9xbuddy
If you used Y2Mate to download videos from YouTube, you already know: Y2Mate was permanently shut down in October 2025 after a copyright lawsuit. The domain now redirects to a dead page, and every clone site that popped up is either full of malware or covered in ads.
So what do you use now? We narrowed it down to the five best Y2Mate alternatives that are actually safe, fast and free. Here's what we found.
1. 9xBuddy — best overall (private, fast, no ads)
Why it's the top pick: 9xBuddy is a desktop app, not a website. It downloads from 1,000+ sites including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook. Unlike Y2Mate it doesn't run in your browser, so there are no pop-ups, no redirects and no ads.
- Speed: up to 10x faster than browser-based tools — it downloads directly to your computer.
- Formats: MP4, MP3, WEBM, 4K, 8K, subtitles, entire playlists.
- Privacy: your downloads stay on your device. No tracking, no account required.
- Batch downloads: paste a CSV of URLs and download hundreds of videos at once (Pro).
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
9xBuddy is part of the 123sudo app suite and has been around since 2014 — it's not a fly-by-night clone. Try the private video downloader app free.
2. 4K Video Downloader — best for YouTube playlists
4K Video Downloader is a well-known desktop app that handles YouTube playlists and channels very well. The free version has a limit of 30 downloads per day, and the paid version ($15/year) removes that limit. It doesn't support as many sites as 9xBuddy — mostly YouTube, Vimeo and TikTok — but it's reliable for YouTube-specific use cases.
3. yt-dlp — best for technical users
yt-dlp is a command-line tool: there's no graphical interface. If you're comfortable with a terminal it's one of the most powerful downloaders available, supporting thousands of sites. The downsides are no GUI, manual updates, and configuration that can be tricky to get right for the best quality settings.
4. VideoHunter — best for Mac users
VideoHunter is a Mac-focused video downloader with a clean interface. It supports 1,000+ sites and handles 8K downloads. The free version limits you to six downloads in total before asking for a subscription ($40/year). A solid option if you're on a Mac and don't mind paying.
5. SaveFrom.net — still works, but be careful
Unlike Y2Mate, SaveFrom.net is still online. The free web version is full of aggressive ads and pop-ups. The browser extension works better, but it has been flagged by some browsers over privacy concerns. Use it for a quick one-off download, but don't rely on it daily.
Why did Y2Mate shut down?
Y2Mate was one of the most popular online video downloaders in the world. In October 2025 it was permanently shut down after a copyright infringement lawsuit. The court found that Y2Mate was enabling unauthorised downloads of copyrighted material at massive scale. Other similar sites are under similar legal pressure.
Which alternative should you pick?
If you want the closest experience to what Y2Mate used to offer — fast downloads from many sites, no sign-up required, genuinely free — 9xBuddy is the most complete option. It's a desktop app, so it's faster and more private than any browser-based tool, and it doesn't have the daily limits of 4K Video Downloader or the aggressive ads of SaveFrom.
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