Top 7 Best Free YouTube Downloaders for Windows [Tested!]
By Gisela Werber
Updated on Oct 12, 2024
24K views
5min read
“Can anyone recommend a free YouTube downloader for Windows 10? I used to use online websites but none of them exist anymore…”
YouTube offers an offline viewing feature through its Premium service, but the ongoing subscription cost can be burdensome for many users. Meanwhile, there is always the risk of videos being deleted by their owner. Fortunately, YouTube Downloaders offer a viable solution. These tools can convert YouTube videos to MP4 or MP3 format for easy offline playback without any restrictions.
Are you struggling to find the best YouTube downloader for PC? This article will review the top 7 best free YouTube downloaders on Windows 11/10/8, helping you find the tool that best suits your needs. Let’s get started!
Top 1. TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader 🔥
💡 Best YouTube Downloader for Windows 11/10/8 with All-in-One Solution
TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader is the best free YouTube Downloader for Windows that is worth considering first, as it ensures an efficient and seamless downloading experience for both free and premium YouTube users. With its advanced DRM decryption technology, this tool can download YouTube videos on Windows, converting them to MP4, MKV, or MOV while saving up to 4K video and audio quality.
Moreover, it comes with lightning-fast speed and batch conversion features, enabling you to effortlessly save YouTube playlists or channels in a short time. If you want to download YouTube subtitles, TuneFab has you covered as well. Not to mention, it is really easy to use with a built-in browser, making it no need for manual copy and paste.
Pros
- Download videos, playlists, and channels from YouTube in common MP4, MKV, and MOV formats.
- Preserve the original video and audio quality, up to 4K.
- Convert multiple YouTube videos simultaneously, saving you valuable time.
- Save preferred language for audio track and subtitles when downloading YouTube videos.
- Keep YouTube videos offline forever for easy playback on any device.
Cons
- Only download the first 5 minutes of each video during the free trial.
Here’s a brief guide for you to download videos you like using TuneFab VideOne, the best free YouTube downloader on Windows laptops/PC.
Step 1. Download and install TuneFab VideOne Downloader on your Windows 7/8/10/11 computer. Launch it, and choose “YouTube” as the data source.
Step 2. Log into your YouTube account. Then, you can directly search for YouTube videos, playlists, or channels via its built-in web player, and add them to the download queue.
Step 3. On the “Convert” page, you can customize the output parameters, like location, format, quality, etc., and click the “Convert All” to download all YouTube videos as you like.
Top 2. VideoHunter YouTube Downloader
💡 Best YouTube Downloader for Windows PC with High-Quality Outputs
Another tool worth considering is the VideoHunter YouTube Downloader for Windows PC, which can easily download any video from YouTube. This tool impresses with its excellent audio and video output quality. It can save YouTube as 320Kbps MP3 files and 1080p, 4K, and even 8K MP4 files, ensuring that you can watch movies, short videos, MVs, etc. in original quality.
Also, one outstanding feature of VideoHunter is its intuitive and user-friendly interface. No ads, and no complicated layout. Just simply paste the video URL into the search bar on the main interface, and it will analyze and download YouTube videos for free without any hassle.
Pros
- Convert videos from YouTube to DRM-free formats like MP4 and MP3.
- Output up to 8K video quality and 320kbps audio quality.
- 6X faster speed to batch download YouTube playlists and channels.
- Download YouTube videos with subtitles.
- Offer a one-stop video downloader on Windows 11/10.
Cons
- Only 3 free downloads per day in 480P.
- No built-in browser for direct search.
Top 3. YTD Video Downloader
Best Free YouTube Downloader for Windows with Multiple Output Formats
YTD Video Downloader is a well-known tool that can download videos from 50+ streaming sites, including YouTube. Like the best YouTube video downloaders for PC mentioned earlier, this tool can also easily download YouTube videos to your laptop with simple clicks. Even better, it comes with a built-in converter, enabling you to save YouTube videos in MP4, MKV, M4A, MP3, and AVI for easy playback on any device.
However, the free version has several limitations, including one download per day, slow speeds, and a maximum resolution of 720p. To access full features, you’ll need to pay $12.99 per month. Additionally, unlike TuneFab VideOne, YTD doesn’t support downloading YouTube videos’ subtitles. If you’re downloading non-English films, it might not be the best option.
Pros
- Download YouTube shorts, full-length videos, or movies on Windows 11/10.
- Support downloading entire playlists and channels with one click.
- Offer a built-in video converter to MP4, MKV, M4A, MP3, and AVI.
- Ensure high-quality output, up to 8K.
Cons
- Ads are shown in the free version.
- Limited features in the free version.
- Handle one URL at a time.
- No video thumbnail preview.
Top 4. 4K Video Downloader
Top-rated YouTube Downloader for High-Quality, Batch Downloads on PC
4K Video Downloader, as the name suggests, excels in outputting Ultra HD videos to bring you an immersive viewing experience. It not only converts YouTube videos to MP4 files up to 8K but also efficiently downloads entire YouTube playlists and channels while maintaining the original video quality.
Additionally, this tool offers generous 10 free downloads per day, which is why many users praise it as the best free YouTube downloader for PC. However, there are also limitations. For example, the number of videos that can be downloaded from a single playlist is restricted, and YouTube subtitle downloads are not supported. If you need more features, you can consider 4K Video Downloader alternatives.
