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ZDNET's key takeaways
ClipGrab and WinX/MacX are the best free tools for YouTube downloads.
YouTube Premium offers legal, ad-free downloads tied to your account.
Be mindful of copyright laws and only download videos that are allowed.
If you've ever wanted to download a YouTube video to watch later -- say, for a flight or somewhere with terrible Wi-Fi -- you've probably noticed that Google doesn't make it easy. YouTube's own app limits offline viewing to select videos and paying Premium subscribers. Still, there are ways to download videos for free. The challenge is figuring out which option is actually worth using.
Also: Your YouTube Premium subscription just got 3 major upgrades - plus AI experiments you can try
After years of working in multimedia, I've had to locally save countless YouTube videos. I now have one go-to tool, and my colleague David Gewirtz has suggested another, but there are plenty of options out there that come highly recommended. Either way, here are two methods that are free and trusted, so you won't have to wade through sketchy pop-ups and questionable links, or pay a cent.
I'll also cover YouTube Premium, the official paid method for downloading videos, so you should find at least one option that works.
How to easily download YouTube videos for free
What you'll need: Editors at ZDNET, including me, have been using ClipGrab for years. It's a free program available for Mac, Windows, and Linux users. The developer describes it as open source, though the source code is only available for Linux.
1. Download and install ClipGrab Point your browser to the official ClipGrab.org site. Click the "Show all download options" link. Download the installer for your platform (Windows, MacOS, Linux). It's free, but there is an option to donate. Run the installer to install ClipGrab. Also: I used this simple YouTube TV trick and saved $66 - here's how you can, too During installation, ClipGrab may request permission to install a Rosetta helper (on newer MacOS) or to download supplementary components (such as yt-dlp). You should allow them -- they're part of ClipGrab and enable features or assist with processing. Show more
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
2. Optional: Choose where to save If you want to change where your downloaded YouTube videos are saved, click the Settings tab in ClipGrab. Here, you can specify a target folder, adjust metadata and notification settings, set up a proxy, and more. You don't have to tweak any of these options, though -- by default, ClipGrab prompts you each time you download, and it saves videos to your system's default Videos or Downloads folder. Show more
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
3. Copy and paste a YouTube link In your web browser, go to the YouTube video you want to download. Copy the video's URL from the address bar. (You can also click the Share button under the video.) Open ClipGrab and go to the Downloads tab. Click into the input field and paste the copied YouTube link (Ctrl+V on Windows/Linux or Cmd+V on Mac). ClipGrab will automatically fetch information about the video. Also: I changed these 6 TV settings to instantly make the system feel like new again Once the video is recognized (you'll usually see the title appear in ClipGrab), you're ready to proceed. Show more
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
3. Choose a format and quality Before downloading, use the Format drop-down to choose the file type for your saved video. You'll find it right below the field where you pasted the YouTube link. I usually leave the format set to Original, which keeps the video's native file type, but you can select MP4, WMV, OGG, MP3 (audio only), or whatever you prefer. Next, use the Quality drop-down to select a resolution. It's right next to Format and usually lets you choose the full original resolution (such as 1080p or even 4K, if available) or a lower one like 720p if you want to save space. Show more
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
5. Grab that clip When ready, in ClipGrab's Downloads tab, click the "Grab this clip!" button. ClipGrab will prompt you to choose a file name and save location for the video. Once you confirm, the download will begin. You'll see progress in the Current Downloads section. A typical YouTube video should download fast -- or at least in a reasonable time, depending on your internet speed and the video length. It took me less than 2 minutes to download an hour-long ZDNET livestream. Show more
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Another free option
ClipGrab is my top choice for easy, straightforward YouTube video downloading. I regularly use it to grab videos, including my own uploads when I need a local copy. After more than a decade of use, I haven't run into any issues with it.
Also: 10 open-source apps I always recommend Windows user to try - and they're free
But if you want an alternative, ZDNET's David Gewirtz uses the WinX/MacX apps. Made by Digiarty Software (known for its DVD-ripping tools), WinX Video Converter (for Windows) and MacX Video Converter (for MacOS) are freemium video conversion programs.
How to use WinX or MacX to download YouTube videos for free
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
What makes them interesting here is that the free trial includes an unlimited YouTube downloader you can use indefinitely -- if you don't mind dismissing the occasional prompt to upgrade.
Install the software: Download the trial of WinX Video Converter Deluxe MacX Video Converter Pro Paste a YouTube link: In the app's toolbar, click the "YouTube URL" button. The app will switch to a download screen, where you can click a link icon at the top, then paste your video's URL, and click Analyze. After a few seconds, you'll see a list of available resolutions and formats (for example, 1080p MP4, 720p WebM), along with file sizes. Download the video: Choose your preferred resolution and format from the list, then click OK or Download. The video will download quickly. Aside from YouTube, WinX/MacX supports hundreds of other sites -- Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more.
