How To Download A Youtube Video Without Youtube Premium

Introduction

Welcome to our guide on how to download a YouTube video without YouTube Premium. YouTube is undoubtedly one of the most popular platforms for streaming videos, but it doesn’t provide users with a built-in feature to download videos directly to their devices. However, there are various methods and tools available that enable you to save YouTube videos for offline viewing.

Whether you want to watch a video without an internet connection, create a compilation of your favorite videos, or share them with others, downloading YouTube videos can be incredibly useful. In this article, we will explore several methods that allow you to download YouTube videos effortlessly, without the need for a subscription to YouTube Premium.

It’s important to note that downloading videos from YouTube without the permission of the content creator may violate YouTube’s terms of service and may even infringe copyright laws in some countries. Make sure to always download videos for personal use or with the necessary permissions and respect the intellectual property of content creators.

In the following sections, we will walk you through different methods to download YouTube videos. These include using third-party websites, video downloading software, browser extensions, VLC media player, Command Prompt on Windows, and YouTube-DL. Each method has its own pros and cons, so you can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences the best.

Method 1: Using a Third-Party Website

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to download YouTube videos, using a third-party website could be the solution. There are numerous websites available that allow you to enter the URL of a YouTube video and download it in various formats and resolutions.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a third-party website to download YouTube videos:

1. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the YouTube video you want to download.
2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video from the address bar.
3. Next, visit a trusted third-party website that offers YouTube video downloading services. Ensure that the website you choose is reputable and free from malware.
4. Once you’re on the third-party website, look for a text box or input field where you can paste the YouTube video URL.
5. Paste the URL into the designated field and click on the “Download” or similar button. The website will start processing the video and present you with various download options.
6. Select the preferred format and quality for your video download. Typically, options include MP4, MKV, or AVI, along with different resolutions ranging from standard definition to high definition.
7. After selecting the desired format and resolution, click on the “Download” or similar button to initiate the download process.
8. Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file on your device and enjoy your YouTube video offline.

It’s important to exercise caution when using third-party websites. Ensure that you’re using a reliable and trustworthy website to avoid any potential security risks or malware infections. Additionally, be aware that these websites may display intrusive ads or require you to navigate through multiple pages before allowing the download to start.

Overall, using a third-party website can be a convenient option for downloading YouTube videos quickly. However, keep in mind the potential risks that come with using such platforms and be cautious throughout the process.

Method 2: Using Video Downloading Software

If you frequently download YouTube videos or prefer a more streamlined and dedicated approach, using video downloading software can be a great option. Video downloading software allows you to download YouTube videos directly to your computer with a few simple steps. This method provides more control over the download process and often offers additional features such as batch downloads and video conversion.

Here’s how you can use video downloading software to save YouTube videos:

1. First, you’ll need to choose and download a reliable video downloading software. There are several options available, such as 4K Video Downloader, ClipGrab, and YTD Video Downloader, among others. Make sure to download the software from reputable sources.
2. Once you have installed the video downloading software, open it on your computer.
3. Open your web browser and navigate to the YouTube video you wish to download.
4. Copy the URL of the YouTube video from the address bar.
5. Now, return to the video downloading software and locate the option to add a URL or paste the YouTube video link.
6. Paste the copied YouTube video URL into the designated space within the video downloading software.
7. Select the desired video format and quality for the download. Most video downloading software provides various format options, such as MP4, FLV, or WebM, and different resolution choices ranging from 240p to 4K.
8. After selecting the format and resolution, click on the “Download” button to start the download process. The software will begin downloading the video to your designated download folder.
9. Wait for the download to complete, and once finished, you can open the downloaded video file on your computer and enjoy it offline.

Video downloading software offers a convenient and efficient method to download YouTube videos with ease. It eliminates the need to rely on third-party websites and allows you to save videos directly to your device. Remember to use trusted video downloading software from reputable sources to ensure the safety of your computer and avoid potential malware infections.