Pros
- Save any videos from YouTube in MP4, MKV, FLV, 3GP, etc, without any restrictions.
- Download YouTube videos in 720P, 1080P, 4K, and even 8K.
- Support batch downloading multiple YouTube videos and even playlists and channels.
- Offer a Smart Mode feature for auto downloads under pre-made output settings.
Cons
- Ads pop up in the free version.
- Limited playlist and channel downloads in the free version.
- Only allow 3 simultaneous downloads for YouTube videos.
- No button to pause or resume downloads in progress.
Top 5. MediaHuman YouTube Downloader
Best free YouTube Downloader with ID3 Tag Editor for Easy Video Management
MediaHuman YouTube Downloader is also a viable choice for free YouTube video downloads on Windows, offering up to 20 videos at no cost. Moreover, it offers basic download features like individual video downloads, playlist/channel batch downloads, MP4 or MP3 outputs, HD quality outputs, and so on, ensuring useful download services.
What sets it apart is its built-in ID3 tag editor, which allows you to customize and edit the output name, artist name, etc for easier management later. However, compared to other free YouTube downloaders for Windows that we mentioned earlier, especially TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader, MediaHuman may have a steeper learning curve.
Pros
- Support ultra-high-resolution outputs, including 4K & 8K.
- Download multiple YouTube videos simultaneously, ideal for playlist/channel downloads.
- Extract audio from YouTube to MP3 with up to 320 kbps quality.
- Support direct downloads from YouTube to iTunes/Music app.
Cons
- Out-dated UI design.
- Take time to get started with a relatively complicated interface.
- Comparatively frequent download failures.
Top 6. iTubeGo
Best YouTube Video Downloader for PC with Turbo-Fast Speed.
When searching for the best free YouTube downloader for Windows, iTubeGo often appears as a top recommendation. This is a versatile tool that claims to be able to download videos from 10,000 sites, including YouTube. With it, you can easily download videos, live streams, playlists, and channels from YouTube to DRM-free formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and more, making them playable on any device.
Even better, iTubeGo’s turbo-fast mode can speed up YouTube downloads by up to 10 times, greatly reducing wait times. Although it does have a free version for you to test its features, it limits you to download 3 YouTube videos or audio files, with only MP4 and MP3 output formats available.
Pros
- Download YouTube videos from 480P to 4K, and even 8K.
- Offer up to 10X faster speed for YouTube conversion.
- Provide a built-in browser for users to search and download videos directly in the software.
- Feature a user-friendly and intuitive interface for beginners to get started.
Cons
- Limit to only 3 free downloads.
- No simultaneous download feature in the free version.
- Only convert YouTube to MP3 and MP4 for free.
Top 7. Y2mate YouTube Downloader
Free YouTube Downloader for Windows Online
If you are seeking a free online YouTube downloader for PC, Y2mate is what you need. Without downloading or installing any software, you can easily convert unlimited YouTube videos to MP4 and MP3 online for free. Meanwhile, HD quality outputs are ensured. Simply visit its website, paste the video URL, and then you can start downloading videos from YouTube for offline playback.
However, unlike other desktop YouTube downloaders, Y2mate does not support batch downloading, making it less suitable for saving entire YouTube playlists and channels. Additionally, its performance can be inconsistent, resulting in occasional download failures. For a more reliable and feature-rich solution, a desktop downloader like TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader might be a better choice.
Pros
- Offer online free YouTube downloader for Windows.
- Support several main streaming formats like MP4, MP3, FLV, M4V, etc.
- Provide fast conversion speed.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Ads included on the website.
- No support for converting YouTube playlists and channels.
- Unstable download performance.
Final Verdict: How to Choose the Best YouTube Downloader for PC
Have you found the best free YouTube downloader for Windows that fits your needs? Here’s an overview of these 7 top-rated options.
YouTube Downloader for PC | TuneFab | VideoHunter | YTD | 4K Video Downloader | MediaHuman | iTubeGo | Y2mate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Desktop/Online | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | Online |
Output Format | MP4, MKV, MOV | MP4, MP3 | MP4, 3GP, MOV, AVI, MP3, WMV, FLC | MP4, MKV, FLV, 3GP | MP4, MP3, WebM | MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV | MP4, MP3, FLV, M4V |
Output Quality | Up to 4K, 320kbps | Up to 8K, 320kbps | Up to 8K, 256kbps | Up to 8K | Up to 8K, 320kbps | Up to 8K, 320kbps | Up to 1080P, 256kbps |
Download Speed | 3X | 6X | 1X – 4X (Based on plans) | Fast | 1X | 10X | 1X |
Subtitle Download | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ (Not for free) | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Built-in Browser | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Ads-free | ✔️ | ✔️ | Free version included | Free version included | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Ease of use | Easy | Easy | Medium | Easy | Medium | Medium | Easy |
Success Rate | High | High | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Overall, all the tools mentioned in this article are capable of meeting your diverse YouTube download needs. You can also compare their output quality, ease of use, conversion success rate, and other features to choose the right one.
Need a recommendation? We highly recommend starting with the TuneFab VideoOne YouTube Downloader. It not only quickly downloads HD YouTube videos, playlists, and channels, but also extracts subtitles from YouTube videos in different languages. Plus, it is incredibly user-friendly, making it easy for even beginners to get started. Therefore, if you are looking for a feature-rich YouTube Downloader for Windows 11/10, TuneFab is a great choice for you.