If you decide to upgrade to the paid version, you'll unlock a full suite of video tools to convert, compress, trim, crop, and even add subtitles. The paid options start at $19.95. But you don't need to pay anything if your main goal is simply downloading videos.
The official paid option
Let's talk about Google's official way to download YouTube videos: YouTube Premium. I've been a subscriber for years and love the blissful absence of ads, picture-in-picture mode on mobile, the ability to keep a video playing in the background while using other apps, access to YouTube Music Premium, and all the other perks -- including downloading videos for offline viewing.
In the US, an individual YouTube Premium plan is $13.99 per month. There's also a Family Plan for up to six users at $22.99 per month, and a Student Plan at $7.99 per month. It's not cheap, but for heavy YouTube users, it can be worth it.
How to use YouTube Premium to download videos
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Since this is an official feature, it's completely legal and sanctioned by YouTube.
Log in with your Premium account: Once you've subscribed to YouTube Premium, sign in to YouTube on your device (mobile app or web browser) with your account. Once logged in, look for a video you want to save. Tap Download: When you've found a video, click or tap the Download button. On desktop, you will now see a down arrow below videos, usually to the right of the Share arrow icon. In the mobile app, the Download option appears in the video options menu (three-dot menu). Choose your quality: The first time you download, YouTube will ask what quality you want to save by default (such as 720p or 360p). Higher resolutions take more storage and might not be available for all videos. Once you confirm, the video will begin downloading. A progress indicator might appear (on mobile, it's a loading circle). Find your downloaded videos: After the download completes, you can find the video in the Downloads section of YouTube. In the mobile app, tap Library > Downloads. On desktop, click your profile picture menu and go to Downloads (or go to youtube.com/feed/downloads while logged in). All videos you've downloaded for offline viewing will be listed there.
You can watch your downloaded videos without an internet connection, but you'll need to go online at least once every 30 days for YouTube to verify your Premium status. Otherwise, your downloads will expire. Your downloads are also tied to YouTube. So, if you were hoping to get an MP4 file to edit or share outside of YouTube, you're out of luck with this method.
Also: Is Google's $250-per-month AI subscription plan worth it? Here's what's included
Basically, you're not given an easy way to turn your YouTube downloads into usable video files on a desktop or from iOS devices. However, if you're an Android user with an SD card slot, you can change the YouTube app's settings to save videos directly to your SD card. In the YouTube app, tap your profile pic > Settings > Downloads, and you'll see the option to use an SD card.
FAQs Are there Linux command-line options? Yes. Linux users have a command-line option to download YouTube videos. As with all things Linux command line, there are some gray areas here, such as whether a given tool still works or if there's a better one out there. The first option is youtube-dl. You can get it from its official site, GitHub, or through your favorite package manager. But some folks say youtube-dl is old hat and hasn't been updated in a while. There's another open-source project on GitHub called yt-dlp, a fork of youtube-dl with more features and more active maintenance. I haven't tested it myself, so use it at your own risk. Also: The first 5 Linux commands every new user should learn Both youtube-dl and yt-dlp offer an incredibly wide range of features if you need them. Personally, I'm sticking with ClipGrab -- I don't have time to turn YouTube downloading into a third full-time job. But it's up to you. What is the safest way to download YouTube videos? The absolute safest way is to use YouTube Premium's offline download feature, since it's an official, fully approved method provided by Google itself. When you download a video via YouTube Premium, you're abiding by YouTube's terms of service as well as the video's usage restrictions (the videos are DRM-protected and tied to your account). YouTube will enforce any regional or copyright restrictions on those downloads, so you won't be able to download videos that the platform doesn't allow in your country. And you won't run into any malware or sketchy software issues, because it's a built-in feature. How can I download private videos? You can only download private videos if you already have access to them (or they're your own -- YouTube Premium will let you download your own private videos). If you can log in and watch the video in your browser, you can usually download it. But if you can't view it at all, you won't be able to download it either. Also: Gemini can now watch YouTube for you - skip the video, get the highlights So, if you have login credentials for the video and you're a Windows user, try using the premium version of By Click Downloader. It lets you save private videos directly to your computer and typically costs between $20 and $40, depending on promotions. Can you get in trouble for downloading YouTube videos? Just because you can download a YouTube video doesn't always mean you should -- at least not without understanding the implications. Different jurisdictions have different laws, and it may not be legal to download a given video, even if all you want to do is watch it offline. Some countries also restrict videos on certain topics, so if you're in a repressive region, be extra cautious. You might want to read our VPN guide for tips on downloading with a bit more privacy. Also: Best VPNs for YouTube in 2025: 5 providers for unblocking content If you plan to download a video to incorporate into something you're producing, keep in mind that some countries recognize fair use, allowing small portions of copyrighted material for commentary, criticism, or education. That said, YouTube uses automated systems to detect reused content, and your channel could receive a copyright strike for violations. When in doubt, it's always best to ask for permission first. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter. Show more