Additionally, keep in mind that YouTube’s terms of service prohibit the download of content without the permission of the content creator. Make sure to respect copyright laws and only use video downloading software for personal use or with the necessary permissions.

Method 3: Using Browser Extensions

Another convenient way to download YouTube videos is by using browser extensions. These extensions are add-ons that you can install in your web browser, giving you the ability to easily download videos while browsing YouTube. Browser extensions are available for popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Here’s how you can use browser extensions to download YouTube videos:

1. Open your web browser and search for a reliable YouTube video downloader extension compatible with your browser. Some popular options include “Video Downloader Professional” for Chrome, “Video DownloadHelper” for Firefox, and “SaveFrom.net helper” for multiple browsers.
2. Once you have found a suitable extension, click on the download or installation button, and it will be added to your browser.
3. Now, navigate to the YouTube video you want to download.
4. Once the video starts playing, you will notice the browser extension icon near the address bar or in the toolbar.
5. Click on the extension icon, and it will display a menu with different download options, including various video formats and qualities.
6. Select the desired format and quality for the download, and the extension will start downloading the video.
7. Once the download is complete, you can locate the downloaded video file on your device and enjoy it offline.

Browser extensions provide a convenient and straightforward way to download YouTube videos without the need to visit third-party websites or install separate software. They integrate seamlessly into your browser, making the download process quick and efficient.

It’s important to note that, similar to the other methods, downloading YouTube videos with browser extensions should be done for personal use and within the boundaries of copyright laws. Always use the downloaded videos responsibly and respect the intellectual property rights of content creators.

Remember to keep your browser and extensions up to date to ensure optimal performance and security. Be cautious when installing and using browser extensions, and only download them from reputable sources to minimize any potential risks to your browsing experience.

Method 4: Using VLC Media Player

Did you know that you can also use the popular VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos? VLC is known for its powerful media playback capabilities, but it can also serve as a handy tool for downloading online videos, including those from YouTube.

Here’s how to use VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos:

1. Start by downloading and installing VLC Media Player on your computer if you don’t already have it. The software is free and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
2. Open your web browser and go to the YouTube video you want to download.
3. Copy the URL of the YouTube video from the address bar.
4. Launch VLC Media Player on your computer.
5. In VLC, click on “Media” in the top menu and select “Open Network Stream.”
6. Paste the copied YouTube video URL into the field labeled “Please enter a network URL” and click “Play” or hit Enter.
7. VLC will start playing the YouTube video. Now, go to the “Tools” menu and select “Codec Information.”
8. In the Codec Information window, you will see a text box under “Location.” Copy the entire URL displayed in the text box.
9. Open a new web browser tab and paste the copied URL into the address bar. The video will open in the browser.
10. Right-click on the video and select “Save Video As” or a similar option to download it to your desired location on your computer.
11. Wait for the download to complete, and once finished, you can open the downloaded video file with VLC Media Player or any other media player of your choice.

Using VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos might seem a bit more complicated compared to other methods, but it can be a handy alternative if you already have VLC installed on your computer. It’s worth noting that VLC may not work with certain YouTube videos due to changes in YouTube’s video streaming protocols.

Additionally, always remember to use downloaded videos responsibly, respecting copyright laws and the terms of service of YouTube. Download videos for personal use or with the necessary permissions and respect the rights of content creators.

Method 5: Using Command Prompt on Windows

If you’re a Windows user and prefer the command-line interface, you can utilize the Command Prompt to download YouTube videos. This method allows for more technical control and can be an efficient way to download videos without the need for third-party tools or browser extensions.

Here’s how to use Command Prompt on Windows to download YouTube videos:

1. Open your web browser and find the YouTube video you want to download.
2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video from the address bar.
3. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
4. Type “cmd” in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Command Prompt.
5. In the Command Prompt window, navigate to the directory where you want to save the downloaded YouTube video. You can use the “cd” command followed by the directory path to navigate to the desired location.
6. Once you’re in the desired directory, type the following command:

           youtube-dl [YouTube video URL]
         

   Replace “[YouTube video URL]” with the URL of the video you copied earlier.

