In this article, we’ll delve into why people download Instagram videos, whether it’s possible to do so directly from the platform, and a variety of effective Instagram link download tools, like MiniTool Video Converter, and step-by-step guides to get those desired videos saved to your device.
Instagram is a free and popular social media platform available on iOS, Android, and Windows owned by Meta. It allows users to post visual content, interact with others, and explore content from around the world. It also includes features like Stories and Reels.
Why You Download Instagram Videos
The reasons behind downloading Instagram videos are as diverse as the content on the platform itself. Maybe you just want to keep it handy for later watching, or back up the videos you don’t want to lose. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common motivations.
Offline Enjoyment
Downloading Instagram videos means you can revisit them when you’re offline. Whether you’re on a long flight or in a remote area with poor signal, having a video stored on your device allows you to enjoy it anytime, anywhere, without relying on a stable internet connection.
Preserve Memories
Downloading the Instagram videos on your device ensures that even if the original post is deleted or the account is deactivated, you still have a copy of that special moment.
Share Beyond the Platform
While Instagram allows users to share posts within the app, there are times when you might want to share a video outside of it. For example, you could send a funny clip to a friend who isn’t on Instagram or include a relevant video in a presentation for work. Downloading the video gives you the flexibility to share it wherever and however you want.
As the Reference Material
Creators and artists often turn to Instagram for inspiration, or a designer might keep a fashion lookbook video to reference for their next collection. Downloading these videos makes it easy to revisit and draw inspiration whenever needed.
Can You Download Videos from Instagram Directly
People often ask: Can I download videos from Instagram directly? The answer is no. Instagram does not offer a native feature to download videos directly from the app or website. You can save posts to your “Saved” collection within the app for later viewing, but this does not download the video to your device for offline watching.
Instagram has strict policies in place regarding the downloading of content, primarily to protect the intellectual property rights of creators and maintain control over how content is shared and distributed on its platform.
While you can’t download videos directly from Instagram using official channels, there are a variety of third-party tools that allow you to do so. Below, we’ll explore some of the most popular ones, including desktop software and online tools.
Top 2 Instagram URL Download Tools for Windows
Here are my carefully picked top 2 Instagram link downloaders that are notable for their versatility, usability, and capacity to provide high-definition downloads from Instagram. Keep reading to see them.
Option 1. MiniTool Video Converter
You may be confused by MiniTool Video Converter’s name. Actually, it is an all-in-one application that provides you with multiple features, such as video conversion, video downloading, video compression, and screen capture.
As a free and stable Instagram video link downloader, MiniTool Video Converter helps save my favorite Instagram videos and Reels on my computer in HD, 4K, or even 8K for free, and I can share these downloaded videos with my friends without watermarks.
In addition to downloading Instagram videos and Reels, MiniTool Video Converter also supports downloading:
- YouTube videos
- YouTube songs
- YouTube playlists
- YouTube Shorts
- Facebook videos
- TikTok videos
- Twitter videos
All the videos can be downloaded at a fast speed. Plus, MiniTool Video Converter supports downloading up to 10 videos or sound clips at once to save your time.
Now, follow the detailed steps below to download Instagram video with URL.
Step 1. Install and Open MiniTool Video Converter
- Download and install the latest version of MiniTool Video Converter on your Windows.
- Launch it after installation.
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Step 2. Get the Instagram Video Link
- Visit Instagram and find the video or Reels you want to download.
- Click on More > Copy link to get its video link.
Step 3. Analyze the Instagram Video
- Switch to the Download Video module in MiniTool Video Converter.
- Click on Paste URL, paste the copied Instagram link into the address bar, and click on Download.

Step 4. Download the Instagram Video with Its Link
- Choose an output format and resolution under Download Video/Audio.
- Click on Download to start downloading the Instagram video.

Step 5. Locate the Downloaded Instagram Video
- Once the Instagram video downloading finishes, you will be taken to Completed.
- Click on the folder icon to locate it.

It’s easy to use MiniTool Video Converter to download Instagram videos and Reels. All right? Another 3 great features for this versatile application, like video conversion, video compression, and screen capture, sincerely recommend you try them, too.
Option 2. SnapDownloader
In addition to MiniTool Video Converter, the second Instagram video link downloader I would like to introduce to you is SnapDownloader. With it, you can easily download Instagram videos in MP4, MP3, M4A, AAC, and various other formats in up to 8K resolution.
What’s more, you don’t need to waste time downloading Instagram videos one by one. With SnapDownloader, you can download multiple videos from Instagram and other supported websites simultaneously.
Apart from being able to download videos from Instagram, you can download videos from more than 900 websites, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and many more. The most special feature of SnapDownloader is that you can schedule videos and audio to be downloaded later at a time that you want.
Follow these steps to download Instagram videos with SnapDownloader.
Step 1. Download and Install SnapDownloader
Visit the official website to download and install SnapDownloader on your PC.
Step 2. Copy the Instagram Video Link
Go to Instagram with your browser, find the video, and copy the video link from the address bar.
Step 3. Open SnapDownloader and Paste the Instagram Link
- Open SnapDownloader.
- Paste the copied Instagram video link into the address bar.

