In this article, we discuss multiple ways to download any streaming video. If you want to know how to download streaming videos from any website for free, these different desktop programs, mobile apps, and online tools make it easier than ever to watch content from your favorite creators.
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When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.
The team tests all the products mentioned in this article.
When testing, we compare the key characteristics of the products, which include selecting capture area, schedule recording, showing keystrokes and mouse, and other significant features.
We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.
We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.
Best desktop video stream downloaders
Best for: capturing any screen activity in HD
OS: Windows, macOS
G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5, 50 reviews
Movavi Screen Recorder is ideal for capturing and recording screen activities, including video calls, gameplay, tutorials, and online streaming videos. This video stream downloader is compatible with both Windows and macOS. Thanks to its customizable recording settings and audio capture options, you can schedule your recordings, have your webcam show on overlay, and even edit your finished video.
Key features:
Capture and record any screen activity, including video calls and gameplay
Record audio from multiple sources, including microphone and system audio
Capture webcam footage and overlay it on the screen recording
Set up scheduled recordings to automate the capturing process
Edit recorded videos with basic editing tools
Pros:
User-friendly interface makes it easy to use for beginners
Offers a wide range of recording options and settings
Allows simultaneous recording of your screen and webcam
Provides basic video-editing tools for quick edits
Supports multiple output formats for saving recorded videos
Cons:
Lacks advanced video-editing features
Best for: downloading videos, playlists, channels, and subtitles
OS: Windows
TechRadar rating: 4.5 out of 5
4K Video Downloader is a versatile program that lets you copy streaming videos from many different platforms, including YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and many more. True to its name, it supports high-quality video downloads up to 4K resolution and allows users to download entire playlists or channels. You can also extract and save subtitles in a variety of formats.
Key features:
Download videos, playlists, and channels from popular platforms
Support for high-quality video downloads up to 4K resolution
Ability to extract and download subtitles in various formats
Batch download multiple videos at once
Built-in proxy setup for accessing region-restricted content
Pros:
Simple and intuitive interface for easy video downloading
Supports a wide range of video platforms
Allows high-quality video downloads, including 4K resolution
Provides options to download entire playlists or channels
Ability to extract subtitles adds convenience
Cons:
The free version has limitations, such as limited playlist and channel downloads
Downloading speed can vary depending on the source and network conditions
Occasional issues with certain websites' compatibility
May display ads in the free version
Best for: downloading and converting videos to different formats
OS: Windows
G2 rating: 3.9 out of 5, 26 reviews
If you want to download any streaming video online and convert it to a different format, Freemake Video Downloader can help. It only works with Windows though, so macOS and Linux users are out of luck with this particular program. This free grabber lets you download videos from any site, including YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo, and lets you convert from one format to another.
Key features:
Download videos from popular platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and more
Support for a wide range of video formats for downloading
Choose quality settings for downloaded videos
Pros:
Free to use with no limitations on video downloads
Supports downloading from multiple online platforms
Offers various video quality options
Basic video conversion features
User-friendly interface makes it easy to use for beginners
Cons:
Available only for Windows operating systems
Limited functionality compared to more feature-rich video downloaders
Occasionally encounters issues with certain websites' compatibility
Lacks advanced features like batch downloads or subtitle extraction
Best for: live-streaming or recording videos from external sources
OS: Windows, macOS, and Linux
TechRadar rating: 4 out of 5
A free open source program to rip streaming videos and streaming movies, OBS Studio works with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and provides a variety of tools for video recording and live-streaming. With this robust freeware, you can capture and mix videos from many different sources, including your computer screen, your webcam, and external devices. It comes with some built-in customizable settings, making it a favorite among gamers and content creators.
Key features:
Capture your computer screen, webcam, and external devices
Mix multiple sources and create customizable scenes
Advanced settings for video encoding, bitrate, and streaming platforms
Pros:
Free and open-source software with extensive features
Supports multiple sources for capturing and recording
Customizable scenes and transitions enhance visual appeal
Real-time video and audio mixing provide professional-quality output
Wide range of plugins available for additional functionality
Cons:
Steeper learning curve compared to simpler screen-recording software
Requires more system resources, especially for encoding and streaming
Lack of built-in video-editing features
Advanced settings may be overwhelming for beginners
QuickTime Player
Best for: playing a variety of multimedia files
OS: macOS, Windows
Created back in 1991, QuickTime Player came about during a time when computers playing multimedia files was simply extraordinary. To this day, QuickTime Player is still best used for playing a wide range of multimedia files. In addition to simple playback, QuickTime Player can also record your screen and offers some basic editing tools.
Key features:
Playback of various multimedia formats
Video- and audio-recording capabilities
Screen-recording functionality for capturing on-screen activities
Pros:
Comes pre-installed on macOS, making it easily accessible
Supports a wide range of multimedia formats
Provides basic video- and audio-recording features
Cons:
Limited compatibility with non-Apple platforms and operating systems
Lacks advanced features and functionalities found in dedicated media players
Limited codec support compared to other media players
Best apps to download any streaming video online
Best for: capturing your screen activities with ease
OS: any, web-based
Trustpilot rating: 4.8 out of 5, 1,464 reviews
Screenapture.com is a web-based service that’s accessible on a wide range of operating systems. It lets users capture screen activities directly from their web browser. Record your screen, microphone, and webcam footage with ease.
Key features:
Capture high-quality videos with customizable options
Record screen activities with audio narration
Instantly share captured content via generated links
Pros:
Web-based service accessible from multiple operating systems
Easy and convenient way to capture and share screen recordings
Provides options for sharing via generated links or downloading the content
Cons:
Limited functionality compared to dedicated screen capture software
Relies on the internet connection for access and usage
Best for: downloading videos and playlists from YouTube
OS: any, web-based
10downloader.com is a free online streaming video downloader that lets users download videos from YouTube simply by pasting in the URL. Users can also optionally download videos in the MP4 format, download an entire playlist/channel, or download YouTube thumbnails.
