How to Download YouTube Videos for Free

Over 500 hours of new videos are uploaded to the YouTube website every minute, as of 2019. But how can you download YouTube videos and watch them later offline?

This post will show you some top ways to download YouTube videos with popular YouTube downloaders for personal and or educational purposes.

Both desktop programs and online YouTube downloaders can save YouTube videos so you can watch them later, without worrying about internet connection.

Here is a quick comparison between desktop video downloader tools like MiniTool uTube Downloader and other online downloaders:

 

Desktop YouTube Downloaders

 

Advantages

• The programs are often free to use. MiniTool uTube Downloader, for example, comes with no ads or virus.
• The downloader supports downloading videos with no restrictions.
• The video download speed is fast.
• It allows you to easily download YouTube playlists and video subtitles.

 

Disadvantages

• You need to install the program on your computer.

 

Online YouTube Downloaders

 

Advantages

• The online tools can support most video-sharing websites, including Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• You do not need to install any additional software.

 

Disadvantages

• You will see many advertisements when using online tools.
• They support only some video/audio formats.
• There is a limit for the size of the video that you can download.

 

Steps to Download YouTube Videos

 

The steps to download YouTube videos is pretty straightforward using free YouTube downloader and converter tools.

Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to download and convert YouTube videos to MP4 with a desktop YouTube downloader tool like MiniTool YouTube Downloader:

 

Step 1. Install the YouTube Downloader tool on your computer.

 

Go to www.minitool.com to download and install this free YouTube converter on your Windows PC, when it is done, launch the program.

 

Step 2. Copy the YouTube Video URL to the top of the interface.

 

Open the YouTube website, and search for a video that you want to convert to MP4.

Copy that URL link, then paste it to the MiniTool YouTube converter, and click the Download button.

 

Sep 3. Download the Video and Convert YouTube to MP4.

 

Select one output format (such as MP4), after that, click the Download button, at last, wait for a while, and the software to save the video to your computer.

 

More Tools & Options to Download YouTube Videos Online 

 

Option 1. Online Video Converter

 

Online Video Converter can support a wide range of online video formats. It allows free unlimited uploads without signing up.

By using this online YouTube downloader, you can convert YouTube videos to many different formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, M4A, WMA, FLAC, WAV, MP4, AVI, MOV, MPG, FLV, WMV, and M4V.

 

Option 2 KeepVid.Pro

 

If you want to free download videos from YouTube without installing new programs on your PC, you can try this free video downloader – KeepVid.Pro.

This YouTube downloader tool can support up to 1000 video sharing websites, including Facebook, Vimeo, BBC, and Instagram.

Besides, you can use the service to convert YouTube to MP4, or WEBM.

 

Option 3. y2mate.com

 

y2mate.com does not require registration, so it is free for everyone. By using the service, you could download & convert numerous videos from YouTube, Facebook, Video, Dailymotion, Youku, etc. to MP3, MP4 with good quality.

y2mate.com is capable of downloading videos in MP4, M4V, 3GP, WMV, FLV, MO, MP3, WEBM formats, etc.

 

Option 4. SaveFrom.net

 

This online tool can be used to download video files and audio from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, VK, and 40+ other websites in one click.

However, SaveFrom.net cannot download 4K UHD content. It also doesn't support downloading YouTube videos to MP3 audio. 

 

Option 5. BitDownloader

 

BitDownloader provides the video downloading service for you to save videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other websites and watch them offline.

This online video downloader is free. You will not be required to register for an account or install additional plugins/software to use the service.

To use this free online YouTube downloader, you only need to paste the direct link to the video to the green search box, then press “Download.”

 

Option 6. FLVTO

 

FLVTO is useful if you want to download YouTube songs to MP3, and download & convert YouTube to MP4 video. It is simple to use this YouTube video downloader to download YouTube content on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Windows platforms.

Simply paste a video link into the FLVTO input field; after that, choose one output format (MP3, MP4, MP4 HD, AVI, AVI HD). Next click the “CONVERT To” button.

 

Option 7. 4K Video Downloader

 

This is one of the simplest video downloaders that allows you to download videos and audio from YouTube and similar services. It supports HD videos, Mp3 and even GIF files from Twitter.

4K Video Downloader works on macOS, PC and Linux and is free to use. It can also easily help you download videos and music directly from the internet onto your android device.

 

Downloading YouTube Videos on Mobile Phones

 

The above methods are useful for users to save YouTube videos on their computer. If you want to download YouTube videos to your mobile phone, please read the instructions below.

 

YouTube Video Downloader for Android Users

 

Below are two ways to download YouTube videos on Android:

 

i. Use the YouTube app

 

Open the YouTube app on your phone, then find the video you want to download.

Play that video and tap the share button. -> Select YouTube downloader from the share menu. -> Choose file format (MP3 or MP4) -> Select Download.

 

ii. Use a YouTube video downloader for Android

 

Download a YouTube downloader app or other alternative video downloading app and open it.

Find the video you want to download. -> Choose MP3 or MP4 as the output format. -> At last, tap Download.

 

YouTube Video Downloader for iPhone Users

 

Since Apple has cracked down on the act of ripping videos using third-party apps, you will find it a little difficult to download YouTube on iPhone.

However, a file manager app called Documents, which has an integrated web browser, can help you download and transfer YouTube videos.

Install the YouTube downloader app - Documents by Readdle, and launch it.

Open the built-in browser in Documents by tapping the blue compass icon at the bottom right corner-> Navigate to the webpage that allows you to download free videos or songs ->Tap the download link or button, and select where to save it