Whether you're backing up your own content, saving videos for offline viewing, or repurposing clips across platforms, downloading social media videos is something every creator and marketer needs to do.
This guide covers how to download videos from YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook—including Reels, Shorts, Stories, and standard videos—along with free tools, legal considerations, and best practices for 2026.
Quick Access: Free Video Downloader Tools
| Platform | Tool | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | YouTube Video Downloader | Standard videos up to 4K |
| YouTube | YouTube Shorts Downloader | Vertical short-form videos |
| Instagram Reels Downloader | Reels without watermark | |
| Instagram Story Downloader | Stories before they expire | |
| Instagram Video Downloader | All Instagram video types | |
| Facebook Video Downloader | Standard Facebook videos | |
| Facebook Reels Downloader | Facebook Reels |
All tools are 100% free, require no signup, and work on mobile and desktop.
Why Download Social Media Videos?
Before diving into the how, here's why downloading social media videos matters:
- Content backup: Protect your work from accidental deletions, account bans, or platform changes
- Cross-platform repurposing: Download a YouTube video to post as an Instagram Reel or Facebook Reel
- Offline access: Save tutorials, recipes, or reference videos to watch without internet
- Portfolio building: Archive your best work for client presentations and media kits
- Competitor research: Study what works in your niche (for inspiration, not reposting)
Is It Legal to Download Social Media Videos?
Short answer: It depends on the content and your intended use.
Generally legal:
- Downloading your own content
- Downloading with the creator's permission
- Downloading Creative Commons or public domain content
- Personal, non-commercial use
Generally not legal:
- Downloading copyrighted content to reupload as your own
- Commercial use without permission
- Circumventing DRM or paywalled content
Best practice: Only download content you created, have permission to use, or is explicitly licensed for reuse. When in doubt, ask the creator.
How to Download YouTube Videos
YouTube is the largest video platform, and downloading your own content or Creative Commons videos is straightforward.
YouTube Video Downloader
For standard YouTube videos (horizontal, any length), our free downloader supports:
- Quality options: 360p, 480p, 720p HD, 1080p Full HD, 4K Ultra HD
- Format: MP4 (universal compatibility)
- No limits: Download as many videos as you need
- No login required: Paste URL and download instantly
How to download:
- Copy the YouTube video URL from your browser
- Paste it into the downloader
- Select your preferred quality
- Click Download
YouTube Shorts Downloader
YouTube Shorts are vertical videos under 60 seconds. Our Shorts downloader preserves the 9:16 aspect ratio, making them ready to repurpose on Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, or other platforms.
- Vertical format preserved: 1080x1920 pixels at full quality
- Perfect for repurposing: Download once, post to Reels, Stories, Pinterest
- Fast processing: Most Shorts download in 5-15 seconds
YouTube Download Quality Comparison
| Quality | Resolution | File Size (per hour) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360p | 640×360 | ~50 MB | Quick previews |
| 480p | 854×480 | ~100 MB | Standard viewing |
| 720p HD | 1280×720 | ~200 MB | Social media, mobile |
| 1080p Full HD | 1920×1080 | ~400 MB | Professional editing |
| 4K Ultra HD | 3840×2160 | ~1.5 GB | Archiving, large screens |
Pro tip: Always download in the highest quality available if you plan to edit or repurpose the content. You can always compress down, but you can't upscale without losing quality.
How to Download Instagram Videos
Instagram has multiple video formats—Reels, Stories, feed videos—each with different characteristics.
Instagram Reels Downloader
Instagram Reels are vertical videos up to 90 seconds. Download them without watermark in HD quality.
- No watermark: Clean download without any branding added
- No login required: Works with public accounts
- HD quality: Up to 1080p preserved
- Audio included: Music and sound effects preserved
How to download Instagram Reels:
- Open the Reel on Instagram
- Tap the three dots (•••) menu
- Select "Copy Link"
- Paste the URL in our downloader
Instagram Story Downloader
Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours. Download them before they expire to preserve important content.
- Time-sensitive: Must download within 24 hours
- Login required: Instagram restricts Story access, so you need to be logged in via Chrome
- All content preserved: Music, stickers, text, polls—everything downloads
- Multiple segments: Download each Story segment separately
How to download Instagram Stories:
- Log into Instagram in Chrome browser
- Open the Story and copy the URL
- Paste into our downloader
- Download before the 24-hour expiration
Instagram Video Downloader (All-in-One)
For general Instagram videos—feed posts, IGTV, Reels, and more—use our universal Instagram video downloader.
