4 best TikTok video downloaders and how I use them

7 min read

Discover the top 2 TikTok video downloaders on Setapp I tested apps to download videos from TikTok to my Mac. Check out my top picks:

For companies and independent content creators alike, TikTok is serious business. It can help boost your brand, make you an influencer, or just entertain you and your friends. 

But it’s also hard work. You have to put in a lot of time and effort so that people notice your TikToks. This includes research, content planning, and content creation itself. Many people choose to work on their TikTok videos on a Mac, experimenting with different editing tools to make their videos stand out. It also really saves your time if you intend to share these videos to other platforms. This is why you need a reliable TikTok video download tool.

TikTok downloader essential features, at a glance

Now to the list of the best TikTok video downloaders:

Let’s compare!

Pulltube

TTDownloader

sssTikTok

Downie

Batch download

Yes

No

No

Yes

Built-in search

No

No

No

Yes

Video converter

Yes

No

No

Yes

Download from other sites (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

Yes

No

No

Yes

Ad-free

Yes

No

No

Yes

Remove watermark

No

Yes

Yes

No

Extract audio from video

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Video crop

Yes

No

No

No

4K video support

Yes

No

No

Yes

Pulltube: Download, convert and trim any TikTok video on Mac

Pulltube is an all-purpose media downloader that lets you save videos from TikTok to Mac. It’s a dedicated Mac app, so the biggest perk you get with Pulltube is security and peace of mind — unlike online downloaders, the app protects you from downloading malware with your TikTok videos.

pulltube-download-window

Pros

  • Convert to other formats. Save audio from your TikTok video or convert to other formats without leaving the app. 
  • Download any TikTok video. Just copy the URL and paste it to Pulltube. The app supports 4K, 8K, HD, and a variety of other formats. 
  • Trim your video. Adjust the length of your TikTok video right after downloading it. With Pulltube, you don’t need any extra tools for editing.
Cons
  • No in-app preview. You can open the downloaded video in a browser, but you can’t preview it in the app unless you want to trim it. 
  • No watermark removal. Pulltube saves TikTok videos with the original watermarks. 

TTDownloader: Download any TikTok video without a watermark in Safari

TTDownloader is a free TikTok downloader you can access on the web. However, I want to mention a minor inconvenience: it doesn’t work properly in Chrome so you’ll have to use Safari or other alternative browsers to save videos through TTDownloader. This option caught my attention because one Redditor described how easily it works, “Lets you pick the video quality and no app is needed - just visit the website, pop in the url, and download.”

a free TikTok downloader

Pros
  • Download videos from TikTok without a watermark. Before downloading a video, you can choose to remove the watermark or save audio only. 
  • Free access. TTDownloader is available for free in Safari.
Cons
  • TikTok only. If you’re looking for a universal tool that can help you download and share videos across different platforms, TTDownloader is not a good choice. 
  • Doesn’t work in Chrome. We’ve tested TTDownloader a few times and didn’t manage to get it to work in Chrome, so we recommend you use Safari for the job. 
  • Security concerns. The risk with free online downloaders is that they might be packed with malicious files and ads.

sssTikTok: Free TikTok downloader with limited video quality

sssTikTok is a TikTok video download app for iOS and Android, available through Readle. It also offers a free online downloader that allows you to save TikTok content through Safari. While scrolling through Reddit, I found that there weren’t many reviews or much feedback about this particular tool, especially regarding safety, which I was curious about. However, I did notice that users appreciate it because it’s free and gets the job done effectively. A Redditor says about sssTikTok, “I used it and was able to download slides from TikTok without watermarks.”

a TikTok video download app for iOS and Android

Pros
  • Download videos from TikTok without a watermark. You can choose to remove a TikTok watermark from your video.
  • It’s free. You can download TikTok videos for free through Safari.
Cons
  • TikTok only. sssTikTok works only with TikTok and only in Safari. Unlike other video downloaders, you can’t use it to save content from YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
  • Security concerns. Free online downloaders might use shady ads and malware to monetize the service.
  • Poor quality. You can’t choose video resolution or tweak file format with sssTikTok. In most cases, the videos you download are of poor quality (limited to HD).

Downie: TikTok downloader with built-in search

With Downie, you don’t even have to open TikTok in a browser to copy a URL. This Mac app comes with built-in search where you can “google” your video and download it in one click. What’s more, Downie has integration with Permute (you have both of these apps if you use Setapp), which lets you instantly convert video files to other formats.

A satisfied Setapp user says about Downie, “This app has a really clean and user-friendly interface — everything feels practical and straightforward. I'm able to download videos from tons of sites without any hassle. The browser integration is a huge plus; the one-click extension makes downloading super quick and easy. Overall, it's a solid, efficient tool that does exactly what it promises.”

downie youtube download process
Pros
  • 4K video support. Downie can download TikTok videos in excellent quality, up to 4K. 
  • 1000+ different sites. Apart from TikTok, you can use Downie to search for and download videos from websites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and more. 
  • Post-processing. You can extract an audio track or convert your video to other formats by device (for Apple TV 4K, iPad 3, iPhone 8, etc.)
Cons
  • No video preview. You can’t open a TikTok video in Downie after downloading it. 
  • Requires Permute to convert video. If you use Downie outside Setapp, you’ll have to additionally install Permute to be able to convert video.

How to choose best TikTok downloader

Here’s what to look for in a TikTok video downloader: 

  • Safe to use: First and foremost, make sure whatever you do with a TikTok downloader doesn’t infringe any copyright rules. Also, choose dedicated Mac apps over random online downloaders — this will protect you from annoying ads and malware. 

  • Built-in editing features: Macs are known for great video editing tools, from Apple’s own QuickTime to third-party apps like CameraBag Pro. However, you’ll be able to create content so much faster if your TikTok video downloader comes with editing features built-in. 

  • Versatile file formats: Videos shot on different cameras will look different. To ensure consistency, get a TikTok downloader that can capture videos in different file formats and resolutions, up to 4K, and (ideally) comes with a built-in converter.  

Best TikTok downloaders: Final words

Exploring TikTok video download tools can enhance how you control, edit, and share your content, allowing you to keep your favorite videos organized in one place. While there are many options available, a standout choice is Setapp.

This subscription service for Mac and iOS not only includes tools like Downie and Pulltube for seamless downloading but also offers a wide array of applications that streamline content creation, management, and editing.

Setapp brings everything you need under one roof, with access to invaluable apps that I’ve mentioned throughout my content journey. From video editing to converting files, Setapp ensures you have the tools to bring your creative projects to life efficiently. Try it out with a 7-day free trial, followed by a monthly fee of $9.99.

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