The best free YouTube to MP3 converters let you convert videos from the platform into audio files you can listen to offline.
If there's a lecture you haven't got time to watch and want to listen to on the go instead, or you need to sample audio for a project you're working on, the best YouTube to MP3 converters make extracting audio from these videos simple - and with our free options, you don't need to spend a dime.
We've expertly reviewed all the best free YouTube downloader apps and MP3 converters and have compiled a list of our top recommendations. Our top pick right now for the best YouTube to MP3 converter is Any Video Converter Free - a versatile tool for downloading high-quality audio and video files. But this isn't the only choice to consider, and some of our other top picks may suit your needs better.
Our review process is rigorous, so we've tested usability, file type support, and conversion speeds to find the best YouTube to MP3 converters that are completely free to use.
For more music-making tools, check out our recommendations for the best audio editors and the best free audio editors.
The best free YouTube to MP3 converters of 2024 in full:
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Best free YouTube to MP3 converter overall
If you're looking for a fast, flexible YouTube to MP3 converter, Any Video Converter Free is the tool for you. You would be forgiven for judging this tool by its name, which suggests it's only for converting from one video format to another. While this tool can certainly do that, it can also be used to download videos from YouTube and save them as MP3s – exactly what we’re looking for!
YouTube to MP3 conversion is not the program's sole purpose, so it's a bigger download than you might expect, but don't let this put you off (just take care not to install the optional adware during setup). We found the UI to be organized logically, so you should be able to find your way around in no time.
Using a powerful and versatile piece of software for just one task seems like overkill, but downloading MP3s is simple with Any Video Converter Free. All you need to do is copy and paste the URL of a YouTube video, wait for the download to complete, select MP3 as the output format, and hit the Convert Now button. Voilà! It's a shame there's no one-click option for converting YouTube to MP3, but that's hardly a major hardship.
Read our full Any Video Converter Free review.
Best free YouTube to MP3 converter for basics
4K YouTube to MP3 is very similar to 4K Video Downloader (further down this page) but dedicated specifically to stripping audio from videos. Despite its name, 4K YouTube to MP3 also allows you to save the soundtracks from videos in OGG and M4A formats, and you can take your pick from various bitrates so you can choose a suitable balance of speed and quality (though in our experience, even downloading at the highest bitrate is quick and painless).
It doesn't just support YouTube, either. You can also use it to save sound from videos hosted on Vimeo, Flickr, Facebook, SoundCloud, and more. Just copy the address from your web browser and click the green 'Paste URL' button to get started.
Best of all, unlike some YouTube to MP3 converters, 4K YouTube to MP3 comes with no bundled extra software. Upgrading to the premium version for a one-off fee allows you to download entire playlists, but the free software is perfect for everyday use.
Best free YouTube to MP3 converter for M4A or OGG
It might not be the most stylish software, but like 4K YouTube to MP3, 4K Video Downloader is brilliant.
It works similarly, too, but because this tool is chiefly for downloading full videos, there are a couple of extra steps involved. Copy the URL of a video from your web browser (it supports YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Flickr, and DailyMotion) and click 'Paste URL.' Select 'Extract audio' and pick MP3, OGG, or M4A, then click 'Extract,' and the audio will be converted and saved to the destination of your choice. Done.
The free version of 4K Video Downloader has its limitations, but we find it suits most people just fine. It lets you download up to 24 videos in a playlist, which is particularly useful for grabbing several songs by a particular artist. You can download and convert longer playlists to MP3 format if you buy a license key, but the software's free features are very impressive.
Read our full 4K Video Downloader review
Best free YouTube to MP3 converter for artwork
Free YouTube to MP3 Converter does exactly what it says on the tin (converts videos from YouTube to MP3 format).
While the name might seem on the nose, once you install this software, you're in for a treat. There's no need to fiddle with options; just start downloading the music you're interested in immediately. Use a simple drop-down menu to choose the quality and format you would like to save your audio file, paste the URL, and click Download. Files are saved and converted in one fell swoop.
The beauty of Free YouTube to MP3 Converter is that there's no messing about - there's nothing confusing. It has one purpose and is designed to do it as efficiently as possible. It's definitely worth a try – we're sure you'll love it.
Best free YouTube to MP3 converter for beginners
An utter delight of a program, ClipGrab makes converting YouTube videos to MP3 files nice and simple – aside from the bundling of the Opera browser, which is easy to skip if you'd rather avoid it.
During our tests, we found that ClipGrab does an excellent job of making the conversion process straightforward. The wonderfully simple interface gives you a pleasing hint of just how easy things will be right from the word go. Copy a YouTube URL to the clipboard, and ClipGrab springs into action, offering to download the related video for you.
Even if this doesn’t happen – you might not yet have the program running, for instance – a quick paste into the relevant field is all it takes. You can then indicate that you are interested in downloading the audio as an MP3 before you click the 'Grab this clip!' button to do just that. The MP3 you seek will be yours in next to no time.
Read our full ClipGrab review
Best free YouTube to MP3 converter: Frequently asked questions
How to choose the best free YouTube to MP3 converter for you
When you're looking for a free YouTube to MP3 converter, one of the first things to consider is how many videos you want to convert. If you're only going to be doing it once or twice, it might be worth considering an online tool. However, for anything more it's worth downloading a dedicated desktop application and perhaps even buying a paid subscription if you can afford it.
Desktop software will also be faster, because the data isn't processed on a remote server, and some applications are also capable of converting multiple YouTube videos to MP3 format at once.
It pays to be careful, though; YouTube to MP3 software is very popular, so it can be easy to stumble across malware when you're looking for one. We've thoroughly tested all the tools in this guide, and can confidently recommend them.
Can I use a YouTube to MP3 converter?
Viewing content on YouTube on the browser or via the app helps support YouTube creators since the more views they get, the more money they can make. So, if you want to support your favorite content creators, watch online.
It's worth noring, unauthorized downloads are against YouTube's terms of service, and TechRadar does not condone the use of these products for any copyright-infringing purposes - so make sure you have permission from the uploader (or copyright holder) to download their content for personal use.
Are free YouTube to MP3 converters safe?
There are free YouTube to MP3 converters that are safe, but there are also many that aren't. Also, there are converters out there that are safe but come with bloatware and a website riddled with popups. Some of these pop-up ads might be harmful or lead to fraudulent sites designed to steal your information or take your money.
This is why you can't just download a free YouTube to MP3 converter without checking online reviews first. Luckily, the ones that are on our list are proven to be safe -- even though some do come with their share of bloatware that takes up space in your computer's storage drive and CPU bandwidth.
How we test the best free YouTube to MP3 converters
Our team of experts have tested a range of content tools, including the best free music-making software, the best free video editing software, and the best video editing apps. When reviewing any creative software, we undertake the same rigorous processes.
Testing free YouTube to MP3 converters is more involved than you might think. Even though they are cost-free, they should be able to do more than just convert those videos. After all, different users have different needs.
So, we take a close look at its features. That includes how many formats it offers for conversion, whether or not it can convert in batches, and what kind of customization options it offers. We also look at the tools available, like cropping, adding a watermark, and filters.
Naturally, we take a look at its interface as well. Many users want to grab the audio and not worry about anything else, so we want to ensure that the software is easy to use for most people. If we find that a converter has a more complicated interface (better suited for experienced users), we note it.
Finally, we check if a free YouTube to MP3 converter comes with bloatware. Ideally, you shouldn't have to deal with extra software you won't use and take up space and bandwidth. But, being free, bloatware kind of comes with the territory.
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