Step 4. Choose the Downloading Preference and Download
- Select the output format of the file, such as MP4, AVI, MP3, AAC, M4A, or a different format.
- Select the quality of the video or audio that you want to download, such as 1080p, 720p, or 360p.
- Click on Download.

Step 5. Check the Downloaded Instagram Video
- The Instagram video will be downloaded under the Active tab.
- Once it’s done, switch to Completed, click on the More option to play the video, locate it, or remove it.

All in all, MiniTool Video Converter and SnapDownloader are reliable Instagram link downloaders for Windows that I have tried. You can try them one by one and keep the favorite one according to your needs.
3 Online Instagram Link Download Tools
If you need to save Instagram videos by link without installing any software, online tools are a good solution. Here are the 3 free online Instagram URL downloaders I have used, especially option 1.
Option 1. Online Video Downloader on viddown.net
Online Video Downloader on viddown.net is a web-based Instagram link to MP4 downloader without installing an application or logging in. It allows video download on all devices (iPhones, Android devices, macOS, Windows, or Linux) and works seamlessly on almost all common browsers.
You can download as many videos, Reels, Stories, and photos from Instagram without any limitations by providing the URLs. Additionally, viddown.net also supports downloading Facebook videos, Reels, Twitter videos, TikTok videos, Vimeo videos, and YouTube long videos. All the thumbnails can be downloaded along with the videos.
Here’s how to download Instagram video with link in only 3 steps.
Step 1. Copy the Instagram Video Link
- Go to the official website of Instagram and find the video you want to download.
- Click on the Share icon below the video and click on Copy link.
Step 2. Go to viddown.net to Paste the Instagram Link
- Open your browser and visit https://www.viddown.net/.
- Paste the copied Instagram link into the address bar and click on Download.

Step 3. Download the Instagram Video or Photo
Click the Download button to save the Instagram video to your device.

To download the Instagram video photo, switch to the Photo option, choose a resolution you like, and click on the Download button.

All the downloaded Instagram videos and photos will be saved in the Downloads folder on your browser.
Option 2. SnapInsta
SnapInsta is also a famous online Instagram video URL downloader. Users can download Instagram videos, Reels, Story, photos, and profiles to their phones and computers easily without any problems.
SnapInsta works well on all platforms and devices, from PC, Mac, to phone (iPhone or Android). This tool does not require you to log in to your Instagram account and does not store users’ download history, making the use of SnapInsta completely anonymous and secure.
You should notice that SnapInsta is completely free but has a few ads. If you don’t mind, here’s how to download Instagram video with URL using SnapInsta.
Step 1. Find and Copy the Instagram Video
Step 2. Visit SnapInsta, Paste, and Analyze the Instagram Video Link
- Go to the official SnapInsta website with your browser.
- Paste the copied Instagram video link into the address bar or click on Paste.
- Press the Download button to analyze the video link.

Step 3. Download the Instagram Video
In the new window, click on Download Video.

Option 3: SSSInstagram
The last Instagram video URL downloader I want to share with you is SSSInstagram. It works on any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Opera) and any device (computer, tablet, Android, and iOS phones) without any fees.
SSSInstagram is dedicated to downloading content from Instagram, such as videos, photos, Reels, Story, and highlights for later viewing. It also has a brilliant download feature that allows you to download up to 10 pictures or videos with a single click.
Follow these steps below to download video from Instagram link using SSSInstagram.
Step 1. Copy the Instagram Video Link.
Step 2. Download the Instagram Video with SSSInstagram
- Visit https://sssinstagram.com/ and paste the copied Instagram video link into the designated address bar.
- Click on Download to start saving the Instagram video on your device.

Final Words
Instagram is a rich source of engaging video content, and many users want to download these videos for offline viewing, sharing, or archiving. While you can’t download videos directly from Instagram, there are a variety of third-party Instagram link download tools available.
We introduce two desktop software – MiniTool Video Converter and SnapDownloader, and three online downloaders – Online Video Downloader on viddown.net, SnapInsta, and SSSInstagram. Plus, the detailed download steps for every downloader are given in this post. When you use these third-party tools, you need to keep Instagram’s Terms of Service and copyright laws in mind. Finally, if you encounter problems while using MiniTool Video Converter, please contact us via [email protected] for assistance.