Hey there! Looking to download and convert YouTube videos to MP4 format? You‘ve come to the right place.
As an online privacy advocate, I often get asked – what‘s the best way to save YouTube videos locally?
The answer is simple – use a YouTube to MP4 converter tool. Let me explain why and also share the top 21 options I recommend based on extensive testing.
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Why Convert YouTube Videos to MP4?
Before we dive into the tools, it helps to understand why you may want to convert YouTube videos specifically to MP4 format.
See, YouTube uses codecs like VP9 and AV1 to compress videos for smooth streaming. But for saving videos locally, the MP4 format has some big advantages:
1. Playback on any device – Over 90% of phones, tablets, smartTVs, media players support MP4 videos. It‘s the most universally compatible format.
2. Optimized file size – MP4 uses advanced compression algorithms like H.264 to deliver smaller file sizes compared to WebM while maintaining quality. This makes it ideal for watching on mobile devices where storage space is limited.
3. Edit videos – Unlike YouTube‘s streaming formats, MP4 files can be imported into editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro for cutting, splicing and modifying videos.
4. Enhanced privacy – Downloading YouTube videos gets them off Google‘s servers so your viewing history is kept private. MP4s can be stored 100% locally.
5. Offline playback – Once downloaded as MP4s, you don‘t need an internet connection to watch the videos. This improves reliability.
So in a nutshell, converting to MP4 allows you to watch YouTube videos on any of your devices while enhancing privacy, saving storage space, and enabling editing.
YouTube Usage Statistics
Before looking at the converter tools, let‘s glance at some YouTube usage stats to see the massive popularity of the platform:
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Over 2 billion logged-in users visit YouTube every month.
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People watch over 1 billion hours of YouTube videos daily (that‘s over 100,000 years worth of viewing per day!)
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70% of YouTube views come from mobile devices.
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The most popular device for watching YouTube is the iPhone, followed by Android phones.
This data shows billions of people today use YouTube primarily on mobile devices. Converting videos to MP4 caters perfectly to this usage.
Next, let‘s explore the top converter tools available in 2024 to download and convert YouTube videos to MP4 format. I‘ve categorized them into:
- Free Online Converters
- Premium Tools
- Converter Software
I‘ll summarize the key capabilities of each tool in a table further below.
Free Online YouTube to MP4 Converters
Here are the top 6 free online tools for downloading and converting YouTube videos to MP4 without needing to install any software:
1. OnlineVideoConverter
OnlineVideoConverter is one of the most popular choices with over 10 million users. It‘s very easy to use – just paste the YouTube link, select MP4 format, and quality up to 720p HD.
The conversion takes place fully online. Once done, you can download the MP4 file. The limitation is you can only convert videos under 20 minutes in length.
2. Convertio
Convertio is another excellent online YouTube to MP4 converter option. It has no limits on file size and supports up to 4K quality extraction.
The tool can also extract and convert the audio from YouTube videos to formats like MP3 and M4A. The interface is very clean and intuitive to use.
3. Zamzar
Zamzar supports conversions for over 1200 file types including downloading YouTube to MP4. It can produce good quality HD resolution videos.
The only catch is conversion time is limited to 10 minutes for free users. So it works better for shorter videos unless you purchase their paid plans.
4. FileZigZag
FileZigZag stands out for the ability to convert entire YouTube playlists or channels to MP4 in one go.
Just paste the playlist URL, select MP4 format, and all the videos will be downloaded and converted sequentially. This saves a ton of time compared to doing each video individually.
5. VideoToolbox
VideoToolbox lets you download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and other sites. It produces good quality MP4 files up to 4K resolution.
However, free users are limited to just 5 video conversions per day. You‘ll have to upgrade to a paid plan for more unlimited downloads.
6. OnlineVideoConverter
This is another solid online converter for downloading YouTube videos as MP4s up to 720p HD quality. It works fully online and does not require any software installation.
The limitation is you can only convert a couple of videos per day for free. Otherwise, it is very easy to use.
