Best Video Downloaders for PC in 2026: 7 Compared
The short answer: For one plan that covers a Windows app and the browser, BlackHole: a free 48-hour trial, then Pro is $19.99 a year or $49 once. For whole channels with a free plan, 4K Video Downloader Plus. For a download manager that grabs videos from your browser, IDM at $24.95 once per PC. For free, yt-dlp at the command line, or Stacher if you'd rather have a window.
We compared seven video downloaders that run on Windows 10 and 11 on what decides the choice on a PC: whether it's an app or a command-line tool, the highest quality it saves, batch and playlist downloads, ads or bundled offers in the installer, and what it costs. The table comes from each tool's own site, checked on 29 October 2026, and our own use of BlackHole. JDownloader and ClipGrab, which many lists include, are left out on purpose; the FAQ explains why.
Last updated: October 2026
How to download a video on a PC without installing anything
Three steps with BlackHole in Chrome, Edge or Firefox.
- Copy the video link. Copy the address bar, or use the site's Share button and choose Copy link.
- Paste it into the box above. Paste the link into the download box at the top of this page and choose a format and quality. A free account gets 3 downloads a day at up to 480p. YouTube and 4K need Pro; a 24-hour pass is $1.99.
- Save the file. Click Download. Chrome and Edge save the file to your Downloads folder; press Ctrl+J to see it.
Quick Verdict
Best for a PC app and the browser on one plan
BlackHole
The Windows app runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) and saves to a folder at your connection's full speed. The same Pro key works in any browser, your phone's included. Free 48-hour trial, then $19.99 a year or $49 once.
Best for channels, with a free plan
4K Video Downloader Plus
Downloads whole playlists and channels at up to 8K. The free plan has limits it doesn't publish; paid plans start at €18.75 a year, and Personal and Pro are one-off licences for 3 computers. Its developer lists Windows 11.
Best download manager that also grabs videos
Internet Download Manager
Adds a download panel to videos playing in Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera, and manages every other download too. Windows only: a 30-day trial, then $24.95 once for one PC or $11.95 a year.
Best for 8K and bulk links
SnapDownloader
Saves up to 8K from 900+ sites, takes up to 100 links at once, and has a scheduler and a trimmer. A 48-hour trial, then $29.99 a year, or $39.99 once for one PC with updates within its current major version.
Best for command-line users
yt-dlp
Free, open-source and the most capable tool here, with 1,000+ sites. Download yt-dlp.exe from its GitHub releases (Windows 10 or later) along with ffmpeg, then type yt-dlp and paste a link.
Best free app with a window
Stacher
Puts yt-dlp in a window, free with no limits or ads, and its Windows installer is code-signed. It installs ffmpeg and keeps yt-dlp up to date for you. It's free, but not open source.
Best open-source app with a window
Open Video Downloader
Free and open-source (AGPL-3.0): yt-dlp in a window that downloads playlists and keeps yt-dlp up to date. It has builds for x64 and Arm PCs and is on winget.
