Discover Best Software to Download YouTube Videos on Mac
With a whopping 2.6 billion active monthly users, YouTube is one of the most popular and successful streaming platforms in the online world. From movies and songs to audiobooks and podcasts, you can find everything to watch and listen to on YouTube.
However, since most YouTube videos aren’t available for offline viewing regardless of whether or not you own a YouTube Premium account, most users are now interested in finding out what is the best YouTube downloader for Mac.
Don’t know which YouTube downloader is the best for your particular needs? Don’t worry! We’ve compiled a list of all the YouTube Downloaders for Mac, how they work, and their respective pros and cons to help you make up your mind.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right in.
Our Solution: Softorino YouTube Converter PRO or SYC PRO
Created by Softorino, SYC PRO has been explicitly designed for Mac users. The desktop tool offers user-friendliness and time efficiency while providing budget-friendliness for users.
Here’s what makes SYC PRO our top choice:
- iOS- and macOS-friendly video and audio formats
- Great output quality
- Three-in-one downloader, converter, and transfer software
- Smart clipboard monitoring system
- Bulk downloads
- Completely ad-free
- Time and cost-efficient
For anyone wondering how to download music from YouTube or interested in high-quality MP3 conversions, SYC PRO provides a comprehensive answer. Here’s a quick guide to getting started.
How Does It Work?
Step 1. Download and install the Software
Head to Softorino’s official website to download and install SYC PRO. Or use the banner below. When you launch the app for the first time, you will be asked to share your email address to initiate the free trial period. Once you enter your email address, you’ll receive the trial key in your email inbox to activate the trial and experience all the premium features of SYC PRO.
Step 2. Copy the Links to Your Favorite YouTube Videos
Once your trial period has begun, find your desired YouTube video on your Mac’s browser and copy its URL. You’ll notice that the copied URL is automatically pasted into SYC PRO’s window. You can copy as many links as you like as the tool supports batch conversions.
Step 3. Download, Convert, and Transfer
Now, you can finally select the relevant formats for the YouTube files. You can convert YouTube videos to MP3, or AAC, or choose a resolution for iOS-compatible video formats. The available resolutions for video format are 360p to 2160p.
Once you’ve selected the audio or video format for the YouTube downloader, you can then select the destination of the output files. Users have the option to save the converted files on their Mac, iPhone, iPod, Music Library, or under the Favorites section in SYC PRO.
Once done, press the download button at the bottom of the SYC PRO window.
Note: If you want to transfer the converted YouTube videos to another iOS device, you will be required to first connect the device using its USB cable and turn on the Wi-Fi connectivity options from the settings menu for wireless transfers.
SYC PRO Pros and Cons
Pros
SYC PRO comes with a free 24-hour trial period with all premium features unlocked. Its paid license comes with budget-friendly payment plans. It supports wireless transfers to other iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPods, and the converted files are iOS-friendly. You can convert YouTube videos to MP3, AAC, and MP4. The quality of the output files will be as good as the original video.
SYC PRO’s design incorporates simplicity, making it super user-friendly. The entire download, conversion, and transfer process takes minimal time, as the tool automatically detects the copied URLs and pastes them into the SYC PRO window.
Quick setup, high-quality output, and ad-free make it easy to record audio from YT and download music, movies, or audiobooks seamlessly.
Cons
SYC PRO is only compatible with Mac, but you can download SYC2 for Windows PCs.
Top 14 Alternative YouTube Downloaders for Mac
Now, let's explore all the other options available. The list is quite long, so just rush to read PROS and CONS to pick whatever app can help you.
