Top 9 YouTube video downloaders for Mac, Windows, and web

To be honest, I don't download videos from YouTube all that often. But when I do (usually to create video tutorials and webinars for my fellow writers), it's important that the app works flawlessly and meets my every crazy need, whether it's saving a video fragment or an entire playlist.

Over the years, I’ve curated a set of tools that help me download videos for offline use, no matter the situation or device. Here’s my list of the best YouTube downloaders, with options for Mac, Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, web, and Android.

Best YouTube downloaders: Comparison table

I’ll start with a quick comparative overview — this may be all you need. If not, scroll down or click on an app name in the table to see a more detailed description.

Let’s compare!	Platform	Best feature	Browser extension	Price
Downie	macOS	Unlimited downloads from 1200+ sites	✓	$9.99/mo (included in Setapp with 250+ other apps)
Pulltube	macOS	Can download a specific part of the video or split it by timecodes	✓	$9.99/mo (included in Setapp with 250+ other apps)
4k Downloader	macOS, Windows, Ubuntu, Android	Subscription to automatic video downloads from your favorite channels	✖	From $15/year
Snaptube	Android	In-app video recommendation system	✖	Free
Y2Mate	Web	Unlimited online downloader	✓	Free
YT Cut Golem	Web	Cut clips from YouTube videos	✖	Free
Airy	macOS, Windows	Super straightforward interface	✓	From $19.95
ClipGrab	macOS, Windows, Linux	Downloader + video converter	✖	Free
aTube Catcher	Windows	Video downloader + screen and audio recorder	✖	Free

Downie: Unlimited 4K video downloads for Mac

Downie provides impressive download speeds for unlimited downloads from YouTube and over 1,200 other websites (Vimeo, TikTok, Facebook, and more). You can search for videos directly in the built-in search box or simply drag and drop links into the app.

I’d recommend Downie to anyone who needs to save large amounts of videos, YouTube playlists, audio, or subtitles really quickly and without any lag.

Platform: macOS

Price: Included in Setapp for $9.99/mo (+ over 250 other apps)

What I love:

You can download subtitles, audio, or thumbnails from videos separately.
There are extensions for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.
There is a Permute integration for video conversion.

Possible drawbacks:

No preview option before download.
No trimming features.

Pulltube: Split or trim your video before downloading

Pulltube’s standout feature is the ability to download specific parts of a video, whether it’s a random snippet or a section trimmed by timecode.

I also love the interface. It has one-click download, subtitle support, audio and thumbnail extraction, and more — and every feature that is important to me is just a click or two away.

Platform: macOS

Price: Included in Setapp for $9.99/mo (+ over 250 other apps)

What I love:

YouTube videos can be converted to MP3 — great for music.
You can save a video to download later or download multiple at once.
Downloads are available from over 1000 sites.

Possible drawbacks:

Preview mode for trimming can be a bit slow, depending on internet speed.

4k Downloader: For occasional hassle-free downloads

The free version of 4K Downloader offers 10 downloads per day, allowing one video download at a time. The Premium version increases these limits based on your chosen plan (there are three tiers), and it also lets you set up automatic downloads from your favorite YouTube channels.

Platform: macOS

Price: From $15/year

What I love:

8K and 4K support.
Download presets, so you can download videos with the same settings every time.
Detailed customization options for video settings.

Possible drawbacks:

The free plan doesn’t support simultaneous downloads.
Playlists are limited to 10 videos on the free plan.

Snaptube: Unlimited downloads on Android

Snaptube is a Chinese YouTube video downloader that is super popular on Android. The app is free to use and has a recommendation system — kind of like its own YouTube, suggesting channels and videos based on your preferences. However, there’s a cautionary note to consider in the “Cons” section below.

Platform: Android

Price: Free

What I love:

Unlimited downloads for videos and audio files of any size or quality, including TV shows and playlists.
Supports 100+ other platforms.
Includes extra tools like junk cleaner and battery saver.

Possible drawbacks:

Reputation: In 2019, Snaptube was accused of secretly charging users for premium purchases and serving invisible ads for revenue.
Intrusive ads.

Y2Mate: Online downloader with in-built search

Y2Mate is a popular online tool for downloading YouTube videos. You can paste a video link directly on Y2Mate or add "pp" after "youtube" in the video URL to download straight from YouTube. However, be aware that Y2Mate opens a new browser page with each download, which can get a bit annoying.

Platform: Web

Price: Free

What I love:

No limit on daily downloads.
Built-in search function for YouTube.
Supports audio extraction.

Possible drawbacks:

Contains many ads, some of which may include malicious files.
Lacks a video editor and subtitles extraction.

YT Cut Golem: Cut clips before downloading

YT Cut Golem allows you to cut clips from YouTube videos and download them in MP4, MP3, or GIF formats. One improvement I’d like to see is the ability to split videos by timecode, as currently, you have to use the timeline slider to find the desired clip manually.

