12 Best Free YouTube to MP4 Converters (Tested & Safe)

Convert YouTube to MP4

We’ve all been there. You find the perfect tutorial, an unforgettable music video, or a critical lecture on YouTube, but you’re about to hop on a plane or head somewhere with spotty Wi-Fi. You think, “I just wish I could save this thing.” That’s the moment you start searching for a YouTube to MP4 converter.

As someone who’s been in the content game for over a decade, I’ve been down this rabbit hole more times than I can count. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the outright sketchy. There are tools that work beautifully and sites that feel like a minefield of pop-ups and viruses. To save you the headache, I’ve put dozens of free converters to the test, focusing on what really matters: Is it safe? Is the quality any good? And is it easy to use?

This is my definitive guide. No fluff, just the tools that actually work. And for anyone who just wants the quick steps, this How to Convert YouTube to MP4: Step-by-Step Tutorial is a great starting point.


So, Why Bother Converting to MP4?

You might be wondering why MP4 is the magic format. Simply put, it’s universal. An MP4 file will play on your phone, your laptop, your tablet—pretty much anything with a screen. Here’s why that’s so useful:

  • Watch Anything, Anywhere: This is the big one. No internet, no problem. Your video is saved right on your device. If you’re curious about different ways to do this, there are some great detailed guides to save YouTube videos to laptop & PC.
  • No More Buffering: We all know the pain of a video freezing at a crucial moment. A local file plays smoothly from start to finish.
  • Keep Your Content: YouTubers and YouTube itself can delete videos without warning. If it’s important to you, saving a copy is the only way to guarantee you’ll always have it.
  • For the Creators: If you make your own content, you often need clips for reactions or reviews (always be mindful of fair use and copyright!). Getting those clips as clean MP4s is step one, and finding the best video editing software for YouTube beginners is step two.

First, A Word of Warning on Safety and Legality

Let’s be real for a second. Is this whole thing safe and legal?

On the safety front, you have to be careful. Many free online converter sites are plastered with aggressive ads or try to trick you into downloading shady software. These nasty extras, often called Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs), can bundle malware or adware that you definitely don’t want. Every tool on this list was scrutinized for safety first.

As for legality, YouTube’s official Terms of Service are pretty clear: you’re not supposed to download content without permission. In practice, this is rarely enforced for people saving videos for their own personal, offline use. The real trouble starts if you try to share, re-upload, or sell the content you’ve downloaded. So, a simple rule of thumb: use these tools responsibly and respect the creators.

Disclaimer: I’m a blogger, not a lawyer. This isn’t legal advice. Stick to downloading content you have permission for, that’s in the public domain, or for your own private use under fair use principles.


My Ultimate List: 12 Free YouTube to MP4 Converters That Don’t Suck

I’ve split the list into two camps: desktop software for those who want more power and online tools for those who need speed and convenience.

How to Convert YouTube to MP4

Part 1: Desktop Software (For Maximum Control)

If you download videos often, desktop apps are the way to go. You install them once and get better speeds, higher quality, and no sketchy website ads. For even more options, you can check out this list of the Top 10 Best YouTube Video Downloaders for PC (Free & Paid Options).

1. 4K Video Downloader+4k YouTube Video Downloader

  • Best For: Quality fanatics and downloading whole playlists. I’m starting with my longtime favorite. 4K Video Downloader+ is clean, fast, and does its job perfectly without any nonsense. It can grab videos in stunning 8K quality and even download entire YouTube channels with just one link. The “Smart Mode” is a killer feature—set your preferences once, and future downloads are a single click away.
  • The Catch? The free version limits you to 30 single downloads a day and 10 videos per playlist. For most people, that’s more than enough.
  • Bottom line on safety: Top-notch. A trusted name for years.

2. WinX YouTube DownloaderFree YouTube Video Downloaders

  • Best For: Blazing-fast speeds on a huge number of sites. WinX feels like a premium tool, but it’s 100% free. It’s a workhorse that handles 4K downloads without stuttering and supports way more than just YouTube. It’s one of the fastest tools I tested.
  • Keep in mind: The installer might suggest other paid software from the same company, but you can just ignore it. The interface also looks a little old-school, but it’s purely functional.
  • Bottom line on safety: Excellent. No bundled junk, just some self-promotion.

3. Freemake Video Downloader

  • Best For: A simple, friendly desktop experience. Freemake has been around forever. The app is incredibly easy to use and lets you manage your bandwidth if you’re on a slower connection. It’s a solid choice if you want the stability of a desktop app without a lot of confusing options.
  • The Catch? This is a big one for some: the free version adds a Freemake logo at the start and end of your videos. If you need clean files, this is a deal-breaker.
  • Bottom line on safety: Good. The app itself is clean, but the watermark is a drawback.

