Many users want to download online videos to their devices for offline viewing. This article will explain some of the best Online Video Downloader tools and methods to download Online video easily.
4 Ways to Download Online video
aTube Catcher
Best for: Free downloading of Online video on Windows, Mac, Linux.
Price: Free
It streamlines the downloading process further by allowing batch downloads of entire playlists and channels for offline consumption.
Features:
- Simple one-click downloading
- Batch and playlist downloading
- Supports most video/audio formats
- Clean and easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Ads may pop up during use
- Only allows limited simultaneous downloads
Verdict: aTube Catcher is great for basic one-click video downloads from YouTube. Its free version works well without watermarks or limitations for most personal use cases. However, power users may find the download limits restrictive.
VLC Media Player
Best for: Multi-platform support on Windows, Linux, MacOS.
Price: Free
VLC Media Player is a cross-platform, feature-rich and free multimedia software application that enables users to not only play various video and audio formats but also functions as a simple yet effective YouTube video downloader. It supports most video/audio formats out of the box without any additional plugins needed.
Features:
- Works across Windows, Linux, Mac platforms
- Opens YouTube URLs directly for downloads
- Supports most audio/video formats
- Additional media player capabilities
Cons:
- Less user-friendly than dedicated downloader apps
- Limited format options on download
Verdict: VLC is a solid free option for simple YouTube downloads on any platform. While not as full-featured as dedicated apps, it offers broad compatibility without requiring any additional downloads. Perfect for occasional, non-power users.
By Click Downloader
Best for: Basic online YouTube video downloads
Price: Free
By Click Downloader is a straightforward online tool that lets you download Online video with just a few clicks. Simply copy-paste the video URL, select download format and quality, then click to start downloading.
Features:
- Clean and simple online interface
- Downloads videos in MP4 and MP3 formats
- Adjustable video quality and format options
- No software installation needed
Cons:
- Only browser-based, no dedicated app
- Fewer format/quality choices than full apps
- Potential speed/reliability concerns versus native software
Verdict: By Click Downloader is excellent for very basic, occasional YouTube video downloads without software installation. However, its limited options may not suit power users. Consider dedicated software for advanced features and reliability.
YouTube Premium
Best for: Downloading directly from YouTube on mobile
Price: Paid subscription from $11.99/month
YouTube Premium is YouTube’s official subscription service that removes ads while allowing downloads for offline mobile viewing. The downloaded videos can be watched later without an internet connection.
Features:
- Download videos directly from YouTube app
- Watch videos offline on planes/without WiFi
- Access to YouTube Music and YouTube Originals
Cons:
- Requires monthly paid subscription
- Only works through YouTube’s platform/app
- Few customization options for quality/format
Verdict: YouTube Premium is best if you want a premium YouTube experience with official downloads on mobile devices without third-party apps. Worth considering if you’ll actively use the other membership perks along with downloads.
Mobile Devices
How To Download Online video on Android?
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Install and open the aTube Catcher or Free Video Downloader app from the Google Play Store |
| 2 | Copy the YouTube video URL which you want |
| 3 | Paste the URL into the app’s search/download bar |
| 4 | Select the resolution/format and tap the download button |
| 5 | The video will start downloading and can be viewed later offline |
How To Download Online video on iOS?
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Open the browser on your iOS device and go to find a downloader |
| 2 | Copy the URL of the YouTube video which you want |
| 3 | Paste the URL into the website’s input field, and then hit submit |
| 4 | The video will start processing and you’ll see a progress bar |
| 5 | Once done, tap the “Download MP4” button to save the file to your Photos |
| 6 | Locate the downloaded video in your Photos app to watch it offline |
Some key points about downloading Online video on iOS:
- You must use a compatible third-party site like the examples given
- Videos can only be downloaded in MP4 format
- Downloads are saved locally on your iOS device, not in a YouTube app
- Ensure you fully trust the website before entering any YouTube links
Other Third-party Software
ythunter
Best for: Downloading Online video in high resolution formats on Windows computers.
ythunter is a desktop app for Windows that specializes in downloading Online video in stunning 4K and Full HD resolutions. It analyzes the video quality directly from YouTube’s servers to retrieve the highest possible version. Along with standard formats like MP4, you can also download the original webm/mpeg-dash streams for maximum quality preservation. The app interface is neatly organized with options to crop, trim and convert downloaded clips.
