There is a lot of quality content on these platforms, no doubt. I would much prefer to be able to download a reel or a whole account easily (using, say, Instaloader), without needing to climb their gardens' walls (obviously something which gets harder and harder), instead of their UIs.

I don't have a web version yet, but my app works with just url too, so that you can use it like Instaloader, and you will still get all the data in the video, already summarized and important bits extracted and highlighted. I am not storing the video locally because it seems that storing locally only provides me with the advantage of playing the video offline.

Interesting. I always assumed that the "download" functionality on Instagram is "given", but it seems as if creators can deactivate it. Sometimes, when pressing the "Share" menu, you will have the option to download a reel to your local videos.