1. YTD Video Downloader
YTD is a great multi-purpose tool that is compatible with several streaming platforms. Here’s a quick overview:
✅ Multi-purpose tool that works with several platforms
✅ Offers good quality output files
✅ Comes with a free trial version
❌ Doesn’t offer a lot of output formats
❌ Not versatile
❌ Extremely expensive in the long run
2. ClipGrab Open Downloader
ClipGrab is a free YouTube downloader and because it is licensed under GPL, it is more reliable than some of the other such tools available in the market. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Free for all
✅ Relatively more reliable
❌ Presents several issues when dealing with YouTube videos
❌ Not user-friendly
❌ No automatic URL detections
❌ Can’t create queues for batch conversions
❌ Doesn’t support downloading YouTube audio on Mac directly
3. HitPaw YouTube Video Downloader
HitPaw is another free for all YouTube downloader and it offers several video and audio formats. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Offers several formats to choose from
✅ Free of cost
❌ It will not work on macOS
❌ Doesn’t automatically convert to iOS-friendly audio or video formats
4. MacX YouTube Downloader
While MacX does support downloads from various streaming platforms, it lacks several useful features for Mac users. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Compatible with various streaming platforms
❌ Doesn’t include a lot of useful features
❌ There aren’t a lot of format options
5. Wondershare YouTube Downloader
Wondershare YouTube Downloader works well with both Mac and Windows PCs and is completely free for both computers. Here’s a quick overview:
✅ It is simple to use and quite functional
❌ Super expensive for the features offered
❌ Several intrusive ads
❌ The free version doesn’t include all the premium features
6. WinX YouTube Downloader
WinX is a good YouTube downloader and it is also compatible with various streaming platforms. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Offers several output formats
✅ There are many useful features
❌ Comes at an extremely steep price
❌ Has a busy and non-user-friendly interface
7. 4K Video Downloader
The 4K Video Downloader has a Smart Mode which eliminates the copy-paste function and offers the option to download subtitles. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ It has a Smart Mode
✅ Offers a limited free use period
❌ The paid version comes with more paywalls
❌ Not a great tool
8. Pulltube YouTube Downloader for Mac
Pulltube YouTube Downloader for Mac is compatible with numerous streaming platforms. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Comes with a built-in media converter
✅ Easy to use and offers a lot of functions
✅ You can add a browser extension for this tool
❌ Not a lot of options for output formats
9. Downie
Downie is an online video downloader that is compatible with various streaming platforms and it also comes with an in-built search browser. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Compatible with various streaming platforms
✅ The tool has a built-in browser
❌ You will need Setapp service membership
❌ Inconvenient quality control
10. iTubeGo YouTube Downloader
iTubeGo YouTube Downloader is a good-quality tool that supports several streaming platforms and output formats. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Compatible with various streaming platforms
❌ It is not cost-efficient
11. YT Saver Video Downloader
YT Saver Video Downloader is compatible with various streaming platforms and both Mac and Windows PCs. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Easy to use and supports several streaming platforms
✅ Comes with a built-in browser
❌ Only downloads 3 YouTube videos and 1 playlist with its trial version
❌ It is not as cost-efficient
12. Airy Video Downloader
While Airy Video Downloader is a good option because it offers several features including the app’s ability to make queues, it can only download videos from YouTube. Here’s its quick overview:
✅ Offers various features
✅ You can make download queues using this video downloader
❌ Only compatible with YouTube
❌ You can’t use the converter feature separately
13. ClipConverter
ClipConverter provides users with several options for quality and video formats. Here’s a quick overview:
✅ Supports several video formats and quality
❌ Presents several intrusive ads
❌ Not as user-friendly
14. Why Not Invest in YouTube Premium?
Though YouTube subscription kind of cover half the benefits of common YouTube downloader, the hefty price, the need for long-term commitment, and invokable access to videos you already downloaded keeps many users away from it.
❌ Hefty investment in the long run.
❌ You can’t save the files on your Mac or other iOS devices.
❌ Offline access to videos will be revoked when you cancel your subscription.
Plus, if you're wondering is MediaHuman safe to use as a YouTube downloader or converter, you’re not alone.
Conclusion
For Mac users looking for versatility and efficiency, SYC PRO offers the best solution. Alternatives like Airy Video Downloader and Wondershare provide viable choices, but SYC PRO’s range of features makes it an excellent investment. If you want hassle-free conversions and transfers or even you are interested in downloading karaoke from YouTube without interruptions, start with SYC PRO.
FAQ
How can I download YouTube videos on my Mac?
You can download YouTube videos on your Mac using dedicated software like SYC PRO by Softorino. This app allows you to easily download YouTube videos in various formats and resolutions, transferring them directly to your device for offline viewing in just a few clicks.
What formats can I download YouTube videos in?
With tools like SYC PRO, you can download YouTube videos in a range of formats, including MP4, MP3, and even more. The app gives you the flexibility to choose the resolution and format that suits your needs, making it easy to save videos in the format of your choice.
Can I download YouTube videos directly to my iPhone from a Mac?
Yes, SYC PRO allows you to download YouTube videos directly to your iPhone from your Mac. The app makes the transfer process seamless by supporting various Apple devices, letting you easily enjoy YouTube videos offline without the need for additional syncing steps.
Are there any free options to download YouTube videos on Mac?
Yes, there are free tools available for downloading YouTube videos on a Mac, but they may come with limitations or lower quality downloads. For a smoother, ad-free experience and higher-quality video downloads, using premium apps like SYC PRO ensures reliable performance and better results.
Can I download entire YouTube playlists on my Mac?
Yes, with SYC PRO, you can download entire YouTube playlists in one go. The app allows you to save multiple videos from a playlist at once, simplifying the process of downloading and transferring multiple files to your Mac or other devices efficiently.