Downloading YouTube videos should be straightforward, but some people still have to deal with slow websites, annoying pop-ups, low-quality downloads, or tools that stop working without notice. Whether you want to save a tutorial, a lecture, a travel vlog, a music video, or a full-length documentary, a good free YouTube to MP4 converter is necessary.
Here I will share some of the best YouTube to MP4 video converters that my team and I used in 2025, including converters based on browsers, desktop software, mobile apps, and extensions. You will also learn how to convert YouTube to MP4 safely, how to download videos in 1080p and 4K, how to save YouTube Shorts, and how to avoid slow, unreliable, or unsafe tools.
What is a YouTube to MP4 Converter?
A YouTube to MP4 converter is a web-based tool, an app, or software that will enable you to save any YouTube video in MP4 format, the most widely supported video format whether on smartphones, laptops, TVs, or video editors.
The MP4 format is known for:
- Smaller file sizes
- Excellent video clarity
- Compatibility with all devices
- Smooth playback
- Support for HD, Full HD, 1080p, and even 4K
Whether you need to convert your YouTube video to MP4 or download a long lecture, a reliable tool will make this process fast and hassle-free.
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Why Do People Convert YouTube to MP4?
The following are some general uses for which people commonly use YouTube to MP4 downloaders:
- Watching videos offline
- Saving tutorials or coursework
- Including clips in presentations
- Reusing videos in school or research
- Backing up their favorite content
- Archiving long-form YouTube streams
- Downloading YouTube Shorts to MP4
- Saving videos in 1080p or 4K quality
But with the right converter, all this is done with ease: copy the YouTube link in MP4, select the quality, and download your video.
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Convert YouTube to MP4 4K or 1080p for free
Below is a detailed, deeply researched list of the best free converters available today. Each tool is included based on reliability, user feedback, recommendations by Reddit users, speed, quality of support, and long-video compatibility.
YT-DLP (Desktop) – The Most Reliable YouTube to MP4 Downloader Today
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Cost: Free
Supports: 1080p, 1440p, 4K, 8K
The reason being, YT-DLP is widely considered the GOAT for downloading YouTube videos, especially very long ones such as 1-3 hours, high-resolution streams, and age-restricted or region-locked content.
It is one of the most widely praised tools by users across different platforms because of:
- It handles extremely long videos
- It rarely breaks
- It integrates with front-end GUIs
- It supports MP4, WEBM, and MP3
- It delivers the best download speed
Additional Reasons Why Users Prefer YT-DLP:
Most struggle at long videos; 2–3 hours are handled easily by YT-DLP.
Although this is a command-line utility, you can use a GUI like YT-DLP GUI for a simple, user-friendly interface.
If you really want a tool that works 100% of the time, this is the one.
Keeprix (Web) – Fast, Clean, Stable Online Converter
Best for: Fast online MP4 downloads
Platforms: Any browser
Cost: Free
Supports: 720p, 1080p, 4K
Keeprix is one of the cleanest and most stable online YouTube to MP4 converters right now. Many online tools break frequently or force pop-ups, but Keeprix remains one of the few that consistently works.
Users describe it as:
- Smooth
- Reliable
- Good for HD
- Less cluttered
- Fast processing
It’s especially beginner-friendly and requires no installation.
SnapTube (Mobile App) – Best for Android Downloads
Best for: Phone users, offline viewing, MP4 downloads on Android
Platforms: Android APK
Cost: Free
Supports: 360p, 720p, 1080p
SnapTube is an extremely popular YouTube converter to MP4 for Android devices. It supports almost all video platforms and automatically converts to MP4 format.
Features include:
- Downloads videos directly to your phone
- Supports multiple quality options
- Great for offline content
- Smooth MP4 export
If you frequently download content on the go, SnapTube is a strong pick.
MediaHuman YouTube Downloader (Desktop) – Best for Bulk Downloads
Best for: Downloading multiple videos, playlists, channels
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Cost: Free
Supports: 1080p, 1440p, 4K
MediaHuman is one of the most reliable desktop YouTube to MP4 converters, which also supports batch downloads and playlists, making it ideal for students, researchers, and content creators.
People love it because:
- It feels premium yet free
- It handles playlists smoothly
- It supports 4K MP4
- It’s very stable
- It avoids adware
It is among the best tools you can get for your video download needs, especially if you download videos regularly.
Shutter Encoder – Best for Professional / Creator Use
Best for: Editors, creators, professionals, and advanced users
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Cost: Free
Supports: All major formats, including MP4
More than just a converter, Shutter Encoder is a full media processing tool with support for downloading YouTube videos in MP4, format converting, editing, encoding, and much more.
Recommended for users who want:
- A professional-grade, stable tool
- More than just plain downloads
- Efficient MP4 conversion for editing
If you need MP4s for video production workflows, this is ideal.
