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The best video downloader Chrome extensions in 2026

Five ways to save the video a page plays, from one-click extensions to the command line, and what none of them can do.

Screenshots of Sitepeel’s asset extractor, Video DownloadHelper, FetchV and yt-dlp
Sitepeel’s asset extractor, Video DownloadHelper, FetchV and yt-dlp, as they looked on October 28, 2026.

In short

  • Streams (m3u8) as one MP4: FetchV or Video DownloadHelper
  • Every file a page uses, video included: Sitepeel
  • YouTube: yt-dlp, because Chrome extensions aren’t allowed to
On this page8
  1. Best Chrome extensions to download video from a website
  2. Which video downloader saves m3u8 streams?
  3. 1. Video DownloadHelper
  4. 2. FetchV
  5. 3. Sitepeel
  6. 4. yt-dlp
  7. Which one should you pick?
  8. Questions

Best Chrome extensions to download video from a website

The best video downloader Chrome extensions in 2026 are Video DownloadHelper for streams on any browser, FetchV for free HLS to MP4, and Stream Recorder for live streams. Sitepeel finds every video file a page uses, from a link or in Chrome. For YouTube, use yt-dlp: Chrome extensions may not download it.

Video downloaders compared
ToolBest forPriceWorks in
Video DownloadHelperStreams on Chrome, Firefox and EdgeFree; Premium removes the stream limitChrome, Firefox, Edge
FetchVFree HLS (m3u8) to MP4FreeChrome, Edge
SitepeelEvery file a page uses, video includedA few free runs; extension paid onceChrome extension and web
yt-dlpYouTube and about 1,700 sitesFree, open sourceCommand line (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Stream RecorderLive HLS streams to MP4Free, personal use onlyChrome
Video Downloader ProfessionalPlain video files, one clickFreeChrome, Firefox, Edge
Chrome DevToolsOne plain file, by handFree, built inChrome, Edge

Which video downloader saves m3u8 streams?

What each one saves
FeatureSitepeelVideo DownloadHelperFetchVStream Recorderyt-dlp
MP4 and WebM files on a pageYesYesYesPartlyYes
HLS (m3u8) saved as one MP4Partly, finds the playlistYesYesYesYes
DASH (mpd) streamsPartly, finds the playlistYesPartlyNoYes
YouTubeNoNo, (Chrome)NoNoYes
From a link, nothing to installYesNoNoNoNo
Images, SVGs, Lottie and fonts tooYesNoNoNoNo
DRM-protected video (Netflix)NoNoNoNoNo

1. Video DownloadHelper

The long-running all-rounder, with 6 million Chrome users. It saves plain files and HLS or DASH streams from the page you have open, signed in or not, with no companion app since version 10.

  • Pick it if you use Firefox or Edge too
  • The free plan allows one stream download every two hours after the first three
Video DownloadHelper on October 28, 2026.

2. FetchV

A free extension that joins the pieces of an HLS stream into one MP4, live streams included, with a recording mode when it can’t find the file. 900,000 Chrome users.

  • Pick it for m3u8 videos and very large files
  • No Firefox version; last store update September 2025
FetchV’s store page on October 28, 2026.

3. Sitepeel

Paste a link and the free asset extractor lists every video the page loads, background and hidden ones too, next to its images, SVGs, Lottie files and fonts. In Chrome, the extension does the same on pages behind a login.

  • Pick it when you want the whole page’s files, not just one video
  • It finds HLS playlists but doesn’t join them into an MP4
Sitepeel’s free asset extractor on stripe.com.

4. yt-dlp

Not an extension: a free command-line program that downloads from YouTube and about 1,700 other sites, merges audio and video, and converts formats. It needs ffmpeg, and a JavaScript runtime for full YouTube support.

  • Pick it for YouTube, playlists and batch jobs
yt-dlp on GitHub on October 28, 2026.

Which one should you pick?

Questions

Can a Chrome extension download YouTube videos?

No. Google’s Chrome Web Store rules list “facilitating download of YouTube videos” as a reason to remove an extension. Use yt-dlp, a free command-line program, for YouTube.

What is the best free video downloader extension for Chrome?

For streams, FetchV is free with no limits. Video DownloadHelper is free too, with one stream download every two hours on its free plan. Sitepeel’s asset extractor finds every video file a page loads.

How do I download an m3u8 video as MP4?

Play the video with FetchV, Stream Recorder or Video DownloadHelper installed, then pick the stream in the extension. It joins the pieces into one MP4.

How do I download a video embedded in a website?

Paste the page’s link into Sitepeel’s free asset extractor to list every video it loads, or use an extension while the video plays. Our guide covers both.

Can these tools download Netflix or other protected video?

No. None of them saves DRM-protected streams, and they shouldn’t. Only save videos you have the right to keep.

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