People watch literally a billion hours of video on YouTube every day. That’s just one astounding statistic about the site, which has been the go-to destination for uploading and watching videos online for two decades. Why go anywhere else when there’s so much to watch?
But sometimes you really want or need to have one of those videos on your computer or phone. That’s when the topic of downloading YouTube videos arises, and a question emerges: Is it legal?
On the copyright front, as long as you’re downloading a video for your own personal offline use, you’re probably OK. That said, Google’s terms of service for YouTube read: “You are not allowed to…access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use any part of the Service or any Content except: (a) as expressly authorized by the Service; or (b) with prior written permission from YouTube and, if applicable, the respective rights holders.”
Watching YouTube videos offline through unofficial channels takes money away from Google and video creators. There’s a reason YouTube runs ads: People make a living this way.
If you want to share a video, YouTube and most other video sites make it easy, from embedding to emailing to sharing via social networks. You typically do not need to download a video. But you have your reasons. If you must download a YouTube video—absolutely need to, just for yourself, and not for dissemination, and not to be a jerk—here’s how.
Note: This story is updated frequently, as the tools involved change regularly. Some of those changes are not always pleasant, such as software so full of “extras” that it gets flagged as malware by antivirus tools. The same applies to helper websites—a change in a site’s ad network can also create issues with malware.
To prevent this from becoming a lengthy list of programs and sites that can download YouTube videos, we established a few guidelines for inclusion. Services must:
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Work with the top three video sites: YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo.
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Download entire playlists or channels in a batch (on YouTube), at least with a paid version.
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Output to MP3 for audio (or offer companion software that does so).
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Have an interface that doesn’t suck.
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Not collect your personal data beyond your email address.
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Not contain malware. If there’s even a whiff of it, even a PUP, it’s out.
The programs, services, and sites in this story are all free of spam and virus problems as of the time of writing; however, let the buyer beware. (Especially if you’re not really buying.)
YouTube Premium: Limited Downloads, the Way YouTube Wants
Video downloads are available to subscribers of YouTube Premium, the $13.99-per-month version of YouTube that allows you to watch without ads. There’s one limitation: All the video you download is limited to 1080p quality or lower. No 4K.
(Credit: PCMag/YouTube)
The biggest issue is that this feature doesn’t really download a video that you can save on your computer forever. It is similar to the download feature found on mobile apps for Netflix and Hulu, which allows you to make a streaming video available for later viewing using your local storage through the app’s interface. This won’t allow you to, for example, watch a video using different software, such as VLC Media Player or Plex.
Access the download by going to the YouTube hamburger menu and selecting Downloads to view the list of what you’ve grabbed. The page says “Downloads remain available as long as your device has an active internet connection at least once every 30 days.” This probably isn’t exactly what you are looking for. In which case, read on for tools that are a better fit.
Desktop Software: The Best Way to Download From YouTube
Third-party software gives you the most control over downloading online videos. Typically, you paste the URL for the YouTube video you want into the program, and it downloads the highest-quality version it can find. For videos in 1080p high-definition format, that’s usually an MP4 file. For anything higher in quality—4K or 8K—the file format is typically MKV or WEBM.
MKV or WEBM extensions indicate the file is a Matroska, or a container—the file can hold a number of different kinds of media, from video to stills to subtitles; the video can utilize any number of codecs. The foolproof way to play them all is to use the VLC Media Player, which supports just about every codec imaginable.
VLC was once our favorite free way to download YouTube videos, but recent attempts have failed, so we’ve switched to the usual YouTube downloaders. We also pulled 5KPlayer, as attempts to re-download it caused antivirus errors. It is now under the Digiarty Software umbrella, along with another program below, VideoProc.
Here are the best desktop video downloader options:
4K Video Downloader Plus
Free, or $15 per year of “lite” personal use on one PC; $25 for a lifetime license purchase for three PCs; Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
(Credit: InterPromo GMBH)
Multi-lingual 4K Video Downloader Plus (4KVD+) is frequently updated and features clear download links on the program’s website; no ad traps here. The software does what it advertises, utilizing a simple interface: It captures high-quality videos up to 8K and downloads them to various formats. Simply copy a YouTube URL and click the “Paste Link” button. 4KVD+ will even collect subtitles, entire playlists, and all the videos in a channel you subscribe to. The supported sites are limited to the major platforms, including YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitch, which should cover most of your needs. The free version displays a large banner advertisement and is limited to 30 downloads per day.
