A free YouTube downloader is a tool, such as a desktop app, command-line utility, or browser-based service that saves YouTube videos as files (MP4, MKV, MP3, M4A, OGG, etc.) on your device for offline playback. Unlike YouTube Premium's offline mode, a downloader gives you files you own, in the quality you choose, on any device.
Best Free YouTube Downloaders in 2026: Quick Comparison
| Tool | Max Resolution | Platform | Playlist & Channels Support | Command-Line Interface Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4K Video Downloader Plus | 8K UHD | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | ✔ | ✖ |
| yt-dlp | 8K UHD + HDR | Windows, macOS, Linux | ✔ | ✔ |
| SnapDownloader | 8K | Windows, macOS | ✔ | ✖ |
| Y2Mate | 4K | Browser (no install) | ✖ | ✖ |
| Freemake Video Downloader | 1080p | Windows & Mac | ✔ | ✖ |
4K Video Downloader Plus: Best Free Option for Most Users
4K Video Downloader Plus is the flagship app from 4K Download, updated to version 26.1.2.0359 as of May 21, 2026. It is the most reliable free desktop YouTube downloader for everyday users who want a clean interface without learning command-line tools.
4K Video Downloader Plus offers a permanent free plan with no trial period and no credit card entry. The app supports downloads up to 8K UHD resolution, subtitle downloading in SRT format, audio extraction to MP3, M4A, or OGG, and content download in batches (channels, playlists, videos from search results, and auto-subscription to the content you love).
What 4K Video Downloader Plus does:
- Downloads individual videos, full playlists, and entire YouTube channels
- Supports 720p, 1080p, 4K UHD, and 8K UHD where available
- Extracts audio at user-adjustable bitrates to MP3, M4A, or OGG
- Saves subtitles in SRT format in a separate file and embedded in a video
- Runs on Windows 11+, macOS 12+, and Ubuntu 22.04 64-bit (GNOME) or newer
- Smart Mode quality and format presets
- Supports YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, Facebook, Vimeo, SoundCloud, Dailymotion, Rumble, YouTube Gaming, Bilibili, and other sites
- Downloads YouTube audio in HQ
- Downloads YouTube audio tracks in various languages
As of 2026, 4K Video Downloader Plus added AI processing tools which let users create karaoke tracks right in the app, remove background noise and echo from videos. Improved resilience to YouTube's changing structure and control over subscription update frequency to reduce rate-limiting risk were also added in the recent major release.
Free vs. paid: Paid plans (one-time purchase) remove the daily download cap, unlock up to 7 simultaneous downloads, and add private video support. AI-processing features are only available to the Pro tier users. The Pro plan also unlocks the ability to auto-subscribe to YouTube channels and playlists right in the application and have new content automatically downloaded as it's uploaded on YouTube.
yt-dlp: Best Free Option for Power Users
yt-dlp is a free, open-source command-line tool — the most actively maintained YouTube downloader available in 2026. It is a fork of the now-discontinued youtube-dl project, updated continuously with the latest release on May 24, 2026.
yt-dlp is completely free with no download limits and no ads. It supports 4K and 8K downloads with HDR via FFmpeg merging, batch downloads for entire playlists and channels, SponsorBlock integration to skip sponsor segments, and automatic retry on failed downloads. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What yt-dlp does:
- Downloads in any available quality, including 8K and HDR, with no daily cap
- Handles playlists, channels, and batch URLs in a single command
- Extracts audio to MP3 and other formats via FFmpeg
- Embeds metadata, thumbnails, and subtitles automatically
- SponsorBlock API integration to mark or remove sponsor sections
- Self-updates with
yt-dlp -U
The main limitation: yt-dlp requires comfort with the command line. There is no graphical interface in the core project, though third-party GUIs exist (such as yt-dlp.app) for users who prefer a visual interface. In head-to-head reliability testing (February–May 2026), yt-dlp achieved a 98.2% success rate across 247 download attempts.
SnapDownloader: Best Paid Option for Reliability-First Users
SnapDownloader is a paid desktop video downloader for Windows and macOS that supports over 1,100 websites, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo, and X.
According to an independent review on bestvideodownloader.net, in 90-day testing conducted February–May 2026, SnapDownloader completed 244 of 247 download attempts, which is a 98.8% success rate, compared to 98.2% for yt-dlp. The difference is marginal, but SnapDownloader remained stable through all three YouTube algorithm updates during the test period when some free tools broke temporarily.
What SnapDownloader does:
- Claims to download videos up to 8K resolution from 1,100+ websites
- Batch downloads of playlists and channels
- Built-in video trimming and format conversion — no separate tool needed
- Download scheduler for off-peak hours
- No ads anywhere in the interface
- Runs on Windows and macOS (no Linux support)
SnapDownloader offers a 48-hour free trial with all features unlocked unlike most competitors that restrict trial functionality. After the trial, a paid license is required. There is no permanent free plan.
Y2Mate: Best Browser-Based Option with No Install
Y2Mate is a free browser-based YouTube downloader that requires no software installation and works on any device, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, through a standard web browser. It is one of the most widely used online YouTube download tools, serving millions of daily users. No registration is required.
