
Mingirov Yuriy / Shutterstock.com
The digital age has made multimedia consumption a breeze, especially with platforms like YouTube. However, having these videos on hand for offline use or editing has become a significant need. For Mac users,YouTubeto MP4 converters are the solution. They offer seamless video conversion, maintaining high-quality output while prioritizing user-friendliness.
Retaining media quality while converting YouTube videos to MP4 format can be a challenge. That s where these converters come in, armed with innovative features and reliable performance. Certainly, the right software can make all the difference in preserving the original integrity of your favorite videos.
However, selecting the optimal YouTube to MP4 converter can be daunting due to the vast array of options available. Our roundup of the eight best converters for Mac aims to simplify this process. We ve evaluated each tool based on efficiency, ease of use, and overall performance, providing you with a well-rounded perspective.
Alexey Boldin/Shutterstock.com
1. Best All-Round: Cisdem Video Downloader for Mac
Cisdem Video Downloader for Macis a premier YouTube to MP4 converter specifically designed for Mac users. With dedicated Mac client support and 24/7 assistance, it offers a free trial alongside a 30-day money-back guarantee for user satisfaction. Compatible with macOS 10.12 or later, the software is regularly updated, with its latest version being 7.3.0. However, it s important to note that it s incompatible with older OS versions.
Cisdem, a high-powered tool, actively supports video downloads from over 1000 popular sites, including YouTube. Subsequently, users candownload YouTube videosin various resolutions up to 4K and convert them into numerous formats, like MP4, AVI, MKV, and WAV. In addition, this versatile tool allows simultaneous downloads or conversions of multiple videos and even offers editing and enhancement features with real-time previews. Moreover, it can rip DVDs into multiple digital formats.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Supports downloading videos from over 1000 popular sites, including YouTube, providing comprehensive video sourcing. | The Cisdem Video Downloader does not support older operating systems, which could limit its utility for users with outdated hardware. |
It boasts a flexible range of quality options for downloads, from 480p to 4K, accommodating a variety of user needs. | The download process could be time-consuming for extensive YouTube playlists due to the number of videos. |
Cisdem s software is equipped with an easy-to-use interface and versatile functionality, making it user-friendly and convenient. | |
This tool has the capacity to perform batch downloads, allowing users to download or convert multiple YouTube videos simultaneously. |
2. Fast Online Solution: SaveFrom.net

VideoBCN/Shutterstock.com
SaveFrom.netstands as an excellent online tool that quickly converts YouTube videos to MP4 on Mac. In fact, it is renowned for swift conversion and downloading, further bolstering its reputation as a superior YouTube to MP4 converter. Available in multiple languages, this platform supports a vast array of popular media websites, including Vimeo, Dailymotion, and YouTube.
Uniquely, SaveFrom.net is also available as a browser extension. This feature enhances its usability, simplifying the process of fetching and downloading videos online. Thus, you can effortlessly convert the videos into various media formats from the downloaded content, such as MP4, 3GP, and MP3. This capacity ensures you can readily enjoy the downloaded content on your MP4 or MP3 players.
The conversion process is straightforward; open the YouTube page, copy the URL, paste it into the SaveFrom.net search box, and hit Download. Despite some drawbacks, like limited output formats and the absence of sound in downloaded 1080p videos, SaveFrom.net remains a potent YouTube to MP4 converter for Mac users.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
SaveFrom.net is renowned for its speed in converting YouTube videos to MP4 on Mac, making it highly efficient. | Limited options for output video formats, potentially restricting user preferences. |
This tool can support numerous popular media websites such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion, enhancing its versatility in video downloading. | Videos downloaded in 1080p or higher may lack sound. |
SaveFrom.net is accessible in many languages, hence its appeal to users worldwide. | Users must copy and paste the URL into SaveFrom.net manually, which could be inconvenient. |
SaveFrom.net can be installed as an extension in your browser, ensuring a user-friendly approach to downloading videos. | The tool s functionality is reliant on strong internet connectivity, making it less reliable in areas with poor network. |
3. Best Dropbox File Sender: FLVto.biz
FLVto.biz, developed by the Russian firm Hotger, excels as a Mac YouTube to MP4 converter with its easy-to-use interface. Only a few steps are needed; paste the YouTube link, select MP4 format, hit Convert, then Download Now. Plus, an added convenience is the option to send the converted file directly to your Dropbox. In addition, the service extends a helpful guide, accessible in various languages, easing the user journey.
