Since its launch, YouTube has never allowed its users to download videos. Although there is a download option beside the videos, it will only save the video within YouTube. No such option was ever made available to download and save the videos on our local systems.
This was necessary, too, since people might use the creativity of others to make a profit for themselves. But what to do if you genuinely need a YouTube downloader? We hear you; thus, we are here to tell you all about 11 of the best free YouTube downloader for Mac through which you can easily download YouTube videos in no time. The list contains both software and websites to provide you with this service. These tools also let you download videos in multiple formats as per your choice.
Table of Contents
11 Best Free YouTube Downloader for Mac
Downloading a YouTube video has become extremely easy and convenient these days. Even if you are on a secure platform like Mac, you can easily download almost any YouTube video absolutely free of cost. This has been possible with the help of specific software and website tools that provide these services.
With the help of these tools, you can not only download a YouTube video but also edit, render, and play with it in different ways.
Free Software Tools To Download YouTube Videos On Mac
One of the most popular ways to download YouTube videos on a Mac device is through efficient software tools. You will have to download this software on your local system, and once done, you can enjoy their services forever.
YT Saver YouTube Downloader for Mac
The YT saver YouTube downloader can access videos from 10000+ popular sites like Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and many more on Windows PC and MAC with 20+ video output formats available. The premium feature of this software is relatively inexpensive, but the pricing varies for Mac operating systems. Once you upgrade to its premium feature, it will provide you with a lifetime availability of free updates.
Look for the URL of the video you want to download from the address bar in the YT Saver window, select the output format and quality to wish to download, and then select the paste URL button to download the video in your system.
The key features of this software are its ability to download videos from low resolution to high resolution like from 144p to 8K, 10 times greater video downloading speed with subtitles in over 50+ languages, an in-built browser to browse videos directly in the application, and a private mode with a password-protected folder to increase privacy.
Formats Supported
- MP4
- MP3
- AAC
- MOV
- 3GP
Pros
- Simple installation process
- 10 times faster-downloading speed
- Easy access to browse media content
- Exclusive private mode
Cons
- Paid software
- Crop feature available only for YouTube videos
- Works only with Windows and Mac operating systems
Snap Downloader
The Snap Downloader has a safe, clutter-free interface of video and audio downloading ability to download content from over 900+ websites available globally. With various video qualities available to download, this application can even convert YouTube videos to other output formats, making it famous and handy.
You just need to open Snap Downloader and paste the video link to be downloaded in the search bar. With the one-click mode, you can select your preferred output format and video quality, with a bulk of videos downloading simultaneously at a high-speed range.
The top features of this application are its ability to download HD and ultra HD quality videos with subtitles, high-speed downloading with a 27/7 customer support system, bulk downloading of videos and scheduling them, and extracting and exporting the downloaded videos. One can even trim the videos and then download them accordingly.
Format Supported
- MP4
- MP3
- AVI
- AAC
- M4A
- 8K resolution
Pros
- High speed downloading
- User-friendly interface
- Ad-free experience provided
- Download multiple videos simultaneously
- In-built trim option to download selected part of the video
Cons
- Not available on many platforms
- Paid, and the trial premium version lasts only for a day
5K Player
Another free YouTube downloader in the list, the 5K player YouTube downloader, allows its users to download videos from 300+ online websites, including YouTube. The software puts up no restrictions on the number of downloads per day and is, therefore, a reliable source for downloading videos. The 5K player also allows you to download videos in the best quality possible with just a simple URL of any video. You can also download videos in as large as 4K and 8K quality.
In addition to this, the steps to download a YouTube video are very easy. All you need to do is copy the URL of the video you want to download and paste it into the software. The download starts as soon as you hit the download button.
Another unique feature this software offers is that you can easily convert YouTube videos into MP3 formats and download them if needed. This makes 5K player another strong competitor in the list of free YouTube downloaders for Mac.
Format Supported
- MP4
- MP3
- FLV
- WebM
- 3GP
Pros
- Exclusively free software with no premium version
- Easy to download and use
- No restrictions on the number of downloads per day
- High video quality available for downloads
- Easily converts YouTube videos to MP3 format
Cons
- Might sometimes lag due to unknown reasons
- Faster speed claims are not always valid
VideoDuke MAC Video Downloader
The top-rated video downloading application for MacOS is VideoDuke MAC Video Downloader, which can download videos from over 1000+ sites with a wide range of video quality to download. This application has a demo version where one can download up to two videos in any format and quality. After that, you need to purchase the premium license, which costs $19.95 for an individual user, while the family pack costs $39.95.
