Top-rated on Setapp
If you want the closest thing to a native Mac experience, Downie is the strongest 4K Video Downloader alternative — it supports 1,200+ sites and downloads in 4K.
4K Video Downloader is an awesome downloader that’s still widely popular, and for good reason. It works with many popular websites and comes with all the most important features. I was part of its large user base for quite some time before I started looking for something more Mac-native that fit better into my workflow as a content creator.
I tested a wide range of alternatives. Some were simpler and great for occasional use, while others were more advanced and came with AI features.
Here's what I found after testing each one for download speed, supported sites, and how well it fits a Mac workflow.
Or get Downie standalone via Marketplace — quarterly plans from $4.99.
Below are the best 4K Video Downloader alternatives for Mac that I tested. You'll find simple tools for downloading videos to advanced apps built for creators. The biggest differences between the alternatives are download quality, supported websites, playlist and subtitle support, conversion features, and how smoothly each tool fits into a Mac workflow.
Here's a brief overview of each alternative, along with what it's best for, its main strengths, and pricing:
| Tool | What's best for? | Main strengths | And the price? |
| 4K Video Downloader | General all-around downloading | Playlist downloads, subtitle support, clean interface | Free plan + paid licenses |
| Downie | Mac users who want the smoothest workflow | Mac-native experience, 1,000+ supported sites, very easy to use | $8.99 + tax with Setapp Membership or $4.99 on Setapp Marketplace |
| Pulltube | Users who want subtitles and trimming tools | Subtitle downloads, video trimming, lightweight interface | $8.99 + tax with Setapp Membership or $19.99 on Setapp Marketplace |
| VideoProc Converter AI | Content creators and advanced workflows | AI tools, editing, compression, conversion, 4K/8K support | Free trial, paid plans from ~$45.95/year |
| SnapDownloader | Cross-platform users | Works on Mac and Windows, 8K support, batch downloads | Free trial, paid plans from $7.99/month |
| ClipGrab | Free basic downloads | Completely free, simple interface, MP3/MP4 conversion | Free |
| ClipConverter | Browser-based downloads | No installation required, fast occasional downloads | Free |
| YTD for Mac | YouTube-focused downloading | Simple UI, subscription option, playlist downloads | Free plan + paid plans from $2.99/month billed yearly |
| Total Video Downloader | Older Macs | Lightweight app, multi-download support, free to use | Free |
If you're not sure which downloader fits your setup, the 4K Video Downloader GPT assistant is worth a quick check. It saved me a few rounds of trial and error before I landed on the picks in this list.
Downie is one of those apps that does what it was built to do without any complexity or an overwhelming learning curve. It's Mac-native and looks clean, so even beginners can easily find their way around. The process is fairly simple:
You can download videos from 1,000+ websites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, and Dailymotion. If you want to download videos in 4K, you definitely can because Downie supports that too. Additionally, you can extract audio tracks, convert files to MP4, and install the browser extension that lets you send videos straight to the app without copy-pasting links.
When I first switched from 4K Video Downloader, I expected a learning curve. There wasn't one. Downie's browser extension caught videos automatically within a day of installing it.
If you already use Setapp, you'll be happy to hear that Downie is part of the app stack. For only $8.99 + tax, you'll get it along with 270+ other Mac and iOS apps. You can also buy it as a standalone app for only $4.99/month.
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
Not ideal if you want a tool with advanced features
For a deeper look at how Downie stacks up against other tools, see the roundup of the best YouTube downloaders.
Tip: To further improve your workflow, pair Downie with Permute. Just download the video in Downie and send it to Permute to convert it to MP4, MP3, MOV, or other formats without opening a complicated editing app.
Or get Pulltube standalone via Marketplace — $19.99 one-time, 2 devices.
Another awesome video downloader for Mac users and a serious alternative to 4K Video Downloader is Pulltube. This tool is intuitive and easy to use, so it's great for both beginners and pros. It supports all the mainstream platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, TikTok, and Dailymotion, plus 1,000+ other websites.
In terms of features, Pulltube has quite a few, which makes it especially useful for content creators. You can trim videos, extract audio as MP3 or M4A, download subtitles separately, and even install Pulltube’s smart browser extensions to quickly save videos you come across online.
Pulltube is also available on Setapp, and for $8.99 + tax, you can access it along with 270+ other Mac and iOS apps. Or you can buy it as a standalone app for $19.99, a one-time purchase covering two devices.
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
Here's a more advanced alternative to 4K Video Downloader. In fact, VideoProc Converter AI is not just for downloading and converting videos. You can also compress, edit, record, and enhance your videos with its AI tools.
Who is this tool best for? Probably content creators who work with large video files, different formats, or footage from cameras like GoPro and DJI. Just like Downie and Pulltube, it also supports downloads from more than 1,000 websites.
I'll admit VideoProc's interface intimidated me at first — there are a lot of buttons. But once I located the GPU acceleration toggle (using your graphics card to speed up processing), exports that used to take ten minutes finished in under three. There's a free trial, but the full version starts at around $45.95 for a yearly license or about $78.90 for a lifetime license.
