Whether you’re a content creator or want to store YouTube videos for offline viewing, you will be looking for a convenient and easy way of downloading YouTube videos.
Nowadays, you can download your favorite YouTube videos and those of many other sites by using a free YouTube video downloader app. There are many to choose from, so I’ve decided to compile a list of the best eight currently available.
They can all be used for free, although most have a paid version that gives you access to premium features. Whatever your requirements, I am confident one of the YouTube video downloader apps on my list will meet your needs.
Top 8 Best Free YouTube Video Downloader Apps – Overview
Before we get into the reviews, here’s a quick comparison chart to give you a brief overview.
| Product | No. of Websites supported | Platform | Features | Free version | Lifetime access price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By Click Downloader | All | Windows | 4/5 | 5/5 | $9.99 |  (5 / 5) |
| 4K Video Downloader | 1,000+ | Windows, Mac, Linux | 4/5 | 4/5 | $25 |  (4 / 5) |
| iTubeGo | 10,000+ | Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone | 5/5 | 3/5 | $29.95 | (4 / 5) |
| SnapDownloder | 900+ | Windows, Mac | 5/5 | 2/5 | $29.99 |  (3 / 5) |
| ClipGrab | Major streaming sites only. | Windows, Mac | 2/5 | 4/5 | Free | (3 / 5) |
| WinX Youtube Downloader | 300+ | Windows | 3/5 | 5/5 | Free | (4 / 5) |
| VidJuice | 1000+ | Windows, Mac | 4/5 | 3/5 | $29.95 | (3 / 5) |
| Allavsoft | 1000+ | 5/5 | 3/5 | $59.99 | (4 / 5) |
By Click Downloader
The one-click feature makes it one of the easiest YouTube video downloader apps to use. Every time you watch a video in your browser, By Click Downloader will ask you if you want to download it too. This can be done with one click taking convenience to the next level.
Videos can be downloaded in all formats, and you can also determine the quality level you want. The highest level of quality will be restricted to the level of the original video.
If you have a wide array of social media accounts…
By Click Downloader will let you download video content from any site. If you like, you can download all the videos from a YouTube channel or a playlist. Want to download all the videos from a particular Instagram page? No problem. Multiple videos can also be downloaded at the same time.
Many downloading restrictions can be bypassed when using By Click Downloader, giving access to exclusive content that might otherwise be out of your reach. It also can act as a backup to all your uploaded videos, with this feature available on more than 40 major streaming sites.
Price
The free version of By Click Downloader includes all the worthwhile features. A premium version will cost you $4.99 per year or a one-off payment of $9.99 for lifetime usage. If you want to download private videos from Facebook and YouTube, you’ll need to go premium.
Pros
- Download and convert to all video formats.
- Easily download entire YouTube playlists and channels.
- Provides backup to videos on over 40 different sites.
- Can be used to bypass live and private video restrictions.
- Very simple to use. Almost idiot-proof.
Cons
- Can only be used on a Windows PC. Currently no Mac or Linux support.
- You’ll have to put up with ads on the free version.
4K Video Downloader
If you’re not a prolific downloader of YouTube content, then the free version of the 4K Video Downloader may well be the app for you.
You can only download one video at a time with a restriction of 30 videos per day. But you can download up to the highest quality, including 4K and 8K support, and convert it to all the various formats. Simply copy and paste the URL of the video into the app and let it get to work.
That’s not all…
4K Video Downloader also offers the capability to download 360-degree and 3D videos. You can also tweak the settings to automatically download any new uploads from any chosen YouTube channel. Embedded subtitles will also be saved.
If you’re willing to pay for the premium version, then you will be able to download multiple videos at a time and have access to unlimited playlist downloads. You can only download playlists with a maximum of ten videos when using the free version.
Price
The restricted version of the 4K Video Downloader can be used for free. The premium version is available in a personal plan for a one-time payment of $15, which covers three computers. A professional version can also be acquired for $75, which covers five computers.
Pros
- High-quality downloads can be converted to any format.
- Download from multiple streaming sites, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and many others.
- Download subtitles and annotations for YouTube videos in 50 different languages.
