Before we get straight into how to download a video off YouTube there are a few things we need to review. Firstly this isn’t the same as embedding a video in a page on a website. That’s very easy to do, just click the Share button below the video and select the embed option. Secondly you must have the rights to use the video in the first place! Lastly my disclaimer, at the time of posting this (Oct 2014) the websites reviewed were fit for purpose however due to the constant changing nature of the web the mentioned services could have changed so your own discretion is advised.
My downloader of choice is http://keepvid.com/ as it is easy to use (when you know how) and doesn’t require any plugin, script or software install.
KEEPVID doesn’t just download videos from YouTube it also provides options for audio only so you can for example download the audio from a public speech and listen to it on your MP3 player.
KEEPVID can also download videos from Dailymotion, 4shared, 5min, 9you, AlterVideo.net, Aniboom, blip.tv, Break, Clipfish.de, Clipser, Clip.vn, CollegeHumor, Cracked, Current, dekhona.com, DivxStage.eu, eHow, eBaumsWorld, Ensonhaber, Facebook, Flickr, Flukiest, FunnyJunk, FunnyOrDie, FunnyPlace.org, Metacafe, MySpace, Ning, Photobucket, RuTube, SoundCloud, Stagevu, TED, Tudou, TwitVid, VBOX7, videobb, VideoWeed.es, Veoh, Vimeo, zShare.net
You can download a video in 3 easy steps:
- Copy the URL of the video you want and paste it into the main download box provided by KEEPVID
- Click Download
- Right click on the type of audio or video you want and save the file to your computer
You should always try to download the best quality file to get the best quality playback. There are many other download buttons etc. on the page and these are adverts for other services and can be ignored.
Alternative Video Downloading Software
The web is full of alternative video downloading software, too many to mention here but two other services I use that are very similar to KEEPVID are ClipConverter and SaveFrom.
I have left many other video download services from this list due to their use of popups, popunders, Java script install, likegate and other non-helpful activity.
Video Downloading Software or Service
I have not mentioned any of the great software available for download that will do the same as the websites mentioned above. The main reason for this is trust, I used to use what was hailed as one of the best until I found out it was injecting adverts into websites I was browsing. For me that was very much unwanted or requested behaviour, a form of malware in my eyes so I’ve avoided downloading and installing anything when the reviewed services above do the same and are more convenient than installing software.
If you know of great software or great service that you think should be on this list why not leave a comment below and I’ll add it to the list.
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