Top 5 apps to rip and convert YouTube videos on macOS

Photo by Nebular on Unsplash

I admit I’m a bit of a YouTube addict. One minute, I’m looking for a tutorial for work, and the next, I’m watching women try the Brad Mondo Wolf Cut on themselves and critiquing their technique. The problem is, I often need to download YouTube videos for work or study, and sitting through four hours of “content research” isn’t really my thing.

So, I went hunting for ways to download YouTube videos on my Mac quickly and efficiently.

Using native Mac tools (the slow but free way)

I wasn’t sure if it was even possible to download YouTube videos on a Mac directly, but after asking some geeky colleagues and a bit of trial and error, I found a couple of options.

Screen Recorder:

1. Open YouTube and find your video.
2. Press Shift + Command + 5 to launch macOS screen recording.
3. Choose Record Entire Screen.
4. Click Record and start playback.
5. When the video finishes, stop the recording from the menu bar.

It works, but let’s be honest, it’s a bit clunky.

YouTube Premium

You can also go official:

1. Subscribe to YouTube Premium.
2. Find your video.
3. Click Download (usually under the video).
4. Access it anytime in the Downloads tab.

Costly, and not everyone’s wallet-friendly.

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Browser extensions (slightly easier, still a hassle)

Browser extensions like “YouTube Downloader” are another option:

1. Open Google Chrome > Three dots > Extensions.
2. Search for a YouTube downloader.
3. Install one you like.
4. Go to your YouTube video, click the extension, and download.

Pro tip: Try to find apps that reduce the number of actions you need to perform to download a video. It will save you time and frustration.

My favorite third-party apps

Here’s where things got fun. I discovered apps on Setapp that actually let me rip YouTube videos on Mac in seconds:

• PullTube: This app made me wonder why I hadn’t tried it first. Copy and paste the YouTube link, and boom, the video’s ready to watch. Literally two clicks.

• Downie: Even easier. Drag and drop your YouTube link straight into the app, and it downloads. Bonus: you can add subtitles or captions while you’re at it. Ace for study sessions or research.

Why I get these apps from Setapp

Both PullTube and Downie are available on Setapp, my secret weapon for streamlining workflows. With one subscription, I get access to 250+ apps, from downloading online content to managing my projects efficiently.

If you want to save time and declutter your Mac workflow, check out Setapp’s 7-day free trial. For my workflow, Setapp is the easiest way to try to manage all these apps in one place.

Enjoyed my reading?

Then why not take a look at some of my other content? I also wrote this piece on the best ways of downloading Netflix content so you can binge-watch your favorite series in peace! You might also be interested in my piece on organizing lots of files if you find you’re accruing way too much video-related clutter.