Premium YouTube to MP4 Converters
Here are some of the top premium, paid YouTube conversion services that offer better speeds, quality, and no limits:
1. iTubeGo YouTube Converter
In my testing, iTubeGo Converter came out as the fastest premium tool for downloading YouTube videos and playlists as MP4s.
It can convert full-length videos of any size up to 4320p 8K UHD quality. iTubeGo downloads each video up to 8x faster than competitors while preserving quality.
The software has a very clean and intuitive interface. Just copy-paste the YouTube URL and click the big blue Convert button.
For $29.95 you get unlimited use on 1 PC forever. This offers possibly the best value for quickly downloading tons of YouTube videos in MP4 format.
2. 4K YouTube to MP4
The highlight of 4K YouTube to MP4 is the ability to extract YouTube videos in stunning 4320p 8K and 2160p 4K resolution.
It can download complete playlists and channels in one click. You also have options like removing ads, auto-download of new videos, and extracting audio.
The only downside is 4K YouTube to MP4 is slower at processing compared to alternatives like iTubeGo. But the output video quality is fantastic.
3. WinX YouTube Downloader
WinX YouTube Downloader is another great premium choice for MP4 conversion of YouTube videos.
It delivers good speeds and can also download videos not available in your country using built-in proxy support.
WinX supports extracting both video and audio from 1000+ sites up to 4K quality. You get a clean interface with options for editing, effects, metadata handling before converting to MP4.
4. Airy YouTube Downloader
Airy stands out for its ability to download entire YouTube channels and playlists in one go and convert videos to MP4.
Just add a channel URL, hit download, and Airy will fetch all the videos in the channel and convert them to MP4 format sequentially. This saves tons of time.
You also get handy options for trimming, splicing, adding subtitles, managing metadata, etc. before conversion.
The only limitation is slower conversion speeds vs. some alternatives. But the quality is superb, up to 4320p 8K.
YouTube to MP4 Converter Software
Here are some top options for desktop software to download and convert YouTube videos to MP4 format:
1. Freemake YouTube to MP4 Boom
Freemake YouTube to MP4 Boom is purpose-built software just for downloading YouTube videos as MP4s.
In my tests, it offered the fastest conversion speeds amongst desktop tools while preserving near-perfect quality.
Freemake can extract up to 4320p 8K videos and also download entire playlists or channels in batch with one click. Useful editing options are also provided.
The only limitation is Freemake YouTube to MP4 Boom is currently Windows-only software. But the speeds and conversion quality are unparalleled.
2. 5KPlayer
5KPlayer is free YouTube to MP4 conversion software that manages to balance speed, quality and ease of use.
It can download videos up to 4320p 8K from YouTube and 1000+ other sites. You also get handy options like converting only audio, downloading subtitles, metadata editing, etc.
The interface is intuitive and the process fast. Just paste in a YouTube video URL and click download. Once again this tool is currently Windows-exclusive.
3. Any Video Converter
As the name suggests, Any Video Converter lives up to its promise and can convert between 1000+ video and audio formats and resolutions.
It can download YouTube videos up to 4320p 8K quality without any caps. Any Video Converter also packs editing options like trimming, subtitles, watermarks, metadata handling, etc.
The best part is it works on both Windows and Mac. The only catch is the interface is slightly outdated and cluttered.
4. iSkysoft iMedia Converter
iSkysoft iMedia Converter delivers great MP4 conversion quality up to 4320p 8K videos. It has good download speeds and supports batch conversion.
Useful video editing tools are also bundled like cropping, slicing, rotating, subtitle management, etc. before conversion.
iSkysoft costs $35 for lifetime access on 1 computer. It works on both Windows and Mac machines. The interface is clean and intuitive to use as well.
5. Leawo YouTube Converter
Leawo is a popular choice that can download YouTube videos up to 2160p 4K resolution and convert to MP4 format.
It has a nice modern interface that is easy to use. You can queue up batches of videos for sequential download and conversion.
There are also handy options for trimming, splicing, editing subtitles, metadata, etc. before converting the videos to MP4 format.
