I. Introduction
Are you a Mac user who loves watching YouTube videos? Have you ever come across a video that you wanted to save for offline viewing, but didn’t know how? Unfortunately, YouTube does not allow downloading of its videos due to copyright restrictions. However, there are still ways to download YouTube videos on Mac for free. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to download YouTube videos on Mac, using online downloader websites, third-party software, browser extensions, and the youtube-dl command-line tool.
II. Step-by-Step Guide with Screenshots
One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to download YouTube videos on Mac for free is by using an online video downloader. There are several free YouTube downloaders available online, but our guide will focus on using SaveFrom.net. Here’s how to use it:
A. Advantages of a Website Downloader
The advantage of using a website like SaveFrom.net is that it is free, and you don’t need to download any software to use it. Additionally, it supports downloading videos from other websites like Vimeo, Facebook, and Dailymotion.
B. Step-by-Step Guide
1. Open your web browser and go to the SaveFrom.net website.
2. Go to the YouTube video you want to download, copy the URL, and paste it into the SaveFrom.net website.
3. Click the “Download” button, choose your preferred video resolution and format, then click “Download” again.
4. The video will start downloading automatically. Once it’s done, the video will be saved to your downloads folder.
C. Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any problems when using SaveFrom.net, clear your browser cache and try again. Also, make sure you have a stable internet connection, so the video downloads quickly.
III. Third-Party Software
If you often download videos and want a more reliable and robust solution than an online video downloader, there are several third-party software options available. Here are some of the best ones:
A. Comparison of Different Software
1. VideoDuke – This is a powerful video downloader that allows you to download videos from various websites like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion. It’s user-friendly and supports batch downloading. It also has an option to download only the audio of a video.
2. Any Video Downloader – As the name suggests, this software can download videos from any website, including YouTube. It supports multiple video resolutions and formats and has a built-in video player.
3. 4K Video Downloader – This software can download videos in 4K resolution, which is a great feature for those who prefer high-quality videos. It also has batch downloading capability and supports downloading subtitles along with videos.
B. Features and Limitations
VideoDuke is a bit expensive compared to the other software options, but it has more features that justify the price tag. Any Video Downloader and 4K Video Downloader are both affordable and have fewer features. However, they still provide sufficient options for downloading YouTube videos on a Mac.
C. Cost
VideoDuke costs $19.95 for a personal license, $39.95 for a family pack license, or $99.95 for a business license. Any Video Downloader costs $24.99, and 4K Video Downloader costs $15 for a personal license and $45 for a business license.
IV. Free Trial or Freeware
If you’re looking for a free option to download YouTube videos on Mac, there are several freeware and free trial software available.
A. List of Sources
1. MacX YouTube Downloader – This is a free software that allows you to download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, and other websites. It also supports batch downloading and can download videos in various resolutions and formats.
2. ClipGrab – This is another free software that supports downloading videos from various websites, including YouTube. It has an easy-to-use interface and can download videos in different resolutions and formats.
3. iTube Studio – This software offers a free trial version that allows you to download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, and other websites. It has several features, including batch downloading, video conversion, and screen recording.
B. Features of Each Free Option
MacX YouTube Downloader is free and easy to use. It supports downloading high-quality videos and can download multiple videos simultaneously. ClipGrab is also free and user-friendly, and it allows you to download videos in different formats. iTube Studio’s free trial version has advanced features like video conversion, which is a great option for those who want more than just video downloading.
C. Limitations of Each Free Option
The main limitation of using a free option is that they often come with ads and limitations on the number of videos you can download. Additionally, the free version of iTube Studio does not allow you to download videos longer than five minutes.
V. Browser Extensions
Another option to download YouTube videos on Mac for free is by using browser extensions. Here are some of the popular browser extensions for downloading videos:
A. Overview of Popular Browser Extensions
1. Video DownloadHelper – This is a browser extension that allows you to download videos from various websites, including YouTube. It supports downloading videos in different resolutions and formats and can also download MP3 files.
2. Flash Video Downloader – This browser extension can download videos from various websites, including YouTube. It supports downloading videos in different formats and qualities.
3. YouTube Video Downloader – This is another browser extension that supports downloading YouTube videos. It has a simple interface and can download videos in different resolutions and formats.
B. Step-by-Step Guide
1. Install the browser extension of your choice.
2. Go to the YouTube video you want to download and click the video downloader icon on your browser.
3. Choose your preferred video resolution and format, then click “Download.”
C. Troubleshooting Tips
If the video downloader icon doesn’t appear on your browser, try disabling other browser extensions one by one until the video downloader icon appears.
VI. Tips for youtube-dl Command-Line Tool
If you’re comfortable using command-line tools, you can also use youtube-dl to download YouTube videos on Mac for free.
A. Benefits of the Command-Line Tool
One of the main benefits of using the youtube-dl command-line tool is that it’s free, open-source, and provides numerous options for video downloading.
B. Examples of How to Use It
To use youtube-dl, open the Terminal app on your Mac and type in the following command:
sudo curl -L https://yt-dl.org/downloads/latest/youtube-dl -o /usr/local/bin/youtube-dl
This command installs youtube-dl on your Mac. To download a video, type in the following command:
youtube-dl
C. Limitations of Using the Command-Line Tool
The youtube-dl command-line tool requires basic knowledge of command-line interfaces, which may not be suitable for beginners.
VII. Conclusion
There are several ways to download YouTube videos on Mac for free, including using online video downloaders, third-party software, browser extensions, and the youtube-dl command-line tool. Each method has its own advantages and limitations, so it’s best to choose the option that suits your needs and preferences. By following this guide, you can easily download YouTube videos on your Mac without any hassle, and you can enjoy watching them offline anytime, anywhere.
