with GPU acceleration. Additional capabilities include video stabilization, green screen editing, subtitle support, and screen recording. The software is optimized for quick 4K and HD video processing and downloading.
You can use VideoProc to easily download online videos for offline viewing and build organized media libraries. The batch download features allow easily grabbing entire playlists or channels for convenience. Overall, VideoProc provides an all-in-one toolkit for downloading, editing, converting and managing video content.
Features:
- Lightning fast 4K YouTube downloads
- Video conversion to any format
- Advanced video editing capabilities
- Downloads entire playlists and channels
Cons: More expensive than competitors
Verdict: The best premium software for downloading and converting YouTube videos.
EagleGet
Best for: Capable free YouTube downloader
Pricing: EagleGet is 100% free with no paid upgrades or premium versions. It’s open source software.
EagleGet is a free open source download manager and accelerator for Windows. It can download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion and other major sites. Key features include downloading multiple files at once with multi-threading, scheduling and queuing downloads, and resuming broken downloads.
Other capabilities include web browser integration, Bandwidth capping, and support for downloading via proxy servers or VPNs. Videos can be downloaded in original quality up to 4K resolution. EagleGet also enables extracting audio from videos into MP3 format. Overall, it focuses on efficiently managing and accelerating file downloads.
You can use EagleGet to speed up downloading videos from YouTube or other sites by utilizing its multi-threaded and download management features. It’s useful for ensuring successful downloads of large files or batches of videos. EagleGet makes it easy to resume failed downloads and control the bandwidth usage of downloads. Overall, it’s a handy open source tool for managing video downloads on Windows.
Features:
- Downloads in HD and 4K resolutions
- Saves complete playlists
- Simple clean interface
- Free and open source
Cons: Slower speeds than top competitors
Verdict: A solid free option for basic YouTube video downloading needs.
YTD Video Downloader
Best for: Downloading YouTube playlists
Pricing: YTD Video Downloader costs $29.90 for an annual individual license. Lifetime access is $49.90.
YTD Video Downloader is a free YouTube downloading software for Windows. It allows downloading videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and 1000+ more sites in their original quality up to 4K. Key features include downloading multiple videos simultaneously with multi-threading, ability to extract MP3 audio, and downloading entire playlists or channels.
Additional features include a built-in media converter, proxy support, scheduling downloads, password protection, and downloading age restricted content. YTD Video Downloader automatically names downloaded files and supports downloading subtitles. Overall, it provides an advanced toolbox for downloading online videos and audio quickly and efficiently.
You can use YTD Video Downloader to build libraries of videos from YouTube or other sites for offline viewing. It makes grabbing entire playlists or channels easy with batch download tools. YTD Video Downloader also helps accelerate downloads using multi-threading. Overall, it’s a handy program for securely downloading online video and audio.
Features:
- Downloads complete YouTube playlists/channels
- Fast 4K quality saving
- Converts to various formats
- Well-designed interface
Cons: Expensive compared to competitors
Verdict: The best option focused specifically on downloading entire YouTube playlists.
Android YouTube Downloader
Best for: YouTube downloads on Android
Pricing: YouTube Downloader for Android is completely free to use.
Android YouTube Downloader allows downloading videos up to 4K quality from YouTube and 1000+ other supported sites. Key features include the ability to extract only MP3 audio from videos and download captions or subtitles.
The app also enables downloading entire YouTube playlists or channels in batches. Additional features include downloading age restricted videos, background downloading capability, and downloading regionally blocked content via proxy servers. Downloaded videos can be saved on device storage or SD card. Overall, Android YouTube Downloader provides a convenient way to save YouTube videos offline on Android.
You can use Android YouTube Downloader to save videos while traveling or occasions when you expect interrupted connectivity. It’s great for quickly grabbing videos to watch during commutes or flights. The batch download features make it easy to download whole playlists or channels with just a couple taps. Overall, it’s a simple app to use YouTube offline on your Android device.
Features:
- Downloads YouTube playlists
- Fast 1080p video downloads
- Background downloading capability
- Intuitive Android interface
Cons: No 4K or 8K download support
Verdict: The top app for downloading YouTube videos on Android.
Documents by Readdle
Best for: Downloading YouTube on iPhone/iPad
Pricing: Documents by Readdle is a free mobile app for iOS with in-app purchases for premium features.
Documents by Readdle downloaded videos are automatically saved in the app’s Downloads folder.
Additional features include a built-in MP3 music player with equalizer, offline web browser, support for unzipping files, and tools for previewing documents like PDFs and Microsoft Office files. Documents by Readdle also enables editing text files, downloading from cloud storage services, wireless file transfers between devices, password protection, and document scanning.
You can use Documents by Readdle to easily save videos offline while on your phone or tablet. It’s handy for accessing videos anytime while traveling or with unstable connections. The integrated media features allow conveniently viewing and listening to downloaded videos and music directly within the app. Overall, it’s a versatile app for media and file management on the go.
Features:
- Quick HD and 4K quality YouTube downloads
- Can convert to MP3 and other formats
- Downloads full playlists
- Beautiful and intuitive iOS interface
Cons: 4K downloading requires premium upgrade
Verdict: The best app for downloading YouTube videos on iOS devices.
Review of the Best YouTube Downloaders
Now let’s take a deeper look at some of the standout picks from our top 10 list:
SSyoutube online – This free program excels in every area. It downloads videos incredibly fast in every available resolution. The browser extensions make downloading seamless. Converting to popular formats like MP4, MKV and MP3 is quick and losses. And the simple interface is very user-friendly.
SaveFrom – Sometimes the simplest option does the job well. This web tool requires only the YouTube URL, then simply clicks download for saving the video. Speeds are fast, and it handles even 8K videos without issues or limits. Being ad-free and easy to use makes it a great choice.
VideoProc – For a premium software, VideoProc hits every requirement. It downloads in up to 8K quality through an intuitive interface. Converting to any needed file type is lightning quick. Downloading and converting multiple videos in batch saves huge time. The many editing tools are a nice bonus too.
These represent just a sampling of the diverse options among the top 10 YouTube video downloaders. There are excellent choices whether looking for desktop software, browser-based tools or mobile apps to fit specific downloading needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube Downloaders
There are some common questions surrounding the use of YouTube downloaders:
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
Downloading videos just for personal use generally falls under fair use copyright principles in many countries. However, redistributing downloaded content without permission would violate copyright.
Will the video quality be retained?
The best downloaders allow saving videos in original quality. However lower resolutions may be offered to reduce file sizes. Check supported resolutions.
Are there limits on how many videos can be downloaded?
Most desktop tools don’t limit downloads, but web-based options may impose caps. Some mobile apps limit the number without upgrading.
Can a downloaded video be converted to another file type?
Many downloaders support converting to formats like MP3, MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV and more after downloading to expand usability.
Is a YouTube downloader safe to use?
Stick to well-known reputable downloaders from consistent sources to avoid malware risks. Check user reviews to confirm legitimacy and safety.
Conclusion – Which is the Best YouTube Downloader?
While the top YouTube video downloaders covered each offer unique advantages, SSyoutube online stands out as the best overall choice. As a fast free tool that hits every criteria and works across Windows, Mac and Linux, it satisfies any YouTube downloading need. From quickly saving clips for offline use to grabbing entire playlists and channels, SSyoutube online makes it simple.
Of course power users needing expanded utility should still consider premium options like VideoProc. And platform-specific tools designed solely for mobile downloading fill that niche well. But for most purposes, the speed, quality and simplicity of SSyoutube online makes it hard to beat as the top YouTube video downloader available today.
