Four Ways To Download YouTube Videos

There are many ways to download YouTube videos. I am listing the four most common ways to download YouTube videos below.

1. Use Of Video Downloading Software/ Program

Many people use video downloading programs to download YouTube videos. Some programs can download videos from more than one website while some are specific to YouTube. Internet Download Manager is considered the fastest video downloader. Real Player comes with Real Player Downloader which is a useful tool for downloading videos. Both, Internet Download Manager and Real Player Downloader create a "Download This Video" link/button/icon on each video you watch. Internet Download Manager normally shows is at the bottom left and Real Player Downloader shows it on the top right of the video. Both ways are effective to download all kinds of videos.

YouTube Download is specific to YouTube videos (which means you can only download YouTube videos). Unlike Real Player Downloader & Internet Download Manager, you have to copy the video link and paste it in the text box present in the YouTube Downloader window. YouTube Downloader has been reported for errors and bugs at times, though.

2. Use Of Video Downloading Websites

Many websites offer you to download YouTube videos. Examples of video downloading websites are KeepVid and SaveVid. The websites are easy to use- just copy the video link, paste them in the text box on the website and hit enter.

Video Downloading websites are considered the best way to download YouTube videos because-

a. They are free to use.
b. You do not need to download anything.
c. It only takes a few clicks to download a video this way.

3. Web Browser Plugins

Web Browser plugins work like video downloading programs. With the click of a button, your video begins to download. For Google Chrome, we recommend using the Ultimate Video Downloader extension which works well. The YouTube Downloader Add On is recommended for Opera and Firefox. Maxthon comes with an inbuilt plugin to download videos.

These web browser plugins created a download button below each YouTube video you view. This is one of the best ways to download a YouTube video since the download button gives you different options- 720p, 480p, 360p, MP4, flv, MP3 etc depending on how the video was uploaded.

4. Screen Recording

This is the best way to download a video you cannot download with any of the plugins, downloaders or websites. Screen Recording is not actually downloading, but if you are screen recording a video, indirectly you are downloading the video. You will need a good screen recorder like CamStudio or SMRecorder. Once installed, you need to click the full screen capture option. Make sure that you are viewing the video in full size.

Please note that downloading YouTube videos is illegal if you are trying to make money out of them or if you are benefiting from them. If you are downloading a YouTube video only for the sake of watching it offline, then it is legit.