Not only will the best video downloader software let you watch offline, but in doing so it will also save you on battery life. You could have your phone on airplane mode and cut back on signal sending and receiving battery costs while still enjoying video. That means you can watch those videos for longer without the worry of needing to recharge quite so soon as if you were streaming from the best streaming services (opens in new tab). You may be editing video and want to get some clips from online to splice into your project. For this the best video editing apps (opens in new tab) are useful too as you can feed these downloaded clips into the software to work on. As you might imagine, most of the best video downloader software is aimed at ripping YouTube onto your device. But many offer other platforms too like Vimeo, DailyMotion, MegaVideo and more. There are also different file output types from MP4 to AVI. Which you need, and how fast you want it all to work can be factors in deciding what you want to go for. Here are the top options for the best video downloader software right now.
1. Wondershare AllMyTube: Best video downloader software overall
Wondershare AllMyTube has been one of the most popular video download tools for a long time, and its latest release continues to serve up loads of features that are impressively powerful and easy to use. The feature list is fantastic. AllMyTube can download videos from more than 10,000 different sites – including big names like YouTube, DailyMotion and MegaVideo – and you can use three different download methods. This app has a simple button to download a video with one click, or you can copy and paste the URL and even record video directly, while it’s being streamed. Videos can be downloaded as MP3s – handy if you want to listen to videos as podcasts – and audio can be saved in loads of other file formats too. Your downloaded videos can be converted to formats like MP4, AVI and MKV, and you can also convert videos to the correct formats for Apple and Android devices – and then transfer them using your wireless network. AllMyTube supports different resolutions, and it uses a multi-threaded technique that speeds up downloads. The feature set is rounded out by a task scheduler, a video library that collates your downloads and a slick interface that makes every feature accessible for beginners and advanced users. There are only minor downsides: this tool doesn’t automatically download videos as you browse, and you’re limited to ten simultaneous downloads. Handily, AllMyTube has a free trial available, and its pricing structure is generous – you can buy an annual license for $19, and lifetime licenses are available, with a single PC license arriving at just $29 and a family license for five PCs costing a decent $72.50. The great interface, broad range of features and generous pricing structure make Wondershare AllMyTube a winner.
2. VideoProc: Best for video management
A free trial is available, and VideoProc costs $30 for an annual license and between $38 and $119 for its range of lifetime licenses – the price changes depending on how many PCs you need to support and what offers are applied when you buy. It may be too expensive for some, and lots of users just won’t need this tool’s features – but if you need a video app that can do everything, VideoProc is excellent. VideoProc may be one of the best video downloading tools around, but don’t think that this app just handles that task – it’s actually a fully-featured editing utility with loads of functionality wrapped into four main modules. When it comes to downloading, you can get video from more than 1,000 sites, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and your downloaded videos can be converted to formats for audio playback and for your Apple and Android mobile devices – and conversion options also include settings for different resolutions and automatic quality improvements. VideoProc download videos in batches and use proxy servers, it can record live video, and it includes live cropping options and settings to record videos with voiceovers or webcam inserts. Go beyond VideoProc’s smart downloading module and you can find more functionality. You can cut, crop, add subtitles and effects and merge videos, and it’ll all happen faster if you have a decent graphics card thanks to GPU acceleration. There are advanced options for stabilizing videos, removing noise, adding watermarks and turning videos into GIFs. This app also supports pulling video from DVDs – and it’s future-proofed with support for 8K video.
3. WinX YouTube Downloader: Best free downloader
There aren’t many names in the video world that are bigger than WinX, so it’s no surprise that the firm has a superb video downloading tool. This app supports more than 1,000 of the biggest video sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and DailyMotion, and you can download videos in common resolutions that range from 720p right up to 4K. The download process is enhanced by an analysis tool that picks up the video’s resolution, format and size – so it can list all of your output options in terms of their resolution, format, file size and framerate. That’s handy if you want to watch videos on a device where disk space is at a premium. This app can also search for subtitles to add to your videos, and the app is made easier to use by neat thumbnail previews. Individual frames from videos can be exported as screenshots, and an optimized algorithm allows this app to work without stressing your computer’s processor. Batch downloading is supported, too, with up to 300 videos supported. This tool is free, but that does mean that it misses some features – it does not support MP3 downloading and it doesn’t output to as many of the formats as some of its rivals, and it does have some adverts. But if you want a straightforward video download tool and don’t want to spend any more, WinX’s software is slick and effective.
