Introduction

Last month, I was trying to save a lecture video from an online course, nothing fancy, just something I could rewatch offline. But Firefox wouldn’t give me a download option. Right-click? Useless. Page info? No luck. I even tried a few random extensions that either broke, spammed me with ads, or wanted a “companion app.”

If that sounds familiar, I’ve got you. I tested 10 Firefox video downloader extensions to find out which ones still work in 2025, including ones for YouTube, streaming sites, and regular embedded videos. Here’s what’s worth installing, and what to avoid.

Read Before: Is It Legal to Download Videos with Firefox Video Downloader? 

Downloading videos through Firefox extensions or third-party tools can be convenient, but it also comes with some copyright concerns. While some tools may technically allow downloads, it doesn’t necessarily make it legal or acceptable for us to do whatever we want, such as sharing with third parties or selling the downloads.

As the author, I do not encourage or endorse the unauthorized distribution or downloading of copyrighted material. The tools mentioned in this article are shared for educational and personal-use purposes only. If you’re downloading videos, especially from paid platforms or creators, please:

  • Check the site’s content usage policy
  • Use downloads for personal, offline viewing only
  • Avoid sharing or redistributing downloaded content without permission

When in doubt, stick to official methods or contact the content owner for guidance.

Top 10 Firefox Video Downloaders in 2025

If you are interested in these useful widgets, I collected related info and data, and then made this timeline showing their development time.

firefox video downloader development timeline

1. Video DownloadHelper

 Firefox Video Downloaders Video DownloadHelper

This was the first video downloader for Firefox I ever tried, and I still keep it installed. Video DownloadHelper has been around forever, and it’s the go-to tool if you want something that works on most sites: news videos, Vimeo, Instagram, even random blogs with embedded players.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Allows conversions between audio-video formats
  • Free & supports thousands of websites
  • Creates a video file by capturing the media directly from the screen
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Need to install the companion app to download in full HD
  • Missing audio or a big QR watermark on the video when not using the app
  • Converting or merging files requires a paid license

2. Video Downloader Professional

Firefox Video Downloaders Video Downloader Professional

If you’re looking for a Firefox video downloader extension that keeps things simple, Video Downloader Professional is an easy pick. I’ve used it on pages where Video DownloadHelper felt too heavy or cluttered.

The interface is clean: click the toolbar icon, and you’ll see all downloadable videos neatly listed by resolution. What’s more, it lets you save videos to a personal list for later, which I found helpful when I was collecting clips for a presentation and didn’t want to download them all at once.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Convert video to any file format you want
  • Supports video quality 720p/1080p resolution
  • Able to download 3D videos
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Struggle with encrypted or segmented streams
  • YouTube support is hit or miss
  • Hasn’t received major updates in a while

3. SaveFrom.net Helper

When I just want to download a YouTube video without jumping through hoops, SaveFrom.net Helper is usually my shortcut. It adds a clean “Download” button right under YouTube videos — no new tab, no right-click tricks, just click and save.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Fast and totally free
  • No companion app
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Only grabs up to 720p with audio
  • Not on Mozilla Add-ons anymore due to policy conflicts

4. Download Video & Flash

Download Video & Flash firefox video downloader

Not everything is on YouTube. I often run into training videos or product demos on obscure sites, and that’s where Download Video and Flash really shines. It’s one of those extensions that quietly sits in your Firefox toolbar and lights up whenever it detects downloadable media on the page.

During my tests, it worked on niche sites, self-hosted players, and even pulled down a few 4K streams from a business site I use for webinars. It also supports older formats like Flash (yes, they still exist in corners of the internet).

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Detects media & image sources
  • Offers both built-in & external download managers, including IDM or GNU Wget
  • Supports multiple video formats & HD-quality videos up to 4k resolution
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Sometimes misses encrypted or segmented streams
  • Doesn’t support YouTube very reliably
  • No features like format conversion or MP3 export

5. Free Download Manager

top 10 firefox video downloader: free download manager

Free Download Manager can be considered when you want to save some naughty stuff for your offline watch for free. This video downloader Firefox extension is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS. It lets you save multiple videos in one go with a batch downloading option.

