Dedicated desktop downloaders usually offer the widest feature set. SoftOrbits tools can help you find and download whole albums from artists you like, plus playlists and some private content. The SoftOrbits MP4 Downloader for YouTube supports YouTube and many other sites, including Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Dailymotion, Bilibili, and more.
For regular, flexible downloading on a PC, a desktop app is often the strongest option.

Online services let you download a YouTube video without installing software. They work for a handful of clips but usually skip playlist support, private video access, album grabs, and heavy batching. They are free and quick when you only need one or two files—similar to what users expect from a site like SaveFrom.net.

Extensions sit inside your browser instead of as a separate desktop program. That can feel safer, and because you stay logged into YouTube in the browser, some extensions can reach content that pure online paste-and-go tools cannot. They are not always as quick to set up as a web downloader, and they rarely match a full desktop suite for bulk work. They fit a steady habit of saving individual videos from the tab you already have open.

Google Play policies block most dedicated YouTube downloaders, so Android users sometimes sideload APKs from the web. That raises security questions, which is why sticking to known stores is safer when you can. Some widely discussed apps include TubeMate YouTube Downloader. If you need files straight on the phone, sideloading is an option some people use to download YouTube videos on Android without Premium—just vet the source carefully. On iPhone, options are more limited; check the App Store for compliant tools. The screenshot below shows a downloader listing on Uptodown; sites like CNET, Softonic, or Uptodown are common third-party hosts—still verify the publisher before you install anything.

If you own the channel, you can pull your own uploads from YouTube Studio or export a full archive.

That covers the main ways to save YouTube content when you are not paying for Premium, from a quick online YouTube downloader to a full desktop workflow.
For power users, SoftOrbits MP4 Downloader for YouTube remains the most capable route here; for a single clip in a hurry, a browser-based tool is often enough.
Extensions can slow the browser over time, and APKs from random sites are risky—use them only if you accept that trade-off. When the video is yours, YouTube Studio or Takeout is simpler and safer than a third-party ripper.