How to Download YouTube Videos to Your Computer
Save any YouTube video to your computer in three steps. Paste the link, pick your quality, and download with VidLoader for Windows, Mac & Linux — free.
Want to keep a YouTube video on your computer so you can watch it offline, on a plane, or long after it disappears from the channel? With VidLoader it takes about 30 seconds: paste the link, pick a quality, and press Download. This guide walks you through every step, with real screenshots from the app.
What you'll need
- The VidLoader desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux (free to download) — get it at vidloader.com
- A YouTube link you want to save
- About half a minute of your time
Step 1 — Paste the YouTube link
Open VidLoader and click Add in the sidebar. Paste your YouTube link into the box at the top. You can choose Video (MP4) or Audio (MP3) and pick a quality up to 1080p on the free plan (UHD — 2K, 4K, and 8K — is a VidLoader Plus feature). Auto-saved subtitles and a dubbed audio track are also Plus features.
Leave the quality on Optimal if you're not sure — VidLoader picks the best balance of quality and file size for you.
Step 2 — Watch it download in the Queue
Press Download and switch to the Queue tab. You'll see a live progress bar with download speed and time remaining. You can pause, stop, or delete any download — or add more links while this one finishes. VidLoader downloads up to three clips at the same time.
Step 3 — Find your video in Clips
When the download finishes, the video lands in your Clips library with its original thumbnail, title, and channel name. Click Play to watch it right inside VidLoader, or use the folder button to open the file on your computer. Files are saved as standard MP4s, so they work in any player.
That's it — three steps, no browser extensions required, no ads, no watermarks.
Tips for better downloads
- Pick your default quality once. In Settings → Video quality, set the cap you prefer (720p saves space; 4K, a Plus feature, keeps every detail) and every future download uses it.
- Download entire playlists. Paste a playlist link and VidLoader grabs every video — see our playlist guide.
- Only need the sound? Switch the format to Audio (MP3) — perfect for music and podcasts. Full guide here.
- Subtitles included. Choose a subtitle language on the Add screen and VidLoader saves the captions with your video.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to download YouTube videos? Downloading videos for personal offline viewing of your own content, Creative-Commons material, or content you have permission to save is generally fine. Always respect creators' rights and YouTube's terms of service in your country.
What quality can I download in? Up to 1080p on the free plan. UHD downloads — 2K, 4K, and even 8K when available — are a VidLoader Plus feature; see our 4K download guide.
Does VidLoader work on Mac and Linux? Yes. VidLoader runs on Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), and Linux (deb, rpm, and AppImage).
Do I need an account? No account, no signup. Install the app and start downloading. The free plan includes 10 downloads a day; VidLoader Plus adds unlimited downloads, UHD quality, and monitoring ($9.99/month or $79.99/year, 3-day free trial).
Download VidLoader
Ready to save your first video? Download VidLoader — it's a free download, fast, and works on every desktop platform.