I used the portable version of 4KVD+ that doesn’t require a full install in Windows and snagged my 4K test video—a five-minute 27-second opus shot on a drone by PCMag’s Jim Fisher—in one minute and 36 seconds. That time includes file conversion. It also easily downloaded an Ultra High Definition (8K) playlist.
When you enable the Smart Mode and its presets, 4KVD+ can perform one-click downloads to your favorite format. If you want to download more than 10 videos per day or subscribe to YouTube channels to instantly download the latest, you’ll need the paid version. Playback of the MKV files via VLC Media Player is flawless.
The program can extract audio to MP3 format, so you don’t need the 4K YouTube to MP3 companion software. However, if that’s your preference, the option is available for $10 per year or $15 for a lifetime license.
VideoProc Converter AI
Free with limited use, or $25.95 for one year on three PCs; $45.95 lifetime for one PC; $57.95 family on three to five PCs; Windows, macOS
(Credit: VideoProc)
The powerful VideoProc Converter from Digiarty has added AI to its capabilities and its name to keep up with the Joneses. It primarily provides editing and effects, with AI tools for upscaling and stabilizing footage, but it also handles downloading. With hardware acceleration, it promises fast download speed and delivers.
Let the software detect your hardware to see what will help with acceleration (if anything). Click the Downloader button, click Add video to enter as many URLs as you want to batch download, and then click Download Now. Or grab a whole YouTube playlist or live stream.
VideoProc grabbed my test 4K video to WEBM format in about 55 seconds, a major improvement over past tests with smaller videos. The free version of VideoProc Converter AI used for testing limits conversions to five minutes for each audio or video, doesn’t appear to restrict the number of downloads, only the number of sites it supports (10). The paid version supports 4K downloads from over a thousand websites.
Helper Websites: Coming and Going Like a 4K Wind
Do you want to avoid installing software? Video download helper sites are designed to automate the download process for you. They perform a basic task: You give them a URL from YouTube (or another video site, if supported), they parse it, offer you a choice of download sizes, and provide a link to the selected download. The sites work on any platform, sometimes even on mobile devices. You don’t have to install anything. It can take significantly longer to download, depending on the size and quality of the video you want, but you can’t beat the convenience.
The problem is that you can’t trust them. Hundreds of these sites exist—it seems anyone with a modicum of coding ability has set one up. Such sites can easily transition from useful to suspicious, especially when they gain popularity and the proprietor sells out to profit from your visits.
Since this story was first published, all the helper sites we originally recommended have been removed because they’ve added sexually explicit ads, no longer function, or have switched to promoting a download utility only. One literally went out of business to avoid getting sued.
For a while, based on a recommendation from our friends at LifeHacker, we happily seconded the recommendation of Cobalt. While the site still operates, it’s currently blocked from downloading from YouTube “due to restrictions from YouTube’s side,” according to the site developer. It will, however, still capture clips from other sites, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Vimeo.
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Browser Extensions: Worth the Hassle to Install
A browser extension can save you a step. However, you may encounter issues when downloading videos from YouTube, particularly if you use Chrome as your primary browser.
The Chrome Web Store—where you get Chrome browser extensions—is controlled by YouTube’s owner, Alphabet/Google. In general, with Chrome extensions, downloading any RTMP protocol video (a protected video) or streaming video isn’t possible. You can use them on other sites with video—just not YouTube.
Want to get around this? Get an extension that does not come from the Google Web Store. Some of the programs and helper sites offer an extension component and will spell out how to install without the assistance that the Chrome Web Store usually provides. Here are a few.
YouTube Video Downloader
Free; Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Safari, Vivaldi
(Credit: Addoncrop)
YouTube Video Downloader from Addoncrop is available for multiple browsers, but not via the usual “stores” that provide extensions. It offers side-load capabilities (which require another extension to make it work, called CRXEmulator). It puts a button below whichever video you’re playing on YouTube, even an embedded YouTube clip, making the video easy to grab. Up to 8K video is supported. You can also convert audio from the video to an MP3, and it will even help you take video screenshots.
