How to Download YouTube Videos (Step by Step Guide 2025)

There are many reasons why one may wish to save videos offline from YouTube, to have them available for educational purposes, asset forming, or just for fun. Especially when traveling, or in an area where there is limited internet, having access to accountability will prove worthwhile. This in-depth article explains in detail how to download YouTube videos seamlessly in the most legal and secure way possible.

Is Downloading Videos from Youtube Legal?

YouTube law states that someone can only download a video using the appropriate channels and with permissions from its owner, any other means is unlawful. Downloading content without having a proper means can cause damages to your copyright, so always use right ways to download content and other means so that you can save yourself from legal issues.

Method How to Download YouTube Videos

1 Download Youtube Videos with Youtube Premium

This Subscription based service provides one the opportunity to Download YouTube Videos and watch them later but if someone does not own a subscription one cannot legally Download YouTube Videos using Youtube Premium. This service also allows people to listen to Youtube content without ads, and in the background.

Steps:

1. Log in to your Youtube account.
2. Start a subscription for Youtube Premium.
3. Select the video you would like to save.
4. Press the Yellow “Download” button under the video.
5. Select the Downloading quality and start the download.

Pros:

• Easy to use and enable peace of mind when downloading content online.
• Once paid for subscription, one can legally save videos as required.

Cons:

• Subscription costs money.

2 Online Tools

There are a number of online tools that allow you to freely download videos from YouTube for personal use. These tools are easy to use without any registration and can be accessed free of charge.

Recommended Tools

• Y2Mate (https://www.y2mate.com/)
• SaveFrom.net (https://en.savefrom.net/)

Steps

1. Copy link of the YouTube video.
2. Paste the copied link to the input box of the tool.
3. Select format and quality settings.
4. Click on “Download”.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Easy to use and free of charge.
• Can be used to convert into different formats.

Cons:

• Can have ads or popups.
• Security is not guaranteed.

Extensions to your Browser

Browser add-ons (or extensions) allow you to quickly and easily capture videos on YouTube without any tools. You can directly upload the videos from your browser.

Recommended Extensions

• Video Download Helper (Chrome/Firefox)
• Addoncrop YouTube Video Downloader

Steps

1. Go to the extension page or search for other pages and download.
2. Visit YouTube and open the video you want to upload.
3. Press the button with the icon of the extension you want to download the video with.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Can be downloaded directly from YouTube.
• There is no need to download the video from other tools.

Cons:

• Some browsers might not support it.
• Unverified extensions can be removed if there are security issues.

4 Software to Download on a Computer

Computer programs allow for batch capture and conversion to different formats plus enable download of more resolution streams at once.

Top Software

• 4K Video Downloader (https://www.4kdownload.com/)
• YTD Video Downloader (https://www.ytddownloader.com/)

Steps

• Install the software you have downloaded.
• Copy the URL for the video you want to download.
• Select the format and resolution you want for the video.
• Press the “Download” button.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High resolution support.
• Fast and easy downloads and additional features.

Cons:

• This software is not free.

5 Download Mobile Videos on Android/iOS Devices

Android Apps: TubeMate, VidMate iOS Apps: Use Y2Mate tool with Safari Browser Note: Always download mobile apps from trusted sources.

Pros: User friendly mobile interface. You can download in various formats.

Cons: Unlicensed apps may contain viruses.

6 Vlc Media Player

There are some external tools necessary to export youtube videos for example VLC media player and you can use this tool to download youtube videos too.

Steps:

1. First open the VLC media player. 
2. Simply go to the Open Network stream under the Media Menu.
3. Copy and paste the link of the Youtube video there.
4. Select Play. Select Tools, then select Codec Information.
5. Copy the URL located in the Location field and paste it to a web browser. 
6. Right click the video and select Save As option.

Pros: It’s free of cost and open source. No advertisements or pop-ups.

Cons: Some folks may find it slightly difficult at first.

FAQ’s