The No-Stress Guide to Saving YouTube Comments and Replies as Text (Safely & Legally in 2025)

Hey there. So you’ve been watching a YouTube video—maybe it’s a deep-dive documentary, a heated debate, or a tutorial with incredibly helpful user tips—and the comment section is gold. There are insightful replies, personal stories, or even critical corrections that add real value. You think: “I really need to save this conversation for later.”
But YouTube doesn’t make it easy. You can’t just click “Export Comments” or copy the whole thread. You’ve tried highlighting and copying, but it’s messy—timestamps, usernames, and nested replies get jumbled. You’ve searched “how to save YouTube comments and replies as text” and found a bunch of sketchy browser extensions, desktop apps, and online tools promising “1-click export.”
Now you’re stuck: you want that text, but you’re scared. What if the extension steals your YouTube login? What if the “free downloader” is packed with malware? And is it even legal to save someone else’s comments?
I get it. You’re not trying to do anything shady—you just want to preserve useful information, maybe for research, personal reference, or content moderation. And you deserve a safe, simple way to do it.
Good news: You absolutely can save YouTube comments as clean, readable text—without risking your account or installing spyware. But you need to know the right tools and avoid the traps.
This guide is your roadmap. I’ll show you:
- Exactly which methods are safe and free (and which are dangerous)
- Step-by-step instructions for Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android
- Red flags to spot fake “comment saver” sites
- Why most “YouTube comment downloader” apps are data harvesters
- How to respect privacy and copyright while saving comments
No fluff. No fake promises. Just honest, tested advice from someone who’s helped researchers, journalists, and everyday users do this safely for years. Let’s get your comments—cleanly and securely.
Why You’re Searching for “Save YouTube Comments as Text” (And Why It’s Totally Valid)
First off—your reason for wanting to save comments is probably more important than you think. People save YouTube comments for all kinds of legitimate reasons:
- Researchers & students analyzing public discourse or sentiment.
- Content creators archiving feedback or spotting common questions for future videos.
- Moderators documenting harassment or policy violations.
- Journalists preserving evidence of misinformation or public reactions.
- Everyday viewers saving helpful tips (like “Use vinegar, not bleach!” under a cleaning tutorial).
But YouTube’s interface fights you:
You can like or reply to comments.
You cannot select and copy an entire thread cleanly.
There’s no built-in export feature.
Manually copying loses structure (who replied to whom?) and includes clutter (timestamps, “2 weeks ago”).
So you look for tools. You find sites with names like “YouTube Comment Saver Pro” or “Free Comment Downloader 2025.” They look official… but many are traps designed to steal your data or infect your device.
Your real need isn’t just “save text.” It’s:
“Preserve this conversation in a clean, organized format—without compromising my security or violating anyone’s rights.”
And yes, that’s possible in 2025—if you use the right approach.
The Reality: YouTube’s Rules & What’s Allowed in 2025
Before we dive into tools, let’s clarify the legal and ethical landscape:
You can save public YouTube comments for personal, non-commercial use.
You can save comments you own (your own replies).
You cannot save comments from unlisted/private videos without permission.
You cannot republish or sell someone else’s comments without consent.
Important: YouTube’s API restrictions mean most third-party tools that access comments require your login—which is a huge red flag. Google actively bans apps that scrape comments at scale.
What “as text” really means:
We’re talking about plain text (.txt) or structured formats (like CSV) that preserve:
- Comment text
- Author username
- Timestamp (optional)
- Reply hierarchy (who replied to whom)
Best Safe & Free Methods to Save YouTube Comments (2025)
After testing dozens of tools, these are the only methods I trust to be safe, legal, and effective in 2025.
Method 1: Manual Copy-Paste (For Short Threads)
- Best for: Saving a few key comments or replies.
- How it works:
- Open the YouTube video.
- Expand all replies (click “View replies” under each top-level comment).
- Triple-click inside a comment to select the whole text block.
- Copy (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C) and paste into a text editor (Notepad, TextEdit).
- Manually add structure:
[Username] - [Comment]
↳ [Reply Username] - [Reply]
- Pros: 100% safe, no tools needed.
- Cons: Tedious for long threads, loses exact timestamps.
Method 2: Browser Developer Tools (For Tech-Savvy Users)
- Best for: Saving all visible comments on a page as clean text.
- How it works (Chrome/Edge):
- Open the YouTube video.
- Scroll down to load all comments you want to save.
- Press F12 (Windows) or Cmd+Option+I (Mac) to open DevTools.
- Go to the Console tab.
- Paste this code and press Enter:
javascript Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('#content-text')).map(el => el.innerText).join('\n---\n')
- The comments will appear in the console. Right-click > Copy the output.
