I. Introduction

YouTube has been an essential source of entertainment and informative videos for many years. With unlimited access to videos, it is tempting to download and save them on your computer to watch later. However, downloading a YouTube video can be daunting, especially for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

This article aims to help you understand the different methods to download a YouTube video to your computer. We will go through the step-by-step instructions of various methods across different devices, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Whether you prefer a free online video downloader, web browser extension, or command-line tool, we’ve got you covered.

II. Using a Free Online Video Downloader

There are many free online video downloaders available on the internet. They serve as a simple solution to download YouTube videos without installing any software on your device.

A. Why use a free online video downloader?

Using a free online video downloader provides an easy and convenient way to download YouTube videos. They are accessible from any device with an internet connection, and you do not need to worry about installing software or plugins.

B. Step-by-step instructions to use a free online video downloader

Here are some simple steps to download a YouTube video using a free online downloader:

1. Visit the YouTube video you want to download and copy its URL.
2. Search for “free online video downloader” on a search engine of your choice.
3. Choose a reliable website and enter the copied YouTube URL into the downloader’s search box.
4. Click on the “Download” button and select a preferred format and quality.
5. Wait for the video to download, which may take a few minutes depending on its size and your internet speed.

C. Best free online downloaders to use

Some of the best free online video downloaders include:

• SaveFrom.net
• KeepVid
• ClipConverter
• Y2mate

III. Downloading Youtube Videos Using a Web Browser Extension

Web browser extensions provide a quick and easy solution for downloading YouTube videos directly from your browser.

A. Advantages of using a web browser extension

Web browser extensions are convenient to use and provide a direct link to download videos without leaving the browser. They also provide the option to download videos in different resolutions and formats.

B. Step-by-step guide on how to download YouTube videos using web browser extension

Here is how to download YouTube videos using a web browser extension:

1. Go to the web browser’s extension store and search for a YouTube downloader.
2. Select the downloader of your choice and click “Add to browser.”
3. Go to YouTube and open the video you wish to save on your computer.
4. Click on the download button on the downloader extension, select the resolution and format, and click download.
5. Wait for the download process to complete, which might take a few minutes depending on your network speed.

C. Best web browser extensions for downloading YouTube videos

Some of the best web browser extensions for downloading YouTube videos include:

• Video Downloader professional
• SaveFrom.net helper
• Youtube Video Downloader
• FastestTube

IV. Save Youtube Videos Directly to Your Computer Without Any Software

If you prefer to avoid online downloaders and browser extensions, you can save YouTube videos directly to your computer without any software.

A. Explanation of alternative methods

Saving YouTube videos directly to your computer is possible by just adding “ss” to the video URL. It will redirect you to a new page where you will have an option to download the video in different formats and resolutions.

B. Step-by-step instructions to save youtube videos directly to computer without any software

To save YouTube videos directly to your computer without any software, follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser and go to YouTube.com.
2. Find the video you want to save and copy its URL.
3. Add “ss” before the “youtube” domain name (e.g., https://www.ssyoutube.com/watch?v=video_id).
4. Press enter, and you will be redirected to a new page with options to download the video in different formats and qualities.
5. Select the download button with your preferred format and quality and wait for the download process to complete.

C. Benefits and limitations of this method

The primary benefit of this method is that it does not require any software, plugins, or extensions. It is also accessible on any web browser and operating system.

The limitation of this method is that some browsers may block it due to safety concerns. The quality of the downloaded video may also not be as good as using other methods.

V. Downloading Youtube Videos on Mac and Windows PC with VLC Player

VLC player offers a solution for downloading YouTube videos on both Mac and Windows PC.

A. Introduction to VLC Player

VLC player is a free and open-source media player used to play a wide range of media files, including videos and audio. It also features a YouTube video downloader built-in.