Salient Features:
- Downloads 4K/Ultra HD videos from YouTube
- Retrieves highest quality streams from YouTube servers
- Easy to use interface for playback/editing of videos
- Batch download and scheduling options
- Integrated conversion tools
Verdict: ythunter is a powerful YouTube video saver focused on the highest resolutions. It’s worth considering for anyone who wants absolutely top quality downloads for things like home movie collections in 4K or digital archiving projects.
Download Cost: Free to try premium features for 7 days, $19.99 lifetime license after trial.
WinX YouTube Downloader
Best for: Versatile YouTube video downloading on Windows computers.
WinX YouTube Downloader provides a full-featured toolkit for downloading videos from YouTube across MP4, MP3, AVI and various other file types with just one click. It detects video details like resolution, audio track information during the download process to ensure quality preservation. Advanced settings allow customizing format, quality and other extraction parameters as needed.
Salient Features:
- Support for multi-format downloads in one click
- Automatic detection of video properties
- Batch/Scheduled downloading
- Playback/conversion of downloaded clips
- Clip merging/trimming tools
Verdict: As a free all-in-one YouTube video saver, WinX YouTube Downloader offers great value for Windows users. Its wide format support and configurable options make it a top solution worth considering.
Download Cost: Free to use with occasional ads. Premium $19.99 removes ads/adds extra perks.
SaveFrom
Best for: Downloading Online video easily on Mac computers.
SaveFrom is a media player designed specifically for Mac users to not only play videos and music, but also download content from YouTube. It features a clean interface where you can just paste the URL and select download quality preferences like resolution, audio tracks and container format in MP4. The app handles retrieving the optimal quality version from YouTube and saves it for you locally.
Salient Features:
- Simple Mac-optimized interface for YouTube downloads
- Customizable download quality presets
- Playback of local video/audio files
- Playlist support
- Basic editing tools
Verdict: As a free all-in-one solution optimized for Mac, SaveFrom is excellent for basic YouTube downloading needs without hassles. While not as full-featured as dedicated downloaders, it gets the job done simply and effectively for occasional use.
Download Cost: Free
FlixGrab
Best for: Powerful cross-platform YouTube video saving.
FlixGrab is a free and open-source desktop app that lets you download videos not just from YouTube, but over 80+ other streaming websites too. Some highlighted pros are its clean installation process across Windows, Linux and Mac, high download speeds using RTMP/HTTPS protocols, and post-download options for merging, transcribing and converting files. Advanced settings satisfy power users needs with meticulous download and format control.
Salient Features:
- Broad network support beyond just YouTube
- Fast RTMP/HTTPS downloading
- Post-download editing/conversion tools
- Dedicated apps for Windows/Linux/Mac
- Plugin system for new site integration
Verdict: As a fully-fledged free cross-platform solution, FlixGrab is unbeatable for power users seeking high control over advanced YouTube video saving and managing needs across different systems.
Download Cost: Free and open-source
Videoder
Best for: Easy YouTube video downloading on Android devices.
Videoder is a free Android app offering an intuitive interface for downloading Online video on mobile with just a few taps. Simply search for the video, select the quality and file format before starting the download. It also batch downloads multiple videos at once with features like playlist support for hands-free offline viewing later.
Salient Features:
- Simple user-friendly UI optimized for Android
- batch/playlist downloading capabilities
- Downloadable subtitles
- Customizable video/audio quality settings
- Additional basic media playback tools
Verdict: For non-tech savvy Android users seeking a simple downloader, Videoder delivers a seamless experience. Its optimized mobile-first design makes YouTube saving a breeze on any device.
Download Cost: Free
VideoProc Converter
Best for: Comprehensive multi-platform YouTube video toolbox.
