Downloading videos from websites is extremely convenient, as it allows you to watch your favorite videos offline and saves you time from having to stream them repeatedly. However, many sites do not have obvious download buttons, making it tricky to figure out how to save a video file to your computer or device.
Fortunately, even if a website doesn’t have a download button, there are still techniques you can use to download and save videos. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on the various methods for downloading videos from any website, even those without a download option.
Why Would You Want to Download Videos?
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to download videos from the internet:
- Watch videos offline – Once downloaded, you can watch videos without an internet connection.
- Save streaming data – Downloading allows you to save cellular data or bandwidth if you are on a limited plan.
- Avoid buffering issues – Downloaded videos won’t keep buffering like streamed videos sometimes do.
- Build a permanent collection – Downloads allow you to create a permanent library of videos.
- Share videos easily – Downloaded videos can be easily shared with others via email, messaging apps, external drives, etc.
- Protect against content being removed – If videos get removed from a site, you’ll still have your downloaded copy.
- Watch on different devices – Transfer downloaded videos between your phone, tablet, computer, or television.
Methods to Download Videos from Websites
When a website doesn’t have a download button, you’ll need to use one of these techniques to save videos:
Browser Extensions
The easiest way to enable video downloading on any site is to install a browser extension or add-on that adds download functionality. Some popular options include:
- Video DownloadHelper – Works on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge. Automatically finds videos to download from many sites.
- Download YouTube Videos as MP4 – Chrome extension to download YouTube videos in high quality MP4 format.
- Surfingkeys – Adds keyboard shortcuts to download media from over 500 sites on Chrome and Firefox.
These extensions integrate right into your browser and provide a download button on sites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, and most major streaming platforms. Just click the extension’s button after playing a video to save it.
Online Converters and Grabbers
Another option is using an online tool that can grab and convert videos from other websites. These tools work by just entering the URL of the video page or pasting the video embed code.
Popular online video downloaders include:
- SaveFrom.net – Supports downloading from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and over 1000 other sites.
- KeepVid – Allows downloading videos, playlists, subtitles, and MP3 audio from 1000+ sites.
- OnlineVideoConverter – Downloads from major streaming platforms and can also convert to different formats.
The advantage of these tools is you don’t need to install any extensions. Just visit the site, enter the video URL, select download format, and save the video file.
Screen Recording
If a website fully blocks downloading, screen recording software gives you another option to capture videos. Both Windows and Mac include built-in screen recording features:
- Windows Game Bar – Open this with Win + G and click the record button.
- Mac QuickTime – Open QuickTime and go to File > New Screen Recording.
There’s also excellent third-party screen capture software like OBS Studio that offers advanced recording options. Simply play the video on your browser and use screen recording software to capture it.
View and Save Video Sources
More tech savvy users can directly view the video file source and save it. On desktop browsers, right click on the video player and choose Inspect or Inspect Element. This opens the HTML code behind the website.
Go through the code to find either a .mp4 video source or video embed code from a platform like YouTube or Vimeo. You can then enter the direct video source URL into a downloader site or app to save the file.
Offline Browsers
Certain browsers like Opera have an offline mode that detects videos and allows you to download them locally. Turn on Opera’s offline mode, play the video, and it will be saved for offline viewing even without a download button.
5 Best Free Video Downloader Apps
In addition to browser-based methods, using a dedicated video downloader app is an easy way to get videos from anywhere in just a couple clicks. Here are 5 of the top free video downloader apps:
App | Platform | Key Features |
---|---|---|
4K Video Downloader | Windows, Mac, Linux | – Downloads from 1000+ sites – Up to 8K quality video – Playlist and channel saving – Fast performance |
VideoProc | Windows, Mac | – Records, downloads, edits videos – Supports 1000+ websites – Hardware accelerated conversion – Downloads entire YouTube channels |
Free YouTube Download | Windows | – Simple and easy to use – Downloads all YouTube formats – Bulk video and playlist downloader – Built-in media converter |
aTube Catcher | Windows, Mac | – Video downloader and converter – 1000+ compatible websites – Downloads channels, playlists, subtitles – Screen recording capability |
SnapTube | Android | – Downloader for Android devices – Supports 1000+ sites – Downloads videos in background – Music playlist downloader |
These apps provide an easy way to grab videos from nearly any site. Look for apps that support major sites like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and Dailymotion. Advanced apps allow you to download entire playlists, channels, embed videos, and convert files.