Feature Comparison
| Tool | Type | Max Quality | Batch Downloads | No Ads | Open Source | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackHole#1 | Web + Desktop | 4K | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Free (unlimited) / $5.99/mo, $19.99/yr, or $49 lifetime Pro |
| 4K Video Downloader Plus | Desktop | 8K | ✓ | Paid plans | ✗ | Free (limited) / from €18.75/yr |
| Internet Download Manager | Desktop | Not stated | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | $24.95 lifetime or $11.95/yr per PC (30-day trial) |
| SnapDownloader | Desktop | 8K | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | $29.99/yr or $39.99 lifetime (48-hour trial) |
| yt-dlp | CLI | 8K | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free (open-source) |
| Stacher | Desktop | Same as yt-dlp | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Free (Premium extras on Patreon) |
| Open Video Downloader | Desktop | Same as yt-dlp | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free (open-source) |
In-Depth Breakdown
BlackHole
Web + DesktopBest for a PC app and the browser on one planPros
- ✓No ads, clean interface — no malware risk
- ✓Supports 9 platforms including TikTok, Instagram and Reddit
- ✓Native desktop app for Windows and Mac — downloads run locally at your connection's full speed
- ✓Unlimited free downloads on every site but YouTube
Cons
- ✗Free tier limited to 480p, and YouTube needs Pro
- ✗Requires free account signup
- ✗No Linux build of the desktop app
4K Video Downloader Plus
DesktopBest for channels, with a free planPros
- ✓Up to 8K, plus 360° and 3D video
- ✓Downloads whole playlists and channels, and can skip videos already saved
- ✓Subtitles in 50+ languages; Smart Mode applies your usual settings in one click
Cons
- ✗Desktop only (Windows, macOS 12+, Ubuntu); its Android app is sold separately
- ✗The free plan caps downloads without publishing the limits; ad-free is a paid-plan feature
- ✗No Instagram or X; 4K Download's separate Instagram app, Stogram, no longer gets support or bug fixes
Internet Download Manager
DesktopBest download manager that also grabs videosPros
- ✓Adds a download panel to videos playing in Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera
- ✓Manages every other download too, with queues and a scheduler
- ✓A one-off licence for one PC, and updated often (6.43 Build 16, October 2026)
Cons
- ✗Windows only: no Mac, Linux or phone version
- ✗No free version: a 30-day trial, then a licence
- ✗Names no supported sites, maximum quality or playlist support
SnapDownloader
DesktopBest for 8K and bulk linksPros
- ✓Built-in scheduler, queue and proxy settings
- ✓Supports playlist, channel, and batch URL downloads
- ✓Runs several downloads at once, at up to 8K, from 900+ sites
Cons
- ✗No free plan: a 48-hour trial, then from $7.99 a month
- ✗Requires installation; no web or mobile access
- ✗Windows and macOS 11+ only; the Linux version is still "coming soon"
yt-dlp
CLIBest for command-line usersPros
- ✓Supports 1000+ sites — widest platform coverage of any tool
- ✓Fully customizable: quality, format, subtitles, metadata, filters
- ✓Actively maintained with frequent YouTube bot-detection workarounds
Cons
- ✗Command-line only — requires technical knowledge to use
- ✗No GUI: you install it and run it from a terminal
- ✗Ongoing maintenance needed as platforms update their anti-bot measures
Stacher
DesktopBest free app with a windowPros
- ✓Free without limitations and with no ads: yt-dlp in a window, so no terminal
- ✓Installs ffmpeg and keeps yt-dlp updated for you, from their official sources
- ✓The Windows build is code-signed (since 7.1.10), which the developer says ends most SmartScreen warnings
Cons
- ✗Free but not open source: all rights reserved by Hexotic Software
- ✗Themes and the Library come with Premium, sold on Patreon
- ✗Desktop only: nothing for a phone or a browser
Open Video Downloader
DesktopBest open-source app with a windowPros
- ✓Free and open-source (AGPL-3.0): yt-dlp in a window, so no terminal
- ✓Downloads whole playlists, and keeps itself and yt-dlp up to date
- ✓Builds for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, plus Windows and Linux
Cons
- ✗Desktop only: nothing for a phone or a browser
- ✗Comes from GitHub or Homebrew, with no app store listing on the Mac
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video downloader for PC in 2026?▾
Is there a free video downloader for Windows?▾
Is there a video downloader that works like IDM?▾
Is it safe to install a video downloader on Windows?▾
Why aren't JDownloader and ClipGrab on this list?▾
Does BlackHole work on Windows 10?▾
BlackHole or 4K Video Downloader: which should I get?▾
How do I download a YouTube video on Windows with yt-dlp?▾
Try BlackHole Free Today
No installation required. Download videos from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and six more platforms right in your browser.
Try BlackHole Free →