The 5 Best YouTube to MP3 Converters in 2025

Below are five widely used tools for converting YouTube videos to MP3 (audio) files. We include desktop software as well as standout online extensions. All are functional, reputable, and (as far as we can determine) legal for personal use in 2025. For each, we list platform, features, pros/cons, pricing, formats, and ease-of-use.

1. Any Video Converter Free (Windows, Desktop)

• Platform: Windows (desktop app; also has a Mac version).
• Key Features: Converts videos (YouTube or local files) to many formats (MP3, MP4, AVI, MKV, etc.). Built-in audio/video editor and filters. Supports batch conversions.
• Ease of Use: Very user-friendly – simply copy a YouTube URL, paste into the app, select MP3, and click “Convert Now”. The interface is logically organized, so beginners can find commands easily. Any Video Converter Free interface lets you add URLs or files and choose output formats easily. It guides you to paste the YouTube link and click “Convert” to get an MP3.

• Pros: Free (with optional paid upgrades), wide format support (MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV, etc.), fast conversion, and extra editing filters. It’s versatile – you can also burn DVDs or edit video if needed.
• Cons: The free installer includes optional bundled adware (be sure to uncheck those during install) . No one-click MP3 option (you must paste URL and hit Convert). The program download is fairly large since it does many tasks.
• Supported Quality: Outputs high-quality MP3 (up to 320 kbps) and even lossless audio. The app lets you pick bitrates.
• Limitations: Windows-only (desktop). Some advanced features (like hardware acceleration or DRM removal) require the paid Pro version.
• Pricing: Free version available; Pro/Ultimate versions cost (approx. $30–$60) with extra features. The free edition has no time limits on MP3 conversion.
• Safety: Reputable (from Anvsoft). Install from the official site to avoid fake copies. Just skip the extra bundled offers. The software itself is safe and ad-free once installed.

2. 4K Video Downloader (by 4kdownloader.com Windows, Desktop)

• Platform: Windows (desktop app; also Mac version exists).
• Key Features: Dedicated audio ripper for YouTube (and other sites). Supports output in MP3, M4A and OGG formats, with selectable bitrates. Can download from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, SoundCloud, Flickr, etc. No extra toolbars or bundled software.
• Ease of Use: Extremely simple. Copy a video URL, click the big Paste URL button, then choose “Extract Audio” and MP3 format. The program then downloads and converts the file.
  4K YouTube to MP3’s main window has a prominent “Paste Link” button and an easy dialog to pick MP3/M4A/OGG and bitrate before extracting audio.

• Pros: 100% free for single-file downloads, no ads or malware. High-quality output (even 320 kbps MP3). Let you set the exact audio format/quality. Works quickly even at the highest bitrates. Can download from many sites, not just YouTube.
• Cons: Free version only downloads one video/audio at a time (batch/playlist download requires paid upgrade). Doesn’t capture video (audio-only). The Mac version is similar but feature differences may apply.
• Supported Quality: Customizable – you can pick bitrates from low up to 320 kbps (or 256 kbps for OGG/M4A). Output formats are MP3, M4A, OGG.
• Limitations: Windows/Mac only (no Linux). The free version doesn’t support full playlist downloads (premium required for playlists). Also, it can’t split or merge tracks (just raw audio).
• Pricing: Free for individual downloads. Premium (one-time fee) adds playlist and 4K downloads. Free suffices for occasional single songs.
• Safety: Widely regarded as clean. The installer is straightforward and contains no extra adware. Use the official website to avoid scams.

3. 4K Video Downloader (Windows/macOS/Linux, Desktop)

• Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux (desktop software).
  
• Key Features: Primarily a video downloader, but has an Extract Audio mode to rip MP3 (or OGG/M4A) from videos. Can fetch entire playlists or channels. Supports 4K and even 360° video downloads.
  
• Ease of Use: Very straightforward. Copy the YouTube URL, click Paste URL, then select “Extract Audio” and pick MP3/OGG/M4A. Click “Extract” and it saves the file (see screenshot below).
  
  4K Video Downloader’s interface allows you to “Paste Link” and then choose Extract Audio with MP3 format. A simple dialog confirms settings before download.
  
• Pros: Cross-platform and well-designed. Supports playlists (up to a limit in free mode) and many sites. Can download subtitles. High speed and reliable. Free version handles most needs.
  
• Cons: Free edition limits playlist lengths (often only 24 videos max). Must click extra buttons compared to “one-click” converters (because it’s video-first). Occasionally flagged by YouTube (rare).
  
• Supported Quality: Supports MP3, OGG, M4A (like 4K Yt-to-Mp3). Bitrate 320 kbps available.
  
