If you’re a video-addicted internet user, you may have seen ads for Y2Mate, a YouTube downloader that promises to make your offline viewing dreams come true. Despite this tool’s popularity, however, it is not without its risks. In fact, Y2Mate has earned a notoriously poor reputation among internet users due to aggressive pop-ups, fake download buttons, and unwanted software installation. In addition, users have reported that Y2Mate has also been linked to browser hijackers that can forcibly alter their default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to ad-filled alternatives.

Aside from these security concerns, YouTube Mp3 Downloader has also been found to promote dubious sites with low reputation scores. As a result, clicking even one of its seemingly innocent ads could lead to drive-by attacks and potentially unwanted programs (PUA). Moreover, Y2Mate’s download options often vary in quality and are not consistent with YouTube’s own official file formats. In our tests, Y2Mate’s audio files consistently delivered MP3 bitrates of around 100 kbps, while its video downloads were usually lower than 1080p resolution. Lastly, ID3 tags were either missing or partially preserved in all of the videos tested.

As a result, Y2Mate has been linked to malware through its aggressive ads and pop-ups. It has also been found to collect user data and display intrusive notifications, which can lead to malware infections or phishing scams. Moreover, Y2Mate can cause unwanted changes to the computer’s settings such as ad-blocking, and it has been found to download copyrighted material without permission. This can constitute a violation of YouTube’s Terms of Service and/or copyright laws in some jurisdictions.

In short, Y2Mate is not safe to use. As a result, users are strongly advised to avoid it at all costs and choose a safer alternative that can provide the same functionality without the security concerns.

To help you stay safe, we’ve compiled a list of the top-rated desktop applications that allow you to download YouTube videos in various resolutions and formats. In addition, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of using each platform to help you find the best fit for your needs.