Top 7 Firefox Video Downloaders: Save Video Easily in 2025
Summary: Due to strict policies on video download extensions on Chrome, many of us turned to Firefox instead. Then, what Firefox video downloaders can we expect? Which are the best picks? This latest collection includes just what you want.
Last month, I needed to save a long training video from a browser-based course so I could rewatch it on a flight. I tried all the obvious tricks in Firefox, right-click → Save video as, digging through Page Info, and even checking the Network panel. Nothing.
Then I went down the rabbit hole of Firefox video downloader extensions. Some of them worked only on random sites, some needed a mysterious companion co-app, and a few simply stopped working after an update. If any of that sounds familiar, and you have the same question in the pic, this guide is for you.
Is It Legal to Use Firefox Video Downloader?
Downloading videos using extensions or external tools is convenient, but it doesn’t automatically make everything legal or risk-free. Most streaming services and content platforms include copyright clauses in their terms: they typically allow you to watch content on their site or apps, not to redistribute the files elsewhere.
To keep things on the safe side, I recommend:
- Use downloads only for personal offline viewing.
- Only save video content for which you have valid viewing/access rights.
- Check each site’s terms (YouTube, Twitch, OTT services, etc.) before downloading.
- Be extra careful with content that’s clearly behind a paywall or subscription.
Also, remember that services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and others use advanced streaming techniques, which makes the Firefox browser addons hard to adapt to their compatibility.
How I Tested These Firefox Video Downloaders
Regarding the videos for testing, my rule is that if YouTube videos can be downloaded, I will use the same 8K UHD HDR video for comparison. For those who do not support YouTube, I will uniformly compare them based on the download performance of a 4K video on Vimeo.
|
Time frame & versions |
|
|---|---|
|
Network & hardware |
|
|
Test content types |
|
|
What I checked for each add-on |
|
The goal wasn’t to crown a single “winner”, but to map out which extension fits which type of user and highlight where browser add-ons start to break down.
Top 7 Firefox Video Downloaders in 2025
Before diving into detailed reviews, here’s a quick snapshot of what these 7 Firefox video downloaders are best at based on my tests and public info from Mozilla Add-ons and trusted software sites:
| Firefox Add-on | Typical Max Quality (with audio) | YouTube Support | Needs Companion App / Native Client? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Video DownloadHelper |
Up to 1080p+ (with app) |
✓ |
✓ (HD / merging) |
All-round multi-site downloading |
|
Video Downloader Professional |
Up to 4K on some sites |
✕ |
✕ |
Clean UI for general embedded videos |
|
SaveFrom.net Helper |
Up to 720p with audio |
✓ (except U.S.) |
✕ |
Super quick “Download” button on YouTube |
|
Download Video & Flash |
Up to 4K on compatible sites |
✕ |
✕ |
Older sites, niche players, legacy formats |
|
Free Download Manager extension |
Depending on the desktop app |
✕ |
✓ |
Power users who already use FDM on desktop |
|
Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express |
Up to 1080p / MP3 (Pro) |
✓ |
✕ |
Simple one-click download |
|
YouTube Video Downloader HD, 4K & Multi-Format |
Up to 4K on supported sites |
✓ |
✕ |
YouTube/Vimeo/TikTok button-style downloads |
Below are short, opinionated reviews of each tool. For every add-on, I’ll include a “Quick verdict” so you know immediately whether it’s worth trying. By the way, I've fully used them, and I see 0 malware tracks. If you are still concerned about whether they're safe, please use them in private windows or Firefox in the sandbox.
1. 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. According to its AMO page, it has well over 1.8 million users and supports a wide range of sites, including YouTube-like platforms, news sites, and even some streaming players.
Based on my experience, its only drawback is that it works inconsistently on YouTube: sometimes you can download, and sometimes there isn’t even a download option.
- Allows conversions between audio-video formats
- Free & supports thousands of websites
- Creates a video file by capturing the media directly from the screen
- Need to install the companion app to download in full HD, M3U8, or MPD
- Missing audio or a big QR watermark on the video when not using the app
- Converting or merging files requires a paid license ($30.5)
2. Video Downloader Professional
Video Downloader Professional is a good middle-ground option if you want something clean and uncomplicated. Once installed, clicking its toolbar icon shows a list of detected videos with their resolutions. You can save items to a personal list and download them later, which is handy if you’re collecting clips for a project.
- Convert video to any file format you want
- Supports video quality 720p/1080p resolution
- Able to download 3D videos
- Struggle with encrypted or segmented streams in m4s
- YouTube support is hit or miss
- Hasn’t received major updates in a year
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.
Unfortunately, if you are in the United States, you won't be able to use it to download YouTube videos unless you use a VPN. I checked the official announcement, and the specific reason given is copyright infringement, so I don't think I need to say more about respecting copyright, right?
- Fast and totally free
- No companion app
- Up to 8K UHD quality
- Not available in the U.S.
- Download audio and video separately
4. Download Video and Flash
Download Video and Flash is one of those extensions you forget about until you land on a weird legacy site. It shines on pages that still rely on older players or custom video implementations. It has the clearest interface, but also the narrowest service coverage. Just like its name says, it performs the best on Flash videos, like those on Newgrounds or Internet Archive, not on YouTube, Vimeo, or X.
