CNET Editors' review
YouTube Downloader is a popular, free program that enables you to download and convert online videos (legal content, to which you have the rights) for later viewing on your desktop or mobile device. It can convert files to MOV, MP4, 3GP, WMV, AVI, or MP3.
The name "YouTube Downloader" is terribly misleading because the program, in fact, downloads a whole lot more than just YouTube videos. On the developer's site, you can find an extensive list of additional supported sites including Facebook and Vimeo. This wide net of support easily pushes YouTube Downloader to the top of its category.
When you find a video you'd like to download, copy the URL of the video page and open YouTube Downloader. From there, you'll notice that the program automatically pastes the URL into the appropriate field. Choose your desired Download quality (Best Available is a nice option) and your destination folder, then hit Download. Once your download is finished, hit the Play tab to watch. The Convert tab lets you export to a different file format for playing elsewhere, and gives you a convenient mini editor for making minor alterations before your export. You can change video volume (or remove audio altogether) and splice footage by setting specific start and end times.
One thing that disappointed us was the absence of a one-step download-and-convert function in the free version. If you want the one-step convenience, you'll have to upgrade to Pro ($19.90), which also gives you the capability of downloading multiple videos at once. Also, it would've been nice to be able to name files before downloading them, but that's certainly not a deal-breaker.
For online video enthusiasts looking to download non-copyrighted or personally owned videos, YouTube Downloader appears to be a near-perfect tool. Sure it's missing a few minor conveniences, but its simplicity and the fact that it casts such a wide net of support for online video sites make it virtually unbeatable.
Watch the CNET video review of YouTube Downloader:
Publisher's Description
From Biennesoft:
YouTube Downloader allows you to download videos from YouTube, including HD and HQ videos, Facebook, Vevo, and dozens of other video sites and convert them to other video formats. The program is easy to use--just specify the URL for the video you want to download and click the Download button. The program also allows you to convert downloaded videos for iPod, iPhone, PSP, Cell Phone, Windows Media, XVid and MP3, or play video that you have previously downloaded or converted.
The YouTube Downloader interface includes a tabbed format for easy downloading, converting, and playing, and a new Activity tab allows you to keep track of multiple downloads and conversions in real time. The program has the ability to download full playlists as opposed to just one video. YouTube Downloader is available in English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Chinese Simplified, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish and Swedish. A premium version ($19.90) will unlock enhanced features such as faster download times or multiple concurrent downloads.
What's new in this version: Version 3.5 allows users to rename the downloaded/converted files. Vevo download/YouTube playlist download have been fixed. YouTube Downloader is now available in English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Chinese Simplified, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish and Swedish.
More Popular Download Managers downloads
- YouTube Downloader
489,757 downloads
- Internet Download Manager
332,670 downloads
- Free YouTube Downloader
322,720 downloads
- YouTube Downloader Accelerator Pro
42,367 downloads
- Orbit Downloader
33,073 downloads
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All versions:
3.5 starsout of 3,230 votes
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Current version:
3.3 starsout of 23 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"try something else."
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
it was easy to download but slow. very hard to work with was trying to save to my videos so i could burn on blu ray or dvd but could not figure it out very difficult tried for an hour already uninstalled this program.
Cons
it was not what i expected.
Summary
find something else.
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"CNET destroys hard drives !"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
CNET programs have destroyed hard drives on four of my computers !
Cons
CNET programs have destroyed hard drives on four of my computers !
I downloaded this program and my pc would not stop downloading until I shut it down.
So far this program and other programs from cnet has completely destroyed the hard drives on four of my computers.
It does something to the hard drive & causes the pc to download and or upload for no reason. It happens usually when downloading or uploading a webpage or music or video, sometimes it just starts downloading or uploading by itself for no reason.
Cnet will eventually destroy your pc one way or another, sooner rather than later !
BE WARNED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not ever use cnet for programs or downloads !!!!!Summary
CNET programs have destroyed hard drives on four of my computers ! I downloaded this program and my pc would not stop downloading until I shut it down. So far this program and other programs from cnet has completely destroyed the hard drives on four of my computers. It does something to the hard drive & causes the pc to download and or upload for no reason. It happens usually when downloading or uploading a webpage or music or video, sometimes it just starts downloading or uploading by itself for no reason. Cnet will eventually destroy your pc one way or another, sooner rather than later ! BE WARNED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not ever use cnet for programs or downloads !!!!!
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"Very disappointed with the product."
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
None, except for fast MUSIC downloads and NOTHING ELSE, including movies or video downloads.
Cons
The supposed extra sites from which you can download are nearly all porn sites.
I bought the pro yesterday and I today I have found that every youtube link failed to download. 2nd day of use and I'm already wondering how I can get my 19 dollars something cents refunded. If one puts in a URl only to find that it has failed to download, well my money has gone in a SCAM.
Don't go for PRO. Watch youtube because url downloads are going to fail in IE, Firefox, Chrome and any other browser.Summary
Waste of time and money buying pro. It does not download 4 times faster, Links fail to download in IE, BAD BUY.
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"Very Good and Free!"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
Very easy to use. Language and captions. Does everything useful.
Cons
May be more pretty to look at next version.
Summary
I have all the software and tried all.
I believe all the negative comments of spyware and trojans are the work of competitors who are selling same type of software.
I have Symantec, Avg, Avast, Adaware, Mircosoft Essentials and Malwarebytes on different pc's and none could find any problems. -
"Great program but beware the trojan!"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
Easy to use interface and does a great job of downloading YouTube videos.
Cons
Installed a trojan that takes over your browser searches - makes Yahoo! default search.
Summary
Look elsewhere. The trojan is a pain to get off your computer.
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"this is good but very slowly download"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
nice good enough
Cons
thankswell
Summary
marvelous
plese full version youtube downloader
Updated on Jan 29, 2012 -
"Does a great job!"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
Converts all types of file - easy to use!
Cons
Haven't found any yet
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"It was terrible"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
The fact I didn't have to buy it and be disappointed
Cons
see upabove
Summary
not for me thank you
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"BETTER THAN IDM"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
Did not know there are free programs like this which are better than MUST PAY -Internet Download Manager- (mine was last year version).
Cons
Could be more flexible but updates are faster than IDM.
Summary
I know there are rewards for praising IDM but I can't anymore. IDM used to be very good but now these free programs have caught up and darn good.
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"Does everything it's suppose to, FAST!"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
fast download speeds
quality settings with HD
convert videos to other formats
easy interface
small fileCons
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Summary
Best YouTube downloader thus far 1/26/11
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