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YouTube videos have different file formats to meet different user needs. MP4s are great for editors; some people want MP3s for podcasts and music; MKV is a good choice for archival purposes, and so on.
Unfortunately, most downloaders are limited to only 1 or 2 formats. This means users often have to go for file conversion in their desired format. And this is where format compatibility comes into play as the most critical factor when looking for the best YouTube video saving software.
For this guide, we tested 3 video grabbers in terms of output format choice, audio extraction, file quality, and how easy they are to use.
Understanding Format Options When Choosing Your Downloader
Before you decide which tool to use, you should understand which format is going to be useful for you. This doesn’t mean you should always need every format, just the right ones for you.
- MP4 compatibility: it’s everywhere, even on most phones, tablets, editors, and the web. It’s always a good bet that you won’t go wrong if that’s the only one you choose to download from a given site.
- MP3 extraction: if all you need is audio without video, some sites or software will allow you to get it in one click. You want to make sure that the MP3 extraction you are getting from the website you are using maintains the original sound quality or doesn’t downsample the audio to save space.
- MKV support: the MKV container format can have all the different audio tracks, subtitle tracks, and even video tracks all in one file. Some sites or programs may offer this option for you so that everything is all wrapped together in a simple file without having to re-encode everything.
- WebM and others: some websites or programs may give you other file format options like WebM or others. If you’re going for a more specific use case for your videos, like web developers, then it could be helpful to you. If you are just saving for fun, then this is not so necessary.
- Batch format conversion: some websites will allow you to download one video, but offer you the option to convert it into many different formats in the same download. This can be a time saver if you want the same clip in many different containers.
- Subtitle availability: you need to understand whether the site is going to put subtitles in the final file or make it separately. Again, it could be important for your purposes if you are creating an accessibility archive.
Quick Comparison
Desktop-only tools offer deeper codec control and batch operations, while browser solutions eliminate setup friction, but each approach sacrifices something. Below is how these three video saving tools compare on the features that determine real-world usability.
| Feature | 4K Video Downloader Plus | SaveFrom.net | Viddly |
| Download Method | Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux) | Browser-based (no install) | Desktop (Windows, Mac OS) |
| Max Quality | 4K/8K | Up to 4K | 8K |
| Format Options | MP4, MKV, MP3, M4A | MP4, WebM | MP4, WebM, 3GP, AVI, MKV |
| Best For | Multi-format archivists and offline libraries | Quick downloads without installation | Batch processing and format flexibility |
The table above reveals a fundamental split in video saver philosophy. Your choice hinges on whether you value control or convenience.
1. SaveFrom.net
SaveFrom.net is the best YouTube downloader for those who don’t want to install any software. It runs from your browser for desktop and mobile and has a browser extension (Chrome) for downloading videos from any page with a single click. There’s no need to sign up or create an account, and there are no unnecessary add-ons.
Unlike the desktop options above, the available download formats are a bit more limited, though that’s a fair trade-off considering there are no installs. You get your standard choices of MP4 and WebM, with HD and 4K qualities available if the video is available in these formats on the source site. Another plus of its browser-based nature: you can download videos from your mobile or tablet browser, and your computer, without having to sync software installations across all devices.
With millions of videos downloaded and supported through July 2026, SaveFrom.net is the go-to tool for people who are quick to download the content and are in a rush to get back to the task. You can also download the Chrome extension, which enables you to download videos from over 40 platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Vimeo, and Dailymotion, among others. If your goal is to “save video quickly” to get it done and move on, the free YouTube downloader is the best solution for you.
What you get with SaveFrom.net:
- Works on web browsers without the need to install any software
- Get videos in MP4 or WebM formats
- Download videos from YouTube with a simple click using the Chrome extension.
- Download videos in HD, Full HD, or 4K (if available on the source platform)
- Compatible with other video and social media sites (40 plus websites).
- Works on mobile browsers
2. 4K Video Downloader Plus
4K Video Downloader Plus solves the format problem by actually giving you a choice rather than dictating which container your video should be in. This Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop app can download in MP4, MKV, or WebM, and you can even extract the audio as MP3 or M4A directly, as no video is involved in that process. It’s the best YouTube downloader for those who need flexibility with the format.
Unlike other services, 4K Video Downloader Plus won’t re-encode your videos. If you grab your content at 4K or even 8K, whatever container you chose is what that file will remain. If you select the MKV option in particular, you can keep multiple subtitle streams and audio tracks together in the same package; instead of being forced to use separate files for different languages or audio formats, you get them all together, which is nice when watching an action flick in multiple languages.
