The Best YouTube Downloader for PC & Mac in 2024 [Free]

From engaging tutorials to music videos and personal vlogs, it’s undoubted that YouTube has become the go-to platform in our everyday lives. It is a pity that we are not allowed to download our favorite content with ease and enjoy it offline whenever and wherever we want. Therefore, no wonder that most audiences start looking for the best YouTube downloaders. In this article, I’ll introduce three of the best YouTube downloaders for PC and Mac.

What Makes the Best YouTube Downloader?

It is something we should make clear from the very beginning. In my opinion, it should support at least four features: HD video downloads, high-speed downloading, batch downloads, and subtitles downloading (if there are any).

High-Definition Videos

High-definition means a more immersive and visually pleasing experience. HD content has been prevalent on YouTube. There is no reason for us to give it up when it comes to offline viewing. It’s the least requirement for the best YouTube downloader.

Fast Downloading

It is all about saving time. Admit it, we are not that patient in terms of long waits. If possible, why not choose a YouTube downloader that can support accelerated downloads? Shorter downloading time, quicker to view offline, and happier we will be!

Batch Downloads

Like quick downloading speed, batch download is for time-saving, too. Besides, it also refers to convenience. This feature is particularly valuable for those looking to download entire playlists. Say goodbye to the hassle of downloading videos one by one.

Subtitles Downloading

For me, subtitles are essential when watching videos on YouTube. I can’t imagine watching a video without subtitles, especially in an environment that restricts audio playback, for example, in a public place or a quiet environment. If you’re in the habit of doing the same, I bet you’d be in favor of downloading subtitles as I am.

Top 1. VideoHunter YouTube Downloader (Best)

Being compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, VideoHunter YouTube Downloader is a powerful video downloader that helps you download any video in HD (up to 8K resolution) with subtitles from YouTube. It supports the most common MP4 video format. Advanced features including batch downloads, video conversion, audio extraction, and subtitle downloading are also available. For its user-friendly interface and easy operation, I would definitely list it as my top 1 recommendation.

Pro & Cons

Pros	Cons
Free to download Easy-to-use: 3 steps to download your favorite content HD videos: 1080p, 2K, 4K, and 8K resolution 6X Faster downloading Batch Downloads Download videos with subtitles Tech support for all users	Limited features for free users: 3 free tasks per day. Pay for advanced features.

3 Steps to Download HD YouTube Videos with Subtitles

The 3-step downloading process is pretty easy. It is the reason why I take it as the Top 1 YouTube downloader for a Windows computer/Mac.

STEP 1. Launch VideoHunter YouTube Downloader, and log into your account (sign up first if you do not have an account).

STEP 2. Copy and paste the YouTube video URL to the input box, then click “Analyze.”

STEP 3. After it finishes the analysis, select the preferred format and quality for the output, then click “Download“.

Top 2. aTube Catcher

aTube Catcher is a popular tool that combines screen-recording and video-downloading. It helps you download videos from social websites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Dailymotion, etc. You can also capture what you see on your screen with its built-in Screen Recorder. What’s more, you can also burn in DVD/VCD your videos without using any other third-party software—it helps!

Pro & Cons

Pros	Cons
Free to download & use Easy-to-use: Clear and concise interface Batch download: It allows you to convert and download multiple files at the same time Screen recording & DVD-burning: Tools have been built into the software A wider range of output including MP4, MP3, OGG, MOV, AVI, and more.	You need to install additional software Slow conversions It seems that developers have not updated it for a long time

Top 3. Any Video Converter

Rather than helping you download videos from YouTube, MyVideo, MetaCafe, etc., Any Video Converter is a multifunctional media application. A wide selection of special effects is pre-set so you can edit what you download within the software without asking for help from other tools. You can also convert & output what you’ve downloaded in multiple formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, M2TS, M4V, MPEG, AVI, WMV, ASF, OGV, WEBM, and more. Besides, it also allows you to rip DVDs to digital format.

Pro & Cons

Pros	Cons
Versatile: A variety of effects and capabilities from video downloading to editing HD videos: 480p, 720p, 1080p, 4K, and more Multiple output formats: MP4, MOV, MKV, and more Create Animated gifs from video clips or images Three versions: Free, Pro, and Ultimate	Slow downloading for the free version Expensive for the ultimate version: $49.95 (Windows)/$54.95 (MacOS) Bundled with other software: A security program called ByteFence which will suggest you change your default search engine to Yahoo

Conclusion

The three software programs are the best free YouTube downloaders. If you want to download YouTube videos by recording, aTube Catcher will be a great choice. Any Video Converter is more of a comprehensive video editing software than a YouTube downloader. For those who are looking for a dedicated program for YouTube videos, I’d recommend you start with VideoHunter YouTube Downloader. It offers all the features you need for downloading videos from YouTube. Now it’s your turn to pick one and download a video you want from YouTube!