What is the best way to download YouTube videos in 2025?

SnapDowloader , especially if you want something simple but powerful.It supports downloads up to 8K resolution with no restrictions on length, and you can choose between full video or audio-only formats ( great for podcasts or music ) One of its standout features is the ability to download entire playlists, channels in one go, which saves a tone of time if you're grabbing bulk content. 

Downloads are fast because it doesn't throttle speed like most free online converters, and since it is a dekstop app, you avoid all the usual ads, malware risks , and daily caps. 

For simplicity, Stacher is definitely worth trying. It's essentially a polished graphical frontend, so you get all the reliability, speed, and high-resolution support without ever touching the command line. The interface is clean and intuitive, you just paste a link, pick your quality ( 1080p,4k, evern 8k ) and hit download. it handles long videos, playlists, and subttitles smoothly and it runs locally on your computer. 

It is lightweight, downloads are fast, and it's consistent enough for everyday use

For a safe and easy-to-use desktop application, you can use 4k Video Downloader plus. It does exactly what it says without any fuss. The interface is clean and intuitive. You aren't dealing with sketchy websites or ad banners. 

The process is clean : paste the link, select the quality, and download. 

You will need to have another application, to download MP3 requires a separate paid application, 4k ,it's a bit of an annoyance, but the core video downloading function is quite reliable.

I've been using Freemake Video downloader for years, its a clean software. . 

The free version adds a branded splash screen at the beginning and end of every video you download. This is frustrating and quite intrusive. You can get rid of it and unlock faster speeds, through upgrading to the paid version.

Y2Mat is a web-based tool that you can use for specific tasks if you proceed with caution. It gives you support for a range of formats.  You can usually choose between several MP4 resolutions ( up to 1080p) and MP3, which is more versatile than many other online converters.

You aren't able to download a playlist, the speed is actually moderate. This is a bit limiting if you are going to download multiple videos at a moment. It is heavily ad-supported and known for aggressive pop-ups and redirects. 

Another option is JDownload 2. It’s open source and supports way more than just YouTube.

You should note that the user interface is complex and can be overwhelming. It has bundled adware. This means you must select the custom installation option and carefully read each step to decline the extra software, which is a significant downside if you're not paying close attention. 

I've found  ClipGrrab to be a great middle-ground option that I have been using for years. It's a free and simple desktop application that avoids the major risks of web-based downloaders. 

Their con is that the installation is known to include bundle offers for other software, which can feel like adware. As long as you pay close attention and uncheck these optional offers during the setup process, the tool itself is safe and effective.