4. 4K Video Downloader: Best for gamers
This app pairs its straightforward name with a broad range of features, although you’ll have to pay extra if you want to access some of 4K Video Downloader’s more advanced abilities. There’s still lots to like if you stick with its free option. This app supports downloading from key sites, like YouTube, Facebook and DailyMotion, and it can also download streams from Twitch and YouTube Gaming and videos from social apps like Instagram and TikTok. It’ll download 3D and 360° video, and its Smart Mode allows for one-click downloads with your choice of format and quality. You can extract audio from videos, output to video formats like MP4 and MKV and see file sizes and quality levels before you start a download. You can use proxy servers, restrict the amount of bandwidth your computer uses – so you can keep working or streaming while downloading. The free version can download thirty videos per day and download up to ten videos from YouTube playlists. Upgrading to the $15 Personal edition unlocks unlimited downloads, the ability to download three videos simultaneously, private YouTube downloading and an ad-free experience. Pay $45 for the Pro version and you’ll get all of this alongside more simultaneous downloading, in-app YouTube subscription support, higher-quality audio and URL import and export options. The only downside is the interface, which is functional but not as pretty or as intuitive as many other tools. But in terms of functionality, 4K Video Downloader is impressive – both in its free and paid guises. It’s particularly handy for gamers who want to download their favourite streams.
5. iTube HD Video Downloader: Best for cloud users
This app comes from Aimersoft, which has previously produced popular tools like iTube Studio and iTube Go. Now, though, many of those features have been consolidated into iTube HD Video Downloader, and it’s an impressive utility. It supports downloading from more than 10,000 sites, for starters, and it can handle a huge range of output formats – including formats for Apple and Android devices and games consoles. It’ll output video to all of the key video and audio formats, and it can output to audio. There are advanced options including batch downloads, support for downloading from cloud storage apps and a built-in media player, so you can instantly play your downloads. A Turbo mode speeds up downloads, and there’s a Private mode that seals videos in a password-protected folder. Handily, this app also has extensions for Chrome, Safari and Firefox, so you can download videos straight from your browser. Full support for popular resolutions is included, right up to 4K, and this app can also record video from streaming sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It also records FaceTime and Skype calls, and can transfer your video to mobile devices – albeit with a USB cable, not over your wireless connection. The only other issue is the interface – it’s slick, but some people won’t like its reliance on icons rather than more straightforward text. This app has decent pricing: a one-year subscription costs $19, a lifetime license for one PC is $29 and a five-PC, lifetime family license is $73. It’s an excellent tool, and only just behind Wondershare’s AllMyTube in terms of all-round quality.
Why use a Video Downloader?
One of the main reasons to use video downloading software is so that you don’t have to rely on internet services. So if you’re going on a long train journey, or a remote camping trip, then these programs could come in handy. They can also be useful if you want to show a video somewhere without internet access; for example, sharing family videos in a setting where you can’t access your cloud storage. You may also want to download something where you appear on screen, so you can incorporate it into part of your demo reel. And you may even want to download a video simply so you can access the audio, again to use this for professional purposes. However, you shouldn’t use these services to illegally download any content; so don’t rely on this software if you’re downloading something to avoid paying for it or with the intention to distribute.
How much does Video Downloader Software cost?
Video downloader software costs between $19 and $60, though you can find programs that are available for free, albeit on a trial basis or with ad support included. Average users shouldn’t have to spend more than $30 to get a program that includes the features they need. Typically, more expensive programs have extra features – for example, they may automatically download videos you view on the internet or come with mobile apps or browser extensions. High-end software also often has more video conversion formats to choose from. Paying more can also get you extra privacy features, support for more websites and apps that show video, or licenses to use the software across multiple systems – handy for family users or business users.
What to look for in Video Downloader Software
Sharing Sites It’s essential for any video downloader software to work with YouTube, and it is quite helpful for it to work with other sharing sites as well. The software we examined can download videos from nearly any site, with some apps offering support for 10,000 websites alongside social networks and streaming platforms. Conversion Capabilities The best video downloaders can convert downloaded videos into other video file formats. This means that if you download an MP4 video, the program can convert it to an AVI, MOV, WMV or any other common format. Some software can automatically convert videos once they finish downloading, which shortens the overall process since you don’t have to manually convert your downloads. Use With Other Devices Some software can optimize your download conversion for specific devices, with the best able to have more than 100 preprogrammed optimization files that run the gamut from iOS and Android smartphones and tablets to gaming systems like the PlayStation and Xbox. Extras The best applications let you to choose the resolution of the video you’re downloading, and many also can capture just the audio content. This is useful if you find a lecture or audio-centric video you like. You simply download the audio, sync it to a mobile device and listen to it the same way you would an audiobook or podcast.