If you regularly download large videos, full playlists, or streaming content, the Free Download Manager (FDM) Extension might be your ideal setup. I used it during a week-long course where I had to grab 20+ lecture videos, and it handled the job better than any browser-only tool. Besides, it could be one of the best Firefox OnlyFans video downloaders.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Supports batch downloads, pauses/resumes, bandwidth limits, and torrents
  • Compatible with different types of proxy servers
  • Offers a convenient Snail Mode for slow downloading
  • Supports video conversions
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Not suitable for beginners
  • Need to install external software
  • Bugs appear sometimes during the downloading process

6. Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express

top 10 firefox video downloader: Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express

If your main goal is downloading from YouTube, and you don’t want to deal with popups or QR codes, this extension is a gem. I’ve used Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express for years, and honestly, it just works. It drops a neat “Download As” button right under the YouTube player, and you can choose MP4 or MP3 in different resolutions. As a functional YouTube video downloader extension for Firefox and Chrome in 2025, I can't be more picky to it.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Output MP4 or MP3 format files
  • Selectable resolution from 480p to 1080p
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • 1080p and MP3 downloads require a donation-based "Pro" upgrade
  • limited to 360p or 720p without the "Pro" upgrade
  • Doesn't support other sites like Vimeo or Facebook

7. YouTube Downloader (UDL Helper)

top 10 firefox video downloader: YouTube Downloader (UDL Helper)

This one popped up a lot on Reddit when I searched for free Firefox extensions that still work with YouTube in 2025. UDL Helper gets a lot of love because, unlike most, it actually lets you download 1080p YouTube videos for free. You can even extract just the audio.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • No donation, no watermark, no account
  • Supports audio extraction
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Slow processing speed with high CPU cost
  • 4K resolution option requires installing their native “client”

8. HLS Downloader

top 10 firefox video downloader: HLS Downloader

One day, I needed to save a replay of a livestreamed coding session, but none of my usual tools worked. Turns out, the video was delivered using HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), which breaks videos into small chunks (.m3u8 files). That’s where HLS Downloader came in clutch.

This Firefox add-on is built specifically to download streaming video, especially the kind used by platforms like Twitch, news sites, and educational portals. It automatically detects the stream, shows you the resolution options, and stitches everything together into one playable file.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Supports M3U8 video downloads
  • Available for saving livestream replays
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Doesn’t work on YouTube or Netflix

9. Ant Video Downloader

top 10 firefox video downloader: Ant Video Downloader

I remember using Ant Video Downloader back in the day when Firefox add-ons were simpler. Surprisingly, it still works, kind of. It installs a toolbar button that shows up when a video is detected, and with a click, you can download the file.

I tested it recently out of curiosity, and it managed to grab a few Facebook and Dailymotion videos with no issues. There’s also a companion app that helps handle higher-quality downloads, like 1080p, and merges audio/video streams.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Able to grab Facebook and Dailymotion videos
  • Supports 1080p output
  • Merges audio/video streams
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Hasn't been updated in years
  • Not even detect anything on newer sites
  • Bugs or random crashes

10. YouTube Video Downloader HD, 4K & Multi-Format

top 10 firefox video downloader: YouTube Video Downloader HD

YouTube Video Downloader HD, 4K & Multi‑Format may have a mouthful of a name, but using it is super simple. I found it when I wanted to download a few 4K music videos without installing any sketchy software. Once it’s installed, it quietly adds a download button to YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and even TikTok. You can save in multiple formats, including MP4 and MP3.

WHAT WE LIKE
  • Output compatible MP4/MP3 files
  • Easy to use
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
  • Sometimes the download button just doesn’t show up
  • Doesn’t support playlists or batch downloads
  • Not detect region-locked or age-restricted videos

Alternative Solution: Use a Desktop Video Downloader

After testing all these Firefox extensions, I realized something: browser-based tools are great until they’re not. Some breaks with site updates. Others choke on playlists, split video/audio files, or streaming protocols. And many can’t handle Netflix, Amazon Prime, or region-locked content at all.

