Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
We love YouTube downloaders because they make it so easy to grab and save video from YouTube's inexhaustible, ever-expanding supply. Whatever you like, if it's on video, it's probably on YouTube in one form or another. HOW's Free YouTube Downloader is one of the easiest tools for that job we've found. It not only downloads videos from YouTube but also converts them and files from your hard drive into formats you can play on your iPad, iPhone, and similar devices. It offers several quality levels, including HD quality, and plays your converted file when the job is done, if you want it to.
Convert YouTube videos to multiple formats
Ads pay the bills for freeware, and though Free YouTube Downloader contains no adware, we had to click through several screens to get to the actual program's download. It's worth the effort, though, since Free YouTube Downloader's easy settings and minimal user interface (think media player) let you quickly configure downloads and keep an eye on them in a corner of the screen while you do other things. We browsed to a YouTube page and copied and pasted its URL into Free YouTube Downloader's entry field (you can also browse to and add your own files). We selected Windows Media Video from an extensive drop-down list of Output Format options. We also selected the highest output quality, Full High Definition (1080p). We clicked Settings, too; these let us set always-on-top, a default output folder, simultaneous download and conversion, and language options. The browser-based Help file uses screenshots to make each step clear.
Once we'd made our selections, we pressed Download. Free YouTube Downloader began downloading and converting our video almost instantaneously (your connection will affect the speed) and finished by asking if we wanted to view our video. The video opened and played normally in our default media player. After that, we started downloading and saving videos we wanted to watch later. We like the way Free YouTube Downloader lets you choose a device-specific format for conversions, too. Don't forget to watch some of those videos you'll be saving with Free YouTube Downloader!
Publisher's Description
From HOW:
Would you like to watch your favorite videos from YouTube whenever and wherever you please? All this and more is possible with Free YouTube Downloader. With this download manager you can save YouTube videos as AVI, MPEG, DIVX, MP3, MP4. PSP, MOV, FLV, and more formats. We support standard quality, high quality and even Full High Definition video.
What's new in this version: Version 3.3.115 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 895 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 50 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Good ethics won't allow me to use the words I'd like..."
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
None at all.
Cons
The file won't open, AND I can't delete it from my hard-drive.
Summary
I'm aggravated with it.
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"simple enough and very good"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
very good. can download youtube videos. can save it as whatever you like. simple enough.
Cons
I wish there was options to chose HD downlaod from youtube. it's not selectable at the moment as to 720p or 1080p source from you tube. only output.
and I also wish it can download from some other video/web sites as well. -
"Awesome Mac version, OK Windows version"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
Mac allows start of 2nd, 3rd, etc downloads while first is working.
Cons
Windows only allows one at a time.
Summary
Gets the job done!
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"Simple, but stable youtube downloader."
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
Easy, clean, simple, stable tool. Looks nice than other same tools!
Cons
No problems
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"MORE STABLE THAN THE OBSOLETE IDM! THIS IS AWESOME"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
My friend who paid for IDM is crying foul when he tried YouTube Downloader. This blows away most of the competition.
Cons
Have not found yet
Summary
My friend thinks IDM is using the comments section to sell their obsolete product by regularly writing how fantastic their products are. If anyone need proof, just go to IDM and read all those fake praises by their own sales! Better still compare IDM and you too will realize how much better this product really is!!!
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"old version fast, new version slow, wants u to upgrade?"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
new version try's to get u to upgrade
Cons
New version is ten times slower and try's to get you to upgrade to get the normal download times back
Summary
not happy
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"love this downloader! It works!"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
This is a small but efficient program. I love it.
Cons
I have no complaints so far.
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"Installs spyware/adware"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
worked OK before I updated it.
Cons
Immediately after updating to version 3.4, my computer was inundated with adware. It changed my default settings on my browsers. I have uninstalled, but I'm still not sure it is really gone.
Summary
Norton 360 did not detect the risk. Don't download this program.
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"Reliable, hassle free."
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
Automatic conversion saves time and trouble.
Cons
There is no queue for multiple downloads.
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"Easy to use and works great"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.3.115
Pros
I like the ease of use
Cons
Haven't found any yet
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