How to Download a YouTube Video Using a Stand-Alone Application

There are literally dozens and dozens of stand-alone applications to download videos, so to make your life a lot easier, we’ve compiled below the 3 best YouTube video downloader apps on the market for Macs and PCs:

1. 4K YouTube to MP3

4K YouTube to MP3 is a top of the line tool for downloading videos from YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, VEVO, Twitch, SoundCloud, Flickr and countless other video sites.

It offers both a free forever and a paid version, depending on the features you need.

For example, you can download single videos by copying the link to the video on your browser and pasting it into the application, or you can download multiple videos at a time using batch mode.

You can also download YouTube playlists with a single click — including private playlists — and also entire YouTube channels, all with high video quality and in multiple file formats.

2. VideoProc

If you’re looking for sheer speed, then VideoProc might be the right solution for you.

Their state of the art technology makes it the only full GPU accelerated video processing software on the market that can expedite video processing up to 47x faster than competing tools.

VideoProc can deliver smooth 4K and 8K video editing and transcoding without compromising quality.

3. Allavsoft

Allavsoft is another great tool that not only supports batch downloading — converting multiple videos at a time in a large number of file formats, but can also convert YouTube music videos to MP3 audio files.

Another great feature of Allavsoft is that it automatically detects those pesky ads and is then able to download video and music files completely ad-free.

Finally, Allavsoft comes with a handy built-in video player that can preview and play back the downloaded video files so you can check if everything went well in the download and conversion process.

Here’s what you want to look for in a stand-alone video downloader application:

• Video manipulation, such as editing and trimming, where you are able to download just the portion of the screen where all the action takes place, dramatically reducing your file sizes
• Multiple video and audio formats (e.g. MP3, MP4, WAV, PSP, MPG, VOB, OGG, WMA, WMV, GIF, AVI, XVID, MOV, etc.)
• Batch downloads, that is, the ability to download and convert multiple videos concurrently instead of one at a time
• Multiple video resolutions (e.g. 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p, 1440p, 2K HD, 4K HD, 8K HD, etc.)

How to Download a YouTube Video Using a Web App

Below, you’ll find the top 3 YouTube video downloaders available online:

1. Online Downloader

Online Downloader lets you download videos from over 200 sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Vimeo, while retaining the original video quality.

By performing all downloads and conversions from their own servers, you can easily and quickly download videos directly to a large number of devices, including computers, smartphones and tablets.

2. BitDownloader

BitDownloader lets you download videos from a wide range of websites including YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, TikTok and Instagram.

It's free to use and does not require either a software download or for users to register for an account.

3. Savefrom.net

Savefrom.net allows you to download videos without watermarks. You can download videos in Full HD, HD, and SD.

There's no need to install any software on your device since all file processing is done on their server.

Here’s what you want to look for in an online video downloader web app:

• Super-fast conversion speed, enabled by GPU-based video processing software on their servers that can speed up the conversion 10x or more compared to a typical personal computer.
• One-click download of playlists and channels
• Multiple video and audio formats (e.g. MP3, MP4, WAV, PSP, MPG, VOB, OGG, WMA, WMV, GIF, AVI, XVID, MOV, etc.)
• Batch downloads
• Multiple video resolutions (e.g. 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p, 1440p, 2K HD, 4K HD, 8K HD, etc.)

There you have it — quick and easy! Now let’s answer some of the most common questions that come up about YouTube video downloading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you download a video from YouTube for free?

Yes, there are a number of excellent apps out there that will download videos for free, such as 4K Video Downloader (this is a stand-alone app that has a free forever version), YTD Video Downloader (same here), or ClipGrab (this is a free online web app).

Now keep in mind that free versions tend not to offer the same video quality as paid ones, which will preserve the full quality of the original video through the transcoding and conversion process.

How do I download a YouTube video onto my laptop?

Either a stand-alone video downloader app, or a browser-based online video downloader will be able to download and save a YouTube video on your computer.

Whichever way you choose, however, you have to make sure to you use the correct file format for compatibility with the media player on your computer, otherwise the video may not play on your device.

Can I download YouTube videos using a Chrome browser extension?

Yes. Although a lot more limited than the above two methods, there are some Chrome browser extensions that allow you to download YouTube videos.

Here are 3 of the most popular ones: Video Downloader professional, Video Downloader Plus and Video DownloadHelper. 

What's the best way to download multiple YouTube videos?

The best way to download multiple YouTube videos is to use a stand-alone video downloader software application on your Mac or your PC that allows for batch downloading (most paid versions do).

Some of the top YouTube downloader apps with batch downloading are 4K Video Downloader, YTD Video Downloader, and Allavsoft.

In Summary

Now that you know how to download YouTube videos quick and easy, you’ll be able to watch them anytime, offline or on the go.

Whether you use a stand-alone software app on your computer, an online video downloader or even a Chrome browser extension, downloading YouTube videos is super fast, convenient and, in many cases, 100% free!

So, you’ve found some amazing music tracks on YouTube you’d love to listen to when you’re not on Wi-Fi and you want to find a good MP3 converter for the job. 

Next, you do a Google search for “YouTube to MP3 Converter,” only to find dozens upon dozens of options, among thousands of results to sift through. 

Now, you’re tempted to click the first link you see, but a little voice inside your head tells you, is this safe? 

Here’s the thing, while most converters are safe a lot of the ones that appear near the top of search results are plain dangerous.