Video DownloadHelper
Free; Firefox, Chrome, Edge
Video DownloadHelper supports a vast number of sites, including those for adults. You’ll know a video is downloadable if the icon for the extension animates when you’re on the web page. Video DownloadHelper for Chrome has stopped working with YouTube in order to get placement in the Chrome Web Store. The workaround: Install the Video DownloadHelper extension on Firefox or Edge instead.
Tubly Downloader
Free or pay $2.49 per month or $17.88 per year to unlock high-res downloads; Chrome, Edge, and Firefox
Tubly knows you’re worried that the extension isn’t in the Chrome Web Store and states right up front why that is and how to get it (via a download, extracting from a ZIP file, installing it, and enabling “Developer Mode” on the browser, then dragging in the .CRX file for the extension). Once it’s in place, you’ll get free access to download from YouTube at up to 1080p per video, with a few downloads per day (480p downloads are unlimited). There’s a daily limit on many of its download options, including MP3 audio; you can avoid this by paying for the subscription license.
Mobile Video Downloader Apps: Skip the App Store
Downloading from YouTube using an Android app from the Google Play Store is a challenge, given that Google has a grip on the site (even if it seldom seems to check for malware).
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That said, with Android it is possible to install apps without going through Google. But they are also subject to change; at the time of the latest update of this story, our previous top example, InsTube – Free Video and Music Downloader was having major website issues, which is a problem, as that’s the only way to get the app to sideload on an Android device.
(Credit: NewPipe)
Other products you can try for Android downloads include NewPipe, which accesses YouTube from an entirely new interface that includes a download option. As noted above in the desktops section, you can also get 4K Video Downloader for Android.
You’d think there would be no such restriction on iPhones and iPads, since Apple and Google aren’t the best of pals. But with the iOS apps I’ve tried, not only would they not download from YouTube, they’re also typically not available for long. One of those apps literally reported that “Downloading from YouTube is prohibited due to its Terms of Service.” Apple is ensuring that app makers play by the rules—even Google’s rules.
Chances are, the minute you find an iOS app that can download YouTube videos, it will be “fixed” or banned. The only real option is to jailbreak your iPhone and use sideloaded apps that allow you to download exactly what you want.
There are workarounds. One is to subscribe to YouTube Premium (above), which lets you download videos on your iPhone or iPad to watch later, like Netflix and Hulu. But it doesn’t allow you the freedom to edit a clip.
Another is to use a free iOS file manager app, such as Documents by Readdle. Use the Safari mobile browser to visit a YouTube video, and utilize the Share option to find Copy Link. Go back to Documents, and use the built-in browser in the app to surf to a video download helper site (you know, the kind we warned you about above).
Paste the link into the form (hold your finger down on it until the “Paste” menu appears). The site will provide you with the links to download, and you can save the file to your Documents folder. Hold and drag up the file until you’re back on the main screen, then drag it to the Photos folder. You’ll need to give Documents permission to access Photos. You can then access the video, as you would any video taken on the phone or tablet, in the Photos app.
Another workaround: Go back to a desktop PC or laptop running macOS or Windows, and try iMobie’s AnyTrans ($39.99 for a single computer for one year; $59.99 for a lifetime plan). It’s a desktop file manager for iOS devices with an integrated downloader supporting 900 sites, including YouTube and Facebook. It will transfer the videos to the iPhone over a cable, like in the days of iTunes. Even if you don’t pay for AnyTrans, the download option remains and is free forever.
Use Python for Safe Video Downloads
Are you a programmer? Consider this far more complex method for downloading YouTube videos using a Python script. This process involves several steps and requires the installation of a few components, but once completed, you’ll be able to safely download videos from nearly 2,000 websites.
To do this, you’ll need to use yt-dlp, a powerful, free-to-use Python library that downloads videos at the highest resolution available by default.
This guide focuses on downloading videos from YouTube, but the steps may also work on other sites without additional steps—if you’re curious, simply enter the link to the video to check.
Example of sites other than YouTube that work (David Paiz-Torres)
The first step is to install Visual Studio Code, which can be done by visiting this page; it’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Once you’ve got VSC, you’ll install Python. There are several ways to do so, but for the simplest route, download Anaconda, a virtual environment distribution that includes Python and the most commonly used Python packages.
After installing both Anaconda and VSC, launch VSC and find the extensions button on the left side. Then install the Python and Jupyter extensions.
