Top 10 Free YouTube Downloader for Mac in 2024

Are you looking for the best Mac YouTube downloader to download YouTube videos on Mac? If you ever feel the need to save YouTube videos offline for the purpose of rewatching them again and again or sharing them with friends and family, then the most convenient way of doing so is to download them. In this guide, we'll help you acknowledge the most effective YouTube downloaders for Mac that will get the job done without any hassle or inconvenience.

Part 1. Best Free YouTube Downloader for Mac

Looking for the perfect software to download YouTube videos on Mac? Instead of having you go through the hassle of comparing each YouTube converter to identify the best one, we've compiled a list of the most effective YouTube downloader for Mac free.

1. MacX YouTube Downloader (Free)

In the list of the top tools to download YouTube videos on Mac is the MacX YouTube Downloader. This completely free-to-use YTB video downloader is designed by Digiarty and proves to be one of the most ideal tools that you can use for the purpose of downloading YouTube videos on your Mac. You can save YTB videos of different resolutions & formats, incl. YTB SD, HD videos in 720P, 1080P, 3D videos, even 8K/4K videos.

Pros

Support numerous different video-sharing platforms
Free technical support making
5 times faster download speed
No registration, plug-ins

Cons

Mac in the terms of the variety of conversion formats that it supports
Failed to complete video downloading sometimes
The choice of possible formats is quite limited for this software
No basic editing features

2. 5KPlayer

Instead of being an incredibly 4K video player for Mac devices, the 5KPlayer also proves to be one of the top YouTube downloaders for Mac. The software entertains users with a simple and easy-to-understand user interface, which makes it incredibly user-friendly. It lets you download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc. and supports playing all HD, 4K, 5K videos in various formats such as MKV, MTS, AVCHD and so on.

Pros

Dwnload from over 300 popular video-sharing sites
Download in qualities as high as 4K
Support a variety of formats including AVI, MOV, MP4, etc.
Directly play your downloaded videos with built-in video player

Cons

It isn't compatible with the new Mac OS Big Sur
Get stuck when playing high resolution & long videos
Contain ads for downloading another software

3. 4K Video Downloader

The list of the top YouTube downloaders for Mac would be incomplete without a mention of the 4K Video Downloader. This remarkable software earns its spot as one of the best YouTube video downloaders because of the variety of features that it offers users. The software offers a “Smart Mode”, which makes a variety of new and interesting features available to the users. It also provides advanced subtitle options to edit and improve your downloaded videos.

Pros

Support a wide range of video sites
Smart Mode is good
Advanced subtitle options

Cons

Limited features with free version
Outdated software interface

4. ClipGrab GPL

When it comes to the best free YouTube downloaders for Mac, ClipGrab earns the top spot since it provides features similar to competitors for absolutely free. The tool isn't much complex as it just involves copying and pasting the video URL, followed by choosing the desired format and downloading it.

The pros associated with ClipGrab are that it is completely free and there are no hidden fees associated with its use. The software has also tested free of any virus or malware that might compromise the privacy of the user. On the other hand, the features offered by this software are quite limited. Issues or glitches may also result occasionally from using ClipGrab to download YouTube videos.

Pros

Completely free and no hidden fees associated with its use
Supports numerous formats
Free of any virus or malware

Cons

Features offered by this software are quite limited
Issues or glitches may also result occasionally
No playlist capability

5. YouTubeHunter

YouTubeHunter is an incredible YouTube downloader Mac that can be used to effortlessly download your favorite videos from YouTube or any other video-sharing platform, including Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc. This software distinguishes itself from other YouTube video downloaders because of its built-in search feature that allows users to search for their desired video from within the software.

Pros

Incredibly fast conversion rates
Supports downloading multiple videos simultaneously

Cons

You may come across potential adware or malware
You can only choose from two available output formats

6. Airy for Mac

Lastly, Airy is another remarkable tool that effectively answers the question of how to download YouTube videos on Mac. Airy is right up there with some of the best YouTube video converters in the market because of the fun and exciting experience that it promises users. It allows playlist downloads and download multiple videos with a single click. Other features, such as subtitle downloads, parallel downloading, video conversions, and more, may also be accessed with ease.

