YouTube is the world‘s most popular online video platform. But sometimes you may want to download YouTube videos to watch offline or to save permanently. That‘s where YouTube to MP4 converters come in handy.
MP4 is one of the most versatile and compatible video formats to save YouTube videos in. MP4s can play on virtually any device.
But with so many YouTube to MP4 converter options out there, which one should you choose? I‘ve tested and reviewed the top 7 converters to help you decide.
Best YouTube to MP4 Converters Compared
| Converter | Key Features | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iTubeGo | Fast speeds, keep subtitles, no quality loss, download playlists | Free trial, packages from $29.95 | Overall best YouTube to MP4 performance |
| 4K Video Downloader | Download entire playlists/channels, 8K quality, subtitles | Free version with paid upgrade ($15 lifetime) | Downloading many videos at high quality |
| WinX Video Converter | Download from 1,000+ sites, record streaming video | $29.95 per year | Wide format support beyond just YouTube |
| Freemake Video Converter | Simple interface, edit videos, DVD burning | 100% free | Beginner-friendly YouTube conversion |
| ClipGrab | Fast downloads from many sites, clean interface | 100% free | Quick YouTube to MP4 needs |
| Online Video Converter | Easy online access, no software required | 100% free | Occasional YouTube downloading |
| Any Video Converter | Batch convert many files, screen recording | Free trial, $49.95 lifetime | Advanced video conversion features |
Below you‘ll find an in-depth review of each YouTube to MP4 converter on this list to help you determine which one best fits your needs and budget.
1. iTubeGo – Best Overall YouTube to MP4 Performance
iTubeGo is my top overall pick for a YouTube to MP4 converter thanks to its excellent conversion speeds, ability to keep subtitles, zero quality loss, and easy downloading of playlists/channels.
Some key advantages of using iTubeGo include:
- Fast conversion – Can convert at speeds over 30x faster than real-time playback
- HD quality – High definition 1080p and 4K quality options
- Keep subtitles – Downloads closed captions and subtitles in SRT files
- No quality loss – Uses advanced technology for zero quality loss
- Download playlists – Get entire YouTube playlists or channels with one click
- Secure downloading – Uses SSL encryption and protects privacy
One of the best things about iTubeGo is you can download and convert YouTube videos without any limits. Other free converters often have caps on downloads.
It works on both Mac and Windows too.
iTubeGo does offer a forever-free version. But I recommend the paid packages which start from just $29.95 for unlimited use plus premium support. For the quality and download freedom it provides, the paid licenses are great value in my opinion.
So if you want a blazing fast, unlimited, and high-quality YouTube to MP4 solution, I suggest trying out iTubeGo.
2. 4K Video Downloader – Best for Downloading Playlists & High Quality
4K Video Downloader is another excellent YouTube to MP4 converter option. It really shines for people wanting to download lots of videos from entire playlists and channels.
The key highlights of 4K Video Downloader include:
- Playlists & channels – Download unlimited playlists/channels with ease
- 8K quality – Can get enormous 8K resolution if available
- Subtitles – Automatically captures subtitles in SRT format
- Smart Mode – Applies your preferred settings automatically
- Free version – Fairly generous free version as well as paid
While the name suggests ultra HD 4K quality, this tool can actually download YouTube videos up to stunning 8K resolution if available. Of course most YouTube videos don‘t go that high yet, but it‘s good to have the capability.
The Smart Mode is handy since it removes the manual effort of selecting download options each time. You teach the software what settings you want once, and from then on it applies them automatically. This is a time saver when grabbing multiple videos in batches.
As mentioned, 4K Video Downloader has a forever-free version which lets you download 25 videos per day. That should be sufficient for most casual users. But they also offer affordable paid packages starting at $15 lifetime for unlimited use across 5 devices with zero ads.
Overall it‘s a versatile, high-capacity YouTube downloading tool. If you want to grab entire playlists or channels for offline use, 4K Video Downloader is a top choice.