That’s when I started using desktop software for the heavy lifting. I tried a few, but the one that’s stuck with me lately is StreamFab, which works outside the browser entirely. It supports over 1,000 websites (including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, and even OnlyFans), downloads full-resolution files, and saves them directly to MP4.

better alternative to firefox video downloaders: streamfab

Limitless video downloading experiences on 50+ OTT sites & 1000+ video sites, with 8K UHD resolution output and VR video downloads on YouTube.

It’s not a Firefox extension; it runs independently, but it solved all the “this site doesn’t work with my add-on” issues I kept running into. Unlike many tools, it supports full subtitle downloads, metadata tagging, and even background batch downloads.

Of course, using something like StreamFab means installing extra software. But if you’re tired of extensions randomly failing or being blocked, having a standalone tool is a practical backup, especially if video downloads are part of your daily workflow.

Features I experienced with it
  • Get ad-free downloads from any streaming station like social media, OTT platforms, etc.
  • It detects the video inside the software using built-in browsing options
  • HD quality video is available in 8K/4K/1080p/720p resolution
  • Explore stereo Dolby Atmos/EAC3 5.1/AAC 2.0 audio quality
  • Transfer downloads to any device with MP4/MKV format files
  • Enjoy subtitles of the video in your comfortable language.
  • Save upcoming videos automatically refering to a user-customized schedule
  • Get multiple videos simultaneously with batch downloading
  • Save metadata to organize offline libraries in media mangers like Plex.
Step 1

Download the video downloader

Install the software on your device and open the interface. After starting the StreamFab software on your system, you must move the search option to the top.

step 1 to use streamfab, the firefox video downloader alternative

Step 2

Choose the streaming service

Tap the VIP Services or the YouTube icon on the left channel to find the streaming website you want. You can also copy and paste your video URL directly into the address bar on the Homepage.

step 2 to use streamfab, the firefox video downloader alternative

Step 3

Customize the file

The built-in browser of this tool will detect the video and show it to the screen in its search result. Once you see the video, play it. After that, a window will open on the screen, and you need to customize the output profile with quality, format, subtitles, etc.

step 3 to use streamfab, the firefox video downloader alternative

Step 4

Click the download button

Then, select the "Download Now" option to proceed the offline saving process. Or you can "Add to Queue" to download the videos in later spare time.

step 4 to use streamfab, the firefox video downloader alternative

Firefox Video Downloaders vs. StreamFab: Overall Comparison

After spending three long months putting Firefox’s video downloaders and StreamFab through their paces, I finally figured out what really sets them apart. Trust me, if you’re stuck deciding which one’s right for you, this comparison sheet will clear things up fast.

Features Firefox Video Downloaders StreamFab Video Downloader
Supported Platforms Browser-only (YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc.) 50+ OTT & 1000+ video sites
Max Resolution 4K/1080p/720p 8K/4K/1080p
Batch Download ❌(Rare)
Audio Extraction
Ad-Free Interface & Output ❌(Rare)
Subtitles & Metadata Download ❌(Rare)
Regular Updates ❌Unstable ✅Commonly twice a week

FAQs

1. Is it legal to download videos using Firefox extensions?

Downloading for personal offline use is generally tolerated, but distributing or selling copyrighted content may violate terms of service on platforms like YouTube or Netflix. Always use responsibly.

2. Why does my Firefox video downloader need a companion app?

For higher-quality videos (especially from YouTube), extensions need a separate app to merge video and audio streams. This is due to browser restrictions on handling complex video formats.

3. What if Firefox extensions stop working? Is there a backup solution?

Yes. Tools like StreamFab work outside the browser and support 1000+ sites, including streaming platforms. They’re ideal when add-ons fail or are blocked.

Final Thoughts: Find What Fits Your Flow

At the end of the day, I would say, no one tool works for everyone. If you just need quick YouTube downloads, a simple Firefox extension might be all you need. But if you're hitting limits, such as missing buttons, blocked sites, low quality, and encrypted format, etc., a desktop tool like StreamFab Video Downloader can fill in the gaps.

I use both: extensions for everyday tasks and StreamFab for more demanding work, especially challenging downloads. Remember, whether it’s you or me, test a few options, keep what works best, and always download responsibly.