With the consumption of video on digital devices on the rise as the number of streaming services rocket each year, gone are the days when watching movies and television from the comfort of a couch via cable TV was a norm. But if you are on the go or suffering from a spotty internet connection where streaming video could lead to choppy video playback, downloading videos on your Mac to watch offline would make for a more enjoyable experience. Thus in this post, we compiled the 10 best free video downloaders for Mac featuring the most up-to-date video downloading capability. Read through to see what we have on the menu!
1. VideoProc Converter AI
Compatibility: Mac, Windows.
Pricing: Free
Designed as a dedicated free video downloader for Mac, VideoProc Converter AI boasts support for media downloads of any sort. Its built-in downloader feature is free to use.
The free version gives you everything you need to get started. It allows you to download video on Mac from 10 sites including YouTube, Instagram, etc. With the batch download option, you can effortlessly save the entire playlists with no concurrent download limits. The best part? This downloader allows you to save audio and videos in their original resolution, whether it’s 1080p or 4K.
For those who want more, the paid version unlocks some really useful extras. For example, you can use the AI features to upscale the downloads to up to 4K resolution without quality loss, if the saved video isn’t clear enough. In addition, it also includes editing features to trim, crop, and convert videos to multiple formats, making it perfect for users looking for a comprehensive solution. If you don’t need the entire video file, it can save just the audio track of that file. Or, if you want to convert all videos to MP4 format, you can set it to do the conversion automatically.
Pros:
- Support 8K, 4K, and 1080p video downloading in their original resolutions
- Stable, fast and batch download videos easily
- No limits to simultaneous downloads
- Downloads playlists, channels, and subtitles
- Video toolkit built-in: AI enhancements, convert to 420 formats, extract audio, rip DVDs
Cons:
- I haven’t noticed any drawbacks using the free video downloader for Mac yet.
2. 4K Video Downloader Plus
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux, Android.
Pricing: Free; US$15 for the licensed version (one-time fee for multiple devices); US$25
As the lightweight yet full-featured Mac free video downloader, 4K Video Downloader Plus enables you to download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, TikTok, SoundCloud, Facebook, and more. The Mac free video downloader excels in both speed and performance, preparing your videos with only a few seconds.
While easily downloading videos in any resolution (anything from 720p HD to 8K UHD) is the key feature, 4K Video Downloader Plus offers a number of features to make itself a unique app worth having on your Mac.
It has a built-in browser – which makes it easier than ever to find your favorite videos to download. On top of that, if you’re logged in, you can access protected content. Typically, you’re unable to download private YouTube videos on your Mac, but with 4K Video Downloader Plus, so long as you’re authorized – you have that ability.
There’s also a feature called smart mode, which speeds up future downloads by saving your preferred preferences that are best for your device. 4K Video Downloader Plus also offers a built in proxy, so you can access YouTube on networks where it might be blocked.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier, there’s a feature to subscribe to a playlist or channel and auto download future videos. This means 4K Video Downloader Plus will work in the background for you, and you can easily have the files for your favorite video creator or series right after it gets uploaded.
All in all, 4K Video Downloader Plus is an incredibly nifty tool for heavy video consumers. Between the ability to easily download videos, audio tracks, and playlists from any resolution from 720p to 8K, it’s a worthwhile app to check out on your Mac.
With the free version, you can download 10-15 videos per day, which is still rather generous. For unlimited downloads, paid plans start at $15/year. For multiple devices, you can pay $25 for a lifetime version, and if you need commercial usage you can purchase a lifetime license for $45.
Pros:
- Simple UI adds to a clutter-free downloading experience.
- Smart download mode to auto-apply specific settings to all future downloads on Mac.
- Allow for 3D videos and 360°/virtual reality videos download.
- Strong ability to handle all common formats including MP4, FLV, MKV, 3GP, MP3, M4A, OGG, etc.
- Customization feature to adjust video format, resolution, duration, and more.
Cons: With the free version, you can download a maximum of 15 videos per day.
3. MacX YouTube Downloader
Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher
Price: Free
Running as a straightforward and capable video downloader for Mac, MacX YouTube Downloader enables you to quickly download videos from 1000 websites including YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Instagram, Dailymotion, and more. With a single click of the mouse, these videos can be downloaded and saved in formats such as MP4 or WebM in the best available quality up to 8K resolution. The batch downloading option allows you to download multiple videos simultaneously and features a simple user interface so you need only paste a video URL, select your preferred quality and format, and let the program handle the rest.
MacX YouTube Downloader stands out for its straightforward approach—no complicated settings, no annoying ads, and no unnecessary bloat. It’s designed to do one thing and do it well: download videos fast and reliably from a massive range of websites. Whether you’re downloading a single video or batch downloading an entire playlist, this free downloader delivers consistent performance.
Pros:
- Download from 1000 websites including YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Instagram, and Dailymotion
- Support for 8K, 4K, and 1080p video downloads without quality loss
- Batch downloading capability for downloading multiple videos simultaneously
- Simple, clean interface with no annoying ads
- Download and save subtitles from videos
- Preview videos before downloading
- Fast download speeds with support for multiple simultaneous downloads
Cons:
- No built-in video conversion after download
- Limited to downloading only; lacks editing features
- No GPU/hardware acceleration for faster downloads
4. YTD Video Downloader for Mac
Compatibility: Mac.
