ARD Mediathek is a popular German streaming service that includes an entire ARD content library. You can watch Live TV, shows, films, news, and many other content here online through its official site.
This article introduces the top 6 ARD Mediathek video downloaders to help you download videos for offline viewing. In this way, you can not only watch shows on any device without an Internet connection but also enjoy the downloads outside Germany.
Since you're here, you may also be interested in ranking the best ZDF Mediathek downloaders. Continue to read the post from our blog.
What is ARD Mediathek?
Before looking at the best ARD Mediathek downloaders, let's learn what ARD Mediathek is. As mentioned above, this platform is a massive hub of entertainment. ARD Mediathek broadcasts different types of content, such as live sports, news, series, children's programs, and even documentaries.
ARD Mediathek only services audiences in Germany and a few other locations in Europe. There is a tough geolocation block, and they do not allow people outside the service regions to watch the content. If you are traveling and want to watch the shows anywhere, a reliable third-party ARD Mediathek downloader can help.
6 Best ARD Mediathek Downloaders for PC
To help you download videos from ARD Mediathek for offline viewing on any device anywhere, we have gathered a list of the best ARD Mediathek video download programs for PC. So let's jump into this section and have a detailed look at all of these downloaders.
Top 1: KeepStreams
KeepStreams must be the top 1 ARD Mediathek video downloader. This tool boasts exclusive tech, a user-friendly UI, and high-quality output. It can help you save videos in the original quality up to Full HD 1080p, and provide various choices of video codec and subs (if available).
What's more, KeepStreams is able to convert the downloaded videos into compatible MP4/MKV format. In this way, your favorite ARD Mediathek videos can be watched without DRM protection, so that you can play them anywhere.
Based on the user feedback from Tustpilot, KeepStreams performs better than many other similar tools, such as Audials and MovPilot. Many users describe KeepStreams as "easy-to-use", "stable", "with reasonable price", and "quick customer support".
Yes, with the convenient built-in browser, KeepStreams is pretty easy to use. It also supports other streaming services. You can also use KeepStreams to download RTL+ videos. The only thing you need to do is to follow these 4 steps:
That's it! The videos will be finished within several minutes, and you can find the MP4/MKV downloads in the local folder on your computer. To deliver the best download service, KeepStreams updates frequently (almost once every 2 weeks, for free).
Before paying, you can enjoy the free trial to download 3 full-length videos in 1080p. By subscribing to KeepStreams One, you can download shows from 3,000+ streaming services, such as ARD Mediathek, Netflix, and Disney+. Prime Video, etc.
Top 2: CleverGet (Leawo) ARD Downloader
CleverGet ARD Downloader, namely Leawo, is another recommended tool. Compared with KeepStreams, it applies different tech skills, which makes it more like a professional "online video downloader".
It shares the basic download features with KeepStreams. Namely, CleverGet can download 1080p videos from ARD Mediathek in compatible MP4/MKV format, and extract subtitles into external files. However, the code download method is different.
CleverGet also has a built-in browser. But in fact, it doesn't download videos by saving the original video code, but records the shows in the background. And that's the reason why you always think the downloaded videos are not as clear as Full HD 1080p.
According to the data from TrustPilot, KeepStreams has a bigger volume of comments and thus more positive feedback from customers. Many users leave their positive thoughts about CleverGet customer support, but only a few people mentioned the stability, reasonable pricing, and ease of use.
To use CleverGet, you only need to enter the video URL and set the video options as you prefer. Follow these steps:
- Download and install CleverGet on your Windows PC or Mac;
- Copy the URL of the video you want to download, and paste it into the search barl;
- Play the video and wait for the analysis;
- Set download options and download the shows.
Top 3: Y2Mate Video Downloader
Y2Mate Video Downloader is the third recommended tool. It's just like a simplified yt-dlp tool that can help you bypass the complex usage. Therefore, it supports all streaming sites that apply yt-dlp coding, such as ARD Mediathek, TikTok, UKTVPlay, Deezer, Gaia, and more.
This tool is designed for Windows PC and Mac. The interface of this tool is pretty simple and straightforward. Equipped with the options to convert videos into MP4/MKV format, Full HD 1080p downloading, subs saving, and batch download, Y2Mate allows you to get the videos with ease.
There is another attractive function: auto-download. You can schedule the download tasks and set the time to download the newly added episodes automatically, right away after they're released.
Now, use the free trial version as a new user, and download up to 3 videos in 1080p:
- Download and install the appropriate version of Y2Mate on your laptop;
- Visit ARD Mediathek to enter the official site in the search bar;
- Play the video you want to download and wait for the analysis;
- Customize the download settings and click on "Download Now".