7. Press Enter to execute the command. The Command Prompt will start downloading the YouTube video in its original format and highest quality available.
8. Wait for the download to complete. Once finished, you will find the downloaded video file in the directory you specified earlier.

Note that this method makes use of a command-line tool called “youtube-dl” to download YouTube videos. You’ll need to have youtube-dl installed on your system before using this method. You can download youtube-dl from its official website or through package managers like Chocolatey or Homebrew.

The Command Prompt method offers flexibility and control for tech-savvy users who are comfortable working with the command line. It eliminates the need for additional software or browser extensions, ensuring a streamlined downloading experience.

Lastly, always remember to use downloaded YouTube videos responsibly and within the boundaries of copyright laws. Respect the intellectual property of content creators and only download videos for personal use or with the necessary permissions.

Method 6: Using YouTube-DL

For those seeking a powerful and versatile command-line tool to download YouTube videos, YouTube-DL is an excellent choice. It is a free, open-source command-line program that allows you to download videos not only from YouTube but also from various other popular video hosting platforms.

Here’s how you can use YouTube-DL to download YouTube videos:

1. Start by installing YouTube-DL on your computer. You can download it from the official website or use package managers like Chocolatey or Homebrew.
2. Once you have YouTube-DL installed, open the Command Prompt or Terminal on your computer.
3. In the Command Prompt or Terminal, navigate to the directory where you want to save the downloaded YouTube video using the “cd” command.
4. Visit the YouTube video you wish to download and copy its URL from the address bar.
5. Go back to the Command Prompt or Terminal and type the following command:

           youtube-dl [YouTube video URL]
         

   Replace “[YouTube video URL]” with the URL of the YouTube video you copied earlier.

6. Hit Enter to execute the command. YouTube-DL will start downloading the video, displaying the download progress in real-time.
7. Once the download is complete, you’ll find the downloaded video file in the directory you navigated to earlier.

YouTube-DL offers a wide range of customizable options, allowing you to download videos in different formats, resolutions, and quality levels. It supports features like video extraction, format selection, subtitle downloading, and more. You can refer to the YouTube-DL documentation for advanced usage and explore the various available options.

Always ensure that you use YouTube-DL for personal use or with the necessary permissions from content creators. Respect the copyright laws and terms of service of YouTube and other video hosting platforms.

With its extensive capabilities, YouTube-DL is a robust choice for users who prefer a command-line approach and require advanced features for downloading YouTube videos and videos from other websites.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have explored various methods to download YouTube videos without the need for YouTube Premium. Whether you prefer using third-party websites, video downloading software, browser extensions, VLC Media Player, the Command Prompt on Windows, or YouTube-DL, there are plenty of options available to suit your preferences and requirements.

It’s important to note that downloading YouTube videos without the permission of the content creator may infringe copyright laws and violate YouTube’s terms of service. Always download videos for personal use or with the necessary permissions and respect the intellectual property rights of content creators.

While third-party websites offer a quick and easy solution, video downloading software provides more control and additional features. Browser extensions integrate seamlessly into your browser, and VLC Media Player and the Command Prompt offer alternatives for more tech-savvy users. YouTube-DL, on the other hand, provides a powerful command-line tool with extensive capabilities.

Whichever method you choose, ensure that you prioritize your online safety. Use trusted websites, software, and extensions from reputable sources to minimize the risk of malware infections or security threats.

Remember, downloading YouTube videos should be done responsibly and in compliance with copyright laws. Always respect the rights of content creators and use downloaded videos for personal use or with proper authorization.

We hope this guide has helped you discover the various methods available to download YouTube videos without YouTube Premium. Have fun enjoying your favorite videos offline!