There’s no server-side processing involved, no file size limit on downloads, and no weird quality degradation either. You can download entire playlists or channels at once, then convert them all to your choice of format in one go. With 62 million users to date, 4K Video Downloader Plus has been doing this for over 10 years, and it doesn’t track your downloading history nor does it share metadata with any third parties.
What you get with 4K Video Downloader Plus:
- Get videos in 4K/8K resolution with no quality drop
- Download as MP4, MKV, WebM, or MP3/M4A directly
- Download playlists & channels in one batch
- Save or embed subtitles to the output file or a separate subtitle file
- Free Starter plan available, paid plans starting from €15
3. Viddly
Built for people who need format flexibility at scale, this MP4, WebM, 3GP, AVI, and MKV output-supporting desktop video saver for Windows and Mac is one of the top YouTube downloaders for PC. Viddly allows you to control your output: download once, convert to multiple formats, no re-encoding.
It’s particularly the MKV support that’s valuable because Viddly preserves all video and audio streams in the container so you can keep all those multiple language tracks or audio versions bundled together in a single file, and it supports 24, 30, or 60 fps depending on what you’re editing or archiving and it has a batch processing engine to let you handle entire playlists or whole channels without having to manually enter each one individually.
The Free Version has 1080p as the upper resolution limit, but Viddly Plus supports both 4K and 8K downloads, and the desktop architecture means there are no server bottlenecks or artificial length restrictions; it’s also usually a bit faster than any browser-based alternative.
Also included are integrations with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive that allow you to set up your saved files to go directly to synced folders for instant mobile access. Users give the app 4.6/5 based on 725 reviews, and it also supports saving YouTube Live Stream videos and 360-degree video, which few browser-based tools support.
- Download YouTube videos up to 8K in MP4, WebM, 3GP, AVI, or MKV
- Batch playlist download with support for 360-degree video
- Multiple frame rates (24, 30, or 60 fps)
- YouTube Live Stream video
- Cloud Storage integrations with direct routing to Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive
- File conversion done locally (no re-encoding)
Frequently Asked Questions
Beyond the feature sets, users often wonder about practical scenarios and edge cases that determine whether a tool truly fits their workflow.
Q: Which format do I use for editing?
A: MP4 is your best bet for nearly all the editors that you’ll come across. MKV is supported by some, but is likely to cause you some problems. It works fine in Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro, but most other editors are a bit less happy. WebM is intended for browser use mostly, and has no business in video editors.
Q: Can I get MP3 without downloading the whole video?
A: Yes, this is available via desktop apps like 4K Video Downloader Plus. You select the audio-only option on the link you want, and this saves just the audio file. In the case of web browser apps like SaveFrom.net, you will first have to save the video and then convert it to MP3.
Q: How much quality difference do MP4 and MKV have?
A: None. They are both container formats, meaning they only contain the video and audio you are looking for. In the case of MKV, you could have multiple audio tracks and/or subtitle streams included in a single file. The format is widely supported on most platforms, with the exception being on iOS.
You can still get the videos on an iOS device, just not as easily. MP4 is the default. The only reason you’d choose MKV over MP4 is if you want all audio in one video and the extra tracks.
Q: Do these apps work on mobile devices?
A: SaveFrom.net works for mobile browsers. The 4K Video Downloader Plus app and Viddly app require Windows or Mac OS.
Q: Is this all legal? I mean, you’re talking about getting YouTube video files.
A: Saving for personal offline use is almost certainly fair use, as long as you’re not redistributing or selling the saved files. If you download a YouTube video you do not own the rights to and then redistribute or monetize it in any way, this is a violation of YouTube’s terms of service, and possibly copyright infringement as well. Check the laws of your country for the details and make sure you’re not saving content that you are not allowed to.
Bottom Line
The ability to download in different formats can be the line in the sand between software that works with you and software that makes you download, reformat, and upload the same file again and again. Each of these three video grabbers takes a different approach to the format issue.
- 4K Video Downloader Plus, a desktop application, allows for downloads of MP4, MKV and direct MP3 extraction, all of them from within one window.
- SaveFrom.net relies on web-browser integration and offers no extra downloads, but doesn’t have the widest range of format options.
- And Viddly handles batch processing on many of your downloads, including 8K, in a single click.
If you’re saving a video once or twice a week, you might want to try a browser-based video grabber like SaveFrom.net, rather than installing another desktop application on your computer. If you need multiple formats or the ability to save large batches of videos in bulk, 4K Video Downloader Plus is likely the better fit for you. Ultimately, your choice of video download tool should be dictated by your workflow rather than the list of features.
