Looking for a best free video downloader for mac and Windows 11

For me,  AllClipDown is the best video downloader for Mac. I have been using it on Intel and Apple Silicon Mac for moths and downloaded hundreds of youtube videos in HD quality.

I was like you before. In order to watch videos on business trips, I looked for many free video downloaders for Mac, but they were either limited in speed or had a lot of pop-up ads. Some of them also required the installation of strange plug-ins, which was very annoying. Later, I found a command line tool called yt--dlp, which is really a lifesaver. It supports Mac and Windows dual systems. Once you use it, you can't go back.

Although this tool is a command line tool, the operation is really not complicated. Let me teach you how to do it from beginning to end (both Mac and Win are applicable):

✅ Step 1: Install Python (skip if you already have it)
Go to the official website to download: https://www.python.org/downloads/
Mac can be installed directly with Homebrew:

bash
brew install python

✅ Step 2: Install yt--dlp
The installation command is very simple:

bash
pip install -U yt--dlp

✅ Step 3: Basic usage for downloading videos
Copy the video link you want to download (YouTube or Vimeo), then enter in the terminal:

bash
yt--dlp "video link"

This will automatically download the highest resolution version and merge the audio and video into one file.

✅ Common command extensions (advanced operations):
 Download specified resolution (e.g. 1080P):

bash
yt--dlp -f "bv+ba" "Video link"

Batch download the entire playlist (such as a course collection):

bash
yt--dlp --yes-playlist "Playlist link"

Download subtitles (if the video has subtitles):

bash
yt--dlp --write-subs --sub-lang en "Video link"

Specify the save directory:

bash
yt--dlp -P "/Users/your username/Downloads/Videos" "Video link"

Download cover image, video description, metadata together:

bash
yt--dlp --write-thumbnail --write-description --write-info-json "Video link"

So in summary, yt--dlp It is the most reliable video downloader for Mac that I have used so far. It supports Windows, has clear commands, and powerful functions. The most important thing is that it is completely free, stable, and has no ads. Compared with those online tools with a lot of restrictions, it is really amazing. Now I rely on it to download tutorial videos and documentaries from YouTube and Vimeo. It is one of my permanent video downloader for Mac.

Don't use online service if you are looking for the safest and best video downloader on Mac.

There are many privacy and security risks associated with online video downloaders. First, many online downloaders collect a lot of personal information during the user's use, including IP address, browsing habits, download history, etc., which may be used for commercial purposes or even sold maliciously, seriously infringing on the user's privacy.

Secondly, some untrustworthy online downloader websites may contain malware, viruses or advertisement plug-ins, and when users visit or use these websites, their devices may be attacked, resulting in data loss, system damage and other problems. Moreover, the data transmission process of online downloads may lack sufficient encryption protection and be easily intercepted by lawless elements, further threatening users' information security.

From the perspective of function and user experience, online downloaders also have many defects. Many free online downloaders rely on advertising revenue, so they insert a large number of advertisements in the download page, or even force users to watch advertisements in order to complete the download, which seriously interferes with the normal operation of users. In addition, online downloaders usually limit the download speed, resolution or file size, which can't satisfy users' demand for high quality and fast downloads.

Moreover, the stability of online video downloader for mac is poor, and downloads may fail due to network problems, website server failures, and other reasons, causing inconvenience to users. In contrast, desktop downloaders are usually more powerful and stable, providing a better user experience.

What is best video downloader for Mac? YTD Video Downloader is popular, but it’s not without its drawbacks, especially if you’re on a Mac. While the free version does the basic downloading job, a lot of the cooler features—like faster download speeds and batch downloads—are locked behind a paywall. If you want the full experience, you’ll need to cough up some cash. When you install YTD, there's a chance you might end up with some extra software that you didn’t ask for. It’s always a good idea to read through the installation process to avoid any unwanted programs.

Some users find the interface a bit outdated and not as sleek as other best video downloaders for Mac. If you’re used to a more modern look and feel, this might throw you off a bit. Although it works for a lot of people, there are times when it might fail to download from certain sites or specific videos, making it a bit hit or miss.

Minitube is a lightweight YouTube video downloader for Mac, initially served primarily as a graphical user interface (GUI) for watching and managing YouTube videos without opening a browser. In recent years, Minitube has also added command line (CLI) functionality, giving it the ability to download videos from the command line.

While Minitube's graphical interface is easy to use, video downloads via the command line offer greater flexibility and automation. Below are the steps to download YouTube videos via this free video downloader for mac.

Minitube's command line functionality may need to be enabled or used in specific ways. As of this writing, Minitube exists primarily as a GUI application, and command line support may not be as well developed as a dedicated command line downloader. Therefore, the following steps assume that you wish to invoke some of Minitube's features from the terminal, or use another tool in conjunction with Minitube to enable downloads.

1. Open the Applications folder and double-click the Minitube icon to launch the application.

2. Search for the YouTube video you want to download by entering a keyword in the search bar at the top of the Minitube interface.

3. On the video playback page, locate and click on the “Download” button (usually shown as a down arrow icon).
4. Select the desired video quality and format to start the download.

5. Once the download is complete, the video will be saved in Minitube's download directory and you can view and manage the downloaded video within the app.

When I first started using these free video downloader for Mac, I’d rush through the install process. Big mistake! I ended up with unwanted software and toolbars cluttering my system. Always take a moment to read what you’re agreeing to; you might be surprised at what sneaks in! Video platforms are constantly changing how they work, and sometimes older versions of downloaders can’t keep up. I learned this the hard way when my go-to app suddenly stopped working, and I had to scramble for an alternative. Keeping your software up to date helps to avoid that mess.

Some claim to be the free video downloader for Mac might not support the format you want, especially if you're looking for something specific like MP4 or MKV. It’s frustrating to download a video only to realize you can’t play it on your device. Always double-check the format options before downloading!

With free versions of video downloader software, there are often limitations like file size, download speed, or the number of videos you can download at once. I’ve found myself hitting my limit on various apps, which can be a bummer if you’re trying to grab a whole playlist. Some downloaders might collect your data or track your usage. I’d suggest checking the privacy policy if you care about that. Always good to keep your info safe!

One solid option is C1ipGrab. As a best video downloader for Mac, it's super user-friendly and works like a charm. You just grab the URL of the video you want, paste it into C1ipGrab, and it does the rest. Plus, it lets you choose the format and quality you want. I’ve used it for downloading anything from music videos to tutorials, and it’s been pretty reliable. 

YTD Video D0wnloader is another best video downloader for Mac. It’s pretty straightforward. You pop in the video link, and it downloads it right away. It's got a nice interface that's not too cluttered, so you won't feel overwhelmed. Just remember to keep an eye out during installation for any extra software they might try to sneak in!

If you're looking for something lightweight, give JDownl0ader a shot. It’s a bit more techy but super powerful. You can just copy a link, and it recognizes it automatically and offers you different options for resolution and format. I love that it manages batch downloads because sometimes you just wanna grab a whole playlist in one go!

Lastly, don’t forget about V1C Media Player. Yup, it’s not just a media player; it can also download videos! It’s a bit hidden in the menus, but if you’re up for a little exploration, you can snag videos pretty easily.