5 Multiple Ways For How to Download YouTube Videos On Mac
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive guide for users who want know how to download YouTube videos on Mac: YouTube Premium, StreamFab YouTube Downloader and so on. Each method is explained step by step, with pros and cons compared in a table to help readers choose the best solution for their needs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Hello, I believe you clicked on this article not to find out “what YouTube is.” As one of the most popular streaming video platforms today, YouTube has become the go-to choice for entertainment for many people. I am no exception; whether it's food or fitness, I watch it here.
However, I often encounter issues with poor network connections that prevent me from watching videos. As a Mac user, I have a high demand for downloading YouTube videos, but most of the software available today is for Windows, and there are not many available for Mac users. If you’re in the same boat and want to explore how to download YouTube videos on a Mac, please keep reading.
How to Download YouTube Videos on Mac?
Method 1: YouTube Premium
The first method, which is well known to everyone, is to use YouTube's own app to download videos. The operation is very simple. Mac systems have both a standalone YouTube app and the ability to download videos in a browser, so you can choose whichever method is more convenient for you.This article shows you how to download using a browser. The method for downloading apps is the same.
Please attention, only Premium users can download by this way, and not every video can be downloaded by this method, some creators will set "not allow to download".
- Official app, no need to worry about security issues
- Easy to use, no need to copy links, just click to download
- Only subscribers can download
- Maximum resolution is 720p, which is relatively low
- Can only be viewed in the app, cannot be sent to other devices
- If creator deletes the videos, you can't download deleted YouTube videos again
Method 2: StreamFab YouTube Downloader
Download online videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, and 1000+ other video-sharing sites. Multitasks and playlists downloads are also supported.
The second tool I would like to introduce to you is a professional downloader called StreamFab YouTube Downloader. This downloader has been in use for many years and is highly secure and stable. After testing it myself, I can say that it is a completely trustworthy tool.
- No time or regional restrictions, you can watch them at anywhere and anytime
- Batch and automatic downloads available, it can help you save many time
- Maximum download resolution is 8K, but it depends on the videos' resolution
- Video background audio can be downloaded separately in MP3 format, or you can choose MP4/MKV
- Free trial only allows you to download three full videos
- Frequent updates
Method 3: YT Saver
The third one I want to recommend to you is YT Saver. YTSaver is a desktop app for Windows and Mac that lets users download and convert videos and audio from many websites, not only include YouTube, like Facebook, TikTok, Vimeo, Instagram, and more.
- You can download entire playlists or channel videos in bulk, saving you time
- Fast download speed, with the official claim of 10x speed
- Built-in browser and video cropping feature for more convenient operation, suitable for users who want to capture clips
- The free version has limited functionality and only allows users to download a small number of videos. The full version requires a paid purchase
- Some users have reported occasional download failures or lag, which affects the user experience
- During installation, some antivirus software may prompt security risks, although no actual issues have been found, this has caused concerns among some users
- The software has high CPU usage when running, which may strain older devices
If you want to get more about this tool, you can refer to this YT Saver review.
Pazu Video Downloader is a professional video downloader for macOS that supports downloading videos from multiple platforms such as YouTube. Users can choose to save videos in MP4 or MKV format while retaining audio tracks and subtitles, making it convenient for offline viewing on Mac.
- Supports multiple audio tracks and subtitles, suitable for users who need to learn languages or back up data
- Easy to use with a clear interface. Simply copy and paste the video link to start downloading. No complicated settings required
- Free unlimited downloads are not supported. The full version requires payment and only offers limited trial features
- Currently, only 1080p is supported. Downloading 4K or 8K ultra-high-definition videos is not supported
- The YouTube section cannot be purchased separately. You must purchase the entire software, even if you do not want to use other platforms
- Download speeds depend on network conditions and may be slightly slower in some cases
You can learn more about Pazu video downloader review.
Method 5: Online Tool
The final method is to use an online download tool directly in your browser. There are many options out there, but after trying a few, I found one that’s relatively safe and easy to use, with minimal pop-up ads or redirects. Just paste the video link, choose the format, and you're good to go. Do keep in mind, though, that not all online tools are completely free—some may charge for higher quality or additional features.
- Supports video and audio from multiple platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
- Supports common formats such as MP4, WEBM, MP3, etc.
- Simple to use, suitable for basic video download needs
- There are many advertisements, and pop-ups and redirects often appear during downloads
- Audio may be missing when downloading high-definition videos
- Not all content is free
Comparison Table of the 5 Methods
| Tools | Free Use | Resolution | Batch Download | Format | Ads-Free | Time®ion Limit | Memory Footprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube App | ❌ | 360p/720p | ✅ | Mp4/AVI/WMV | ✅ | ✅ | Small |
| StreamFab | Free Trial | 1080p/4K/8K | ✅ | MP3/MP4/MKV | ✅ | ❌ | Small |
| YT Saver | ❌ | 1080p/4K/8K | ✅ | MP3/MP4/MKV | ✅ | ❌ | Big |
| Pazu Video Downloader | ✅ | 720p/1080p | ❌ | MP4/MKV | ❌ | ❌ | Small |
| Online Tool | ❌ | 4K | ❌ | WebM/MP4 | ❌ | ❌ | Small |
FAQs
YouTube Movies is a separate section within YouTube’s store and is different from regular channel videos. Because of this distinction, many tools that can download videos from YouTube channels are unable to download YouTube Movies. Therefore, to download movies from YouTube, you may need to use specialized methods or software designed to handle this content. You can learn more about download movies from YouTube accordingly.
For Windows users, all five methods introduced in this article are applicable, and the operation steps are generally the same as on Mac. If you want a detailed step-by-step guide specifically for Windows, you can check out this comprehensive tutorial on download YouTube videos in 4K.
Conclusion
I hope these five methods can help you easily solve the issue that download YouTube videos on Mac. Whether you prioritize high resolution, batch downloading, or simple operation, there's a method here that suits your needs. Choose the one that works best for you and enjoy your favorite content anytime, anywhere—without worrying about network issues.