4. ByClick DownloaderByClick YouTube Video Downloader

  • Best For: The sheer convenience of one-click downloading. This tool has a clever trick up its sleeve. When you’re watching a video on YouTube, a little pop-up asks if you want to download it. You don’t even have to copy and paste the URL. It’s also great for grabbing MP3s, as it automatically adds the song title and artist.
  • Keep in mind: The free version is more of a trial. To unlock the best quality and speed, you’ll need to upgrade.
  • Bottom line on safety: Excellent. It’s a legitimate piece of software with a clear upgrade path.

5. VLC Media Player

  • Best For: The hidden “hacker” method using a tool you already have. That’s right, the trusty orange-cone media player can download YouTube videos. It’s not a straightforward process, but it’s completely free, ad-free, and incredibly safe because you’re using an app you already trust. It’s my go-to when I’m on a new machine and don’t want to install anything extra.
  • How it works:
    1. In VLC, go to Media > Open Network Stream and paste the YouTube URL.
    2. Once it’s playing, go to Tools > Codec Information.
    3. Copy the long “Location” link at the bottom.
    4. Paste that link into your browser. You’ll see the raw video file.
    5. Right-click and “Save video as…” to get your YouTube MP4 file.
  • The Catch? It’s clunky, doesn’t always work on music videos, and you can’t choose the quality. But for a quick, safe download, it’s a fantastic trick.
  • Bottom line on safety: As perfect as it gets.

Part 2: Online Converters (For Quick, No-Install Downloads)

These are for when you just need to grab a video and go. No installation needed. Pro-tip: use an ad-blocker to make the experience much smoother.

6. Y2mate

y2mate Alternatives to Savefromnet

If you just want speed and simplicity, Y2mate is hard to beat. Paste a link, and it instantly gives you a list of download options. No registration, no fuss. But be warned, the site runs on ads. You’ll have to navigate some pop-ups and misleading buttons if you’re not using an ad blocker. Safety-wise, it’s fair—just be careful where you click.

7. SSYouTube

This is a shortcut, not a website you visit directly. While watching a YouTube video, just go to the URL in your browser’s address bar and add “ss” right before “youtube.com.” Hit enter, and it will take you to a download page. It’s an old-school trick that still works great. The downside is similar to Y2mate: it’s ad-supported, and the best quality you can usually get with sound is 720p. Safety is fair, but stay alert.

8. ClipConverter.cc

An old but reliable tool. ClipConverter’s strength is its ability to convert to other formats like AVI or MOV, and it lets you trim a video to download just a specific part. The major drawback? It blocks downloads of most music videos due to copyright issues. Safety is good; its ads are less aggressive than others.

9. NoTube

I like NoTube because its design is clean and modern, which is a nice change from the usual clutter. It’s fast, looks good, and is very straightforward for grabbing an MP4 or MP3. It’s still ad-supported, but the experience is generally better than many of its competitors. Safety score is good.

10. YT MP3

As the name implies, this site is built for converting videos to audio files, making it a great choice if you want to use YouTube to MP3 to build a music collection. However, its MP4 converter is just as simple. It’s the definition of minimal—just a link box and a button. You don’t get to choose the quality, but for speed, it’s excellent. Safety is good due to its simplicity.

11. CoConvert

This one is a rare gem: an online converter that’s mostly free of annoying ads. The experience is refreshingly clean and quick. The trade-off is that you have zero options. It automatically picks a standard quality (usually 720p) and gives you the file. For a no-headache download where “good enough” quality is fine, this is a top choice. Safety is very good for an online tool.

12. VidDownloader

VidDownloader’s standout feature is the ability to download subtitles (as an SRT file) along with the video. This is a huge plus for language learners or if you need captions. It supports high resolutions and a ton of other websites, but the interface can be a bit cluttered with ads. Safety is fair; the subtitle feature makes it worth a look.


So, what’s the verdict?

After all this testing, my recommendation is simple:

  • For power users, regular downloaders, or anyone who values quality above all else, get a desktop app. 4K Video Downloader+ is my top pick for its power and clean interface.
  • For a quick, one-time download, an online tool is fine. Just use an ad blocker. CoConvert is your best bet for a safe, ad-free experience, while the SSYouTube trick is the fastest method out there.

There are countless tools to convert YouTube to MP4, but most aren’t worth your time. Stick with these vetted options, and you can download what you need with confidence. Happy downloading!

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Picture of Sheu Abdullateef Funsho
Sheu Abdullateef Funsho
I'm a certified tech expert with over a decade of experience. Serving as a Blogger, Copywriter, Web Designer, Crypto Expert, and Digital Marketer. I'm passionate about sharing unique insights and ideas on technology and trends. Need help with any of these areas? DM me, and let's collaborate to achieve your goals with cutting-edge expertise.
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