5 Best YouTube Downloaders for Single and Bulk Downloads in 2024
I searched for a YouTube downloader, but all I could find were outdated websites trying to get me to use programs that do not work well or are just a scam. Usually, they were full of fake buttons that opened ads or led me to shady websites where I had to click through so many pages until the YouTube download finally began.
I wanted to find a YouTube downloader that lets me easily download videos in the format and quality I like, download whole playlists at one time, and is safe from viruses. To keep away from annoying and sketchy websites, I tested over 30 YouTube downloaders and found 5 good ones that are safe and work well.
My top choice is By Click Downloader. The user-friendly platform employs an auto-detection feature to provide effortless downloading of videos from the current browsing page with just a single click. Another option is to copy and paste a YouTube URL into the dashboard to download an entire playlist or even an entire channel. The software supports various video formats and resolutions and you can download and use it for free for 24 hours or for your first 3 downloads.
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The 5 Best YouTube Downloaders in 2024
- By Click Downloader: Fast download speeds, wide range of options for video resolutions, compatible with private videos, and audio editor. You can even download and use it for free for 24 hours or for your first 3 downloads.
- 4k Downloader: Compatible with multiple formats, smart mode streamlines the download process but limits bulk downloads to 10 at a time.
- Freemake Video Converter: Supports over 500 video formats, and uploads downloaded videos to cloud storage but blocks downloads for some YouTube videos.
- Vidmate: Compatible with videos between 720p – 4K, fast download speeds, but it is full of annoying ads.
- Any Video Converter: Can download one YouTube video at a time, has a basic video editor, but install potentially unwanted programs (PUP), which can include malware and spyware.
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5 Best YouTube Downloaders in 2024
1. By Click Downloader: Wide Range of Download Options and Quickly Converts File Formats
- Download multiple videos or an entire channel with ease
- Auto-detect lets you download YouTube videos directly from your browser
- No limit to how many videos you can download at one time
- Download subtitles as a separate file, along with the video
- Try it free for 24 hours or get your first 3 downloads for free!
By Click Downloader is the easiest YouTube downloader I’ve tested. It allows me to download videos with a single click download, download multiple videos, entire playlists, and even private videos.
One of the easiest ways to download a video is with the auto-detect feature. It opens a dialogue box when a website opens with an MP4 or MP3, and asks if you want to download it, and then I can download the video directly from my browser.
Another option is to copy the video’s YouTube URL, paste it on the By Click Downloader dashboard, and press the Download button. I also used the search box to find a specific video or artist. This initiates the download without leaving the user interface.
By Click Downloader offers a wide range of download options, such as including the name of the video and artist for all MP3s, no video length limitations, and the option to download videos in HD, if available. It also simplifies the process of downloading subtitles from YouTube by selecting Download Subtitles after right-clicking on the download bar and choosing the preferred language.
The easy-to-use platform allows me to convert the downloaded YouTube video to MP3, MP4, WAV, WEBM, WMV, 3GP, and AVI formats. I can also change the video resolution to 720p, 1080p, 4K, and 8K.
To convert the video file formats, I selected the source file format and the format I wanted to convert the file to, from the drop-down menu. Then, I select the video quality and resolution, paste the URL, and let By Click Downloader do the rest of the work.
By Click Downloader can also download private videos from YouTube by entering the user’s credentials for the site into the interface. It can handle multiple simultaneous downloads with a progress bar next to each one, allowing me to download entire collections of music or an account’s entire channel.
By Click Downloader also has an Audio Editor feature, so I can cut parts of the audio, which is helpful for creating a ringtone or making a video shorter.
By Click Downloader is the fastest YouTube downloader that I’ve used. While there is a free version, it does limit some of the advanced features. You can try the premium version free for 24 hours or for your first 3 downloads, and see how quick and easy it is to use.
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2. 4K Video Downloader: Compatible with Videos up to 8K and Supports 3D Videos
- Download up to 10 videos at a time
- Compatible with multiple video formats
- Smart Mode streamlines the YouTube download process
4K Video Downloader is a versatile application that provides a seamless video downloading experience. One of its key features is the ability to download high-quality videos from YouTube and other sources with ease. By simply copying the video link and clicking the “Paste Link” button in the download manager, users can select the video format and quality of their choice and begin the download process. 
However, while 4K Video Downloader says you can download an entire channel or playlist, it limits the number of simultaneous downloads to 10. This can turn into a time consuming project if you’re downloading a large collection of videos.