JDownloader – Best for Long Videos & Large Files
Best for: Extremely long downloads, livestream archives, lectures
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Cost: Free
Supports: 720p, 1080p, 4K
JDownloader is a strong download manager that provides services for converting YouTube to MP4, too. It's especially great for:
People love it because:
- Long videos (1–4 hours)
- Poor internet connectivity
- Auto-resuming downloads
- Queueing multiple files
Perfect for individuals who download multi-hour-long videos or livestream recordings.
NewPipe (Android) – Lightweight, Ad-Free YouTube Downloader
Best for: Offline viewing on a lightweight Android app
Platforms: Android
Cost: Free
Supports: MP4 downloads in multiple qualities
NewPipe is an open-source YouTube client, with a high emphasis on privacy. It allows for:
People love it because:
- Background playback
- No ads
- MP4 downloads
- Smooth performance
It's lightweight and very reliable, which makes it a favorite among mobile users.
ClipGrab – Simple Desktop YouTube to MP4 Converter
Best for: Quick MP4 conversions on desktop
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Cost: Free
Supports: MP4, MPEG4, and more
ClipGrab is one of the easiest desktop tools to use for downloading and converting videos into MP4 format. It is popular because:
People love it because:
- Extremely easy to use
- Direct MP4 conversion
- Cross-platform support
- Fast download speeds
ClipGrab is one of the easiest desktop tools to use for downloading and converting videos into MP4 format.
Y2Mate – Quick, Easy, and Works Most of the Time
Best for: Quick online conversions
Platforms: Browser
Cost: Free
Supports: 144p – 1080p
Y2Mate is a simple, and fast YouTube to MP4 converter used by millions. It’s not always perfect, but it works well as a fast fallback option. Users rely on it because:
People love it because:
- No software needed
- Simple interface
- Fast conversion
- Wide video support
It’s not always perfect, but it works well as a fast fallback option for quick, online conversions.
Downie (Mac) – Best Native macOS YouTube Downloader
Best for: Mac users requiring high-end performance
Platforms: macOS
Price: Free trial / Paid version
Supports: 1080p, 4K
Downie is the most polished option for Apple users. It offers several key features, including:
People love it because:
- Native macOS design
- High-end performance
- 4K support
- Fast MP4 conversions
It integrates nicely with macOS and supports incredibly fast MP4 conversions, making it perfect for Mac users.
Tubely Downloader (Chrome Extension) – Best Extension for Long Videos
Best for: Browser-based conversions
Platforms: Chrome
Cost: Free
Supports: Long videos, 720p, 1080p
Tubely is recommended because most extensions fail to handle long videos, but this one does quite well. Its key features include:
People love it because:
- Handles long videos
- Direct browser use
- Supports 1080p
- Convenient and fast
Tubely is recommended because most extensions fail to handle long videos, but this one does quite well.
SurFast Video Downloader – Stable Option for Very Long Videos
Best for: Long-form content (2–3 hours)
Platforms: Web
Cost: Free
Users say SurFast remains stable even for full-length documentaries, livestreams, and educational content. Its key benefits include:
People love it because:
- Stability on long downloads
- Handles livestreams
- Browser-based
- Free to use
Users say SurFast remains stable even for full-length documentaries, livestreams, and educational content.
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How to Convert YouTube to MP4 (step-by-step process)
This process works for any reliable converter:
Step 1 — Copy the YouTube Link
Open YouTube → find the video → copy the URL.
Step 2 — Paste into a Converter
Use whichever tool you prefer.
Step 3 — Choose MP4 Format
Most tools default to MP4 automatically.
Step 4 — Choose Quality (720p, 1080p, or 4K)
For quality:
- 720p = good
- 1080p = best balance
- 4K = very clear, larger file
Step 5 — Download
Your video will be saved in the Downloads folder of your device.
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What about downloading YouTube Shorts to MP4?
Most converters now support converting YouTube Shorts to MP4.
Tools that handle Shorts well include:
- Keeprix
- Y2Mate
- SnapTube
- MediaHuman
- NewPipe
- ClipGrab
With smaller file sizes, shorts download almost instantaneously.
YouTube to MP4 1080p or 4K – Which Should You Choose?
When to Choose 1080p MP4
- Tutorials
- Commentary videos
- Gameplay
- Zoom recordings
- E-learning courses
- Vlogs
Best balance of quality and file size.
When to Choose 4K MP4
- Travel videos
- Nature/drone footage
- Cinema-quality content
- High-resolution monitors
- Editing or reusing clips
If your goal is quality, 4K MP4 is unbeatable.
Safety Tips When Using a YouTube to MP4 Converter
Downloading YouTube videos can be safe if you follow best practices:
Use well-known tools
YT-DLP, MediaHuman, ClipGrab, and NewPipe are extremely safe.
Avoid sites filled with too many pop-ups
These often lead to malware or unwanted redirects.
Use an antivirus (especially for Windows)
Always good protection.
Don’t download suspicious EXE files
Stick to trusted sources.
Use tools ethically
Avoid downloading any copyrighted content without permission.