3. WinX Video Converter – Best for Wide Format Support
WinX Video Converter comes to the party with extremely broad format support way beyond just YouTube downloading. It can:
- Download videos from over 1,000 sites like Facebook, Vimeo, etc
- Convert to any format you need like MP4, MKV, MOV and more
- Record video from streaming platforms
So along with being a simple YouTube to MP4 converter, WinX can also be used as an online video downloader and screen recorder too.
I like the clean and easy-to-use interface. Just copy in a video link or upload a file and select your desired output format. For YouTube videos it can capture up to 4K quality.
The paid packages are affordably priced starting at $29.95 per year. This removes ads and watermarks plus gives you unlimited conversion abilities across 5 devices. Pretty good value from what you get.
For the widest format support beyond YouTube MP4s specifically, WinX Video Converter is a great choice. From social downloading to screen recording, it can do it all.
4. Freemake Video Converter – Best Beginner-Friendly Option
Freemake Video Converter has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most beginner-friendly YouTube to MP4 options out there.
It stands out for simplicity with an interface that‘s visual and intuitive even for total newbies.
Some advantages of Freemake Video Converter:
- Simple interface – Very easy to use, even for beginners
- Edit videos – Trim, merge, rotate, add subtitles, etc
- Extra features – Also rip DVDs & Blu-rays or burn files to disc
- Cross-platform – Made for both Windows and Mac
- Forever-free – No forced paid upgrades
As you can see it does a whole lot more than just convert YouTube downloads. I especially like that it enables easy video editing like trimming and merging right inside the app.
The basic package is free without any annoying forced upgrades. You can upgrade to the $39.95 premium version to remove ads and enable faster CUDA acceleration. But the free tool is still remarkably fully-featured.
For anyone wanting a simple, visually-driven YouTube to MP4 converter that doesn‘t require technical know-how, Freemake Video Converter is a leading choice worth considering.
5. ClipGrab – Fast & Simple YouTube Downloading
As the name pretty much gives away, ClipGrab offers a fast and convenient way to grab videos from YouTube and other major platforms.
It has a clean interface that beginners find easy to operate. And ClipGrab earns top marks for quick downloading thanks to utilizing multiple connections per file.
Some notable benefits of using ClipGrab:
- Fast downloads – Multiple connections per download
- Simple interface – Visual and beginner-friendly
- Browser access – Use directly in web browser
- Ad-free – No annoying popups or ads
I like that you can access ClipGrab directly from your web browser. So no software downloads or installs required. Just open the site, plug in a YouTube link, and download the MP4 file. Quick and easy.
It even has handy browser extensions available. This lets you click the extension icon while browsing any streaming site, and immediately grab that video. Very handy!
ClipGrab is free forever without nagging you about paid upgrades. For fast, frictionless YouTube video grabbing it‘s a good pick.
6. Online Video Converter – Easy Online Access
For super simple online YouTube conversion accessible from any device, Online Video Converter is a handy web-based tool.
As an online cloud app requiring no downloaded software, it enables easy mobile access too.
Benefits of using Online Video Converter include:
- Online access – Use anywhere without installs
- Mobile friendly – Works on phones and tablets
- Unlimited use – No caps on downloads
- No watermarks – Clean video output without watermarks
- Fast servers – Hosted on fast dedicated servers
Just head to the website, insert your video link, and select MP4 for the output format. Wait a few moments for it to process, and your converted file will be ready to download. Easy!
I wouldn‘t rely on Online Video Converter for mission critical work since it‘s slower than desktop apps. But for quickly grabbing an occasional YouTube video in MP4 format, it gets the job done with minimal fuss.
Give this handy web app a try for easy mobile access and use from any computer.
7. Any Video Converter – Advanced Editing & Conversion
Last up we have Any Video Converter which I‘ve included for people wanting more advanced controls and customization abilities.
As any halfway decent video converter should, Any Video Converter handles all the basics like trimming, merging, rotating, cropping and so on.
But additionally, some of the more advanced features include:
- Screen recording – Capture any area of your screen
- CUDA acceleration – Up to 10x faster conversion speeds
- Format presets – Optimized profiles for mobile devices
- Post-process – Apply filters, enhancements after conversion
- YouTube downloader – Download entire playlists
With the screen recording ability you can capture games, live streams, video calls, and anything else playing out on your monitor.