Like all other video downloading applications, you just need to look for the video to download>Copy the link of the video>Paste it in the VideoDuke window>Select the video output format and quality of the file> then hit the download button to have an offline copy of the video.
A unique feature of this application is its two modes feature with a quick access button. The simple mode lets you download videos directly from any website. The advanced mode allows downloading the video with or without subtitles. Besides the two-mode feature, this application also accommodates the built-in web browser and can connect to popular browsers like Chrome, Mozilla, Edge, and many others.
Format Supported
- MP4
- MP3
- 3GP
- FLV
- M4V
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Built-in browser provides a handy experience
- Browser integration feature connects to other popular web browsers
- Besides downloading videos, it can also download whole channels and playlists
Cons
- Paid software
- Not a high-quality download manager
- Provides only two free downloads
Wondershare UniConverter
Wondershare is known to create some of the most remarkable and helpful tools to help you download videos. Not disappointing its users, the UniConverter is another fabulous software that you can use to download YouTube videos easily. You can even download an entire playlist and save videos in MP3 format.
Moreover, the steps to download a video are extremely easy and can be executed by a newbie as well. The software works fine on macOS without any issues. But the software offers only a limited version for free, while a premium plan starts from $29.99 for 6 months. The premium version contains many other additional features with a watermark-free video download.
UniConverter also lets you record videos from different websites, making it stand out from other software. Although in the free version, you can only record videos for up to 1 minute, there is no time limit in the paid version. In addition, you can compress your videos as per your need with the help of this software.
Format Supported
- MP4
- MP3
- Other formats
Pros
- Easy interface and interactive software
- Downloads high-quality videos easily
- Records videos from websites also
- Compress videos as per your need
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Hangs up due to unknown reasons sometimes
MacX YouTube Downloader
The MacX YouTube downloader is another free software tool that will not only download videos for you but also displays brief information about the size and format of the video. Providing multiple formats to download videos, you have immense options with this software.
In addition, the software lets you decide your own download-speed limit, and you can download videos simultaneously. Although, there is nothing so unique in the software apart from the fact that it works exceptionally smoothly on any macOS version.
However, a major drawback of the software website is its user interface, which might be as appealing when trying to download the software. You might even get confused while scrolling through the website. But apart from that, the software is extremely easy to use and fits the user’s requirements well.
Format Supported
- MP4
- WebM
- FLV
- 3GP
Pros
- Simple yet efficient tools
- Supports simultaneous downloads
- You can preview the video before downloading
- Set your download speed limits
Cons
- Confusing website interface
- Though simple, the software has an old look on its interface
Wondershare AllMyTube for Mac
Wondershare AllMyTube is another efficient download manager for macOS that allows you to download videos in multiple qualities and formats. This is another famous software like UniConverter, developed by Wondershare. The software lets you download videos in SD and HD quality along with 4K quality as well. Apart from youtube, you can access videos from 10000+ other websites.
You can download a single video at a time or even an entire playlist, and the software gives complete access to its resources. Although the software comes with certain limits in its free version, it has its premium version to provide unlimited access to all the features.
A unique feature that this software delivers is that it allows you to schedule your downloads altogether. This means you don’t have to wait to finish one download and then download another. Schedule all your videos and relax while the software does it all for you.
Format Supported
- MP3
- MP4
- AVI
- MPG
- MKV
- WMV
- M4V
- MOV
- ASF
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- A vast variety of video formats supported
- The downloads scheduling
- Comes with a built-in browser
Cons
- The help feature is not very efficient
- Scheduling downloads demands a stable and good internet connection
HitPaw YouTube Downloader & Converter: Fastest YouTube Downloader
The last software on our list of best free Youtube Downloaders for Mac is HitPaw which is a fantastic tool to ease your work. This tool allows you to extend your limits more than any other YouTube downloader, allowing you access to more than 10000+ websites. Along with downloading youtube videos for free, you can also download audio and videos.
HitPaw allows you to download videos in a bulk format without losing their quality. In addition, it is known to perform best on macOS and lets you edit videos. So you can easily make any customizations needed on your downloaded videos with ease.
However, a downside of this tool is its user interface which is a bit tough to understand. Using it for the first time may confuse you as the platform offers other services hosted on the same domain. Apart from this, it is one of the finest tools to fulfill your needs.
