5 Ways 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 or download YouTube movies to MP4, 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 region locks; watch anywhere, anytime, on your schedule
- Batch and auto downloads—queue it up, save lots of time
- Up to 8K resolution, when the source allows; no magic beyond the original
- Grab background audio as MP3, or keep full video in MP4/MKV
- Free trial caps you at three full downloads
- Frequent updates
Method 3: YT Saver
The third pick on my list is YT Saver, a desktop app for Windows and Mac that downloads and converts both video and audio from a pile of sites—not just YouTube, but Facebook, TikTok, Vimeo, Instagram. It’s the “paste a link, get a file” vibe.
- Bulk mode: download entire playlists or whole channels in one go—huge time saver
- Speed: official claim of “up to 10×”
- Convenience: a built-in browser plus simple video cropping if you only want a clip
- Free tier limits: only a small number of downloads; the full feature set sits behind a paid license
- Reliability gremlins: some users report occasional failures or lag that dents the experience
- Antivirus pop-ups during install: flagged by some tools; no confirmed issues, but it spooks people
- Heavy on CPU while running, which can strain older machines
If you want to get more about this tool, you can refer to this YT Saver review.
Method 4: Pazu Video Downloader
On macOS, Pazu is my go-to pro tool for grabbing videos from lots of places—YouTube and friends. You can save in MP4 or MKV, keep the audio tracks and subtitles intact, and watch offline on your Mac.
- Supports multiple audio tracks and subtitles—great for language learners or anyone backing up collections
- Stupid-simple interface: copy, paste, done. No maze of settings; just the big friendly Download button. I love that my coffee stays hot because I’m not tinkering with menus
- 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
Use a web-based downloader right in your browser—no installs, no drama. There are tons, and after bouncing between a few, I landed on one that felt reasonably safe and dead simple, with barely any pop-ups or sneaky redirects. Paste the video link, pick a format, click, done. That said, don’t be shocked if “free” has limits; some sites lock 4K or extras behind a paywall, which is… mildly annoying but common.
- 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
Sometimes, but not the same way you grab regular channel videos. YouTube Movies lives inside the YouTube Store, a separate lane, and a lot of the usual downloaders simply don’t see it. Annoying, right? If you really need that film offline, you’ll likely need specialized software or a method built specifically for purchased or rental titles. You can learn more about download movies from YouTube accordingly.
Easy—use any of the five methods we covered. They all work on Windows, and the steps are basically the same as on Mac, click-for-click, with only tiny interface quirks. 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.
Beyond downloading, if you’d like to repurpose your media, here’s a practical tutorial on how to make YouTube video to ringtone on PC and mobile devices.
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.
