Looking to download videos from YouTube to watch offline on your PC? Searching for the perfect YouTube video downloader software for your Windows computer? Well look no further – we have just the solution for you!
With the massive amount of content constantly being uploaded to YouTube, having the ability to save videos to your computer for anytime access is extremely valuable. Who wants to be dependent on an internet connection just to watch your favorite YouTube clips and channels? And what if you are going on a trip and want to watch some videos during the flight – streaming isn’t going to work up in the air! You want software that can grab videos in high quality formats, download entire playlists or channels with a click, convert clips to a mobile-friendly format, and preferably be free. Some further aspects that are useful are a library for managing downloads, integration with web browsers like Chrome, and the ability to extract just the audio track from videos.
With the right desktop software, you can save clips, channels, and playlists to your heart’s content for anytime offline viewing. Let’s dive right into the top YouTube video downloader picks!
What is a YouTube to MP3 Converter and Why Use One?
A YouTube to MP3 converter is a specific type of downloader tool that extracts only the audio track from a YouTube video and saves it as an MP3 music file on your computer or phone. This can be incredibly helpful for:
Listening to downloaded songs offline on an MP3 player, phone, or tablet
Adding YouTube audio tracks to your own custom playlists
Converting videos to podcasts or audiobooks for mobile listening
Creating remixes and samples using audio sources from YouTube
Grabbing short audio clips for uses permitted under fair use laws
Extracting audio from videos to use in video editing projects
When researching YouTube downloader tools, look for ones that offer built-in converters to easily save just the audio portion from videos in the ubiquitous MP3 music format. This provides maximum flexibility.
Best YouTube Video Downloader Apps for Mobile
In addition to desktop computer software, there are also excellent mobile apps for saving YouTube videos directly on smartphones and tablets:
Video Downloader for Android
OS: Android
Video Downloader supports extracting and converting the audio from videos into MP3 format. Additional handy features include the ability to download entire playlists and channels. Overall, it provides a great way to save YouTube videos for offline viewing and listening on the go.
Advantages:
- Supports up to 4K video quality
- Can extract MP3 audio from videos
- Allows batch downloading playlists/channels
- Clean and simple interface
- Free with no account required
Disadvantages:
- Contains some ads
- Lacks browser extensions
- Cannot download age-restricted videos
- Only available on Android
Documents by Readdle
OS: iOS
Documents by Readdle is a versatile app for iPhone and iPad that includes built-in web browsing and YouTube video downloading capabilities. From the Documents app, you can browse to YouTube, find videos, and then save them to your iOS device storage. It grabs videos in MP4 format up to 720p HD quality. Documents also supports downloading and saving YouTube playlists. The app provides a centralized place to access, watch, and manage your downloaded videos. An additional perk is integration with cloud storage services like Dropbox.
Advantages:
- Download videos directly within the app
- Supports downloading full playlists
- Integrates with cloud storage services
- Clean and user-friendly interface
- Video player included
Disadvantages:
- Maximum 720p HD video quality
- Cannot convert videos to MP3 audio
- Lacks some advanced downloader features
- iOS only, not available on Android
SaveFrom
OS: Android
SaveFrom is a popular Android app dedicated specifically to downloading videos from YouTube and many other sites. It can download videos in a range of formats and resolutions up to 4K. SaveFrom provides options to download entire playlists or channels in bulk. The app has a clean, modern interface and is easy to use. It can extract and convert the audio tracks from videos into Mp3 format as well. Overall, SaveFrom is a top choice for downloading YouTube videos on Android.
Advantages:
- Supports a wide range of formats and 4K quality
- Downloads full playlists and channels
- Audio extraction to Mp3 capability
- Modern and intuitive interface
- Free with no account required
Disadvantages:
- Contains ads
- Some links may not download properly
- No browser extensions
- Android only
SaveFrom.Net
OS: iOS
SaveFrom.Net is a handy web-based tool that can download YouTube videos on iPhone and iPad without needing a separate app. From the Safari browser, you simply go to SaveFrom.Net, enter the URL for the YouTube video you want, and tap download. It will save the video as an MP4 file to your iOS device. The website is easy to use with a simple interface. While it lacks advanced features, SaveFrom.Net is useful for quick and convenient iOS downloads.
Advantages:
- Simple web-based downloader
- No app required
- Straightforward user interface
- Fast download speeds
- Works on any iOS device
Disadvantages:
- Only downloads in MP4 format
- No playlist or channel downloading
- Maximum of 720p HD quality
- Limited to iOS platform
- No audio conversion capabilities
SnapTube (Android)
OS: Android
SnapTube can extract and convert the audio from videos into Mp3 files. One of the app’s key features is the ability to easily download entire YouTube playlists or channels in bulk. Everything is done within the app with a clean and modern looking interface. Overall, SnapTube is a great option for Android users who want to save YouTube videos for offline use.
Advantages:
- Downloads videos in a variety of formats and quality
- Built-in YouTube to Mp3 audio conversion
- Allows bulk downloading of playlists/channels
- Modern and intuitive interface
- Completely free to use
Disadvantages:
- Contains advertisements
- Requires Android 5.0+
- Privacy concerns due to being based in China
- Lacks desktop browser integration
MacX YouTube Downloader (Mac & Windows)
OS: iOS
MacX YouTube Downloader is an app available for both iPhone/iPad and desktop Mac computers. On iOS, it can download videos from YouTube and other sites in a range of formats up to 4K quality. Conveniently, playlists can also be downloaded in bulk. The app has a clean design and the downloads are fast. For Mac users, the desktop version offers the ability to download 4K videos in additional formats like MOV and MP3 audio. Overall, MacX provides seamless integration across Apple devices for downloading YouTube videos.
Advantages:
- Supports 4K video quality
- Available as iOS and Mac app
- Can download full YouTube playlists
- Allows format conversion on Mac
- Clean and fast interface
Disadvantages:
- Requires paid subscription for full features
- Limited to Apple ecosystem only
- Lacks support for comments or subtitles
- iOS version lacks some Mac features
How to Select the Best Video Downloader for Your Needs
Platforms supported – Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, etc.
Ability to download entire playlists, channels, or a user’s full video library
Maximum video resolution quality available – 720p, 1080p, 4K?
Format support – MP4, WebM, MOV, MP3, etc.
Speed of downloading and system resource usage
Interface simplicity and ease of use
Any built-in format conversion or audio extraction capabilities
Cost for paid downloaders vs free options with limits
Take your specific desktop or mobile needs into account when researching the top tools to find your best match.
Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube Video Downloaders
Can I get banned for using a downloader?
As long as you use the tools responsibly and avoid downloading an excessive number of videos too quickly, you should be fine legally. Don’t abuse the downloaders.
Do I need an account to use a downloader?
Most YouTube downloaders do not require creating an account, especially free web-based tools. Some paid software may require an account to activate a license key.
What video and audio formats can I download?
Many modern downloaders support formats like MP4, WebM, MOV, and MP3 audio. Some even allow grabbing up to 8K Ultra HD video now.
The Bottom Line on YouTube Video Downloaders
Overall, using a well-designed YouTube downloader can be extremely useful for legally saving videos, playlists, and channels for convenient offline viewing and listening. The top tools make downloading content from YouTube’s vast library quick and easy. Just be sure to use the downloaders responsibly within YouTube’s guidelines, and they provide invaluable access to videos!