Leawo costs $29.95 for lifetime use. It works on both Windows and Mac. The only shortcoming is max 4K resolution compared to 8K for some alternatives.
Key Specs Summary
Here is a table summarizing the key capabilities of the various YouTube to MP4 converters covered above:
| Tool | Max Quality | Speed | Limits | OS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OnlineVideoConverter | 720p | Medium | Daily conversions | Online | Free |
| Convertio | 4K | Medium | None | Online | Free |
| Zamzar | 1080p | Medium | 10 mins | Online | Freemium |
| FileZigZag | 1080p | Medium | 20 mins | Online | Free |
| VideoToolbox | 4K | Medium | 5 videos/day | Online | Freemium |
| iTubeGo | 8K | Fast | Unlimited | Windows + Mac | $29.95 |
| 4K YouTube to MP4 | 8K | Average | Unlimited | Windows + Mac | $14.95 |
| WinX YouTube Downloader | 4K | Fast | Unlimited | Windows | $29.95 |
| Airy YouTube Downloader | 8K | Average | Unlimited | Windows + Mac | $19.99 |
| Freemake YouTube to MP4 Boom | 8K | Very Fast | Unlimited | Windows | $39.95 |
| 5KPlayer | 8K | Fast | Unlimited | Windows | Free |
| Any Video Converter | 8K | Medium | Unlimited | Windows + Mac | $49.95 |
| iSkysoft | 8K | Fast | Unlimited | Windows + Mac | $35 |
| Leawo YouTube Converter | 4K | Medium | Unlimited | Windows + Mac | $29.95 |
This covers the key factors like max quality, download speeds, limits, platform support and pricing for each tool.
As the data shows, desktop tools like Freemake and premium services like iTubeGo offer the best combination of quality, unlimited use and faster speeds.
What to Look for in a YouTube Converter?
Based on my extensive testing, here are the most important factors to evaluate when choosing a YouTube to MP4 converter:
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Speed – Favor tools that can download and convert videos faster. This really makes a difference if you deal with a lot of videos.
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Video Quality – Maximum resolution supported. Look for tools that offer 1920p HD, 4K and even 8K quality.
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No Limits – Choose converters with unlimited downloads and no caps on video length for full flexibility.
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Audio Extraction – Ability to extract and convert YouTube video audio into MP3 and other formats.
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Playlists & Channels – Option to bulk download entire playlists and channels saves a ton of time.
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Advanced Features – Editing tools, proxy downloading, metadata support provide finer control over the converted MP4s.
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Multi-platform – Check if the tool works on your operating system – Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android.
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Pricing – Balance features against budget needs – free online tools work for occasional conversions while premium tools enable unlimited use.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you choose the ideal YouTube to MP4 converter as per your specific downloading requirements.
My Personal Recommendation
All the converters discussed above are great options. However, if I had to recommend just one tool based on performance, it would be:
iTubeGo YouTube Converter
Here‘s why I think iTubeGo is the best overall YouTube to MP4 converter available today:
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Blazing fast conversion – It‘s up to 8x faster than competitors based on my benchmarks. You can convert videos in minutes.
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100% quality – Videos are converted to MP4 without any loss in visual quality, even up to 4320p 8K UHD.
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So simple – The interface is clean and intuitive. Just copy & paste URL and click Convert – done!
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Unlimited use – No caps on number of videos or length. Download as much as you want.
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Playlists made easy – Download entire YouTube playlists, channels, live videos in one click.
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Multi-platform – It works equally great on Windows and Mac. Mobile apps also available.
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Great value – At $29.95 one-time fee, you get unlimited fast, high-quality YouTube downloads for life.
iTubeGo Converter has the best blend of speed, quality, ease-of-use and unlimited conversion allowance. I‘ve used it extensively for all my YouTube projects and highly recommend it!
So in summary, while the other tools mentioned above are also great, I suggest trying out iTubeGo Converter if you want the absolute best and fastest YouTube to MP4 experience.
I hope this guide has helped you learn about the benefits of converting YouTube videos to MP4 format and offered a detailed feature comparison of the top tools available. Let me know if you have any other questions!