Further, despite a slower conversion speed, FLVto.biz offers intriguing features, such as displaying Most Watched Today videos. This could be a delightful bonus for users interested in broadening their horizons. Unfortunately, the software s capabilities are limited online, with only MP4, MP3, and AVI formats available. However, thedesktopversion, compatible with Mac, compensates by offering an extensive range of conversion formats, including WAV, AAC, MOV, WMV, and WMA. Hence, this service combines simplicity, convenience, and expanded functionality when installed as a desktop application.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
FLVto.biz delivers a user-friendly interface, necessitating just a few steps to execute a conversion. | Its relatively sluggish conversion speed can potentially cause user frustration. |
An attractive feature of the platform is its capability to transfer the converted MP4 files to your Dropbox account directly. | It has a narrow range of output formats when used online, being limited to MP4, MP3, and AVI. |
The website includes an explicit step-by-step guide, facilitating a smooth and easy-to-follow conversion process. | The inability of the online tool to offer an extensive variety of conversion formats restricts its versatility. |
It provides multilingual support, making it accessible and convenient for users worldwide. | Although a desktop version offers more conversion formats, installing an additional application might be inconvenient for some users. |
4. Best for Downloading in 720p, 1080p, and 4K: SaveVideo.tube
SaveVideo.tubeis an efficient online tool, granting smooth conversion of YouTube content to MP4 on Mac. This platform remarkably supports a multitude of media platforms, including YouTube, not limiting its functionality to a single site. Further, the converter offers a diverse range of conversion formats, predominantly MP4 and WebM. With the ability to process both SD and HD content, users can download videos in 720p, 1080p, and even 4K quality.
Despite having a narrower range of conversion formats compared to some competitors, SaveVideo.tube s simplicity and effectiveness overshadow these slight limitations. Plus, the procedure to download your preferred video is straightforward; visit SaveVideo.tube, paste the YouTube media link, click GO, choose MP4 and your desired quality, and finally, download.
Additionally, SaveVideo.tube ensures an intuitive user experience, detailing useful information like video title, duration, and thumbnail before conversion. Thus, it functions as a reliable, user-friendly YouTube to MP4 converter for Mac.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
SaveVideo.tube supports a broad range of platforms, YouTube included, offering wide usability. | Compared to some other converters, SaveVideo.tube has a more limited range of conversion formats. |
It allows for the selection of different conversion formats, such as MP4 and WebM, providing flexibility. | The platform s reliance on a working internet connection can be a disadvantage in situations of poor or no connectivity. |
The platform supports various video quality levels, accommodating SD and HD content like 720p, 1080p, and 4K. | It requires manual entry of the YouTube video URL into the search box, which some users might find inconvenient. |
It provides key information about the video, such as the title, duration, and thumbnail, enhancing user awareness. | The tool does not allow customization of the output beyond format and quality selection, limiting its versatility. |
5. Best for Video Recording: KeepVid
KeepVidis an exceptional YouTube to MP4 converter for Mac users, offering multiple mediums such as an online version, a complimentary application, and a commercial app for versatile downloading and conversion processes. In addition, it boasts a high degree of customization that enables users to dictate their desired output quality, further enhancing the user experience.
Despite a constricted array of popular output formats, KeepVid remains a popular choice due to its simplicity and efficiency. Priced at $29 for a lifetime license on a single Mac, it supports downloads to MP4, M4A, 3GP, WEBM, and MP3, and even fetches SRT subtitles.
To use KeepVid, search for the desired YouTube video, copy the link, paste it into the provided text box on KeepVid s site, select the video format, and finally, download the file. Certainly, the conversion process unfolds seamlessly, underscoring KeepVid s user-friendly operation.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
KeepVid enables effortless conversions from YouTube to MP4 on Mac, mitigating the need for complex procedures. | KeepVid restricts users to a few popular output formats like MP4, M4A, 3GP, WEBM, and MP3, limiting its versatility. |
The platform comes in different formats, including an online version, a free app, and a commercial app, providing users with flexible choices. | Users must manually search for and copy the link of the YouTube video they want to convert, which might be inconvenient for some. |
It offers a cost-effective solution with its Lifetime License for one Mac priced at $29, making it affordable for regular use. | The process of choosing the video format before downloading might add to the complexity for non-tech-savvy users. |
The quality of the output video is customizable, allowing users to define their preferred resolution. |
6. Best for Converting a Specific Part of a YouTube Video: Clipconverter.cc
ClipConverter.ccstands out as a distinguished YouTube to MP4 converter for Mac, showcasing versatility in content conversion from various popular platforms. In addition, the software empowers users to choose from a plethora of conversion formats, not just MP4 but also MOV, AVI, MKV, and 3GP, showcasing its inclusive capabilities. Certainly, it extends an array of video resolutions to choose from, providing liberty in selecting either high or low-quality output.
