What's the safest and best YouTube video downloader these days?

For me, Hitomi Downloader is an excellent choice for downloading YouTube videos. While the name suggests it is for a specific manga site, the software itself is actually a powerful, open-source "all-in-one" tool that functions as a user-friendly interface.

Step 1: Once downloaded, right-click the .zip file and select Extract All. Move the extracted folder to a safe place.

Step 2: Open Hitomi Downloader. You will see a clean, empty window.

Step 3: Go to YouTube in your browser, find the video you want, and copy the URL from the address bar.

Step 4: Click inside the address bar of Hitomi free youtube video downloader. Paste the link (Ctrl+V). Wait a moment. The app usually auto-detects the video info.

Step 5: By default, it downloads the best quality. If you want a specific resolution (like 1080p or just Audio), click the small "Type: Single" or Format dropdowns usually located near the input bar or in the options to customize.

Step 6: Click the large Download button (usually a downward arrow icon). The video will appear in the list below with a progress bar.

Step 7: Once finished, the bar will turn green. Double-click the finished task (or right-click -> "Open Folder") to jump straight to your downloaded video.

This is one of the best free youtube video downloaders you can try nowadays as it is still working in 2026. In addition, it supports 4K/8K video, playlists, subtitles, and thousands of other social media websites.