How to Download Facebook Videos
Facebook has both standard videos and Reels. Both can be downloaded in HD quality.
Facebook Video Downloader
Download any public Facebook video in HD quality without watermarks.
- Standard videos: Any length, horizontal or vertical
- Facebook Watch: Long-form content supported
- Live videos: Download recordings of Facebook Live streams
- No login needed: Works with public videos
How to download Facebook videos:
- Open the video on Facebook
- Click the three dots menu → "Copy Link"
- Paste the URL in our downloader
- Select quality and download
Facebook Reels Downloader
Facebook Reels are vertical short-form videos similar to Instagram Reels, optimized for the 9:16 format.
- Vertical format: 9:16 aspect ratio preserved
- HD quality: Up to 1080p
- No watermark: Clean downloads
- Cross-posting ready: Perfect for repurposing to other platforms
Platform Comparison: Video Specifications
Understanding each platform's video specs helps you download the right quality for repurposing.
| Platform | Typical Format | Aspect Ratio | Max Length | Download Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Videos | Horizontal | 16:9 | Unlimited | Up to 4K |
| YouTube Shorts | Vertical | 9:16 | 60 seconds | Up to 1080p |
| Instagram Reels | Vertical | 9:16 | 90 seconds | Up to 1080p |
| Instagram Stories | Vertical | 9:16 | 60 sec/segment | Up to 1080p |
| Instagram Feed | Square/Vertical | 1:1 or 4:5 | 60 minutes | Up to 1080p |
| Facebook Videos | Horizontal | 16:9 | 240 minutes | Up to 1080p |
| Facebook Reels | Vertical | 9:16 | 90 seconds | Up to 1080p |
Best Practices for Downloading Social Media Videos
1. Always Download the Highest Quality
When downloading for repurposing, always choose the highest quality available:
- Each platform re-compresses videos when you upload
- Starting with lower quality means double compression = visible degradation
- 1080p gives you room to crop, zoom, or add overlays without losing clarity
2. Preserve Original Aspect Ratios
Don't stretch or crop videos incorrectly:
- Vertical (9:16): YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, Stories
- Horizontal (16:9): YouTube videos, Facebook videos, LinkedIn videos
- Square (1:1): Instagram feed posts, works on most feeds but may crop in full-screen
3. Check Audio Before Repurposing
Downloaded videos include the original audio, but consider:
- Copyrighted music: May get flagged when uploaded to other platforms
- Trending sounds: Platform-specific sounds may not be available elsewhere
- Original audio: Usually safe to repurpose anywhere
- Voiceovers: Always safe—your voice, your content
4. Organize Your Downloads
Create a system for managing downloaded content:
/Downloads
/YouTube
/My-Videos
/Research
/Instagram
/Reels
/Stories
/Facebook
/Videos
/Reels
5. Back Up Immediately After Publishing
Don't wait to download your own content:
- Stories expire in 24 hours
- Accounts can get banned or hacked
- Platforms may change their compression algorithms
- Download immediately after posting as a clean backup
Troubleshooting Common Download Issues
"Video won't download"
Common causes and solutions:
- Private account: Ensure the account is public (or you follow them for Stories)
- Geographic restrictions: Some content is region-locked
- Deleted content: The video may have been removed
- Invalid URL: Make sure you copied the correct video link, not a profile link
"Download is slow"
Try these fixes:
- Check your internet connection
- Download a lower quality option first
- Close other bandwidth-heavy applications
- Try again during off-peak hours
"Downloaded video won't play"
Solutions:
- Use VLC Media Player (supports all formats)
- Check if the download completed fully (look at file size)
- Re-download the video
- Ensure your device supports MP4 format
"Video has wrong aspect ratio"
This happens when:
- The original was uploaded incorrectly
- You're viewing it in a player that auto-stretches
- Platform conversion changed the ratio
Fix: Use a video editor to add letterboxing or crop to the correct ratio.