Format Supported
- MP3
- MKV
- MP4
Pros
- Get access to more than 10000+ websites
- Edit your videos easily
- Works best on Mac devices
- Download bulk videos together
Cons
- Not an easy interface to manage; might be confusing for some
Free Online Websites To Download YouTube Videos
Downloading software and then using them can sometimes be frustrating and time-consuming. Moreover, this software might not perform well for you if you don’t have a stable internet connection. In such cases, online websites prove to be an efficient alternative.
So, we have brought to you certain websites to help you download YouTube videos with ease. You just have to visit these websites rather than download complete software to get your work done.
YT Cutter YouTube Downloader
YT cutter YouTube downloader is an online website that allows you to download any YouTube video easily. You can even trim your videos, crop them if needed, take screenshots of YouTube videos, and much more as per your choice. The website offers an abundance of features like no other tool.
You can even export your video in an animated GIF format with the help of this tool. Moreover, you don’t even have to sign up for this website. Just open the home page and start your work instantly.
Format Supported
- MP4
- M4A
- MKV
- OGG
- MP3
- MOV
Pros
- No signup or registration needed
- Multiple features provided
- Can render videos in a GIF format
- Helps take screenshots of videos
Cons
- Not an attractive interface
- Sometimes, the desired format for a particular video might be unavailable
Sneppea YouTube Downloader for Mac
If you have ever used the SnapTube app, you will find this website extraordinarily familiar and similar to it. Sneppea is an online tool through which you can easily download YouTube videos free of cost. You don’t even have to download any software on your system, just visit the Sneppea website and get started.
Along with this, the website also has a simple user interface where you will find a dialogue box to paste the YouTube link directly, and your download will start immediately. The website also lets you search for your desired video using relevant keywords, or you can directly paste any specific link to download it instantly.
Format Supported
- MP4
- HD
- MP3
- M4A
- Quality formats including 240p, 360p, and 480p
Pros
- Very easy interface
- Access the website on any browser on your Mac device
- Free to use
Cons
- Might not provide super-fast speed for downloading videos
- Website might hang if there are too many visitors
Free YouTube Downloader
The free YouTube downloader is among the oldest service providers in the list that lets you download YouTube videos absolutely free of cost. It comes in a dual format, meaning it can be accessed directly from its website, or you may download its software. This YouTube downloader works perfectly on MacOS and supports video quality up to 1080p.
There is no restriction on the download limit of videos, although the website warns you that all the videos you download must be owned or created by you. Talking about the user experience, the website is convenient to manage, apart from a lot of ads popping up on the screen, which might create a disturbance.
A unique feature that the free YouTube video downloader offers is that you can directly access this website just by adding a “.fff” in the URL of the youtube video. For example, this can be your direct link to access a youtube video on the free youtube downloader website “www.youtubefff.com.”
Format Supported
- MP4
- MP3
- AMR
- AAC
Pros
- Free to use
- Can be accessed from its website or downloaded software
- No download limit for videos
- Can download audio as well
Cons
- Fewer formats supported as compared to other downloaders
- Website warns you to download your original content only
Why Do You Need a Free YouTube Downloader for Mac?
The list above goes long enough to describe the 11 best YouTube downloaders for mac. But to question it, why do you need a free Youtube downloader? Well, there can be certain reasons behind it. Moreover, the free YouTube downloader gives us ease in many ways unless the videos are used for an incorrect purpose.
- Save Videos to Stream Later: There might be a video you want to refer to multiple times for a specific reason. In such a scenario, it becomes difficult to open youtube every time and search for the same video to watch all over. It consumes your data and demands efforts to reach the video.
In this case, a YouTube downloader would help you to download the video once and for all to save it on your local system. Now you can stream the video anytime with just a single tap on the screen.
- Discards Buffering Issues: Imagine you don’t have a stable internet connection at your place. If you want to stream a video on YouTube, it will keep on buffering every second and therefore irritate you for no reason. This is where the YouTube downloader comes in as a savior.
You can download the video once, although it might take some time, and then stream it without any disturbance.
- Bulk Downloading Options: If you have uploaded your own videos on YouTube and somehow you have lost a local copy of them, you can download all your videos together using the free YouTube downloader.
Since there might be many videos, downloading them separately might be a bit time-consuming, but bulk downloading them would save you time and effort.
- Extract Audio from Videos: Certain videos on YouTube have amazing audio playing in their background. If you look around for such audio, you might not be able to find them easily on the internet. With the help of a youtube downloader, you can easily download just the audio from these videos and use them wherever you want.
