Forum Discussion
Can you recommend a YouTube video downloader for Mac?
I suggest giving a try on AllClipDown. I have been using it for months on MacBook Pro and downloaded hundreds of videos from youtube without any issue. It can also save and convert the video to MP3.
Here is the step-by-step guide you can check out: https://www.sandeski.com/bulk-download-youtube-videos
You can also download playlists, music and podcast as well on your Mac.
To download youtube videos on macOS, one simple way is using a browser extension. Video DownloaadHelper is a free browser extension (supports Chrome, Firefox, etc.) to download videos and audios from YouTube, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms in one click, offering a wide range of resolutions and formats (e.g., MP4, WEBM) to choose from, and need to be paired with a companion app to unlock the full functionality. Suitable for lightweight temporary download needs, but some HD resources or encrypted content may be restricted without youtube video downloader for Mac as it is a browser plugin.
Step 1: Install the extension Open Chrome and visit the Chrome App Store. Click “Add to Chrome” → “Add Extension”. Once installed, a jigsaw puzzle icon will appear in the toolbar in the upper right corner of your browser (grayed out to indicate that no media has been detected).
Step 2: Some websites rely on a companion app to download, otherwise you will be prompted to “Require a companion app”. Click the Video DownloaadHelper icon in the upper right corner of the browser → Select “DownloaadHelper” → Click “Install Companion App”.
Step 3: Right click on the extension icon → “Manage Extensions”. Enable the following permissions: “Allow access to file URLs” (for local video detection). “Enable in Stealth Mode” (optional, for No Trace Mode downloads).
Step 4: Open the YouTube video page and play the video. Click on the Video DownloaadHelper icon in the upper right corner of your browser → the icon turns colored and displays a list of detected media files. Select the target file (usually contains multiple resolution options, e.g. 720p MP4). Click “Download” → select the save path (default is to the Downloads folder). Wait for the download to complete and view the file in the Finder.
In short, it is a free, lightweight youtube video downloader on Mac that supports most major websites. However, some websites need to be paired with companion apps, HD videos may be limited.
My advice is not using any online youtube video downloader on mac. Using an online YouTube downloader may seem convenient, but there are the following significant issues that can lead to a poor experience or potential risks:
1. Advertisements and privacy concerns
Most online tools rely on advertisements to monetize their services, with pop-ups, links and interruptions on their pages. Be alert to the risk of privacy leakage as some websites record users' IP, download history and even require registration.2. Functional limitations
Many tools only support resolutions below 720p and cannot download 4K, HDR or 60FPS HD videos. Usually only MP4 format is provided, and there is no option to separate audio and video files (e.g. extracting audio as MP3 separately). 4.3. Dependence on network environment
Large files need to be downloaded through the server, and the speed is much lower than local tools due to the limitation of website bandwidth.Some tools cannot be accessed in certain countries/regions due to copyright issues.Online youtube video downloader for Mac only are suitable for temporary lightweight needs, but for long-term use it is recommended to choose a local tool that balances efficiency, security and functionality to avoid getting bogged down in ads or lrisks.