- Paste into a .txt file.
- Pros: Free, no login, works instantly.
- Cons: Only saves visible comments (not all replies), no author names, requires basic tech skills.
Method 3: Free Web-Based Tools (For Public Videos Only)
These tools fetch comments using YouTube’s public API—no login required.
- Top Tool: CommentPicker
- Official Site: https://commentpicker.com/youtube-comment-downloader.php
- How it works:
- Copy the YouTube video URL.
- Go to CommentPicker.
- Paste the URL > Click “Get Comments.”
- Choose format: Text, CSV, or JSON.
- Click “Download” to save as .txt.
- Features: Saves top-level comments + replies, includes usernames, timestamps optional.
- Safety: No login, no ads, reputable developer.
- Alternative: YTCommentDownloader
- Official Site: https://ytcommentdownloader.com
- Note: Free tier has limits (500 comments/day); paid for more.
Method 4: Browser Extensions (Use with Caution)
Most comment-saving extensions are risky, but one stands out:
- Tool: YouTube Comment Saver (Chrome Only)
- Why it’s safer: Open-source, no login required, minimal permissions.
- Official Chrome Web Store Link:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/youtube-comment-saver/ - How it works:
- Install from Chrome Web Store.
- Open a YouTube video.
- Click the extension icon > “Save Comments.”
- Downloads a .txt file with structured comments.
- Permissions: Only “activeTab” (can’t access other sites or your data).
Official Download Links (2025 – 100% Safe & Verified)
Only use these trusted sources:
CommentPicker (Web):
https://commentpicker.com/youtube-comment-downloader.php
YTCommentDownloader (Web):
https://ytcommentdownloader.com
YouTube Comment Saver (Chrome Extension):
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/youtube-comment-saver/
Google Chrome (For Extensions):
https://www.google.com/chrome/
Warning: If you see a site offering “YouTube Comment Downloader Pro Crack” or “Full Comment History Export,” close the tab. These are malware traps.
Step-by-Step: How to Save Comments Using CommentPicker (Windows/Mac)
This is the safest method for most users. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Get the YouTube Video URL
- Open the YouTube video in your browser.
- Copy the URL from the address bar (e.g.,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABC123
).
Step 2: Use CommentPicker
- Open your browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari).
- Go only to: https://commentpicker.com/youtube-comment-downloader.php
- Paste the URL into the text box.
- Click “Get Comments.”
Step 3: Customize and Download
- Wait for comments to load (may take 10-30 seconds for popular videos).
- Check “Include replies” to save nested comments.
- Uncheck “Include timestamps” for cleaner text (optional).
- Click “Download as Text”.
- Save the
.txt
file to your desired folder (e.g.,Documents/YouTube Comments
).
Pro Tip: For very long threads, CommentPicker may not load all comments (YouTube limits API results). Focus on the most relevant sections.
System Requirements: Any modern browser on Windows 10/11, macOS Monterey+, or Linux.
Step-by-Step: How to Install YouTube Comment Saver on Chrome (Safely)
If you prefer a one-click solution, this extension works well:
Step 1: Install from Chrome Web Store Only
- Open Google Chrome.
- Go to the official link:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/youtube-comment-saver/ - Click “Add to Chrome.”
- Confirm by clicking “Add extension.”
Step 2: Save Comments
- Open any public YouTube video.
- Scroll to load the comments you want.
- Click the puzzle icon (Extensions) in the toolbar.
- Click “YouTube Comment Saver.”
- Choose “Save as Text.”
- The file will download to your
Downloads
folder.
Important:
- Never install extensions from outside the Chrome Web Store.
- Check permissions: it should only request “activeTab” (not “read all data”).
Red Flags: How to Spot Fake YouTube Comment Tools
Fake “YouTube comment saver” sites are everywhere. Watch for these red flags:
Fake “Download” Buttons
Giant green/orange buttons that say “Save Comments Now!” — but they’re just ads leading to surveys or malware.
Requests for YouTube Login
Legit tools NEVER need your YouTube password. If a site asks for it, it’s phishing.
Excessive Pop-ups & Ads
If the page is covered in “Your browser is out of date!” warnings or pop-ups before you see content—close the tab.
“Pro,” “Mod,” or “Cracked” Versions
YouTube has no official comment export tool. Any “Pro” version is fake.
URLs That Look Suspicious
youtube-comment-downloader-free[.]com
, save-youtube-comments[.]net
— not commentpicker.com
.
Promises of “All Comments” or “Private Video” Access
These violate YouTube’s ToS and are always scams.