Top 4: GetFLV
The fourth one on the list for Mediathek ARD download Windows is the GetFLV video downloader. This downloader is best to use because of its clean interface, and it also supports many different websites. The best thing about GetFLV is that it can be used in all versions of Windows, even the old-fashioned systems.
With this ARD Mediathek downloader, you can download your favorite videos in batches and watch them anytime you want. There is also a built-in video editor that can help you process the shows easily.
The downloading speed of this tool is commendable and makes it very easy for users to download shows and documentaries. There is also a version of this downloader for MacBook users.
However, the free trial of GetFLV only allows you to download a part of the videos. The outdated UI also bothers some users and makes your download experience not so satisfactory.
Top 5: Jaksta Media Recorder
You might think this tool is a media recorder, but that is not true. Jaksta Media Recorder is a great software that allows you to download your favorite ARD Mediathek shows and movies easily. This ARD Mediathek download software will enable you to download several videos in one go.
The speed of this tool is also good, and the interface is pretty simple for the users. However, you can only get the shows and videos from ARD Mediathek in HD 720p quality. This tool is compatible with both macOS and Windows laptops.
Its functions are also similar to an online video downloader, but safer and more reliable of course. There are no ads or pop-up windows during your download. All you need to do is paste the URL into the search bar and download the shows by following the instructions.
Since there is no built-in browser, it might not be as intuitive as KeepStreams, CleverGet, and Y2Mate.
Top 6: Bigasoft Video Downloader Pro
Bigasoft Video Downloader Pro is a tool that allows you to download videos and content from different websites, including ARD Mediathek, Facebook, X (Twitter), etc. This tool is also available for both Windows and macOS systems.
Bigasoft is well-arranged and allows the user to have a smooth downloading process. The downloader supports all the different video and audio formats, so you can download them according to your liking.
However, it might fail to download some encrypted videos from certain streaming services, such as Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Paramount+. Therefore, if you want to download videos from sites other than ARD Mediathek, Bigasoft might not be the best choice.
[Bonus] 3 ARD Mediathek Downloaders for Mobile
After knowing the 6 ARD Mediathek downloaders for PC, let's move into the bonus part: 3 useful downloaders for mobile devices. I collected 3 highly rated online video downloaders that can be used on Android mobile devices. Now let's check them one by one:
Downloader.Tube is one of the best applications for ARD Mediathek download on Android and iOS smartphones. This is an easy-to-use application that will allow you to download all of the shows and series on ARD.
The best thing about this downloader is that it is entirely free to use and will allow users to even download from other sites.
TubeOffline is a versatile online video downloader that can help you download content from some video-sharing platforms, including ARD Mediathek. This is also completely free to use, and the interface is easy, like all the other downloaders.
This one can also be used on both Android and iOS devices. This works very quickly and makes the downloading process simple and quick.
TubeNinja is one of the most popular ARD Mediathek downloaders available online. This tool is not only good for downloading ARD content, but you can also download videos and shows from 600+ websites.
This downloader works on every kind of device, including both Android and iOS mobiles. Another thing is that there is no limitation to downloading the data with this tool, and you don't have to pay any registration fee.
Note: Free online video downloaders may pose potential risks to your devices because of the pop-up ads and un-sourced windows. Please be cautious when using them.
FAQs
Q1. How to watch ARD Mediathek outside Germany?
A1. Although ARD Mediathek blocks all the services outside Germany and its other official service regions, you can still use a VPN to change your IP address to watch shows here. You can also choose to download ARD Mediathek videos and watch them offline anywhere.
Q2. Is it legal to use an ARD Mediathek Downloader?
A2. Yes, it's totally acceptable to use an ARD Mediathek Downloader to save videos for personal entertainment. However, you should be responsible for the titles you download and should never share them with others or use them for commercial purposes.
Q3. Can you download videos from ARD Mediathek?
A3. Yes. Although there is no official download option provided by ARD Mediathek, it's easy to use a third-party tool, such as KeepStreams, to solve the encryption problem and download videos from ARD Mediathek easily. To know the detailed steps, read the article above.
Wrapping Up
ARD TV is one of Germany and Europe's biggest and most famous entertainment platforms. If you hold the question: how can I download videos from ARD Mediathek? This article can solve your problem by providing several top video downloaders on PC and mobile devices for you.
These tools have their own pros and cons. If you prefer intuitive UI and advanced video downloading tech, it's recommended to use KeepStreams or Y2Mate; If you want a lower subscription price, it's recommended to use Jaksta and Bigasoft; If you like to edit videos, GetFLV might be the best choice.
We also did a review on video downloaders exclusive for other platforms, such as the Best Netflix DRM Downloaders and the Best Disney Plus DRM Removal Downloaders ranking list.