With Facebook being one of the most popular social media platforms, many users want to download their Facebook stories for archiving or sharing purposes. However, Facebook does not directly allow users to download their stories. Therefore, third-party apps and extensions have been developed to enable Facebook story downloading.
But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which Facebook story downloader is the best? In this comprehensive guide, we will compare the various methods and tools for downloading Facebook stories and help you decide which one best suits your needs.
What are Facebook Stories?
In case you’re not familiar, Facebook Stories are photos and videos that you can post to your Facebook account that disappear after 24 hours. Just like Instagram or Snapchat Stories, Facebook Stories allow you to share quick momentary updates without cluttering up your main Facebook timeline.
Facebook Stories appear at the top of your news feed and on your profile page. You can create Facebook Stories directly within the Facebook mobile app by swiping right or tapping on “Your Story” from the shortcuts bar. Your Facebook friends and followers will be able to view your story at the top of their news feeds.
Some key features of Facebook Stories include:
- Disappear after 24 hours
- Can include text, drawings, stickers, music, filters, etc.
- Viewers can react and reply to your stories
- You can see who has viewed your story
- Stories do not get archived on your timeline
Why Download Facebook Stories?
There are several reasons why you may want to download your Facebook stories or your friends’ stories, such as:
- To save memorable or important stories before they disappear
- To archive or back up your stories
- To share stories with friends who are not on Facebook
- To repost your favorite stories back to Facebook later
- To view stories offline
- To edit and re-upload higher quality versions of your stories
Without downloading, Facebook Stories are ephemeral and temporary. Many users want an easy way to preserve special stories, download their own creative content, or even just save funny videos their friends have posted. That’s where story saver apps and extensions come in handy!
Methods for Downloading Facebook Stories
There are currently three main methods people use to download Facebook Stories:
- Browser Extensions
- Standalone Website Downloaders
- Mobile Apps
Let’s look at some of the specific tools available in each category and their pros and cons.
1. Browser Extensions
Browser extensions, also known as add-ons or plug-ins, are software programs that add new features to your web browser. They are easy to install and give you access to extra tools and customizations while browsing the web. The following Facebook story saver browser extensions are popular choices:
1.1 FB Stories Saver for Chrome
FB Stories Saver is a Chrome extension created specifically for downloading Facebook Stories and reels. Once installed, it will detect whenever you are viewing a story on Facebook and display a download button.
Pros:
- Straightforward one-click downloading
- Saves as MP4 video file by default
- Free to use
Cons:
- Only available on Chrome browser
- Requires manual download of each story
- May have compatibility issues with some computers
1.2 Download Facebook Videos for Firefox
This Firefox add-on allows fast and easy downloading of videos not just from Facebook Stories but from your News Feed and other Facebook video sources.
Pros:
- One-click download right from Facebook
- Works on Stories as well as regular videos
- Totally free add-on
Cons:
- Only works on Mozilla Firefox browser
- Requires manual download of each video
- Does not allow bulk downloading
1.3 Album & Video Downloader for Facebook
This extension is available for both Chrome and Firefox. It adds a download button for images, albums, and videos, including Facebook Stories.
Pros:
- Download photos, albums, and videos
- Supports bulk downloading
- Works across Chrome and Firefox
Cons:
- Requires a paid subscription for full features
- Primarily designed for downloading regular Facebook media
- Stories must be downloaded one at a time
2. Website Downloaders
There are also various websites designed specifically for downloading content from Facebook. They allow you to enter a Facebook video URL and will extract the source video file for you to save. Here are some popular online Facebook story savers:
2.1 FBDown.net
FBDown.net is a free online tool that supports downloading videos, live videos, stories, and photos from Facebook. You only need to copy and paste the post URL.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Downloads many Facebook media types
- No software install required
Cons:
- Requires manual entry of each URL
- Some ads and popups
- May be slow for large downloads
2.2 SaveFrom.net
SaveFrom.net is another free web-based downloader that works for Facebook videos, stories, live streams, and photo albums. Supports bulk pasting URLs.
Pros:
- Easy paste and download
- No app install necessary
- Allows bulk URL pasting
Cons:
- Contains some ads
- Max of 5 downloads per hour
- Requires manually getting shareable link first
2.3 FBStoryDownloader.com
As the name suggests, FBStoryDownloader.com specializes specifically in downloading Facebook and Instagram stories. It has a simple interface requiring only the profile username and story URL.