B. Step-by-step instructions to download youtube videos on Mac and Windows PC with VLC Player

Here is how to download YouTube videos using VLC player:

1. Download and install VLC player on your device.
2. Go to YouTube and copy the video URL you want to download.
3. Open VLC player and click on “Media” from the menu bar and select “Open Network Stream.”
4. Enter the copied video URL into the “Network URL” box and click “Play.”
5. Click on “Tools” and select “Codec Information.”
6. Copy the text in the “Location” box, open your web browser, and paste the link in the address bar.
7. Right-click on the video and select “Save Video As,” select your preferred location and file name, and click “Save.”

C. Benefits and limitations of this method

The benefit of this method is that it is a built-in feature of VLC media player, which eliminates the need to download third-party software or extensions. The limitation, however, is that it can be a bit time-consuming to complete the whole process of downloading the video.

VI. Using a Youtube Downloading Software

Downloading software offers an easy and dedicated way to download YouTube videos. It is specially designed to download and manage media files from YouTube and other sources.

A. Explanation of Youtube downloading software

A YouTube downloading software is a media manager that offers a comprehensive solution for downloading, converting, and managing media files from YouTube and other online sources. It is designed to provide advanced features, such as batch downloads and video conversion to different formats and qualities.

B. Step-by-step instructions to download youtube videos using downloading software

To download YouTube videos using downloading software, follow these steps:

1. Download and install the YouTube downloading software of your choice.
2. Open the program and select the YouTube downloader.
3. Copy the video URL of the YouTube video you wish to download and paste it into the downloader.
4. Select your preferred quality and format for the video download.
5. Click on the “Download” button and wait for the video to download.

C. Best youtube downloading software to use

Some of the best YouTube downloading software include:

• FDM or Free Download Manager
• 4k Video Downloader
• aTube Catcher
• ClipGrab

VII. Downloading Youtube Videos with the Help of a Browser Plugin

Browser plugins offer a simple solution to download YouTube videos directly from your browser. They are easy to use, and the download process can be completed with just a few clicks.

A. Overview of browser plugins

Browser plugins, often called add-ons or extensions, are programs designed to add functionality to web browsers. They are simple to install and use, and they provide a direct download link to YouTube videos.

B. Step by step instructions on how to download youtube videos with the help of a browser plugin

Here is how to download YouTube videos with the help of a browser plugin:

1. Install the browser plugin of your choice.
2. Open a YouTube video you wish to download.
3. Click the plugin icon on the top right corner of your browser.
4. Select the download option, including format and resolution.
5. Wait for the download process to complete.

C. Best browser plugins to use

Some of the best browser plugins include:

• Video DownloadHelper
• Flash Video Downloader
• YouTube Video Downloader
• Easy Youtube Video Downloader

Command-line tools provide a more technical route for downloading YouTube videos. It requires basic technical know-how of using the command-line interface.

A. Explanation of Command-Line tools

Command-line tools are generally programs that operate through a terminal application. They offer command-line interfaces to perform tasks such as downloading YouTube videos.

B. Step by step guidance on how to download youtube videos on Windows, MacOS, and Linux using command-line tools

To download YouTube videos using command-line tools, follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal application on your device.
2. Install a command-line downloader such as youtube-dl.
3. Copy the YouTube video URL.
4. Paste the copied video URL after the command youtube-dl in the terminal application (e.g., youtube-dl -f bestvideo+bestaudio video URL).
5. Press Enter to start the download process and wait for the download to complete.

C. Best command-line tools to use

Some of the best command-line tools include:

• youtube-dl
• yt-dlp
• 4k-dl
• Persepolis Download Manager

IX. Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the options of downloading YouTube videos depend on personal preferences and requirements. It is essential to have a comprehensive guide of all the different methods to choose the most convenient one.

In conclusion, a free online video downloader and web browser extension can be a good option for casual YouTube users who want to download videos occasionally. If you are looking for more advanced features, YouTube downloading software and command-line tools provide more customization options. Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the different options available for downloading YouTube videos and choose the best one for your needs.