While YouTube is ideal for discovering and streaming audio and video content online, sometimes it’s preferable to listen offline. YouTube to MP3 Converters empowers users to extract just the audio from videos into a portable MP3 format for listening anywhere.
12 Best Downloader Websites and Apps
5smp3
Best for: Converting YouTube videos to MP3 format directly from any device’s web browser.
5smp3 is a straightforward online YouTube to MP3 converter. Simply copy and paste the YouTube URL and the site handles ripping the audio and converting it to MP3 in just a few clicks. It supports high quality conversion of any YouTube video without needing to download additional software or apps.
Features:
- Simple one-click conversion
- Ability to queue multiple URLs
- Customizable MP3 tag editing
- Download in both MP3 and MP4 formats
Verdict: 5smp3 is great for users who need a quick and basic YouTube to MP3 conversion process without fuss. The lightweight web interface works on any device.
Price: Free to use
Detailed Steps:
- Open the 5smp3 website
- Paste the YouTube URL
- Select desired output format/quality
- Click “Download MP3” to save file
VidMate
Best for: Converting YouTube videos and downloading audio/video seamlessly on Android devices.
VidMate is a powerful all-in-one Android app that lets users download videos from YouTube, Facebook and over 2000 sites. It also offers high quality YouTube to MP3 conversion for listening offline. Batch conversion makes it easy to queue multiple links at once.
Features:
- Background downloading capability
- Customizable video/audio format options
- Built-in video/audio player
- Automatically saves files to device storage
Verdict: For Android owners, VidMate is a must have thanks to its full-featured downloading and efficient YouTube to MP3 functions.
Price: Free app
Detailed Steps:
- Open VidMate and paste URL
- Select “Convert to MP3”
- Click download icon when ready
- Find MP3 file in “My Videos”
MP3Skull
Best for: Large batch YouTube to MP3 conversions with advanced customization options.
MP3Skull allows high volume conversion of YouTube playlists, channels and individual videos all at once. You can customize output formats, bitrates, tags and more across bulk extractions. The queue system makes managing multiple conversion jobs seamless.
Features:
- Convert YouTube playlists and channels
- Advanced tagging and metadata editing
- Queue and schedule multiple tasks
- Output to MP3, M4A, FLAC formats
- Integrates with Dropbox for backups
Verdict: Ideal for power users looking to extract large collections of content from YouTube without limits.
Price: Free up to 50 conversions, $10 lifetime membership removes limits
Detailed Steps:
- Log in and paste YouTube URLs/playlists
- Adjust settings and save to queue
- Click “Fetch” to begin downloading MP3s
YT1s
Best for: Simple yet capable YouTube to MP3 functionality directly on Android devices.
YT1s is a lightweight YouTube downloader focused exclusively on mobile. It smoothly handles converting any video link to a high quality MP3. Files are neatly organized on your device for quick access any time.
Features:
- Hassle-free one-tap downloading
- Supports background playback
- Set favorite channels for subscriptions
- Customizable save locations
- No login or account needed
Verdict: Ideal free YouTube audio extractor for Android users seeking an ad-free experience.
Price: Free
Detailed Steps:
- Open app and paste URL
- Tap download icon
- Play or share new MP3s
FLVTO
Best for: Fast, online bulk conversion of YouTube playlists, channels and video batches to MP3 format.
FLVTO is a lightening-quick online YouTube to MP3 converter. Simply paste multiple links or embed codes and it will rapidly extract high quality audio in the background. All MP3s are automatically downloaded to your device in a zip folder for effortless access later.
Features:
- Batch convert playlists and channels
- Background queue for passive processing
- Configure format, quality and tags
- Share or keep converted files private
- Easy playlist importing from YouTube
Verdict: The best free option for individuals or businesses needing to transform large amounts of YouTube audio with zero downloads or signup.
Price: Free
Detailed Steps:
- Visit website and paste YouTube URLs
- Adjust settings and add to queue
- Get download link when ready
TubeMate
Best for: One-stop YouTube content extraction on Android with direct video downloading.
In addition to seamless YouTube to MP3 functionality, TubeMate allows saving videos in MP4 format for offline viewing on mobile. Intuitive playlists make it easy to queue or schedule downloads across WiFi for watching later.
Features:
- Download YouTube videos as MP4 files
- Create custom playlists for content
- Batch converter for YouTube channels
- Scheduled/timed downloading
- Supports thousands of video sites
Verdict: Unmatched all-in-one YouTube manager for versatile Android extraction and consumption needs.
Price: Free
Detailed Steps:
- Open app and paste URL
- Select “Video” or “Audio” download
- Save file and play offline
4K YouTube to MP3
Best for: High quality YouTube to MP3 conversion on Windows/Mac computers with tagging options.
4K YouTube to MP3 allows downloading clean, lossless audio from videos on desktop. Users can customize ID3 tags, metadata and output formats. It also supports batch conversion for effortlessly extracting multiple songs in one go.
Features:
- Tag songs with artist, album, genre etc
- Save to all major formats like MP3, M4A, FLAC
- Trim or split audio from specific points
- Batch queue for playlists and channels
- Lightweight UI for simple use
Verdict: Ideal free YouTube to MP3 software for Windows/Mac users focused on pristine quality rips.
Price: Free
Detailed Steps:
- Paste URLs into converter
- Adjust tags and formats
- Select destination folder
- Click convert
YTbAudiobot
Best for: Fast, web-based YouTube to MP3 conversion directly in any browser.