Pros:
- Specialized for stories
- Simple and quick
- No software downloads necessary
Cons:
- Only works for downloading stories
- Requires manual URL entry for each story
- Limited to a few downloads per hour
3. Mobile Apps
If you browse Facebook primarily on your iPhone or Android device, then using a mobile app may be the most convenient way to download and save stories. Here are some top-rated Facebook story saver apps:
3.1 Story Saver for Facebook
Story Saver is a popular app available for both iOS and Android. It allows downloading your own and friends’ stories, reacting to stories, and reposting stories.
Pros:
- Automatic downloading in the background
- Convenient access on mobile device
- Reposting capabilities
Cons:
- Mandatory app login and subscription
- Limited number of daily downloads
- Some stability issues
3.2 Story Reposter
Story Reposter downloads your Facebook stories and lets you repost them back to Facebook or other social platforms later on. Available for iOS and Android.
Pros:
- Automated downloads
- Allows reposting back to Facebook
- Simple user interface
Cons:
- Strict download limits
- Subscription required for more features
- Reposting can be glitchy
3.3 StorySaver App
StorySaver is another downloader app designed specifically for Facebook and Instagram Stories. It has options to download anonymously without login.
Pros:
- Save Facebook and Instagram stories
- Anonymous downloading mode
- Simple workflow
Cons:
- Requires manual story selection
- Limits on number of downloads
- Contains some ads
Key Factors in Choosing a Facebook Story Downloader
Now that we’ve covered some of the most popular tools and apps for saving Facebook stories, how do you decide which option is right for you? Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a Facebook story downloader:
Ease of Use
Look for a downloader that has an intuitive interface and simple workflow. It should allow you to easily specify the story URL or select the story you want to download with minimal steps required.
Features
Consider what features are most important to you – do you need to bulk download multiple stories? Do you want to also download photos and videos? Will you repost stories back to Facebook later? Choose a tool that offers the specific features you need.
Accessibility
How will you be accessing Facebook and downloading stories? Make sure to choose a downloader that works on your device browser or operating system. Browser extensions only work on desktop while mobile apps are built for phones and tablets.
Cost
Some Facebook story downloaders are completely free but others require paid subscriptions for full functionality or heavy usage. Factor cost into your decision if you plan to use the downloader frequently.
Credibility
It’s always smart to research the reputation and credibility of third-party apps and services before downloading. Prioritize tools that are transparent, reviewed positively, and protect user privacy.
Our Top Pick
Taking all of these factors into account, our top recommendation for most users is:
FB Stories Saver Chrome Extension
FB Stories Saver makes it extremely easy to download stories right from Facebook with just the click of a button. It works seamlessly in the Chrome browser, it’s totally free, and downloads high-quality MP4 files without any limits. For fast and frictionless Facebook story saving, FB Stories Saver is our number one choice!
Of course, you may prefer using a different tool based on your specific needs. The most important thing is choosing an app, extension, or service that works smoothly, lets you download full high-quality videos, and simplifies the story saving process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people ask about downloading Facebook stories:
Why can’t I directly download stories from Facebook?
Facebook purposefully does not allow users to natively download stories in order to protect content rights and encourage ephemeral sharing. You need to use a third-party app to work around this limitation.
Is it legal to download Facebook stories?
In most cases, it is legal to download Facebook stories as long as you own the content and are saving it for personal archival use. Always check the app or service terms of use.
Will downloading stories notify the original poster?
In most cases, no – downloading a story does not send any notification to the user who originally posted it. The download process happens privately on your end.
Can I repost downloaded stories back to Facebook?
Some downloaders include reposting capabilities, but you need to double check Facebook terms of use before reposting others’ content. Posting your own downloaded stories is usually fine.
Will downloading stories reduce their Facebook quality?
As long as you use a reputable downloader, the downloaded stories should retain their original image and video resolution quality when saved.
Conclusion
Facebook Stories allow you to share temporary snapshots – but there are many great reasons to download and save stories for later. When choosing the right Facebook story downloading tool, consider ease of use, features, accessibility, cost, and credibility to find the best match.
Browser extensions like FB Stories Saver offer an excellent combination of convenience and performance. But mobile apps or online downloaders may be better suited depending on your needs. Now you can archive memories, access content offline, and never lose your favorite Facebook Stories again with the help of these handy tools!