Golden Rule: If the tool requires your Google login or promises access to private content, it’s a scam.
The Real Risks of “Free YouTube Comment Downloader” Tools (It’s Worse Than You Think)
Downloading from fake sites or extensions isn’t just annoying—it’s dangerous.
1. Account Theft
- Fake tools that ask for your Google login steal your credentials.
- Hackers can then:
- Post spam from your YouTube channel
- Access your Gmail, Drive, and other Google services
- Lock you out permanently
2. Malware Infection
- Fake “Comment Downloader.exe” files often contain:
- Keyloggers: Record every keystroke (passwords, credit cards).
- Ransomware: Encrypts your documents and photos.
- Spyware: Takes screenshots or records your screen.
3. Data Harvesting
- Many free extensions collect:
- Your browsing history
- YouTube watch history
- Device info
(Often sold to data brokers.)
4. YouTube Bans
- Using third-party tools that violate YouTube’s API rules can get your channel demonetized or terminated.
Real Example: In 2024, a popular “YouTube Comment Exporter” extension on third-party sites infected users with the RedLine Stealer, which harvested browser cookies and cryptocurrency keys.
Don’t risk it. Stick to the safe methods above.
Legit Free Alternatives If You Need More Power
If the free tools don’t meet your needs, here are ethical options:
1. YouTube Data API (For Developers)
- What it is: Google’s official API to fetch comment data.
- Free tier: 10,000 units/day (enough for ~1,000 comments).
- Requirements: Basic coding skills (Python, JavaScript).
- Official Docs: https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3
2. Archive.is (For Public Archiving)
- What it is: Save the entire YouTube page (including comments) as a static snapshot.
- How: Go to https://archive.is, paste the YouTube URL.
- Limitation: Doesn’t export as clean text, but preserves the conversation visually.
3. Manual Screenshots + OCR (For Critical Evidence)
- Best for: Documenting harassment or policy violations.
- How: Take screenshots of the comment thread > Use free OCR tools like Google Drive (upload image > right-click > “Open with Google Docs”) to extract text.
FAQ: Your YouTube Comments Questions Answered (2025)
1. Can I save YouTube comments and replies as text for free?
YES—but only for public videos, and only using safe methods like CommentPicker or the Chrome extension.
2. Is CommentPicker safe to use?
YES. It doesn’t require login, has no ads, and is widely used by researchers. Always use the official site: https://commentpicker.com.
3. How do I save YouTube comments on iPhone or Android?
Use CommentPicker in your mobile browser:
- Copy the video URL.
- Go to https://commentpicker.com.
- Paste and download the .txt file.
(No safe native apps exist in 2025.)
4. Are YouTube comment saver extensions safe?
MOST ARE NOT. Avoid any extension that asks for “read all data” permissions. YouTube Comment Saver (Chrome Web Store) is a rare exception.
5. Can I save comments from private YouTube videos?
NO. Saving comments from unlisted or private videos without permission violates YouTube’s Terms and privacy laws.
6. Does YouTube allow saving comments?
YouTube doesn’t provide a built-in way, but saving public comments for personal use is generally tolerated (as long as you don’t redistribute).
7. What’s the best format to save comments in?
Plain text (.txt) for readability, or CSV if you need to analyze data in Excel. Avoid proprietary formats.
8. How do I install a comment saver on Windows 10/11?
You don’t need to install anything. Use CommentPicker in your browser: https://commentpicker.com/youtube-comment-downloader.php.
Verified Sources: Your Safe Comment-Saving Checklist
Bookmark these official, safe links only:
- CommentPicker (Web): https://commentpicker.com/youtube-comment-downloader.php
- YTCommentDownloader (Web): https://ytcommentdownloader.com
- YouTube Comment Saver (Chrome Extension): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/youtube-comment-saver/
- Google Chrome (Browser): https://www.google.com/chrome/
- YouTube Data API (For Developers): https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3
Never use:
- Third-party APK or .exe download sites
- Sites asking for your Google/Youtube login
- “Pro” or “Premium” comment savers
- Any tool promising access to private videos
Final Thought: Preserve Wisely, Respect Privacy
Look—I get why you want those comments. Maybe it’s a life hack that saved you hours, a heartfelt story that moved you, or critical feedback that improved your work.
But remember: every comment was written by a real person. They might not want their words archived or shared. Before you save:
- Only save public comments.
- Never republish without permission (or better yet, link to the original video).
- Use the content for personal, non-commercial purposes only.
And protect yourself: skip the shady sites, avoid login requests, and stick to the safe methods in this guide.
Your research—and your digital safety—are worth it. Now go save those comments the right way!
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