However, you must keep checking that the audio/video is copyrighted and free and is not the property of a creator. And if you are an editor, you’ll love these 11 Best Video Editing Apps for Android Without Watermark.
- Stream Videos while Travelling: Often, when you travel, you don’t have access to wifi or a stable internet connection. In this case, it can be too tricky to stream a youtube video. Therefore, with the help of these youtube downloaders, you can download your favorite videos prior to your journey and enjoy them while traveling.
This will keep you entertained even when there is nothing else you can do on a flight, train, or car.
- Download Videos in Multiple Formats: While we might have a youtube video in a certain format, you might need it in any other format. Therefore, through these youtube downloaders, you can easily choose the format you want to download your videos in and get them quickly.
These youtube downloaders have a lot of formats available to download videos in. Along with this, they also allow you to crop, trim, cut, and make other minor edits to the video before downloading it. All these features can ease your work to a great extent, and thus you must try them out at least once.
How to Download YouTube Videos From Free YouTube Downloaders?
We have talked about all the best free YouTube downloaders you can try on your mac device. But do you know the correct way to download these videos? Well, it is not a tough task. All the software and websites listed above have pretty much the same steps to download a YouTube video successfully. The only difference lies in the interface, which varies from software to software.
So, let us discuss the correct steps you must adopt when downloading a youtube video from a downloader software or website.
- Open YouTube
- Look for the video you want to download and click on the “Share” button below it
- Copy the video link that appears on the screen
- Open your preferred YouTube downloader on your Mac (check the list above, choose any)
- Paste the copied link in the dialogue box that asks for it
- Hit the “Download” button, and your download will start instantly
The software offers the facility to download multiple videos, and you can paste another link while the previous video downloads. In this manner, you can easily download any youtube video using these download managers.
If your purpose is to skip/block in-video ads, you might try apps like Youtube Vanced, that allows you to block ads on Youtube. Another important aspect is that some Youtube video downloaders also have in-built search systems. So you can directly search for a Youtube video inside them rather than opening the application or website separately.
Is Downloading Youtube Videos Legal?
A major question when using these YouTube downloaders is whether it is even legal to download YouTube videos. There are certain aspects to know about it. The first one is that while YouTube itself does not allow you to download youtube videos, this is probably the prime reason why there is no option to download videos on YouTube locally.
Secondly, youtube has never sued a person for downloading videos, but recently it has banned many websites that provided youtube downloading services. To conclude, we can say that even if you are downloading a youtube video, you should never use it for commercial purposes.
You must download a Youtube video for just entertainment purposes and delete them once the work is done. This is because if you try to use them to make profits, it is undoubtedly illegal as it is someone else’s property. Apart from this, if the original creator of the video caught you using their video, they can impose a copyright claim on you.
Therefore, to avoid unwanted troubles, you must refrain from considering using these videos to make profits or selling them ahead. Just download them if you want to and delete them once you are done watching them. But unless the videos are your own, you have all the rights to do whatever you want to with them.
FAQs | Best Free YouTube Downloader for Mac
How can I download YouTube videos on my Macbook Pro for free?
There are a lot of tools that let you download any youtube video on your Macbook pro device. All you need to do is paste the link of the video you need to download, and you are done. Some available tools for this service include Wondershare UniConverter, 5K player, and others.
What is the safest YouTube downloader for Mac?
While there can be no guarantee about the safety of any software, it is recommended that you consider the above-listed downloaders as they are the most efficient ones in this domain.
Can I download a private video using youtube downloaders?
No, it is not possible to download private videos using a youtube downloader. This is because private videos are not available for the public to view, and hence you would not get a link for them. You can only download videos that are available for the public to watch.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
Although you can download youtube videos to your local system, it is illegal to use them for commercial purposes or for your own benefit. It would be best not to claim them as your creativity unless they actually are.
Conclusion | Best Free YouTube Downloader for Mac
So these are all the best youtube downloaders you can try out for downloading videos on your mac device. The above downloaders work extremely fine on macOS systems; thus, you would not face any issues dealing with them.
Talking about the ease they provide, almost every video downloader in the list is easy to use. You just have to paste the link of the video you want to download and leave the rest on these efficient tools. However, it is recommended not to use the videos you download for any commercial purposes if you do not own them. Doing this is an illegal activity and may drag you into trouble. But if the videos are your own, these restrictions don’t imply after that.
All the video downloaders listed above are absolutely safe to use. However, if you still don’t trust their credibility, you can open up their website in incognito mode. For the software tools, there isn’t a choice but to download them.