So you are wanting to download YouTube videos? In our mobile world, you may watch a music video or viral video, but then realize you're stuck due to a lack Wi-Fi or restrictive data plan. Thankfully, it's now easier than ever to store videos on your phone and download them too. You may be asking yourself, is downloading YouTube videos legal? When it comes to copyright infringement, downloading a video for your own personal fline use is usually okay. There are some gray areas when it comes to downloading videos. Google's term service says “You shall not download any Content unless you see a ‘download' or similar link displayed by YouTube on the Service for that Content.”
By downloading YouTube videos, it's essentially taking money out Google's pockets due to the pre-roll and in-video advertisements. In most cases, we'd recommend against downloading YouTube videos unless the video is just for you. Whatever your reason is to download a YouTube video though, here's how.
How To Download YouTube Videos
There's quite a few ways to download YouTube videos right now. You can either use a YouTube downloading website, stware, or a browser extension.
Download YouTube Videos With Websites
Trying to avoid installing stware altogether? Video download helpers do the work for you, providing you with the video conversion as well as a download link. Websites can take a lot longer depending on the size the video, but you really can't beat the convenience using a website to download YouTube videos. Due to the programming these websites, there are quite a few ad traps on some these websites. Be aware the different websites and do not fall into a trap.
KeepVid
KeepVid is one the most popular YouTube download sites. By supporting downloads from 28 different websites, KeepVid allows you to copy and paste the video's URL into the field, and click “download” to right right it. Be aware the big advertisement that also says “download” as this is an example an ad trap.
Step 1: Copy the YouTube URL and paste it into the field stating “Enter video link to download.”
Step 2: Click the down arrow next to where you entered the URL.
Step 3: Once the video has completed its conversion, click on Max 720p and the button that says “Download.”
While there are 1080p versions available, KeepVid wants its users to use Download Pro which costs roughly $19/year.
Online Video Converter
Online Video Converter is another one the most popular website helpers for downloading videos. In addition to converting the videos to be downloaded, Online Video Converter also gives you the option converting the video to a number different audio and video formats.
VD YouTube
By simply entering vd in the address bar before your YouTube link and pressing enter, VD YouTube gets to work by allowing its users to download a hd720p version any YouTube video. Be sure to watch out for the ad traps on VD YouTube though as there are many fake “Download” buttons.
Download YouTube Videos With Stware
Third-party stware is a typically a favorite for many people that download YouTube videos. Typically, you paste the URL for the YouTube video you want into the app, and it will download the highest quality version it can find, and download it in MP4 format. Here are some the best options for stware.
4K Video Downloader
4K Video Downloader is a free stware that fers clear download links and best all, no ad traps. The 4K Video Downloader stware downloads to plenty formats and will even grab subtitles. The stware's users can download from sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook.
Gihost TubeGet
Gihost TubeGet is another free video downloading stware. TubeGet will download videos in HD, SD, or even 4K, and will download from not just YouTube. The program has a built-in MP3 converter which grabs as many as five video simultaneously.
Download YouTube Videos With Browser Extensions
A browser extension ten times can be life savers. The Chrome Web Store fers dozens different video downloader extensions, and here's a free to name.
FastestTube
FastestTube is free and is available on Opera, Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chromium-based browsers. This downloader extension loads automatically on YouTube videos and will appear on the far left with the words “Download.”