The Smart Mode feature streamlines the download process. I was able to set a standard quality and format for my future downloads, so i wouldn’t have to change the settings with every download. If the selected download quality is unavailable, 4K Video Downloader will download the video in the quality closest to the one specified.
3. Freemake Video Converter: Save YouTube Videos in HD, MP4, AVI, 3GP, FLV
- High compression rate allows for fast downloads
- Automatically upload videos to cloud storage
The Freemake Video Downloader is a reliable software for downloading YouTube videos. It lets you download videos in their original quality, eliminating the need for re-encoding and guaranteeing the highest video quality. The program offers a variety of quality options, such as 4K, Full HD, and 720p, letting you choose the one that best fits your requirements.
Freemake Video Downloader allows me to save entire YouTube channels, so I don’t have to take the time to download each video individually. You can even download up to 500 files at once, making the process quick and easy. Another great feature is the ability to select Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive as the default destination for downloaded files, allowing for easy file transfer to the cloud.
Freemake Video Downloader also allows you to set the default YouTube download quality for all files or choose the quality each time you download. Additionally, you can limit the download speed to reduce the bandwidth consumed by the software.
One limitation of Freemake Video Downloader is that it may not work with certain YouTube videos due to copyright restrictions.
4. Vidmate: Android App that Supports YouTube Downloads in HD
- Good download speeds, even when downloading multiple videos at once
- Pause downloads if you need to save bandwidth or want to wait until you have a WiFi connection
One of the standout features of Vidmate is its ability to download videos at high speed, which is great for those who want to save time. The app also allows you to pause and resume downloads, which is useful for those who have limited internet connectivity.
While VidMate has the basic features for downloading YouTube videos, it’s only available for Android and is not available through the Play store. Additionally, the app has a lot of ads, which can get in the way when downloading videos. If you are looking for a tool that works on PC, macOS, and iOS, try By Click Downloader for free and enjoy the convenience of not having to only use an Android for downloading YouTube videos.
5. Any Video Converter: Good Option For Downloading One Video at a Time
- Choose from multiple video formats
- Simple interface without too many distractions
Any Video Converter is a free YouTube downloader that is pretty easy to use. I was able to choose the video format and resolution, and while the speed wasn’t great, it wasn’t too slow either.
The software also has a video editor integrated into the program, allowing you to crop videos, import some special effects, or add a text overlay to give the downloaded video a personal touch.
The two biggest downsides are that I could only download one video at a time, as opposed to By Click Downloader, which will download an entire channel if I wanted. Not only that, but it’s tried to install other software which I don’t want or need during the installation process.
How to Choose the Best YouTube Downloaders in 2024
There are plenty of programs that claim to be “the best YouTube Downloaders,” but the reality is that many of them don’t have the features needed to be the best. After testing over 35 YouTube downloaders, I found that you need the following features:
Wide Range of Video Quality Options
A good YouTube downloader should allow you to download videos in various qualities, including HD and 4K. This feature ensures that you get the best possible quality of the video you want to download. Sometimes, videos on YouTube are available in different resolutions, and a good downloader should allow you to choose the resolution that suits you best.
Capability to Download Multiple Videos at Once
If you plan on downloading multiple videos, a YouTube downloader that allows you to download them in batch mode can be a time saver. This feature allows you to queue up multiple downloads and have the downloader download them in the background. This feature is particularly useful for those who download many videos at once and don’t want to waste time downloading them one by one.
Optimized for High-Speed Downloads
The download speed of a YouTube downloader is an essential feature to look for. A good downloader should be able to download videos quickly, so you don’t have to wait for hours to get your videos. Download speed is especially important when downloading large files, such as 4K videos.
Multiple Format Options
The downloader should offer various video and audio format options. This feature gives you flexibility when it comes to the type of files you want to download. A good YouTube downloader should support popular video formats like MP4, AVI, and FLV, as well as popular audio formats like MP3 and WAV. With a variety of format options, you can choose the format that works best for you and your device.
User-Friendly Interface
A user-friendly interface makes it easier to navigate and use the downloader, especially for those who are not tech-savvy. The interface should be easy to understand and use, even for beginners. The user should be able to download videos quickly without having to go through complicated settings or steps. A good YouTube downloader should have a straightforward and intuitive interface that allows users to download videos with ease.
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