Platform: Web

Price: Free

What I love:

Unique cutting feature for online YouTube downloaders.
User-friendly interface.
Free downloads in 4K.

Possible drawbacks:

No clear preview of the selected cut fragment.
Slow processing speeds.
Limited additional features and formats.

Airy: One-click app

Airy lets you download two YouTube videos for free (additional downloads require a paid license). Despite the limited trial, I really like the app for its one-click simplicity, playlist support, ability to download multiple videos at once, and MP3 conversion options.

Platform: macOS, Windows

Price: from $19.95/license

What I love:

It’s super easy to use and has one of the most straightforward interfaces I’ve ever seen.
Supports playlist downloads and MP3 conversion.

Possible drawbacks:

Limited to YouTube downloads only.
Requires sign-in for age-restricted content (though I also can view this as a benefit).
Very limited trial version.

ClipGrab: Downloader + video converter

This is one of the most handy free tools out there. ClipGrab allows you to download videos from a link, search YouTube using the built-in search box, and select the format for video conversion in advance. While the functionality is quite basic, it may well cover the needs of many people.

Platform: macOS, Windows, Linux

Price: Free

What I like:

Clean, simple interface — no clutter!
Downloads from Vimeo, Facebook, and other similar websites.
4K download support.

Possible drawbacks:

No options to download subtitles, crop videos, delay downloads, etc.

aTube Catcher: YouTube downloader + screen recorder

aTube Catcher for Windows combines a video downloader with a screen and audio recorder. It supports downloads in various formats, including MKV, 3GP, AAC, AVI, DVD, and more. The app also includes a video converter, basic editor (for resizing, cutting, trimming, and joining files), and additional tools. While I find the interface a bit cluttered and occasionally bothersome with extra prompts, it’s hard to complain given the feature set and the fact that it’s free.

Platform: Windows

Price: Free

What I love:

It can replace a dozen other video and recording tools.
Downloads from various websites (Vimeo, Facebook, Dailymotion™, Metacafe™, etc.)

Possible drawbacks:

Windows only.
Interface can feel cluttered.

How I selected the best YouTube downloaders

I’ve been reviewing software and apps for over five years, and I follow a consistent process. For YouTube downloaders, I focused on these key questions:

Is this service reliable? I test every available feature to assess functionality, convenience, and speed. I check for app stability under heavy loads, download and processing speeds, and general performance.
Am I satisfied with the video quality? I evaluate whether the app supports high-quality downloads in 4K and 8K, and if it maintains quality without degradation.
Does it offer additional features? Sometimes downloading a video from YouTube isn’t enough. I look for features like subtitle extraction, audio downloads, and format conversion.
Is it safe? For Setapp apps like Permute and Downie, I rely on Setapp’s rigorous selection process. For others, I look into data security, known breaches, and user reviews, and highlight any concerns if they arise.
Is the price worth the quality? I’m open to paying for an app license, but I expect more than just basic downloads — for example, playlist support, video trimming, and other editing options.

Based on these criteria and my experience with YouTube downloaders, this top list was compiled.

How to choose a YouTube downloader that works for you

While choosing the best free YouTube downloader, focus on your priorities. Do you need a tool with the most extensive file format support? Is 4K quality a must? Do you need trimming feature or batch downloads?

Truth be told, most of the reviewed YT video downloaders don't have it all. However, you try and find a combination that works perfectly for you. For Mac users, I recommend Downie and Pulltube — together, they should meet all your YouTube download and editing requirements.

You can get them both for $9.99/month on Setapp — an app subscription service that opens up access to 250+ apps for Mac and iPhone. Try Setapp for 7 days free so you can figure out which one works best for you.

FAQ

How to use YouTube downloader?

The most common method is to copy and paste the video link into the downloader app. Some tools also provide browser extensions that let you capture videos while browsing the web. More advanced apps often come with a built-in browser, so you can search for videos right in the app.

Is YouTube downloader legal?

Many apps with video download features, such as Downie and Pulltube, are safe. Legality depends on how you use the downloaded content and may differ by country. Generally, it’s illegal to distribute or monetize copyrighted content. However, using small video fragments for non-commercial purposes, like illustration, is often allowed.

Note: Online downloaders sometimes include ads, which could carry malware, so proceed with caution.

What is the best YouTube downloader?

Downie and Pulltube stand out for their comprehensiveness. They allow you to download from over 1000 different sites, support simultaneous downloads of multiple files, conversion, audio and subtitle extraction, and more.

Which is the best YouTube video downloader?

For Mac, Downie and Pulltube are top recommendations — they support downloading, trimming, and converting. For Windows, try aTube Catcher (it's free). For online downloads, Y2mate is a good option, but be mindful of pop-ups and ads on the website.

Where to download YouTube downloader?

Download Downie and Pulltube from Setapp — an app subscription service with 250+ apps for Mac and iPhone. It offers YouTube downloader apps, media converters, screen recorders, and other apps to solve your tasks.