Y2Mate supports video downloads in MP4 up to 4K (2160p) and audio downloads in MP3 from 64kbps to 320kbps. The process is simple: paste the YouTube URL, select format and quality, click Download. The file saves to the browser's default downloads folder.
What Y2Mate does:
- Downloads YouTube videos in 360p, 720p, 1080p, and up to 4K
- Converts to MP3 at bitrates from 64kbps to 320kbps
- No software installation or account required
- Works on all major browsers and operating systems
- Supports YouTube Shorts and standard videos
Y2Mate's main limitations: it does not support playlist or channel downloads, and the service is ad-supported, meaning the download process involves navigating ads. Quality is capped at 4K — unlike desktop tools that can reach 8K. The original Y2Mate domain was also previously seized by IFPI; users should verify they are accessing an active official mirror.
Freemake Video Downloader: Windows-Only Freemium Tool
Freemake Video Downloader is a Windows-only desktop application that has been available for years as a beginner-friendly tool with a drag-and-drop interface. It supports over 500 websites including YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and Dailymotion, and integrates with Google Drive and Dropbox for saving downloads directly to cloud storage.
The free version imposes significant restrictions: videos over three minutes are cut off, and all downloads carry a visible Freemake watermark on the opening and closing frames. Removing these restrictions requires purchasing the Mega Pack, priced at $59.95. Additionally, independent testing in 2026 found Freemake to be the least reliable of the tools in this list — the app showed frequent parsing errors and displayed "we are already working to fix it" warnings during YouTube compatibility issues.
What Freemake Video Downloader does:
- Downloads videos from YouTube and 500+ other sites on Windows
- Supports MP4, WebM, 3GP, and FLV output formats
- Downloads YouTube playlists (paid version)
- Saves subtitles from YouTube as SRT files
- Direct cloud save to Google Drive and Dropbox
- Windows and macOS only — no Linux support
How to Choose the Right Free YouTube Downloader
Casual user downloading a few videos per week?
Use 4K Video Downloader Plus (free tier). The easiest path for a new user is: Paste a URL, choose quality, and click download.
Need to download entire channels or hundreds of videos?
Use 4K Video Downloader Plus. On paid plans, it has no limits, no ads, and handles batch processing better than any other tool. It doesn't require any complex setup or tech knowledge.
Need something browser-based with no install?
Y2Mate works for quick individual downloads at up to 4K with no setup. Ad-supported; not suitable for playlists.
Need maximum reliability and don't mind paying?
4K Video Downloader Plus is the most reliable tested option with built-in browser, AI editing tools, and a forever-free plan.
How to Download a YouTube Video with 4K Video Downloader Plus
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Download 4K Video Downloader Plus Get it from 4kdownload.com. Forever-free plan is available, so no credit card required or subscription is required at this point. Compatible with Windows 11+, macOS 12+, and Ubuntu 22.04 64-bit (GNOME only or newer).
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Open the YouTube video in your browser Navigate to the video you want to save and copy the full URL from the address bar.
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Click "Paste Link" in 4K Video Downloader Plus The app parses the video automatically and shows available quality options.
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Select your resolution Choose 720p, 1080p, 4K, or 8K where available. For playlists or channels, paste the playlist/channel URL: the app shows all available videos and lets you select which to download.
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Click Download The video saves to your device as an MP4 or MKV file with audio correctly merged. If it's audio, the content can be downloaded in M4A, OGG, and MP3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4K Video Downloader Plus actually free?
Yes. The free plan is permanent, requires no credit card, and has no trial expiration.
What happened to the original 4K Video Downloader?
The original 4K Video Downloader was officially discontinued on February 1, 2026. Its replacement is 4K Video Downloader Plus. Existing licenses for the original version do not transfer automatically to Plus, but Plus has its own free plan that anyone can use without purchasing.
Can yt-dlp download 4K and 8K videos for free?
Yes. yt-dlp downloads in any quality available on YouTube, including 8K and HDR, with no limits and no cost. It requires FFmpeg for merging the video and audio streams at high resolutions — place ffmpeg.exe next to yt-dlp.exe on Windows, or install it via Homebrew on macOS.
Which free YouTube downloader works on Mac?
Both 4K Video Downloader Plus (requires macOS 12 or newer) and yt-dlp support macOS. 4K Video Downloader Plus is the easier choice for Mac users who want a graphical interface. SnapDownloader also supports macOS but requires a paid license after a 48-hour trial.
Are browser-based downloaders like Y2Mate safe?
Browser-based tools vary widely in safety. Y2Mate and similar services are widely used but ad-supported, which can expose users to intrusive ads. The original Y2Mate domain was previously seized by IFPI; users should verify they are on an active mirror. For a safer experience with no ads, desktop tools like 4K Video Downloader Plus are recommended.
The best free YouTube downloader in 2026 depends on how you work. For most users, 4K Video Downloader Plus is the clear choice: free to start, up to 8K, playlists and channels downloads, Windows/macOS/Ubuntu, no technical setup required. Y2Mate handles quick browser-based grabs at no cost. Both 4K Video Downloader Plus and yt-dlp are actively maintained and kept current with YouTube's evolving structure, which makes them the safest long-term bets.
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