• Limitations: Free mode: up to 24 videos per playlist, limited simultaneous downloads (just one at a time). Paid unlocks these limits and 3D/VR video support.
  
• Pricing: Free for basic use. A license (one-time) unlocks unlimited playlists and faster speeds.
  
• Safety: Reputable (from the creators of 4K YT to MP3). No ads or malware. Download from the official 4kdownload.com site to be safe.
  

4. Free YouTube to MP3 Converter (by DVDVideoSoft, Windows/macOS, Desktop)

• Platform: Windows and macOS desktop app.
  
• Key Features: Exactly what its name implies – a simple YouTube-to-MP3 ripper. Supports batch mode and can merge downloaded audio tracks into one MP3. Also auto-adds album artwork and ID3 tags if available.
  
• Ease of Use: Extremely easy – no tweaking needed. Choose an output quality from a dropdown menu (e.g. “MP3 Original quality”), paste the YouTube link, and click Download. The file is saved and converted in one step. Free YouTube to MP3 Converter’s UI is minimalist: select quality (drop-down), paste the URL, and hit Download. The software handles downloading and conversion all at once.
  

• Pros: Very simple interface, quick to install, and does one job well. Batch downloads work. The merged downloads feature is handy for album-long conversions (it combines tracks in the order you add them). The installer offers optional additional apps (like Opera) but these can be skipped.
  
• Cons: Bundled software (Opera browser) in the installer (just uncheck it). Limited to YouTube (no other sites). The interface is basic – no advanced settings beyond quality.
  
• Supported Quality: Can output 64–320 kbps MP3 (choose via menu). Also supports M4A (AAC) format.
  
• Limitations: Windows/Mac only; no mobile or web version. No editing tools beyond the merge feature. Requires a live internet connection and waiting for download/convert.
  
• Pricing: Completely free. No premium version.
  
• Safety: DVDVideoSoft is a known publisher (also makes FormatFactory, etc.). The extra bundled offer is safe but unrelated (just skip it). Otherwise no ads or malware.
  

5. ClipGrab (Windows/macOS/Linux, Desktop)

• Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux (desktop app).
  
• Key Features: General YouTube downloader with built-in conversion. Automatically detects copied YouTube URLs (clipboard monitoring) and can search YouTube inside the app. Converts videos to MP3 (as well as OGG, WMV, etc.).
  
• Ease of Use: Very user-friendly. Run the app, then either paste a URL or just copy one (ClipGrab will notice and pop up). Select “MP3” as the target format and click Grab this video. The audio is then downloaded and saved. The clear interface makes it easy for beginners.
  

• Pros: Adorable interface (“utter delight” according to reviews). Clipboard monitoring saves steps. Has its own YouTube search feature. 100% free and open-source. Can handle multiple downloads in sequence.
  
• Cons: The installer includes a bundled offer for Opera (similar to others). Built-in search only shows a few results (about 12 max). Occasionally the autodetect doesn’t trigger, but pasting manually works.
  
• Supported Quality: Offers MP3 outputs up to 320 kbps, plus other audio formats. Quality can be chosen before download.
  
• Limitations: The free version is fully functional (since it’s open-source). No official mobile version (desktop only). No batch playlist download (must add one by one).
  
• Pricing: Free (open-source, no charges).
  
• Safety: Well-known open-source tool. Latest versions are safe; avoid downloading from third-party sites (use clipgrab.org). No malware or spyware.
  

After converting your YouTube video to MP3, you may want to clean up the audio or adjust its quality, this is where free web tools like Audio Alter can come in handy.

Other Methods to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3

Beyond the top tools above, you can use online converters, browser extensions, mobile apps, and CLI tools. Here are some common methods, with usage steps and cautions:

Online Websites

Web-based converters let you use a browser (no installs). For example, many sites (e.g. Y2Mate, ClipConverter, AISEO YouTube to MP3, etc.) allow quick conversion. The typical steps on these sites are:

1. Copy the YouTube video URL. Go to the YouTube video, click Share, and copy the link (or copy from the address bar).
   
2. Open the converter site. (e.g. a YTMP3 site or an all-in-one like AISEO) in your web browser.
   
3. Paste and convert. Paste the copied URL into the site’s input box and click “Convert” or “Go.”
   
4. Download MP3. After processing (usually a few seconds), a download link appears. Click to download the MP3 file to your device.
   
   For example, the AISEO tool explains: “Copy the YouTube link, visit AISEO, paste the URL, press Convert, then download the MP3”. This takes just a few clicks and yields a high-quality MP3.
   

• Suitable for: Quick one-off conversions on any device (Windows, Mac, smartphone). No software install needed.
  
