Best Video Downloader Tools for Chrome

Updated October 2026

How to choose a video downloader extension

All five picks install from the Chrome Web Store, and several have free tiers with limits, so check each vendor’s current terms. They differ in which sites they cover, which stream formats they handle, and where the processing happens. Only download videos you have the right to save, and respect each site’s terms.

• Site coverage. Video DownloadHelper works across 1000+ websites. Video Downloader Plus names Vimeo, Dailymotion, Twitch, Instagram, X, Facebook, Reddit and TikTok. Vidora recognizes Vimeo, Loom, Wistia and TikTok players.
• Stream formats. Video DownloadHelper reads HLS, DASH and MPD. Vidora handles standard HLS and DASH streams. Stream Recorder focuses only on HLS/m3u8.
• Conversion. Video DownloadHelper converts to MP4, MKV or WebM, and a paid conversion license removes limits such as a watermark. Stream Recorder says it converts streams to MP4 without re-encoding.
• Where processing happens. Vidora says it runs locally and never uploads the videos you save. Stream Recorder’s listing says conversion runs inside the extension, with no external server. These are the vendors’ statements.
• Simplicity. Video Downloader describes saving online videos in a few clicks, plus live-stream recording on supported pages.

Our picks at a glance

Which is the best video downloader extension for Chrome?

For most people, Video DownloadHelper is the best video downloader extension for Chrome. It works across 1000+ websites, reads HLS, DASH and MPD streams, and converts downloads to MP4, MKV or WebM. The trade-off is that advanced downloads are limited on the free tier and a paid license lifts that.

Video Downloader Plus has a free tier with limits, so check its current terms on its page. If you want the simplest option, try Video Downloader.

How do I download an HLS or m3u8 video in Chrome?

Use Stream Recorder, which focuses on HLS and m3u8 video. Its listing says it saves live and archived streams as MP4 at the same quality, with no re-encoding, and the conversion runs inside the extension. If the file is already MP4, it can record it directly. Protected video cannot be saved.

Video DownloadHelper and Vidora also handle HLS and DASH streams if you want one tool for more than streaming.

Which video downloader is best for privacy?

Vidora says it runs locally, never uploads the videos you save and does not sell data. It also says it sends anonymous daily usage counts, with no URLs or titles, which you can switch off in Options. These are the vendor’s statements, and we could not check them against the code.

Video Downloader Plus says it collects anonymous URLs and browsing history to provide its service. Read the privacy section of each Chrome Web Store listing before installing, and see each pick’s page for what it says about data.

Can these extensions download YouTube videos?

No. Extensions on the Chrome Web Store cannot download from YouTube under store policy, and Video DownloadHelper, Video Downloader Plus and Vidora each state that they do not support it. Protected (DRM) video cannot be saved by any extension. Only save video you own or have permission to keep, and check each site’s terms.

Do these video downloaders have free plans?

Some do, with limits. Video DownloadHelper is free for basic saves and has a paid license for advanced ones. Video Downloader Plus has a free plan with limits and a paid lifetime plan. Vidora offers free use under terms that may change. Check each vendor’s current limits before you rely on a free tier.