Price: Free; Pro version available for unlimited downloads
YTD Video Downloader for Mac constitutes a fast and functional tool for downloading streaming videos. Including a neat interface with straightforward functionality, the Mac free video downloader offers all of the options that one would expect for video downloading and some additional ones for video conversion.
The free version allows downloading videos from all major streaming sites with some limitations—the free edition supports a daily download limit of a few videos, making it ideal for casual users. For those who need unlimited downloads and advanced features, the paid Pro version removes these restrictions and offers batch downloading capabilities.
Pros:
- Download, convert and play videos from all major streaming sites.
- You are allowed to pause, resume, or cancel downloads anytime you want.
- Batch download is available in the Pro version.
Cons:
- Free version has daily download limits (typically 3-10 videos per day)
- Downloading speed is quite sluggish, notably when downloading videos in bulk.
- Pro version required for unlimited downloads and batch features
5. iFunia YouTube Downloader
Compatibility: Mac
Price: Free trial available; US$42.99 for 1 Mac lifetime license
Providing the one-stop solution to download videos and playlists for offline use, iFunia YouTube Downloader is one of the best video downloaders for Mac users to save videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and 1000 other websites. Incorporating a cutting-edge downloading engine into its design, the program enables you to batch download online videos in such qualities as 1080P, 2K, 4K, and 8K, and convert them to the formats you desire.
iFunia offers a free trial that allows you to test the software before committing to a purchase. The full version includes lifetime support and access to all features without recurring subscription fees.
Pros:
- Download high-resolution videos and playlists from more than 1000 websites
- Built-in preview and playback of different media files in 1080p quality and support for 3D videos
- Convert videos to desired formats like MKV, MOV, WMV, MP4, etc.
- Batch download capability for downloading multiple videos at once
Cons:
- Requires paid license for full functionality beyond trial period
- Occasional crashes reported during video downloading process
6. ClipGrab
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux.
Price: Free
ClipGrab, another free video downloader for Mac, allows you to download streaming videos from various websites and convert them to key formats along the process. Besides, the search feature that is overlooked by most of its peers provides such a quick and easy way to find a video you wish to download, saving you from the hassle of manually switching to another browser time and again. The whole user experience is quite approachable as the program can quickly analyze the links you add, making the downloading work straightforward.
Pros:
- Support a handful of video websites including YouTube, Dailymotion, Vimeo, and Facebook.
- Download videos in high/standard/low definition based on your liking.
- Integrated search feature and conversion option help to streamline the workflow.
- Beautifully designed graphical user interface.
Cons:
- The search tools return limited results each query.
- The installation package might bundle adware with it.
7. GetTube for Mac
Compatibility: macOS 10.7 or later
Price: Free
Functioning as another Mac free video downloader, GetTube enables you to store any video hosted on popular video platforms to your Mac device in any quality from 144p to 4K so that you can enjoy your choice videos without draining your data plan. As a standalone app, it works well with Safari and Firefox. Once installed, you can see a download button in the browser while surfing on YouTube, and when you find a video you wish to download, simply click on the video and choose the format you want to work with, and the downloading process will start.
Pros:
- The lightweight macOS video downloader to save videos in high quality.
- Direct connection to YouTube and downloading without using a web browser.
Cons:
- Limited output formats to choose from.
8. PasteDownload
Compatibility: Web tool
Price: Free
As one of the most reliable and safe online services built to help Mac users free download videos or music easily, PasteDownload allows download from over 500 video sharing platforms by simply pasting the URL of the video without installing any application.
Pros:
- Resumable download support; simple and safe-to-use.
- Website is regularly updated.
- Download video in quality ranging from low quality up to 1080p Full HD.
Cons:
- Downloading speed can be sluggish with a low internet connection
9. QDownloader
Compatibility: Web tool
Price: Free
QDownloader is a free online video downloader for Mac users to save videos from a range of websites including YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and Instagram within simple clicks. The conversion engine incorporated helps convert video from websites to MP4, MP3, and other formats on Mac or PC. In addition, it comes with browser extension version that can be applied in Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome. The platform is completely free and safe to use.
Pros:
- Download video in HD, 720p, SD, and many other available resolutions.
- Unlimited downloads without any restrictions.
- Free and safe to use without registering for an account.
- Fast downloads and conversions with no rate limits
Cons:
- Annoying pop-up ads.
- Audio quality limited to standard bitrates
10. Keepvid
Compatibility: Web tool
Price: Free
As one of the best free online video downloaders for Mac, Keepvid allows you to download videos of any sort from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more. On top of that, it also enables you to convert videos to MP3 and save them as your new ringtone.
Pros:
- Fast in video download and service.
- Keep subtitles in various languages
Cons:
- No batch download support.
- Downloading speed can be slow sometimes, and crashes are frequently found.
See also: 4K YouTube to MP3 Review: Best app to download YouTube videos in MP3 on Mac
