FileSnatch vs online video downloader websites
Short answer
Online downloader sites are fine for one public video. For anything else (streams, embedded players, videos behind a login, many files at once) an extension like FileSnatch works better, because it sees what your browser sees and nothing goes through someone else's server.
Side by side
| Online downloader sites | FileSnatch | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | You copy a link and paste it into their website | Finds the media on the page you're already on |
| Videos behind a login | Usually not: their server can't see your account | Yes, if you can watch it in Chrome |
| Streamed and embedded videos | Often not found | Caught as they play, joined into one MP4 |
| Where your file goes | Through their server first | Straight from the site to your computer |
| Ads and pop-ups | Common | None |
| Many files at once | One link at a time | Download all, ZIP, or one PDF |
| Install | Nothing to install | A Chrome extension |
| Price | Usually free, paid by ads | Free; Pro $29 once |
Online downloaders differ a lot; this compares how they usually work, not one site in particular.
Questions
Are online video downloaders safe?
Some are fine, but many are full of ads and redirects, and your video passes through their servers. An extension downloads directly.
Why can't an online downloader save a video I'm logged in to?
Their server isn't logged in as you, so it can't see the video. FileSnatch runs in your own browser, so it can.
Try it in ChromeFree, no account. Everything runs in your browser.
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