VideoProc is a powerful all-in-one video converter that can also download Online video across Windows, Mac and Android. It streams the clip directly from YouTube’s servers in 4K quality then lets you customize encoding properties. Additional features include merging clips, editing codecs, ripping audio and online conversion. The interface remains clean despite packing versatile tools optimized for different systems.
Salient Features:
- Cross-platform support for laptop/mobile use
- Browser-based and desktop app options
- 4K resolution downloads from YouTube’s servers
- Extensive batch processing abilities
- Additional conversion/editing tools
Verdict: As a fully-integrated free video utility, VideoProc caters well to all users seeking to download, process and tweak YouTube clips across systems. It effectively combines downloading with powerful conversion in a single hub.
Download Cost: Free basic version, $69.99 for complete commercial licence.
Comparison of The Online Video Downloader
| Downloader | Platform | Websites Supported | File Formats Supported | Ratings |
| aTube Catcher | Windows, Mac, Linux | YouTube | MP4, MP3, various others | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| VLC Media Player | Windows, Linux, MacOS | YouTube | MP4 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| By Click Downloader | Online/web-based | YouTube | MP4, MP3 | ⭐⭐ |
| YouTube Premium | Mobile apps | YouTube only | MP4, audio formats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ythunter | Windows | YouTube | 4K MP4, webm, mpeg-dash | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| WinX YouTube Downloader | Windows | YouTube | MP4, MP3, AVI etc. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SaveFrom | Mac | YouTube | MP4 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| FlixGrab | Windows, Linux, Mac | YouTube, 80+ sites | Based on site/format | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Videoder | Android | YouTube | MP4 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| VideoProc | Windows, Mac, Android | YouTube | MP4, all formats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Is downloading Online video illegal?
- In many countries, copyright laws forbid downloading or distributing copyrighted content like videos, music etc. without the creator’s permission.
- However, laws regarding downloading videos specifically for private/non-commercial use at home are not always clearly defined and remain a legal grey area.
- Downloading a YouTube video solely for your own viewing later without any plans for redistribution is generally viewed as fair use and tolerated.
- Using downloaders or YouTube’s own features to access paid subscriptions like YouTube Premium is also considered legitimate use.
- The key aspect is that the downloaded content should not be shared, uploaded or distributed publicly by you without proper licensing.
- Educational or review purposes like analyzing, critiquing videos is also covered under fair use exemptions in certain regions.
- Download only public domain or creative commons licensed videos that explicitly permit commercial/non-commercial uses to stay clear of any legal issues.
- Laws vary between countries so check the regulations applicable where you live before engaging in regular/large-scale video downloads from sites like YouTube.
Are there any restrictions on using online downloaders to download Online video?
- While YouTube allows downloading videos for personal use, some third-party downloaders have their own terms and conditions.
- Many online downloader websites only allow a specific number of free daily downloads, ranging from 5-10 videos typically. This is to avoid server overload.
- Some tools may be blocked or slow down their speeds in certain regions or counties due to localized internet restrictions.
- Download quality/resolution options available free of cost may be limited, requiring an upgrade for full high definition downloads.
- Most gratis downloaders display ads to generate revenue, while premium versions are ad-free but paid subscriptions.
- YouTube also bans the use of automated tools for mass/bulk video scraping at an industrial scale due to strain on servers.
- The same downloader may work well now but could change policies or shut down later, so check their support status before long-term use.
- Using a VPN/proxy with downloaders is suggested to mask your online activity from YouTube and your ISP for increased privacy.
- Do read the specific tool’s terms of use for any other legal/technical caveats on number of devices supported etc.
Bonus tips for downloading Online video online
- Use a VPN/proxy while downloading to mask your online activity
- Download non-copyrighted creative common videos to stay on the safe side
- Extract only audio from Online video to your device by downloading in MP3 format
- Take a YouTube channel subscription to access additional downloading options
- Use trusted downloader applications/websites instead of unknown tools
Wrapping Up
In summary, there are both free and paid methods to download Online video for offline viewing on devices. While using downloading tools ensure complying with their policy terms. Downloading for personal use from YouTube is safe but avoid redistributing copyrighted content. Choose Online Youtube Video Downloader based on specific needs to download videos effortlessly from the platform.