- Enable automatic downloads when your favorite YouTube channel releases a new video.
- Can be used on PC, Mac, and Linux.
Cons
- The free version only allows one video at a time to be downloaded and no more than 30 in one day.
- The free version contains ads.
- No Android or iOS version.
iTubeGo
Now onto one of the most versatile YouTube video downloader apps. iTubeGo is capable of downloading video from virtually all streaming platforms, including YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, and the BBC, to name but a few. The number of platforms you can download from is in the 1000s.
The app supports 4K and 8k resolution downloads. So, if it’s high-quality content you’re after, iTubeGo is an outstanding choice. A built-in converter will convert your download into the video and audio format of your choice.
So, how versatile is it?
iTubeGo is available on both Mac and Windows desktop systems and iOS and Android mobile devices. Although, batch downloads are only available on desktop versions.
If you use the free version, you can’t download entire YouTube playlists, and you are limited in the number of videos you can download simultaneously. These restrictions are removed if you upgrade to a premium account.
Price
You can use iTubeGo for free, but some of the more advanced features can only be accessed with a premium account. This costs $19.95 per year or $29.95 for lifetime access.
Pros
- Download from 1000s of sites.
- Can be used on desktop and mobile devices.
- High-definition downloads are great for movie lovers.
- Convert downloads into all popular formats.
- Whole playlist and batch download ability.
Cons
- The free version is lacking the best features.
- No YouTube playlist downloading in the free version.
SnapDownloader
What sets SnapDownloader apart from many of the other best free YouTube video downloader apps, is the ability to schedule download start times. This is a pretty convenient feature, especially if you have limited bandwidth.
You can download multiple videos simultaneously from over 900 streaming platforms. The contents of entire YouTube channels and whole playlists can be downloaded. Alternatively, you can just select the videos you want.
But wait, there’s more…
If a YouTube video is broken down into chapters, SnapDownloader will also allow you to download each chapter separately. This feature is very handy if you only require a small section of the video.
The ability to download in up to 8K resolution puts it on par with the best video downloader apps. Another high-level feature is the batch downloading option which allows the app to download multiple videos from different platforms at the same time.
Pricing
Unfortunately, you can only use SnapDownloader for free for 48 hours before you have to upgrade to the premium version. This will cost you $3.99 per month, $19.99 per year, or you can opt for a one-off payment of $29.99 which will give you a lifetime subscription.
Pros
- Scheduled download feature.
- Hundreds of platforms to download from.
- Comes with a proxy feature to unblock international restrictions.
- Download individual chapters of YouTube videos.
- Up to 8K resolution downloads.
Cons
- The app is unavailable on mobile platforms yet.
- You can only use it for free for two days.
ClipGrab
For those that don’t want to pay a penny, ClipGrab is a simple and functional video downloader that is completely free.
An attractive and well-designed interface makes this one of the easiest Youtube downloading apps to use. Whilst ClipGrab doesn’t support a lot of platforms, you still have access to the main streaming services, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook, to name a few.
It also has an advanced video recognition system to enable downloading from most platforms and websites.
Downloading from YouTube couldn’t be easier…
This is thanks to the YouTube search bar integrated into the app. You can download straight from the site, avoiding any extra navigation or having to cut and paste URLs.
If you want the highest levels of resolution, then you should know that you can only download videos up to 1080p when using ClipGrab. For those 4K/8K downloads, look elsewhere. There is also a limit on the kinds of formats you can convert your download into.
ClipGrab is free because it is an open-source project where the software has been worked on by multiple different developers. Whilst the level of features isn’t as high as some of the other apps on this list, considering it’s all free, ClipGrab offers a great service.
Price
There is no paid version of ClipGrab. You can access all its features for free.
Pros
- Attractive design and simple-to-use interface.
- Can search YouTube from the app.
- It’s 100% free.
- Should be able to download from most sites thanks to the advanced video recognition system.
Cons
- Download quality is limited to 1080p.
- Supports only a limited number of the main streaming platforms.
- Limited amount of conversion format options.
- No YouTube playlist or bulk channel downloads.