Free Video Downloader Tools
We've built free downloaders for every major platform. All tools are:
- 100% free: No hidden costs or premium tiers
- No signup required: Paste URL and download
- No watermarks added: Clean downloads
- Mobile-friendly: Works on iOS and Android browsers
- Secure: No software installation, no data collection
YouTube Downloaders
| Tool | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Video Downloader | Standard videos, HD/4K | Download → |
| YouTube Shorts Downloader | Vertical short-form videos | Download → |
Instagram Downloaders
| Tool | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels Downloader | Reels without watermark | Download → |
| Instagram Story Downloader | Stories before expiration | Download → |
| Instagram Video Downloader | All Instagram video types | Download → |
Facebook Downloaders
| Tool | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Video Downloader | Standard Facebook videos | Download → |
| Facebook Reels Downloader | Facebook Reels | Download → |
Why Choose Our Video Downloaders?
With dozens of video downloaders available online, here's what makes ours different:
No Ads, No Popups, No Tricks
Most free video downloaders bombard you with ads, popups, and fake "download" buttons that lead to malware. Our tools have:
- Zero intrusive ads
- No popup windows
- No fake buttons
- No misleading redirects
Privacy-Focused
We don't track what you download or store any videos on our servers:
- No account required
- No download history stored
- No personal data collected
- Videos download directly to your device
Works on Any Device
Whether you're on desktop, tablet, or mobile:
- Desktop: Works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone/iPad: Works in Safari and Chrome
- Android: Works in Chrome and other browsers
- No app installation required
Always Up-to-Date
Social media platforms frequently change their video delivery systems. We continuously update our tools to ensure they work reliably:
- Regular compatibility updates
- Support for new video formats
- Adaptation to platform changes
Built by Content Creators
We built these tools because we needed them ourselves. As a social media management platform, we understand the workflow of downloading, editing, and repurposing content across platforms.
PostPlanifySchedule your content across all platforms
Manage all your social media accounts in one place with PostPlanify.
Repurposing Downloaded Videos Across Platforms
Once you've downloaded your videos, here's how to maximize their reach:
YouTube → Other Platforms
| Original Format | Repurpose To | Adjustments Needed |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Video (16:9) | Facebook, LinkedIn | None—upload directly |
| YouTube Video (16:9) | Instagram Feed | Crop to 4:5 or add letterboxing |
| YouTube Video (16:9) | Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels | Crop to 9:16 or create vertical version |
| YouTube Shorts (9:16) | Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, Stories | None—upload directly |
Instagram → Other Platforms
| Original Format | Repurpose To | Adjustments Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels (9:16) | YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels | None—upload directly |
| Instagram Reels (9:16) | Facebook Reels | None—Meta cross-posts natively |
| Instagram Stories (9:16) | YouTube Shorts, Facebook Stories | None—upload directly |
Facebook → Other Platforms
| Original Format | Repurpose To | Adjustments Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Video (16:9) | YouTube, LinkedIn | None—upload directly |
| Facebook Reels (9:16) | Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts | None—upload directly |
| Facebook Live Recording | YouTube | Trim intro/outro, add chapters |
Pro Tips for Cross-Platform Repurposing
- Remove platform-specific CTAs: "Follow me on Instagram" doesn't work on YouTube
- Check music licensing: A song cleared on Instagram may not be cleared on YouTube
- Adjust captions for each platform: Different audiences, different context
- Consider timing: Post repurposed content a few days later, not simultaneously
- Update hashtags: Each platform has different hashtag best practices
- Check aspect ratios: Verify the video displays correctly before publishing
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download YouTube videos for free?
Use our free YouTube Video Downloader. Simply copy the video URL from YouTube, paste it into the tool, select your preferred quality (up to 4K), and click download. No signup or payment required.
How do I download Instagram Reels without watermark?
Use our Instagram Reels Downloader. Copy the Reel's URL from Instagram (tap the three dots menu → Copy Link), paste it into our tool, and download. The video downloads without any watermark in HD quality.
Can I download Instagram Stories before they expire?
Yes. Use our Instagram Story Downloader to save Stories within the 24-hour window. You'll need to be viewing the Story in a browser where you're logged into Instagram, then copy the URL and paste it into our tool.
How do I download YouTube Shorts?
Use our dedicated YouTube Shorts Downloader. It's optimized for vertical video and preserves the 9:16 aspect ratio at full 1080p quality, making Shorts ready to repurpose on other platforms.
Can I download Facebook videos?
Yes. Use our Facebook Video Downloader for standard videos or our Facebook Reels Downloader for Reels. Both work with public videos—just copy the video URL and paste it into the tool.
What about TikTok videos?
TikTok has built-in download functionality. Open any TikTok video, tap the Share button, and select "Save video." Note that this adds a TikTok watermark. For videos where creators have disabled downloads, you'll need to use TikTok's native save feature or contact the creator for permission.