5 Best Paid Video Downloader Tools
In addition to free apps, there are also premium downloader tools that offer advanced features and options. Here are 5 of the best paid video downloader software:
Tool | Platform | Notable Features |
---|---|---|
iSkysoft iTube Studio | Windows, Mac | – Downloads 4K and 8K videos – GPU acceleration – Bulk video and playlist downloading – Built-in video editor and toolkit |
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe | Windows | – Instantly detects downloadable videos – Accelerated by Intel QSV and NVIDIA CUDA – Downloads entire YouTube playlists – Online video downloader and converter |
Any Video Converter Ultimate | Windows, Mac | – Downloads videos in all formats – Recognizes over 1000 websites – Full video editing suite – Downloads entire channels and playlists |
DVDFab Downloader | Windows | – Top download speed performance – Downloads videos in original quality – Supports 1000+ websites – Downloads playlists and saves subtitles |
Airy YouTube Downloader | Windows, Mac | – Downloads unlimited YouTube videos – No loss of quality – Lightning fast download speeds – Downloads entire playlists and channels |
Premium downloader tools provide maximum format support, faster speeds, 4K/8K downloading, full playlists and channel saving, and often video editing features. The investment can be worth it for power users downloading lots of videos.
5 Best Websites for Downloading Videos
If you don’t want to install any apps or programs, many download helper websites exist solely to enable you to grab and save videos. Here are 5 top sites for downloading videos from the internet:
- SaveFrom.net – Allows downloading videos from over 30 major streaming sites. No browser extensions or software needed.
- OnlineVideoConverter – Supports downloading from 1000+ sites. Also includes video format conversion tools.
- KeepDownloading – Easy drag and drop interface. Downloads from Facebook, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Twitch, and more.
- VideoProc – Provides fast 1-click downloads from major streaming platforms. Includes video editing features.
- ClipConverter.cc – Downloads videos from YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Instagram, Twitter, and over 50 more sites.
The benefit of these downloader sites is you don’t have to download any apps. Just visit the site, enter the video URL or paste embed code, select output format, and download. They provide an easy way to grab videos for casual downloading needs.
5 Best Video Downloaders for Android
On Android devices, you’ll want to use a dedicated downloader app from the Play Store. Here are 5 of our top recommendations:
- Videoder – Supports over 50 sites including YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and DailyMotion.
- SnapTube – Downloads videos and music files from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and 1000+ other apps.
- KeepVid – Android – Downloads videos from YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Pinterest and other major platforms.
- TubeMate – Downloads videos from YouTube, Facebook, and other popular streaming apps.
- aTube Catcher – Provides mobile optimized video downloading from YouTube, Facebook, and 1000+ other sites.
Look for Android downloaders that offer fast performance, high quality downloads, support for many streaming sources, downloading of closed captions and metadata, and background downloading features.
5 Best Video Downloaders for iPhone
For iOS devices like the iPhone, here are the top 5 recommended downloader apps:
- Documents by Readdle – Includes built-in browser downloader for videos, music, and pictures.
- iTubeGo – Downloads videos from YouTube and 1000+ sites. Includes an audio converter.
- SnapTube – Downloads videos from YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and other apps.
- Video Keeper – Lightweight downloader for YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, LiveLeak, and other streaming video platforms.
- SuperTube – Downloader that supports YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and more.
The iPhone options provide seamless integration with iOS, allowing you to download videos from within the app itself. Look for apps that enable background downloading and format conversion as well.
Are Downloaded Videos Legal?
When downloading online videos, it’s important to keep copyright law in mind. In general:
- Downloading videos from YouTube and other platforms for personal use is normally permitted under fair use policies.
- YouTube’s terms of service allow downloads for non-commercial use.
- Downloading videos you do not have the rights to distribute may violate copyright.
- You cannot download videos from sites like Netflix that forbid it in their terms.
- Check the video site’s TOS to understand if downloading is allowed.
As long as you are downloading videos from platforms like YouTube for your own private viewing, this is generally considered fair use and allowed under current copyright law in most countries.
Conclusion
Even without visible download options, there are now many straightforward methods to save videos from websites to your computer, phone, or tablet. Install a browser extension, use an online downloader, try screen recording software, or get a dedicated app to unlock easy video downloading from Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Facebook, and 1000+ other streaming platforms.
Remember to always check the platform’s terms of service and respect copyright law. But for personal offline viewing of videos, most sites now enable legal downloading using the range of techniques outlined here – no download button required!