• Cautions: Many free sites are ad-supported. Beware of pop-up ads or fake download buttons. Do not click unrelated ads or install unknown toolbars. Some sites may require you to disable ad-blockers or use a specific browser. Always use reputable sites and scan downloads for malware.
  
  Many online converters have a limit on file size or number of conversions per day unless you upgrade. Using such sites too often can violate YouTube’s terms of service, so be judicious.
  

Browser Extensions

There are add-ons for browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) that convert YouTube to MP3 directly on the video page. A popular example is Addoncrop’s YouTube MP3 Converter extension. After installing, it adds a “Convert” button under YouTube videos: click it to fetch MP3 options. Features of such extensions:

• Key Steps: Install the extension from its site (since many are not on official stores). In YouTube, go to a video, then click the new “MP3” button (it may appear near the video title). Choose quality (e.g., 128/256/320 kbps) and click download.
  
• Suitable for: Users who frequently download from YouTube on desktop and prefer an in-browser tool. It’s fast and convenient once set up.
  
• Example: Addoncrop’s free extension lets you download up to 320 kbps MP3 and even trim the audio. (It auto-detects the YouTube URL and converts with one click).
  
• Cautions: Many extensions that bypass YouTube’s restrictions are unofficial. Install from the developer’s site with caution. Check user reviews and ensure you’re not adding malware. Also, Chrome’s Web Store policies usually ban YouTube downloaders, so you may need a special installer (like Addoncrop’s CRXEmu). Be very careful with any extension asking for excessive permissions or injecting ads.
  

Desktop Software (Windows/Mac/Linux)

Aside from the converters above, other desktop programs include MP3 extraction:

• SnapDownloader: A modern app (Windows/Mac) that downloads videos and audio from YouTube, Facebook, etc. It’s paid after trial, but supports MP3 and high bitrates.
  
• aTube Catcher or Any Video Editor: General multimedia suites that include YouTube ripping functionality.
  
• VLC Media Player: (Advanced) VLC can stream a YouTube URL and record audio – a multi-step process, not straightforward for novices.
  
• Command-line Tools (see below).
  

These desktop apps often offer more stability and features than web tools, but require installation. They’re suitable for heavy users (for instance, batch downloading large playlists). Always download from the official site to avoid bundled adware.

Mobile Apps (Android/iOS)

Android: YouTube-to-MP3 apps exist (TubeMate, Snaptube, YMusic, etc.), but none are in the Google Play Store (they violate policy). You must download APKs from reputable sources. The process is: install the app (side-load), then open YouTube in it or paste a URL to download the MP3.

For example, TubeMate allows you to choose MP3 output when you hit its download button on a video.

Caution: Only use well-known APK sites, scan for malware, and expect ads. Google can ban your account if it detects a violation (rare, but possible).

iOS: The App Store prohibits YouTube downloaders. iPhone users typically rely on a workaround: use a Shortcuts automation (e.g. “YouTube to MP3” shortcut from RoutineHub) or Safari with an online converter site.

There are some third-party iOS apps outside the App Store (via AltStore or enterprise certificates), but these are unreliable. Usually, using a web converter via Safari and saving the file to iCloud/Files is easiest on iPhone.

• Suitable for: Users who need occasional downloads on the go.
  
• Cautions: Mobile downloaders are often laden with ads or riskier (since you install outside official stores). Ensure you trust the source. Also, video downloaders can be pulled at any time due to legal pressure. Always update to the latest version if available to avoid bugs or shutdowns.
  

Command-Line Tools

For power users or developers, command-line utilities like yt-dlp or youtube-dl (open-source) are ideal. These run on Windows, Mac, or Linux and offer full control. The basic usage to get an MP3 is:

yt-dlp -x –audio-format mp3 <YouTube-video-URL>

This tells the program to extract audio (-x) and convert it to MP3. (For the older YouTube-dl, the syntax is similar.) These tools fetch the video, strip the audio, and save it. Benefits:

• Pros: No ads, batch scripts for multiple URLs, highest customization (choose codec, bitrate, output folder, etc.), and it can often download playlists automatically.
  
• Cons: Requires using a terminal/command prompt. Must have Python or binary installed. Not beginner-friendly.
  
• Safety: These tools are open-source and extremely popular. They have no ads or malware. However, occasionally YouTube changes its code to block them, so keep them updated (new releases come out periodically to fix breakages).
  

For example, a tech forum recommends youtube-zdl (a fork of youtube-dl) as “free and safe” with example usage exactly like yt-dlp. It avoids ads and works at high speed. A Microsoft community thread even outlines using PowerShell/curl to download and ffmpeg to convert, proving there are many CLI workflows.

Use the official GitHub pages for installation and always follow usage instructions carefully.