Will downloading videos affect my social media account?
No. Downloading videos is a client-side action that happens in your browser. It doesn't interact with your social media accounts, won't trigger any flags, and your accounts remain completely unaffected.
Can I download private or restricted videos?
Only if you have authorized access. For Instagram Stories from private accounts, you must be following that account and logged in. For private YouTube videos, you need to be signed in with access. Truly private content (like DMs) cannot be downloaded through these tools.
Do downloaded videos lose quality?
No. You receive the exact video file that the platform serves—there's no additional compression during download. The quality matches what you'd see when streaming. For the best results, always select the highest quality option available.
How do I download videos on iPhone or iPad?
Our tools work on mobile browsers. On iPhone/iPad:
- Open Safari or Chrome
- Navigate to the downloader tool (e.g., postplanify.com/tools/youtube-video-downloader)
- Paste the video URL
- Tap Download
- The file saves to your Files app or Camera Roll
How do I download videos on Android?
Similar to iPhone:
- Open Chrome or your preferred browser
- Navigate to the downloader tool
- Paste the video URL
- Tap Download
- The file saves to your Downloads folder or Gallery
Can I download videos for commercial use?
Only if you own the content or have explicit commercial licensing from the creator. Downloaded videos retain their original copyright—downloading doesn't grant you commercial rights. For your own content, you have full commercial rights.
What video format do the downloaders use?
All our downloaders use MP4 format for maximum compatibility. MP4 works on:
- All smartphones (iOS and Android)
- All computers (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- All video editing software
- All social media platforms for re-uploading
Why won't a video download?
Common causes and solutions:
- Private account: Ensure the account/video is public
- Invalid URL: Make sure you copied the video URL, not a profile or search URL
- Deleted content: The video may have been removed
- Geographic restrictions: Some content is region-locked
- Connection issues: Check your internet and try again
Why is my download slow?
Download speed depends on:
- Your internet connection speed
- The video file size (4K videos are much larger)
- Server load during peak hours
Try downloading a lower quality first, or wait for off-peak hours for large files.
Can I download entire playlists or channels?
Our tools are designed for individual video downloads. For playlists, you'll need to download each video separately. This ensures you have control over quality settings for each video.
Do I need to install any software?
No. All our downloaders work directly in your web browser. There's nothing to install, no plugins required, and no risk of malware. Just visit the tool page, paste your URL, and download.
Why do some videos have audio issues after downloading?
If audio is missing or distorted:
- The original video may have had audio issues
- Try re-downloading the video
- Check your media player's audio settings
- For music-heavy content, some platforms apply audio protection
How long are downloaded videos stored?
Downloaded videos are saved directly to your device. We don't store any videos on our servers—the download happens directly from the platform to your device through your browser.
Can I download live streams?
You cannot download live streams while they're happening. However, once a live stream ends and the creator saves it as a regular video, you can download the recording using our tools.
Wrapping Up
Downloading social media videos is essential for content creators, marketers, and anyone who wants to preserve or repurpose video content. With our free tools, you can:
- Download YouTube videos and Shorts in up to 4K quality
- Save Instagram Reels, Stories, and videos without watermarks
- Download Facebook videos and Reels in HD
Key takeaways:
- Always download your own content immediately after posting as backup
- Choose the highest quality available for repurposing
- Respect copyright—only download content you own or have permission to use
- Use the right tool for each platform and content type
Ready to start? Try our free video downloaders:
- YouTube Video Downloader
- YouTube Shorts Downloader
- Instagram Reels Downloader
- Instagram Story Downloader
- Instagram Video Downloader
- Facebook Video Downloader
- Facebook Reels Downloader
Want to schedule your repurposed content? PostPlanify lets you schedule posts across 9 platforms from one dashboard.
Related guides:
- Social Media Safe Zones 2026: Complete Guide - Ensure your videos display correctly on every platform
- Social Media Engagement Rate Calculator Guide - Measure how your repurposed content performs
- Best Time to Post on Social Media - Maximize reach when posting your downloaded content
- How to Schedule YouTube Shorts - Schedule your downloaded Shorts for optimal timing
PostPlanifySchedule your content across all platforms
Manage all your social media accounts in one place with PostPlanify.
About the Author
Hasan Cagli
Founder of PostPlanify, a content and social media scheduling platform. He focuses on building systems that help creators, businesses, and teams plan, publish, and manage content more efficiently across platforms.