Legal Disclaimer
Downloading copyrighted content from YouTube without permission is against YouTube’s terms of service and may also violate local copyright laws. Only download videos you have rights to, or content that is:
- Royalty-free
- Public domain
- Licensed for personal use
- Owned by you
This guide is for educational purposes only.
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Best YouTube to MP4 Converter Apps (Mobile)
| Tool | Best For | Quality | Long Videos | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SnapTube | Easy, fast MP4 downloads on Android | 144p → 4K MP4 | ✔ (resumes, large videos) | Android |
| iTubeGo (Android) | High-speed download of playlists & 4K content | up to 4K MP4 | ✔ (playlist support) | Android |
| NewPipe | Lightweight, ad-free, privacy-focused | 720p – 1080p MP4 | ✔ (small app, efficient) | Android |
| TubeMate | Classic downloader with built-in video player | HD, Full HD MP4 | ✔ (pause & resume) | Android |
| YTLitePlus (iOS) | Open-source, lightweight, MP4 download | Up to 4K MP4 | ✖ (best for shorter videos) | iOS (unofficial) |
Recommendation: For Android users, SnapTube offers the best balance of speed and features across all video lengths.
Best YouTube to MP4 Converter Extensions (Browser)
| Tool | Best For | Quality | Long Videos | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTPM4 | One-click YouTube → MP4 from browser | up to 4K MP4 | ✔ (Handles full YouTube videos) | Firefox |
| YouTube To MP4 Downloader (Firefox) | Simple Downloader, minimal UI | up to 720p MP4 | ✖ (not optimized for very long videos) | Firefox |
| Addoncrop YouTube Downloader | In-page download buttons under the video | up to 4K, supports MP4, AVI, WebM | ✔ (Supports long videos) | Chrome, Firefox, other browsers |
Recommendation: Addoncrop is the most versatile choice, offering wide browser support and high-quality options, including long videos.
Best YouTube to MP4 Converter Desktop Apps
| Tool | Best For | Quality | Long Videos | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTubeGo | Powerful, high-resolution, ad-free desktop conversion | 720p → 8K MP4 | ✔✔✔ (supports very long videos) | Windows, Mac |
| 4K Video Downloader | Batch downloads, playlist saving | up to 8K / 4K / 1080p MP4 | ✔✔ (playlists, channels) | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| MediaHuman YouTube Downloader | Stable, playlist and channel export | up to 4K MP4 | ✔✔ (batch download) | Windows, macOS |
| Freemake Video Converter | All-in-one converter + editor | MP4 + many other formats | ✖ (not optimized for super long YouTube videos) | Windows |
| EagleGet | Lightweight download manager | MP4 / FLV for streaming sites | ✔ (Multi-thread, resume) | Windows |
Recommendation: For the highest resolution and best stability with very long content, VTubeGo is recommended. 4K Video Downloader is ideal for batch processing playlists.
Which YouTube to MP4 Converter Is the Best in 2025?
| Tool | Best For | Quality | Long Videos | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YT-DLP | Most reliable overall | 1080p–4K | ✔✔✔ | Desktop |
| Keeprix | Best online converter | 1080p–4K | ✔ | Web |
| SnapTube | Best Android app | 720p–1080p | ✔ | Mobile |
| MediaHuman | Playlists & bulk | 1080p–4K | ✔✔ | Desktop |
| Shutter Encoder | Creator workflows | 1080p–4K | ✔ | Desktop |
| JDownloader | 3–4 hour videos | 1080p–4K | ✔✔✔ | Desktop |
| NewPipe | Lightweight mobile | 720p–1080p | ✔ | Android |
If you want one recommendation:
YT-DLP is the most reliable YouTube to MP4 converter available today.
For a simple browser-based tool:
Keeprix is the cleanest and most stable online option.
For mobile:
SnapTube or NewPipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best free YouTube to MP4 converter?
YT-DLP currently is the most reliable and powerful converter. For online use, the best free pick is Keeprix.
Can I convert YouTube to MP4 in 1080p?
Yes, most converters support YouTube to MP4 1080p, such as Keeprix, Y2Mate, and MediaHuman.
How do I convert a link from YouTube to MP4?
The process is simple: Copy the YouTube link → paste into a converter → select MP4 → download.
Is it Legal to Convert YouTube Videos into MP4?
Only if you download content that you own, have permission to use, or that is in the public domain.
What tool is best for long videos of 2–3 hours?
YT-DLP, JDownloader, and SurFast handle long downloads the best.
Can I download YouTube Shorts to MP4?
Yes, most converters support YouTube Shorts to MP4.
Which is the best YouTube to MP4 converter available for mobile?
The best mobile applications for MP4 downloads are SnapTube and NewPipe.
How can I download age restricted videos from youtube?
Simply copy the video’s URL and paste it into your preferred converter or tool, like ytmp4.biz, turboscribe.ai, or a desktop app such as yt-dlp or JDownloader. If you’re already able to watch an age-restricted video on YouTube while signed in, then you can usually download or convert it just like any other video without any extra steps.