

In addition to a good reputation for security, 4K Video Downloader and WinX YouTube Downloader have the key features you'd want in a YouTube downloader – support for 4K video downloads (8K for WinX) and the ability to easily download playlists and channels, in addition to single videos. The two downloaders that consistently rose to the top are 4K Video Downloader and WinX YouTube Downloader. I also took into consideration what other professional reviewers from sites like Cnet, TechRadar, and Tom's Guide found to be reliable, malware-free YouTube downloaders. To figure out which YouTube downloader I would recommend as my top pick, I researched the best-known software options, including Media OOO's 4K Video Downloader, Digiarty's WinX YouTube Downloader (and the Mac version, MacX YouTube Downloader), VLC Media Player, Any Video Converter Free, and Free YouTube Download. These sites also go in and out of existence because of copyright complaints, so I would stay away. Like the rogue apps mentioned above, many of the downloader sites inundate you with ads (sometimes explicit) or try to trick you into downloading their proprietary software (which may contain adware or other malware, as well).



Sticking to an app on your computer from a reputable company is also a better choice than using one of the many websites that help you download YouTube videos. Some "free" downloader apps may install malware or hard-to-remove adware – and that's a steep price to pay. Just like choosing a VPN, you should find out how the app makes money. But you need to be careful when selecting a free YouTube downloader. You can download videos with the YouTube app on your phone or tablet if you subscribe to YouTube Premium ($11.99 per month), and there are apps for your computer that let you download and save YouTube videos so you can watch them for free anywhere at any time. There are a number of options when it comes to downloading YouTube videos. I researched the options to uncover the easiest and safest ways to do that on your phone or computer, ideally, for free. And while most YouTube watching is done online, there may be times you want to download a copy of the video for using in a presentation or watching when traveling without an internet connection. You can find just about anything you'd want to watch on YouTube (and a lot you wouldn't).