Key features:
Download videos from YouTube directly by pasting in a URL
Supports the download of entire playlists or channels from YouTube
Download YouTube video thumbnails
Can download the resulting video in a variety of qualities up to 4K
Pros:
Nothing to download or install, simply paste in the URL of the video you want to download
Saves videos in the MP4 file format
Can optionally download entire playlists and channels
Free and easy to use
Cons:
Only works with YouTube
Best video stream downloading extensions
Best for: downloading videos from different websites
OS: any, works as a browser extension
Chrome Web Store rating: 4.4 out of 5, 17,509 reviews
Video DownloadHelper, as its name implies, is a handy tool for downloading videos from online streams. It’s available as a Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browser extension for quick and easy downloading. Once installed, the extension adds an icon to the browser toolbar, which detects and displays downloadable videos on a current webpage. It offers options to choose the video quality and format before starting the download.
Key features:
Supports popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook
Detects and displays downloadable videos on webpages
Select the video quality and format before downloading
Pros:
Easy to install and use as a browser extension
Supports a wide range of websites and platforms
Can download multiple videos simultaneously
Offers additional features in the premium version
Cons:
Limited to supported browsers (Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox)
Some websites may have restrictions or prevent video downloads
The free version has limitations, such as limited concurrent downloads and video conversion options
Best for: selecting the video quality and format for downloads
OS: any, works as a browser extension
Chrome Web Store rating: 4.5 out of 5, 212,013 reviews
Video Downloader Professional is a video stream downloading extension that enables users to download videos from websites like YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and many others. It adds a download icon to the browser toolbar, allowing you to easily initiate video downloads with a single click. The ripper supports multiple video resolutions and formats, giving you options to choose the desired quality for your downloads.
Key features:
One-click video downloading directly from the browser toolbar
Supports various popular video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo
Offers options to choose the video quality and format for downloads
Pros:
Compatible with Google Chrome
Convenient one-click video downloading without leaving the webpage
Supports a wide range of popular video platforms
Allows simultaneous downloads of multiple videos
Cons:
May encounter compatibility issues with browser updates
Some websites may prevent video downloads
Best for: downloading several videos at once
OS: any, works as a browser extension
Chrome Web Store rating: 3.5 out of 5, 1,023 reviews
Video Downloader PLUS allows you to download streaming videos in Chrome from nearly any website. It’s updated often and contains no ads. You can also download and save multiple file types such as 3GP, MP4, WMV, FLV, and SWF.
Key features:
Allows Facebook video downloads
Works with a wide range of file formats, even older or outdated ones
Pros:
Download videos from Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion and Twitch as well as video-streaming websites
Free to use with no advertisements
Can download videos streaming online
Cons:
Some users complain of frame skips on downloaded videos
Best mobile apps to save streaming videos
Best for: downloading social media videos and music
OS: Android
Google Play rating: 4.8 out of 5, 1.75M reviews
Video Downloader is a simple app if you want to save streaming videos on your smartphone. It automatically detects videos playing on any website and lets you download them. Pause and resume video streaming downloads, download in the background, or download multiple videos simultaneously. You can also preview the video first and then optionally download it.
Key features:
Download social media videos and music directly to the device
Preview videos before you download them to save space
Save the video to your device to play it offline
Download multiple videos simultaneously
Pros:
Fast and efficient video downloader and manager for streaming videos
Supports multiple file formats
Developer is proactive about addressing support inquiries
Basic version is free
Cons:
Some users report downloaded videos are unable to be played with any media player
Best for: basic editing, including splitting, trimming, and cutting videos
OS: iOS
App Store rating: 4.5 out of 5, 43.1K reviews
As one of the best streaming video downloaders for iPhone and iPad users, Video Saver PRO+ lets you download videos from streaming sites, manage your video collection, maximize file storage space with a built-in video compressor, and make basic edits.
Key features:
Supports all popular file formats
Allows basic editing, including splitting, trimming, and cutting video
Has a built-in video compressor
Pros:
Allows for simultaneous downloads and uploads
Offers built-in audio and video converter
Cons:
The app’s ability to download from different websites can be hit or miss at times
The app is free but does offer in-app purchases
How to download streaming videos from any website
Step 1. Download and install Movavi Screen Recorder
Download the version of Movavi Screen Recorder for your particular operating system and follow the installation instructions. Once the program is installed, open it.
Step 2. Adjust the recording settings
Click Screen recording on the sidebar. Select the area of the screen you want to record.
Activate System audio and Microphone to capture the sound from these devices if needed.
Step 3. Download your streaming video
Hit the REC button to download a streaming video. After a brief countdown, the recording will start. If you need to pause at any time, click Pause. When finished, click the Stop button.
To edit your video, use the Scissors tool to cut out any unwanted pieces. Then click Export, choose your output format, and hit Save.
Summary
There you have it, a dozen different ways to download videos from streaming sites. Keep in mind that you should always respect the intellectual property rights of the content creators and be sure you adhere to the terms and conditions of the website you’re downloading from.
Movavi Screen Recorder
The perfect way to record anything from your screen
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.
Yes! You can use a screen recorder to capture what’s happening on the screen (including audio). Remember about the intellectual property rights of the content creators and capture videos only for personal use.
You can use a screen-recording software, like Movavi Screen Recorder, to capture the screen where the live stream is being presented. Another option is to use a downloading tool, like 4K Video Downloader.
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