FREE ONLINE TOOL
YouTube Video Downloader
Paste a link and download any YouTube video in every available quality — or pull just the audio as MP3. Clean, fast and 100% free.
Works with watch links, Shorts, youtu.be links and unlisted videos.
What works
- Standard public YouTube videos
- YouTube Shorts and youtu.be links
- Unlisted videos when you have the link
- MP4 video plus MP3 audio
What doesn't
- Private or age-restricted videos
- Whole playlists or channels in one go
- Live streams while they are still live
- Content removed under a copyright request
HOW TO USE
Download a YouTube video in 3 steps
Copy the link
Open the video on YouTube, tap Share, then Copy Link — or copy the URL from your browser’s address bar.
Paste and get formats
Paste the link above and click "Get video". We list every quality with its file size, plus the MP3 audio option.
Download
Click Download on the quality you want. The MP4 or MP3 saves straight to your device — no app, no account.
FORMATS EXPLAINED
Which quality should you download?
Pick the resolution you need — from a fast, lightweight grab up to crisp HD. Audio comes as a clean MP3.
SD
360PSmall and fast. Great for quick saves, audio-first videos and low bandwidth.
HD
720PThe sweet spot — sharp enough for phones and laptops, small enough to share.
Full HD
1080PCrisp on any screen. Best choice when the source quality is high.
Audio
MP3Just the sound, in the highest quality YouTube offers. Perfect for music and podcasts.
ANY DEVICE
Works everywhere
No app, no install — the downloader runs in any modern browser on every platform.
Windows
Works in Edge, Chrome or Firefox. Paste a link and download straight to your Downloads folder.
Mac
No app needed. Use Safari or Chrome and the file lands in your Downloads folder in seconds.
iPhone
Open the tool in Safari or Chrome and download videos directly to your iPhone — no App Store required.
Android
Any browser works. Files save to your phone so you can watch offline or share them later.
COMPARISON
The honest lay of the land
Searching “free YouTube downloader” is a minefield of pop-ups and fake Download buttons. Here is who is clean, who quietly charges you, and who is just ads wearing a button.
| Feature | Ours | Typist | VidsSave | YTDown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ads / fake buttons | None, ever | None | Heavy | Redirects & pop-ups |
| App or extension | No, just the browser | No | Optional extension | No |
| Sign-up required | Never | No for download | No | No |
| MP3 audio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| File sizes shown before download | Yes, always | Yes | No | No |
| Video info & preview | Thumbnail, title, duration | Minimal | No | No |
| Privacy-first, stores nothing | Yes | Yes | Claims, unclear | No |
| Clean design | Yes | Good | Cluttered | Dated |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a YouTube video?
Copy the video link from YouTube, paste it into the box above and click "Get video". You will see every available quality with its file size. Pick one and click Download.
What qualities are available?
We list whatever YouTube actually offers for that video — typically 360p, 480p, 720p and 1080p. When the source has higher resolutions available, they appear too.
Is downloading YouTube videos legal?
Downloading for personal, non-commercial use of videos you own or have rights to is fine. Downloading copyrighted content without permission may violate YouTube’s terms and copyright law. Always respect the creator.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. The downloader works in any modern browser on iPhone, Android and tablets, as well as desktop. No app required.
Why is my video not downloading?
Private videos, age-restricted videos and live streams cannot be downloaded. Also check you are using a standard YouTube URL. Most failures come from the video, not the tool.
Can I download playlists?
Not in one go. Paste individual video links to download them one at a time — each one is listed with all its qualities and sizes.
THE DETAIL
The full picture
How to download YouTube videos as MP4
Downloading with DirectYtDownloader takes less than a minute. Copy the URL of any public YouTube video — standard watch links, Shorts and youtu.be links all work — paste it into the box above and click Get video. Every quality YouTube actually offers is listed with its real file size, from 360p up to 1080p and beyond when the source provides it.
The formats we list are combined MP4 files: the video and audio are already merged, so the file you download plays anywhere — on your phone, laptop, TV or media player — with nothing to install and no codecs to juggle.
Tips for the best download
- Pick the highest quality you have space for — 1080p is crisp everywhere, 720p is the everyday sweet spot.
- Prefer audio only? Switch to the MP3 tab to get the highest-quality audio as a clean MP3.
- Use a stable internet connection for large files. We show the exact size before you download.
- Downloads save straight to your device — check your Downloads folder or browser bar for the file.
What you can and cannot download
Standard public videos, Shorts, youtu.be links and unlisted videos (when you have the link) all work. Private videos, age-restricted videos and live streams cannot be downloaded — no tool can, and any tool that claims otherwise is not being honest.
Is it legal?
Downloading videos for personal, non-commercial use of content you own or have rights to is fine. Please respect creators and copyright — the tool is for saving videos you are allowed to save.