While several online downloaders are available, some might still prefer having an installable, on-hands software utility. MassTube is one of the options you can choose to grab your favorite clips from YouTube or extract audio streams to create an offline media collection.
Paste the link or drag and drop the URL to add a video to the download list
The overly simplistic interface sports a plain look, and it becomes quite clear that the focus is more on functionality and less on aesthetics with this application. Usage is simple and it serves a single purpose, namely, to download a video from YouTube the easiest way possible.
Unlike other software in its category, MassTube does not come with batch download capability or a built-in YouTube browser. The way to download a video from YouTube is by simply providing its URL and pasting it in the dedicated field. Drag and drop is also supported, with a twist for Internet Explorer users, who need to run the web browser with admin rights for this feature to work correctly.
Download videos and extract audio streams from YouTube
Hitting that ‘Search’ button instructs MassTube to analyze the URL and retrieve the available download options. Popular output formats are supported, such as MP4, MP3, OGG, FLAC or M4A. Just by looking at this list, you will realize that MassTube is not just a video downloader, but can also act as an audio stream downloader, allowing you to create your own personal music collection for offline listening.
Clicking on the preferred quality instantly starts the download and a confirmation message is shown once the task is completed, allowing you to open the target location to view the files or forward them directly to the default associated audio and video player. A history of all the downloaded videos and music files is available, and the list can be cleared, backed up and imported at a later time.
While working with MassTube is more than simple, I found it quite annoying that clicking on the classic “X” button in the app’s toolbar does not close the application. Instead, it minimizes it to the taskbar. To exit MassTube, you need to use the ‘File’ menu.
Basic downloader for YouTube that leaves room for further improvements
While taking MassTube for a spin, you will discover a basic video and audio downloader that can aid if you decide to create a locally stored media collection that is readily available to you even in the absence of an Internet connection. However, support for batch and playlist downloads, built-in preview or features such as automatic clipboard monitoring would surely improve the overall user experience and make this application a better competitor in its category.