If your Internet Service Provider imposes a limit on your monthly data usage, streaming videos can become costly. A viable solution is to download videos from the internet for offline viewing, enabling you to watch them repeatedly without consuming additional data. There are several tools available for downloading videos offline that can assist you in accomplishing this task.
Here are several excellent tools for capturing and downloading videos for offline viewing.
1. Video DownloadHelper
Available on: Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Lynda, Twitter, Udemy, and hundreds of other sites.
Video DownloadHelper is undoubtedly one of the most beneficial browser extensions for downloading streaming videos that you will ever install. The only drawback (to some extent) is that it requires installation on your browser; if you already have multiple extensions, the last thing you want is another one that could slow down Chrome even further. However, if you frequently download numerous videos each day, Video DownloadHelper is certainly worth considering.
The extension places a button adjacent to your browser's address bar. Whenever you encounter an online video, simply click the button to download any video present on the current page. Utilize the pop-up box to select the location for saving it on your computer. Please be aware that the Chrome version of the extension does not support downloading YouTube videos. If that is your intention, please opt for the Firefox version.
2. 4K Video Downloader+
Available on: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Flickr, Dailymotion, and several other sites.
4K Video Downloader+ is the simplest tool for capturing videos from websites. We recommend it if you seek a hassle-free solution that demands minimal effort from you. It operates swiftly and does not limit your download speed, plus it is easy to understand and use.
Simply copy the URL of an online video and paste it into 4K Video Downloader+. You can also paste links to YouTube playlists or channels to download all available videos (4K Video Downloader+ is among our top recommendations for downloading YouTube playlists).
Moreover, you can subscribe to YouTube channels and automatically download new videos as they become available. Additionally, you can download annotations and subtitles from YouTube videos.
Video downloads are offered in 8K, 4K, 1080p, 720p, or lower (provided the source video was uploaded at that resolution, of course). Furthermore, you can download videos in MP4 or MKV formats. Alternatively, you can choose to download only the audio in MP3, OGG, or M4A formats.
Please note that 4K Video Downloader+ is a paid application, so you will need to purchase it to access additional features.
3. Freemake Video Downloader
Available on: Windows, Mac
Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Liveleak, Veoh, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and numerous other platforms.
Freemake Video Downloader is among the most widely used online video downloading applications for any website. It is user-friendly and offers a fair degree of flexibility regarding quality and format choices. Nevertheless, a significant limitation is that downloads are restricted to a maximum resolution of 4K. Furthermore, without subscribing to one of the application's premium plans, users are unable to download videos exceeding 720p.
In spite of these limitations, videos can be downloaded in several formats, such as AVI, 3GP, FLV, MKV, MP4, and WMV. If you are interested solely in the audio, videos can also be saved in MP3 format. The process itself is straightforward, requiring only the URL of the video—simply copy and paste it in.
4. JDownloader
Available on: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Supported sites: Almost any website that features streaming video.
JDownloader serves as a stream downloader, but with a unique approach. You simply take the URL of any webpage containing a video, paste it into the application, and it will analyze the page for all detectable videos. You can choose which of the identified videos you wish to download.
One of the advantages of JDownloader is that you do not need the direct URL of a particular video. For instance, consider a MakeUseOf article that includes five embedded videos; all of them will be available for download. There is no need to struggle with locating the direct URL of the video. This functionality allows for the easy capture of multiple videos simultaneously.
Nevertheless, the interface of JDownloader may seem outdated, which can lead to confusion for some users. To begin, select LinkGrabber at the top, and then click on Add New Links at the bottom. The application will then provide guidance on how to initiate your download.
5. Youtube-dl
Available on: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Supported sites: YouTube, Facebook, Crunchyroll, Metacafe, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and thousands of other sites.
Youtube-dl is a tool designed for advanced users who are adept at using the command line. If you favor graphical interfaces, it would be wise to opt for one of the alternatives mentioned above to avoid unnecessary complications.
However, if you are comfortable with command line utilities, youtube-dl provides unparalleled flexibility among video downloading tools. It does have a significant learning curve, so be prepared to consult the documentation; otherwise, you may find yourself confused.
Alternatively, you might consider using youtube-dl-gui, which is an unofficial graphical user interface available for Windows and Linux. Despite its challenging learning curve, youtube-dl is capable of downloading streaming videos from specific platforms such as Crunchyroll.
Its features encompass various video selection and quality options, playlist processing, download rate limiting, batch video downloads, automatic file naming, ad inclusion, and subtitle downloads (for platforms like YouTube).
The supported formats include: 3GP, AAC, FLV, M4A, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, and WEBM.
Download Videos From Any Site
Any of the aforementioned tools will assist you in saving a video from the internet to your device. The first option, Video DownloadHelper, allows for straightforward downloading of streaming videos directly within your browser.
For those who prefer standalone applications, consider using 4K Video Downloader+, Freemake Video Downloader, or JDownloader. While youtube-dl is tailored for advanced users familiar with the command line, it remains one of the most powerful solutions available.
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