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
If you were wondering whether there’s a downloader that works on both Mac and Windows, the good news is that there is. The app you need is called SnapDownloader, and it offers a wide range of features without confusing you.
You can download videos from all the most popular platforms (from 900+ websites) and even download videos in up to 8K quality. There’s a built-in video trimmer that lets you download only specific parts of a video instead of the whole thing.
There are several pricing plans to choose from. The lifetime license costs $39.99 for one device, or you can choose a monthly subscription for $7.99/month or an annual plan for $29.99/year.
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
Do you want a downloader app that’s great for basic downloads without the hassle of advanced features? Then check out ClipGrab. It’s probably the most no-nonsense app on this list. It works on Mac, Windows, and Linux and supports downloads from some of the most popular platforms.
If you care about simplicity, this app gets the job done. You just copy the video link, paste it into the app, choose the format and quality, and click “Grab this clip!” You can also convert videos, which is a useful feature if you download music or podcasts.
And the best part is that it’s completely free, which makes it a good option for casual users on a budget.
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
If audio extraction is your main goal, the guide on the best YouTube to MP3 converters covers more options like this.
What about a downloader tool that doesn’t require you to install any software on your Mac? Maybe you don’t have much storage space or just don’t want to deal with installing apps. Well, ClipConverter is what you need.
It runs directly in your browser, and all you need to do is paste the link, choose the format, and download the file. Overall, the whole process only takes a few seconds.
You can download videos in formats like MP3, MP4, M4A, AVI, and MOV. It’s definitely a no-brainer tool if you only download videos occasionally. For a browser-based downloader, it supports fairly high resolutions, but I wouldn’t rely on it for heavy 4K workflows or large playlist downloads.
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
YTD Video Downloader for Mac is an alternative to 4K Video Downloader if you want a YouTube downloader with a subscription option. You can download videos from 50+ websites and convert them into MP4, MP3, MOV, AVI, and more. It also supports HD and 4K downloads, batch downloads, playlist downloads, and automatic resume if your internet connection drops.
Instead of focusing on dozens of advanced features, this tool gives you the basics to keep things easy to use while still being equipped with all the important features most people need.
You can either use it for free if your budget is tight or subscribe to one of the paid plans. The premium plans start at $6.99/month billed monthly or $2.99/month billed annually.
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
Not every tool on this list requires a newer Mac. Total Video Downloader for Mac, for example, is an app you can easily use on an older Mac since it's lightweight and simple. It comes with all the features you would expect from a video downloader, like letting you download videos from websites such as YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, Facebook, and SoundCloud, and convert them into formats like MP4, MOV, and 3GP.
Instead of copy-pasting links, you can search for videos directly inside the app, download several videos at once, choose different quality settings, and even add subtitles to YouTube downloads.
All in all, it’s a good option if you’re using an older device and want a simple tool without any unnecessary extras. Just make sure to check compatibility with your macOS version before installing it. And it’s completely free to use, so that’s definitely a plus!
Reasons to get it
Some downsides
Downloading mostly from TikTok instead? I'd point you to the separate breakdown of the best TikTok downloaders for platform-specific picks.
And that’s the list of the best alternatives to 4K Video Downloader if you’ve already made your pick- awesome! If you’re still unsure which tool is best for you, think about what you actually need.
You've found the right downloader — now stop paying for it separately. Setapp bundles Downie, Pulltube, and 270+ other Mac and iOS apps in one plan. Start Your Free Trial. Or browse Setapp Marketplace for standalone app purchases.
If you've ever bounced between three different downloader apps because none of them did everything, you know exactly why I landed on Setapp instead of picking just one tool.
Yes, depending on what you need. Downie is better for Mac users who want a smoother native experience, while VideoProc Converter AI is stronger for advanced editing and conversion tools. If you need subtitle downloads or trimming tools, Pulltube is another excellent alternative.
If you want a completely free option, ClipGrab is one of the best choices for casual users. It supports YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion, and also converts videos into MP3 or MP4. Another free option is ClipConverter if you prefer downloading videos directly from your browser.
YTD Video Downloader and VideoProc Converter AI are very similar to SnapDownloader. All three tools support multiple websites, high-resolution downloads, playlist downloads, and video conversion. SnapDownloader is simpler overall, while VideoProc offers more advanced editing and AI-powered features.
4K Video Downloader Plus is the newer version of the original 4K Video Downloader. It includes a redesigned interface, better support for modern websites, an in-app browser, improved Apple Silicon optimization, and more reliable playlist and subtitle downloads. The older version is simpler, but the Plus version is more actively updated.
For most Mac users, Downie and Pulltube are among the best choices because they feel native to macOS and are very easy to use. VideoProc Converter AI is better for creators who need editing and conversion tools, while ClipGrab is a strong free alternative for casual downloads.
Security-tested
Top-rated on Setapp
