8 Top YouTube Downloaders

Although there are more than a dozen of web-based youtube downloading application on the net but most of them are more or less doing the same thing. They all asked you cut & paste a url and redirects you to a backend server to "Save As" that video file. And then you have to rename the file into .flv each time before you can watch it. And worst of all, the flv file can't be used for offline viewing like cellphone, ipod, zune etc... There should be a better way to do it! Especially if you consider yourself a "Power Watcher", you NEED a desktop application to do the heavy lifting for you LOCALLY. And do it FAST. Here I list my top 8 desktop applications which will help you to download and convert any youtube videos to your favorite format to play on your PC, iPod or Zune etc...

• 1-Click YouTube Batch Downloader - Video
• My Video Downloader - Video
• VDownloader - Video
• VideoGet - Screenshot
• YouTubeDownloader - Video
• Orbit Downloader - Video
• Xilisoft Download YouTube Video - Screenshot
• TubeSucker -Video

Conclusion:

Download & Convert:

• VDownloader is the fastest in this category with its simultaneous download functionality.
• 1-Click YouTube Batch Downloader unique in its ease of use & ability to batch download 100s of videos from certain user/favorite/playlist with the least clicks. Support International Characters.
• YouTubeDownloader supports the most file formats including the latest H.26x.

Download Only:

• Xilisoft Dowload YouTube Video is the fastest. In our test it is even faster than P2P.
• Orbit Downloader is unique in its P2P technology. However like all P2P applications, it depends on how many people have downloaded the same file and have their machines turned on. Also its download process is very simple, just hover your mouse over the video and a "GetIt" button will appear.
• YouTubeSucker like the 1-Click YouTube Batch Downloader allows batch download 100s of videos. However, the feature is only available in the Pro version which cost $25+ and they don't have a trial version for that. So I have no way to actually test it.

Another consideration is its ability to convert/download from other online video sites which I will try to cover it in my next article.

p.s.

YouTubeGrabber: A message from its web-site "Youtube Grabber (All versions) no longer works because of Youtube's new layout. Please tell all your friends"

KeepV Flash Converter: I had a hard time to make it work. :<