YouTube hosts an extensive range of content that users often wish to download for offline viewing or other purposes. For example, you may want to save an educational video for later research or a gaming tutorial to revisit. Unfortunately, YouTube does not offer an official download feature, except for YouTube Premium subscribers. However, there are various free methods available that allow users to download YouTube videos to their computers. This article explores several popular methods, including VLC, ClipGrab, and Pytube, for downloading videos at no cost.
Methods to Download YouTube Videos for Free
Several options exist for downloading YouTube videos to a computer, such as using a dedicated downloader, browser extensions, VLC media player, or online video downloaders. Below, we explore how to download videos for free, outlining the pros and cons of each method. This will help you determine the most suitable approach for saving YouTube videos with ease.
Method 1: EaseUS Video Downloader (PC & Mac)
EaseUS Video Downloader is a versatile tool for downloading videos and converting them to audio on Windows PCs. It supports downloading from a wide range of platforms, including YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and Twitter. This software enables users to capture videos in high quality and even convert them into MP3 formats if needed.
How to Use:
- Launch EaseUS Video Downloader, and select the desired format and quality.
- Copy the YouTube video link, then click “Paste Link.”
- Once the download is complete, click “Open File Location” to access the video.
Method 2: Download via an Online Website (Y2mate)
Online services like Y2mate provide a simple way to download videos without installing software. Y2mate allows users to download YouTube videos in various formats, including MP3, MP4, and up to 2160p resolution. It also offers the option to save converted files directly to cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
How to Use:
Step 1: Open your web browser and navigate to the Y2mate website.
Step 2: Copy the URL of the YouTube video you wish to download, then paste it into the search box on the Y2mate site. Click “Start” to initiate the process.
Step 3: Once the video is loaded, choose your preferred format from the “Video” tab. If you want to convert the video to an audio format, Switch to the Audio tag, you can convert YouTube to MP3 in y2mate.
Step 4: Click the “Download” button to save the selected video or audio file to your device.
Method 3: Using VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source media player with the ability to download YouTube videos. While the video quality may not be as high as with some premium options, VLC provides a reliable and secure way to download videos for offline use.
How to Use:
- Open VLC Player and copy the YouTube video URL.
- Paste the link into the network box and press “Play.”
- Navigate to “Tools” > “Codec Information” (Ctrl + J).
- Copy the link from the Location box, paste it into your browser, and save the video.
Method 4: Download with a Browser Extension
Another efficient way to download YouTube videos is through browser extensions. These extensions allow users to save videos directly by clicking a download button. One such extension is YouTube Video and MP3 Downloader, which supports varying video qualities and direct conversion to MP3 format.
How to Use:
- Visit the Addoncrop website
- Install the extension using CrossPilot.
- Restart the browser, play the desired YouTube video, and click the Download button to save it.
Conclusion
The methods outlined above provide different ways to download YouTube videos for offline viewing. While some require software installation or browser extensions, others offer online tools with minimal setup. Consider the pros and cons of each option to determine the best method of downloading for your needs. Begin downloading YouTube videos to your computer today for seamless offline access.