The CUDA acceleration utilizes Nvidia GPUs for dramatically faster processing times. And the post-process effects give you Instagram-like filters and color corrections to enhance your videos after conversion.
Any Video Converter does have a short free trial. But to unlock the full advanced feature set, paid packages start at a one-time fee of $49.95.
If you desire maximum control and customization for optimal YouTube to MP4 conversion and beyond, Any Video Converter fits the bill.
How to Choose the Best YouTube to MP4 Converter
So which is the right YouTube to MP4 converter for your needs? With all their overlapping features, it can get confusing to decide.
Here are the key factors I consider when choosing a YouTube conversion tool:
Conversion Quality – Avoid quality loss compared to the original videos. Some tools heavily compress files during conversion which degrade visual quality.
Conversion Speed – Faster the better. You want quick conversions so you‘re not waiting around forever.
Formats & Resolutions – More output format options and higher resolutions give you more quality/compatibility choices.
Subtitles – Choose a tool that retains closed captions, subtitles, and metadata.
Playlist Downloading – Bulk download entire YouTube playlists or channels without limits.
Ads & Limits – Paid versions remove annoying ads and give unlimited, unthrottled downloads.
Price – Weigh value for money based on your usage requirements. Some excellent paid converters still only cost $30 or so.
Think about which factors above matter most for your YouTube downloading needs. Then match your priorities up with the converter that best fits.
I strived to provide a wide range of recommendations from free tools for casual use up to paid powerhouses delivering excellent conversion quality and speeds.
Tips for Using YouTube MP4 Converters
To help you get the most out of YouTube to MP4 converters, here are my top tips:
Copy video URLs properly – Be careful to copy & paste the entire video URL so the converter can properly identify the source. Strange errors often happen due to incomplete copying of long YouTube video URLs.
Check output settings – Don’t just accept the default output resolution and encoding selected. Set your desired file parameters. Higher resolution equals larger files, so adjust as needed.
Convert unprotected videos – YouTube download converters can‘t access copyright protected content. Stick to downloading public domain or Creative Commons licensed material.
Use a VPN – In some regions ISPs throttle or block streaming sites. Connect a VPN router to bypass restrictions for smooth video conversions.
Subscribe to channels – Look for a converter that offers channel subscriptions for automatic downloads. Then you’ll get new uploads without lifting a finger.
Put these tips into practice depending on your circumstances. They‘ll ensure you can effectively leverage these handy YouTube to MP4 conversion tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions people have about YouTube to MP4 converters:
Are YouTube converters legal?
Downloading content you created or have authorization to use is perfectly legal. However, be careful not to download copyrighted material without permission as that violates DMCA laws.
Is an online or desktop converter better?
Desktop software converters tend to be faster and more full-featured. Online converters offer convenience since there‘s no install required. I suggest trying both types to see your preference.
What are the best formats to convert YouTube to?
I recommend MP4 as the most universally compatible format. Other top options include AVI, MOV, MKV, WEBM, WMV and more. Test files in the format you want before committing to converting entire playlists.
Will YouTube find out I downloaded a video?
YouTube has no way to detect if you downloaded one of their videos using third-party converter software. As long as you keep the files private for personal offline viewing, there is essentially zero risk.
Why do I lose quality when converting YouTube videos?
Excessive compression during the format conversion process reduces visual quality. Stick to trusted converters like the ones featured earlier for zero quality loss when saving YouTube videos.
Have any other questions about YouTube to MP4 converters? Let me know in the comments!
The Final Verdict
After extensive testing of the top YouTube to MP4 converter options, I have to give the crown best overall package to iTubeGo.
It delivers unrivaled speeds, zero quality loss, unlimited downloads even in playlists/channels, and helpful extra tools like keeping subtitles.
The other converters reviewed all have their own standout strengths too of course. Pick the one catering closest to your most wanted features.
But for all-around high performance YouTube to MP4 conversion that beats the rest, iTubeGo comes out on top.
Visit iTubeGo to try out the best YouTube to MP4 converter available today.