Pros

Download audio and video playlists
Download multiple videos with a single click
High resolutions of up to and including 4K are supported

Cons

Only be used to download videos from YouTube
Limited functions in a free version

Part 2. Online YouTube Downloader for Mac Free

There are also many free online youtube downloader for mac to download YouTube videos without any software. Here we list some of the best online YouTube downloader for Mac free. Though online YouTube video downloaders can download YouTube videos on Mac conveniently, they have many downsides such as slow download speeds, bringing adware and virus.

1. Download4.cc

Download4.cc is arguably one of the most advanced free YouTube downloaders for Mac, primarily because of the huge variety of new and improved features that this software has to offer. It offers the most interesting and innovative features that can easily download videos and audios on Mac. In addition to the numerous video-sharing platforms that it supports, the website is also incredibly friendly and safe to use.

2. Y2MATE

Y2MATE is a popular YouTube downloader for Mac free that allows users to download video from YouTube Mac without having to go through any hassle or inconvenience. This website is known for its straightforward functionality and user-friendliness. It allows video conversions in qualities as high as 4K. The software provides support for various formats, including MP4, MKV, AVI, and M4A.

3. SaveFrom

SaveFrom is an efficient and simple software that allows you to download all types of videos online from YouTube, Facebook, Twitch.Tv, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and many more. You can easily download YT videos on Mac in various formats, including MP4, MKV, AVI, and M4A. Videos can be downloaded in SQ, HD, Full HD, 2k and 4k - depending on the initial quality of the video you download.

Part 3. Fastest Way to Download YouTube Videos on Mac

There are a lot of other applications for downloading YouTube videos on Mac but not all of them provides fast and safe downloading. If you need a Mac YouTube downloader which owns all the features including fast downloading, high quality, various supported formats, advanced editing features, HitPaw YouTube Video Converter for Mac is picked as the best YouTube downloader for Mac. It supports to download 2K/4K/8K videos from more than 10,000 video-sharing platforms and websites, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Dailymotion, and more!

Download YouTube videos and audios on Mac in high quality
Convert download videos to any format and device
Download videos in bulk with ultrafast speed
Supports GPU acceleration and lossless conversion
Simple and easy to operate even for beginners

Step 1.Download and install HitPaw Video Converter on your Mac system. Open the video that you want to download in your browser and copy its URL or web address.
Step 2.Launch HitPaw Video Converter on Mac and go to the “Download” tab. Next, paste the copied URL by clicking on the “Paste URL” button in the top-left portion of your screen.
Step 3.Once the video is recognized, select the desired format and quality that you want to download the video in. Afterward, hit “Download”.
Step 4.Once the download completes, you'll be able to view the downloaded video from the file location on your device.

Part 4. FAQs about YouTube Downloader on Mac

Q1. Is Downloading YouTube Video Legal?

A1. It is legal to download YouTube videos for personal use. YouTube has shown no desire to penalize users who download videos. However, downloading copyrighted videos without permission is a criminal act.

Q2. What's the Best Video Format for Mac OS?

A2. Choosing the right video format involves paying close attention to a variety of factors, including the quality of output, file size, compatibility, and more. Some of the most popularly used video formats for Mac OS include MP4, WMV, MOV, AVI, FLV, and AVCHD.

Q3. What's The Difference Between Desktop Software and Online Tools?

A3. These are the two types of YouTube converters for Mac, each with its own pros and cons for the user. A desktop software refers to software that needs to be downloaded and installed on your system to be able to use. On the other hand, an online converter is a web-based tool that can be directly accessed from any browser and doesn't involve any initial software installation. Compared with online tools, desktop software is still the mainstream YouTube download method because of its stability, high quality, batch download and support for hardware acceleration.

The Bottom Line

With the help of new and improved tools listed above, it has become significantly easier to download YouTube videos on Mac. Tools like the HitPaw YouTube Video Converter for Mac not only downloads YouTube videos, but converts to any format or device as you need. So, what are you waiting for? Download your favorite YouTube videos now with the help of HitPaw Video Convertor.

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