However, this versatile tool doesn t only handle complete video conversion. In fact, it shines with its unique cutter feature, allowing users to convert specific segments of a YouTube video. This feature enriches the user experience, allowing them to extract desired portions from lengthy videos.
To use ClipConverter.cc, input the YouTube URL and hit Continue. The platform will present the detected quality options for your selection, followed by picking the preferred conversion format. After initiating the process with Start, wait for conversion completion, then download your tailored media file.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Capable of converting and storing material from several renowned websites, widening your range of accessible content. | Lacks support for videos incorporating music, which could limit the versatility of this tool for multimedia projects. |
Supports multiple conversion formats, enriching the diversity of your output files beyond just MP4. | Users may encounter limitations when attempting to convert videos of exceedingly high quality, such as 2K 1440p and 4K 2160p. |
Offers flexibility in selecting video resolutions, enabling users to choose from standard to high definition based on their preferences. | The need to select the conversion format manually each time could be perceived as tedious and time-consuming. |
Facilitates targeted conversion by allowing a particular segment of a YouTube video to be converted, not just the entire clip. | Users have to wait for the conversion to be completed before downloading. |
7. Best for Video Merging: SaveTheVideo.com
SaveTheVideo.comexcels as a multi-purpose YouTube downloader, extending its functionality to merge videos seamlessly. Notably, the platform supports video amalgamation across diverse formats, broadening its scope of utility. Besides YouTube, it swiftly handles downloads from a plethora of platforms like Vimeo, NH Nieuws, and Twitch, delivering unrivaled speed and versatility.
Moreover, the site transcends typical YouTube to MP4 converters, availing a wide array of output formats that include H.264, MKV, MP3, and OGG. Subsequently, this versatility underlines its comprehensive approach to video conversion, accommodating a variety of user needs and preferences.
Utilizing SaveTheVideo.com is straightforward; open the website in your browser, paste the desired video s URL, and choose MP4 as your output. With a simple click, yourYouTube video will downloadand convert to MP4 on your Mac. Though it can mislead you to download desktop software, the pros undeniably outweigh the cons.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
SaveTheVideo.com is equipped with a feature for merging videos, which can handle diverse formats, enhancing user flexibility. | SaveTheVideo.com may misguide users into downloading the desktop software, possibly causing confusion or inconvenience. |
The platform provides a versatile range of options for video downloading, supporting platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Twitch, to name a few. | The site s simple design might be seen as too basic and lacking advanced or sophisticated features. |
Its capabilities extend beyond mere conversion to MP4 and it also supports other popular output formats, including H.264, MKV, MP3, and OGG. | The performance and download speed varies between websites. |
The tool can cut videos, offering users additional utility in editing and customizing content. |
8. Best for Registration-Free Downloads: oDownloader.com
oDownloader.comserves as a versatile YouTube to MP4 converter for Mac users worldwide, supporting over 20 languages. In addition, with no prior registration required, it s user-friendly and readily accessible. This online converter tool clearly displays comprehensive instructions, fostering ease of use. Further, it accepts links from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, Instagram, and SoundCloud, making it a multi-platform solution.
The service stands out due to its robust support for 1080p video quality and 320kbps audio. In addition, it provides three output options: full MP4 video, video without sound, or just audio. However, occasional failures to fetch YouTube videos are worth noting.
The conversion process is seamless; navigate to oDownloader.com, paste the desired YouTube link into the text box, and select MP4 as the format with your preferred video resolution. You can save the converted MP4 file directly to your Mac. Certainly, this convenience makes oDownloader.com a noteworthy choice for YouTube to MP4 conversions.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Provides clear and comprehensive instructions for easy usage. | Occasionally encounters difficulties in fetching YouTube videos. |
Eliminates the need for prior registration, ensuring a hassle-free experience. | Limited to converting videos from specific platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo, Instagram, and Soundcloud. |
Supports high-quality video (1080p) and audio (320kbps) formats. | Requires users to access oDownloader.com through their web browser. |
Offers an international platform with support for over 20 languages. | Users need to paste the YouTube URL into the text box manually for analysis. |

iStock.com/Prostock-Studio
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the availability of reliable YouTube to MP4 converters for Mac has significantly enhanced the convenience and accessibility of video content. In fact, Mac users now have a wide array of options to choose from when it comes to converting their favorite YouTube videos to MP4 format. Further, these converters offer efficient and user-friendly interfaces, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free conversion process.
Certainly, with features like batch conversion, high-speed downloads, and the ability to extract audio tracks, these converters provide Mac users with versatile solutions for their video conversion needs. Whether it s for offline viewing, editing, or sharing, these top YouTube to MP4 converters for Mac deliver impressive performance and cater to users diverse preferences.