(David Paiz-Torres/Microsoft/Visual Studio Code)
This will allow you to write Python code in VSC. To keep things simple, we suggest writing your code in a Jupyter notebook. This allows you to separate your lines of code into individual cells, making it easier to go back to and adjust in the future if you aren’t familiar with coding.
(David Paiz-Torres/Microsoft/Visual Studio Code)
To open a new Jupyter notebook, create a new file (name it whatever you want) and use the file extension .ipynb. Your file should look something like this: demo.ipynb. Be sure to save this file in a folder you can easily access in case you need to recycle the code in the future to download additional videos.
Finally, here are the steps to download videos using Python:
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Install the yt-dlp library. To do so, open your Jupyter notebook and enter
!pip install yt-dlp -
To execute your code, press Shift+Enter simultaneously (on Windows) or Command+Return (on Mac).
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After executing the previous cell, hover over the middle of the cell on the bottom side and select “code.” This will give you the option to create a new cell in order to stay organized.
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In your new cell, write the following:
import os print(os.cwd()). This will give you the folder directory where you can find your video after it’s downloaded. -
To change the directory the file goes to, swap out
print(os.cwd())withos.chdir(‘/enter/your/new/directory’) -
Finally, to download a video you have the link to, you will need to enter the following command:
!yt-dlpfollowed by the URL of the video you want to download.
About Our Experts
Eric Griffith
Senior Editor, Features
Experience
I’ve been writing about computers, the internet, and technology professionally since 1992, more than half of that time with PCMag. I arrived at the end of the print era of PC Magazine as a senior writer. I served for a time as managing editor of business coverage before settling back into the features team for the last decade and a half. I write features on all tech topics, plus I handle several special projects, including the Readers’ Choice and Business Choice surveys and yearly coverage of the Best ISPs and Best Gaming ISPs, Best Products of the Year, and Best Brands (plus the Best Brands for Tech Support, Longevity, and Reliability).
I started in tech publishing right out of college, writing and editing stories about hardware and development tools. I migrated to software and hardware coverage for families, and I spent several years exclusively writing about the then-burgeoning technology called Wi-Fi. I was on the founding staff of several magazines, including Windows Sources, FamilyPC, and Access Internet Magazine. All of which are now defunct, and it’s not my fault. I have freelanced for publications as diverse as Sony Style, Playboy.com, and Flux. I got my degree at Ithaca College in, of all things, television/radio. But I minored in writing so I’d have a future.
In my long-lost free time, I wrote some novels, a couple of which are not just on my hard drive: BETA TEST (“an unusually lighthearted apocalyptic tale,” according to Publishers’ Weekly) and a YA book called KALI: THE GHOSTING OF SEPULCHER BAY. Go get them on Kindle.
I work from my home in Ithaca, NY, and did it long before pandemics made it cool.
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David Paiz-Torres
Editorial Intern
Experience
Prior to interning with PCMag, I attended the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism for two semesters and will graduate in December, 2024. During my time at the J-school I gained a lot of experience filing Freedom of Information Act requests. Prior to starting my internship with PCMag, I filed over a dozen Freedom of Information Law requests across New York State. I’m also a big fan of interactive news stories with neat visualizations.
Before attending J-School, I was a student at SUNY Old Westbury where I was a contributor to the school newspaper and a safety aid for the University Police Department. As an intern with PCMag, I cover tech news, write feature stories, and carefully craft how-to guides and reviews of consumer electronics.
I have many interests and areas of knowledge, but I don’t consider myself an expert in most things. I pay close attention to national politics and international affairs, and recently began following New York City politics.
When I have free time, you can usually find me gaming, watching a documentary, enjoying a cup of coffee, or going on a long walk. I grew up playing video games on consoles, but I got my first gaming PC in 2020 and have never looked back. My favorite PC-exclusive games are FiveM, Arma Reforger, and Squad—but these days, I mainly play Arma Reforger.
Most days you can find me jumping back and forth between my MacBook Pro and my desktop PC, an Alienware Aurora R10. Under the hood, it has 32GB of RAM, a Ryzen 7 3800x CPU, and an AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics card. I originally wanted to have a computer built, but my brother and I both got our PCs in 2020 and therefore had to split the computer budget between us, so we compromised and I got the prebuilt PC.
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