- 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
- Sometimes misses encrypted or segmented streams
- Doesn’t support YouTube very reliably
- No features like format conversion or MP3 export
- *Thinking of its specialty in Flash videos, its quality test shouldn't be compared with other Firefox video downloaders in this collection. So, don't be serious about it.
5. Free Download Manager
If you already use Free Download Manager on your PC, its Firefox extension lets you send media links straight into FDM. Then you can use FDM’s full power: batch downloads, bandwidth limits, pause/resume, and torrent support. So, instead of saying it's a Firefox video downloader, it should be called a desktop download manager with a Firefox extension.
Due to better performance on desktop, it can help you save OnlyFans videos on Firefox. Works the same well as on other major video platforms.
- 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
- Not suitable for beginners
- Need to install external software
- Bugs appear sometimes during the downloading process
Although it is known as the strongest competitor to IDM, its poor resource sniffing capability and its limited support for video websites (almost none) make it just a good downloader, but not quite an excellent video downloader. If you can obtain the direct download link of the video, its performance is acceptable.
6. Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express
Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express is exactly what the name implies: a straightforward YouTube downloader integrated directly into the YouTube page UI. It adds a “Download As” button below the player, and you can pick from multiple formats (MP4, MP3, FLV, 3GP) and up to 1080p with its Pro tier. As a functional YouTube video downloader extension for Firefox and Chrome in 2025, I can't be more picky with it. But it works more slowly (or just doesn't work) in the U.S. region.
- Output MP4 or MP3 format files
- Selectable resolution from 480p to 1080p
- 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 Video Downloader HD, 4K & Multi-Format
YouTube Video Downloader HD, 4K & Multi‑Format is not literally an extension, since it shows me an online YouTube video downloader after I click on its extension button. Although it's a bit of a workaround, it can indeed download YouTube videos in up to 4K quality, of course, provided you purchase its Pro version; otherwise, you can only download three 1080p videos per day.
- Output compatible MP4/MP3 files
- Easy to use
- 2K and higher resolutions require a subscription
- Very limited daily download quota, up to 3 downloads total
- Not detect region-locked or age-restricted videos
Alternative Solution: Use a Desktop Video Downloader
Extensions adapt/synchronise to video site updates slowly, and after technical updates on the platform side, these extensions require a relatively long waiting time to complete adaptation. Moreover, you may also have encountered these issues:
- An extension worked yesterday, but fails after a site or browser update.
- Some downloads came out without audio or had strange artefacts.
- Most add-ons couldn’t touch encrypted streaming services (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, etc.).
That’s when I started leaning on desktop software for heavier tasks. Among the tools I tried, the one I kept using was StreamFab Video Downloader, which runs outside the browser entirely and supports:
- 1,000+ sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, and many more
- OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and others (subject to regional and legal constraints)
- Full-resolution downloads up to 8K/4K, with Dolby Atmos/EAC3 5.1/AAC 2.0 audio when available
- Batch downloads with scheduling and automatic next-episode detection
- Subtitle downloads and metadata saving for use in Plex or other media managers
Of course, for quick one-off clips, I still use extensions, since they’re a single click away. But when I want to save a whole season, a long playlist, or high-bitrate 4K movies, I switch to StreamFab for its faster and more stable performance across different sites, and less concern that a browser update will suddenly break my setup.
Again, all the usual legal notes apply: always use such tools for personal offline use only, and respect each service’s terms.
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.
The built-in browser of this tool will detect the video and show it on the screen in its search results. 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.
Then, select the "Download Now" option to proceed with the offline saving process. Or you can "Add to Queue" to download the videos in later spare time.
Overall Comparison: Firefox Video Downloaders vs. StreamFab
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 + HDR, 360° VR |
|
Batch Download |
❌(Rare) |
✅ |
|
Audio Extraction |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Ad-Free Interface & Output |
❌(Rare) |
✅ |
|
Subtitles & Metadata Download |
❌(Rare) |
✅ |
|
Regular Updates |
Unstable |
Commonly twice a week |
FAQs
The act of making backups for personal offline viewing is reasonable. All Firefox extension tools may only be used to save video content that you have viewing rights to during your subscription period. But the principle along the way is, no distribution or reselling of your personal offline copies. That's a dangerous move.
Modern streaming can be weird. Sometimes audio and video arrive as separate files, which is honestly annoying. Or they’re in some format your browser hates. That’s why there’s a companion app. It lets the extension merge everything into one file and even switch formats, like MP4 to MKV or MP3. Occasionally, it helps you grab higher resolutions too, which is a neat bonus.
Hah, that's a good joke. Generally no. Those services use protected streams specifically to prevent easy copying and redistribution. Browsers need dedicated modules just to play the content, and typical extensions are not allowed to save those streams in plain form.
Final Thoughts: Find What Fits Your Flow
No single tool works for everyone. If you just want quick YouTube downloads, a basic Firefox extension is usually 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 the routine stuff, but when things get tricky, like those stubborn downloads, I reach for StreamFab. That's my go-to. Just try a couple, see what suits you, and remember to download things sensibly. That's the way to download videos on Firefox for offline viewing in 2025.
