Downloading videos from the web can be incredibly easy and smooth using browser extensions. Whether one wishes to preserve video content from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or other platforms for offline view, Chrome extensions provide a convenient solution by downloading videos within the browser during regular viewing. In this article, we will recommend 8 of the best video downloader Chrome extensions for you to choose from, saving you time spent on testing and research across a large number of extensions.
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Here we list 8 of the best free Chrome extensions for video download, along with their pros and cons. We recommend that you can access authentic extensions via the links we provide, as there are many extensions with the same or similar names in the Chrome Web Store.
IMPORTANT: All extensions in the Chrome Web Store are prohibited from downloading media from YouTube. To get around this restriction, you can install extensions from other sources or get a dedicated downloader app.
Offered by: vidow.io
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Edge
Video Downloader Plus is one of the highest rated downloader extensions from Chrome Web Store. It can save videos from many prominent video platforms such as Vimeo, Instagram and Dailymotion. This extension can quickly detect the video files and display all the quality levels for download selection. While it’s free to use, 4K resolution and Chromecast support require a premium subscription as seen on the screenshot.
Offered by: athopinnt
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Edge
Universal Video Downloader is a powerful video downloader extension that enables users to download videos from most popular video sharing websites and social networks. Compared to Video Downloader Plus, it’s total free and supports more sites including Twitch, but the download speed is obviously not as fast and stable. It needs to record the video first and then save it to your computer and it can take a long time to download videos in 1080p/4K.
Offered by: Unknown
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Edge
Video Downloader for Chrome is one of the most highly rated Chrome extensions for video download. It downloads videos from social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, Dailymotion and Instagram. To download a video, just click the extension icon to open a pop up panel, and choose a resolution you like. It allows users to preview the video with its integrated video player, avoid downloading ads or other unwanted content.
Offered by: startpage24.com
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Video Downloader Professional is another widely used video downloader Chrome extension with over 3 million users. It detects and downloads MP4 videos from a website to your computer. This extension has stopped working with YouTube, Dailymotion, Instagram, Vk and TikTok due to Google Chrome policies, but it still support video download from Facebook, Vimeo, Bilibili and other sites. Also, as the resolution lables are sometimes inaccurate, you can choose a video quality according to the file size.
Offered by: Addoncrop
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Yandex, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi
Different from other downloaders, this extension is not available in Chrome Web Store as it’s specifically designed for YouTube download. With this YouTube Video Downloader for Chrome, users can download and convert YouTube videos to MP4, MKV and AVI files within the browser. It can download between different video resolutions up to 1080p, although it declares to support 4K download on its official page.
This video downloader extension may have a higher security risk as it’s not been reviewed by the Chrome Web Store, but it’s worth a try for users who wish to download YouTube videos.
Offered by: downloadhelper.net
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Video DownloadHelper (VDH) is another popular extension for video download. It supports not only a huge number of websites, but also complex video streaming protocols including HLS and DASH videos.
It doesn't rank high here because the Chrome version has some limitations that differ from the Firefox or Edge version. VDH for Chrome restricts HLS/DASH video downloads to 1 file every 2 hours, which can affect your download experience on mainstream sites like Vimeo. But it also offers a premium license (cost $18) to remove this limitation.
Offered by: FDOWN
Browser compatibility: Chrome, Edge
Not to be confused with the first one in the list, Video Downloader PLUS is another best video downloader extension for Chrome. It helps you to download various media type from many video streaming sites including Vimeo, Facebook, Twitch, VK, etc., but does not allow downloading from adult websites and YouTube. In addition, it can record streaming video online and download the video file to your computer when the record finishes.
Offered by: mariat98gary
Browser compatibility: Chrome
Video Downloader Ultimate is a best video downloader Chrome extension that offers rapid downloads from supported sites such as Vimeo, VK and etc. Similar to Video Downloader for Chrome, it also allows previewing video clips and offer different resolution options when available. Although it may not universally support many platforms, it’s still a worry-free and handy download tool for Chrome.
While browser extensions offer a convenient way to download online videos, they come with restrictions and can easily get fixed or not work, especially around YouTube and other video streaming giants. If you want to get rid of these restrictions, a dedicated downloader app is a better choice, allowing you to download any video from almost any website with video links.
iFunia YouTube Downloader is an excellent video downloader application that offers additional features and support for more sites beyond what Chrome extensions can offer within the browser.
Main features and benefits:
Step 1. Download and launch iFunia YouTube Downloader on your computer.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.11 or later
Step 2. Copy the video URL from your browser, and paste it into the URL column of the app. Click the “+” button to parse the link. You can add as many videos as you want to the app without limitation.
Step 3. Choose a video format and resolution you want for each clip from the “Format” drop-down list, otherwise it will download in the best quality by default.
Step 4. Click the Download icon at the lower right corner to start the download process.
Tips:
Yes. Some video downloader extensions not from the Chrome Web Store allow you to download YouTube videos, such as Addoncrop YouTube Video Downloader. It allows downloads up to 1080p, while 2K and 4K resolutions require a more powerful third-party app.
Yes, most video downloader extensions for Chrome are safe and collect only necessary data. It’s best to install them from the Chrome Web Store to avoid spyware or malware.
Most of the video downloaders recommended above supports HD video download, including 1080p and even 4K, if the source video supports.
Many developers create different versions of their extensions for multiple browsers, you can check the respective extensions store for an equivalent extension, such as Firefox Add-ons and Safari Extensions page. I have also indicated compatible browsers for the best video downloader extensions listed in this post.
With these 8 top video downloader extensions for Chrome, you’ll be able to save videos across platforms with just one click. While these universal video downloaders should meet the needs for various websites, you can also look for those extensions tailored for specific sites for better support, such as “VideoDownloader for Facebook”, “Twitter Media Downloader”, “Twitch VOD Downloader”, etc.
If you want to download any video from all sites with a single tool, consider a dedicated downloader software, such as iFunia YouTube Downloader. It provides advanced features like optimized YouTube support, bulk operation and faster speed.
Chloe LEE is good at explaining and solving complex technology problems to her readers. Since joining iFunia Studio, she has focused on writing articles about video and DVD software, and how-to tutorials.