WinX YouTube Downloader
Another 100% free-to-use app, WinX YouTube Downloader, is capable of downloading from over 300 platforms and websites. Bulk and heavy downloads are also not a problem.
Thanks to multithreading technology, WinX allows you to download 4k videos very quickly. All the YouTube functionality is present and correct. Playlists and whole channels can be downloaded with ease.
Whilst you get all this for free, conversion options are limited…
There is an add-on you can buy called VideoProc, which allows you to convert your download to any format. It also allows downloads from over 1,000 sites and comes with a screen recorder to capture any live streaming you might want to do.
Price
The basic package is completely free whilst adding the VideoProc features will cost you a one-off payment of $29.99.
Pros
- Exceptionally fast 4K downloads for free software.
- Supports over 300 streaming sites.
- Playlist and full channel download ability.
- It’s free!
Cons
- You have to pay for the upgrade to be able to convert to multiple formats.
- Limited to Windows desktop only.
VidJuice
VidJuice is a video downloader that just about does it all. Its easy-to-use interface allows you to download content from thousands of streaming websites. You can then convert them into a handful of the main formats.
They don’t offer as many conversion options as the likes of iTubeGo. But, it’s enough to cover the needs of most.
You can either cut and paste URLs or search for videos using the navigation box within the app, much like you would when using a normal browser. Select Turbo download speed, and VidJuice is capable of downloading large playlists of channels very quickly.
Other nifty features include…
Video trimming allows you to download only the segment of the video you want. Subtitles in 45 different languages can also be downloaded either in srt format or burnt directly onto the video for extra convenience.
VidJuice is available on Mac, Windows, and Android operating systems.
Price
The free version of VidJuice will allow you to download a maximum of five videos with access to all the premium features. After that, you can continue to use the app, but you’ll lose some of the best features, including turbo download speed, video trimming, and simultaneous downloads.
The premium version can be purchased by the month for $9.95, by the year for $19.95, or by a lifetime deal of $29.95.
Pros
- Can download in up to 8K resolution.
- Turbo download feature.
- Video trimming ability.
- Download from 1000s of websites, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Vimeo, Instagram, etc.
- Download TikTok videos without a watermark.
Cons
- Free version missing most of the best features.
- Limited conversion format options.
Allavsoft
Allavsoft not only gives you the ability to download video from thousands of websites, but it’s also specifically designed to allow you to download music from all the major streaming services like Spotify.
Both music and video can be downloaded and converted into almost any format you can think of. And the list of streaming websites you can access is as impressive as any on this list.
Videos can be downloaded in up to 4k quality if the source resolution is that high. And bulk or batch downloads are handled with ease.
If you just want to download the sound from a video…
Then you can use the Audio Extraction feature, which will provide you with an MP3 audio file of the soundtrack. You can then convert this into the format of your choice.
Price
The free trial version of Allavsoft will only allow you to download a maximum of five videos, and you will find restrictions placed on the amount of converting and merging you can do.
To gain access to its full potential, you’ll have to buy the premium version, which is on the more expensive side when compared to others on this list of the best free YouTube video downloader apps.
The premium version costs $19.99 per month, $29.99 per year, or a one-off payment of $59.99 for a lifetime license.
Pros
- User-friendly interface.
- Best app for downloading music.
- Comprehensive list of format conversions.
- The ability to extract audio-only from video.
- Excellent customer support.
Cons
- Comparatively expensive.
- The free trial has limitations.
- No mobile app.
Want to Build a YouTube Video and Audio Library?
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Best Free YouTube Video Downloader Apps – The Verdict
All the products on this list of popular free YouTube video downloader apps have their pros and cons. But, if you’re looking for the best service without having to pay a penny, then look no further than…
The number of features available on the free version surpasses anything the other apps can offer. You get extremely fast downloads and the ability to capture video in 4k resolution without having to open your wallet.
Of the premium versions on offer here…
Spending a one-off fee of $29.95 is well worth it to gain access to the full power of…
You’ll have access to the video content of 1000s of websites in up to 8k quality. And the ability to download whole channels and playlists very quickly.
If you’d like to take a closer look at any of the apps, please click on the link in the product title.
Until next time, good luck, and happy listening.