YTbAudiobot handles converting audio from YouTube videos with a single click for instant MP3 downloads. Supported formats include MP3, M4A, OGG and more for all personal listening needs. It processes links rapidly even on slower machines.
Features:
- One-tap conversion
- Customizable quality, tags and metadata
- Download MP3 or stream audio online
- Bookmark favorites for quick access
- Simple to use from any device
Verdict: A barebones yet reliable tool optimized for quick YouTube to MP3 ripping via web.
Price: Free
Detailed Steps:
- Visit website and paste URL
- Select settings and click convert
- Save MP3 file
Ontiva
Best for: Powerful all-in-one multimedia converter and downloader for Windows/Mac.
Ontiva handles ripping video and audio from YouTube along with over 1000 websites. It can convert to MP3, M4A, WAV and numerous formats while editing ID3 tags. Playlists are automatically downloaded for seamless offline viewing.
Features:
- Download YouTube videos as MP4 files
- Batch convert playlists and channels
- Trim, resize and merge multimedia
- Edit captions and metadata
- Schedule downloads across WiFi
Verdict: The premium option for serious digital media hobbyists needing unlimited extraction tools.
Price: Free version available or $30/year subscription
Detailed Steps:
- Paste URLs and add to queue
- Select file formats and locations
- Start download and save files
YouTubetoMP3music
Best for: Extracting complete YouTube playlists and channels as high quality MP3 albums.
YouTubetoMP3music specializes in bulk converting whole collections via webhook import or pasted URLs. It can seamlessly process requests to download entire discographies as categorized albums tagged with artwork – ideal for building personal music libraries.
Features:
- Convert playlists as individual albums
- Download channel uploads as compilations
- Auto tag names, track numbers, album art
- Schedule/batch process long requests
- Send to cloud services like GDrive
Verdict: Indispensable for archiving whole artist playlists and channels as personalized MP3 albums.
Price: Free conversion of up to 20 playlists/month
Detailed Steps:
- Paste request or import playlist/channel
- Select conversion options
- Download finished album files
Comparison of the 10 YouTube to MP3 Converters
| Software | Platform | Websites Supported | Ratings |
| 5smp3 | Web-based | YouTube | ★★★★★ |
| VidMate | Android | YouTube, Facebook etc. | ★★★☆☆ |
| MP3Skull | Web-based | YouTube | ★★★★☆ |
| YT1s | Android | YouTube | ★★★★☆ |
| FLVTO | Web-based | YouTube | ★★★☆☆ |
| TubeMate | Android | YouTube etc. | ★★★★☆ |
| 4K YouTube to MP3 | Windows, Mac | YouTube | ★★★☆☆ |
| YTbAudiobot | Web-based | YouTube | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ontiva | Windows, Mac | YouTube etc. | ★★★☆☆ |
| YouTubetoMP3music | Web-based | YouTube | ★★★☆☆ |
Limitations and Risks about Converting Videos from Youtube
While YouTube to MP3 conversion is convenient for personal use, there are important limitations and risks to be aware of:
- Copyright Protection: Redistributing copyrighted content without permission, such as full albums, movies or commercial monetized content, would infringe copyright law.
- Audio Quality: MP3 is a lossy compressed format, so repetitive conversions can degrade sound quality over time compared to the source video.
- Dependence on Third Parties: Free converter apps and websites can disappear due to policy changes on YouTube’s part, breaking function overnight.
- Device Compatibility: Not all extracted MP3 files will playback seamlessly across different hardware generations due to encoding variances.
- File Storage: Large MP3 libraries consume significant device storage and cloud backup fees over the long run if not managed properly.
- Privacy Risks: Malicious converters could potentially collect users’ private YouTube watch history or device data without consent.
- Format Handling: MP3 is not a video format, so crucial elements like chapters may be lost permanently during extraction from YouTube.
- Technological Limits: Converting to MP3 fails to preserve the full quality contained within high resolution digital video and compression formats.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How can I trim MP3 files extracted from YouTube videos?
- Use free audio editing software like Audacity to cut unwanted intro/outro sections from MP3 files. Precisely select regions to remove and export a trimmed version.
Is YouTube to MP3 conversion legal for personal use?
- Converting public videos owned by YouTube and creators for your own listening is legal under fair use. However, redistributing copyrighted works commercially without permission violates copyright.
What is the best audio format to extract from YouTube?
- MP3 is the most universal format supported by all devices. But WAV or FLAC preserve higher quality than MP3 without compression. Consider your end use and storage limits.
How do I download just the audio from a private video?
- Private videos can’t be directly downloaded, but screen recording software can record the audio playing in your browser. You may risk copyright claims however.
Can I batch convert many YouTube playlists at once?
- Yes, several YouTube to MP3 converters support processing entire playlists or channels in bulk for efficient large-scale audio extraction over time.
Will the metadata like artist and title carry over?
- Most good converters transfer automatically embedded tags like the title, artist, album, and year. But they can’t correct missing or incorrect info added by YouTube uploaders.
Is there a way to speed up large YouTube to MP3 processes?
- Using a paid premium converter service typically allows faster speeds by utilizing more powerful server-side processing resources than free tools limited by bandwidth.
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In summary, whether listening on the go or trimming songs for your playlists, YouTube to MP3 conversion opens up new possibilities. By considering your needs along with the pros and cons of different apps and websites, you can choose the best YouTube to MP3 converter and learn to use it with ease. Start enjoying all your favorite YouTube audio anytime, anywhere by transforming those videos into MP3 files today.
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