So, before you go on and click away...

Beware! Some YouTube to MP3 Converters May Infect Your Device

In the ranking and review section below, you’ll notice that many of the most popular conversion sites are missing.

The reason is that, while they may work fine, some of the ads shown on those sites are malicious and will infect your device with viruses, trojans, etc.

Obviously, this is not a problem if you’re using a strong ad blocker to remove the possibility that you'll accidentally click an ad.

But if you want to make sure you're visiting a safe YouTube to MP3 converter site, I recommend you check their URL on scamadviser.com first.

With that out of the way, lets move on to the best converters out in the field.

What Are the Best YouTube to MP3 Converters?

Below, you'll find the best YouTube to MP3 converters on the market.

Some are free, some are paid and some are paid with a forever free option that’s just perfect for most people.

Now, here’s an important warning.

Make sure that you extract audio or video files that are in the public domain and not subject to copyright, unless you’re the copyright holder or you've been granted permission by them.

Also YouTube stipulates in their terms and conditions that users are not allowed to rip audio from a YouTube video they don’t own the rights to and may take corrective action.

In short, you’ll be doing this at your own risk.

What’s your risk?

Not much if you don’t have a YouTube account.

BUT if you host a channel and they find out, you could get banned from their platform, losing all your subscribers, your data and, worse of all, any income you earn from YouTube.

So tread carefully…

Before we get into the weeds, here's a handy comparative table:

1. 4K YouTube to MP3 Converter

This is the top of the line tool for converting YouTube online videos to MP3 files, offering both free and paid versions without forcing you to download unnecessary software bundles (unlike many of its competitors.)

In addition to YouTube to MP3 ripping, it can also extract audio and do MP3 conversions from Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, VEVO, Twitch, SoundCloud, and Flickr, among many other sites.

User Interface

You can also download entire playlists and YouTube channels at the click of a button:

4K YouTube to MP3 Converter's Main Benefits

• Easy to use
• Doesn’t come with bundled software
• Supports a large number of video sites

Now Some Drawbacks...

• The free video converter is limited to 30 video downloads per day, 10 videos per YouTube playlist and 5 videos per channel
  
• The free video converter shows ads, which may feel intrusive for some users
  

Latest Improvements

• Tool is now available on Android devices
  

Pricing

4K YouTube to MP3 has 4 paid plans:

• The Lite Plan: $10 (1 year license, 3 simultaneous downloads, 1 application)
• The Personal Plan: $15 (lifetime, 3 simultaneous downloads, 1 application)
  
• The Pro Plan: $45 (lifetime, up to 7 simultaneous downloads, 1 application)
  
• The Bundle Plan: $65 (lifetime, all 4K applications)

Finally, here's my take...

I selected 4K YouTube to MP3 as my top pick because it doesn't come with all that annoying bundled software so common with many competitors.

They also have a clean user interface that's a delight to use, and even though the have YouTube as part of their name, they support a massive number of video sites.

2. YTD Video

The YTD Video Downloader is a simple but versatile YouTube to MP3 converter that’s safe and gets the job done.

While it can download multiple videos simultaneously and easily convert YouTube videos to MP3s, it can also save files in lots of other audio formats as well.

Downloading free YouTube videos is super simple.

All you have to do is to just copy the link from your browser and then click Paste URL in the application (see below.)

Download Panel

Conversion Panel

YTD Video Main Benefits

• Allows unlimited downloads of HD and SD video files
• Can download, convert and save videos to the MP3 format many at a time
• Supports MP3, MP4, MO, M4V, 3GP, WMV, FLV, WEBM, plus many other formats

Now Some Drawbacks...

• Only one video can be downloaded or converted at a time
  

Latest Improvements

• Improved playlist recording from streaming sites
  
• Improved product stability
  

Pricing

YTD has 3 paid plans:

• 1-Month Plan: $9.99/month
• 2-Year Plan: $2.99/month ($71.76 billed every two years, includes a 70% discount)
• 2-Year Bundle Plan: $5.99/month ($143.76 billed every two years — includes VuzeVPN)
  

Finally, here's my take...

YTD Video Downloader & Converter is very easy to use.

In addition to MP3 output, it can convert files to many other formats.

While it only allows a single file to be downloaded or converted at a time, it does allow for unlimited downloads of HD and SD videos, whereas other tools have caps.

3. Wondershare UniConverter

This is a full-featured product that's a lot more than a YouTube to MP3 converter.

It also offers the download of entire videos or just video clips, conversion, editing, recording, and DVD burning for both Mac and PC.

The downside of UniConverter is that it doesn't have a free YouTube to MP3 option.

Although they do offer a free trial that's limited to a single file (it's just good enough to kick the tires but not to do real work.)

Having said that, the paid version is excellent if money is no object (they do offer a 30-day money back guarantee).

Uniconverter User Interface

Wondershare UniConverter's Main Benefits

• Hyper fast conversions with great music quality
• Full suite of video editing tools
• Can convert a YouTube video URL to MP3 and save the audio track all with a single click of a download button

Now Some Drawbacks...

• There's no free YouTube to MP3 plan available

Latest Improvements

• Comprehensive upgrade of user interface
• AI-powered song vocals removal tool
  
• AI-powered background noise removal tool
  

Pricing

Uniconverter has 3 paid plans:

• Annual Plan: $39.99/year
• 2-Year Plan: $55.99/biannually
  
• Perpetual Plan: $79.99 lifetime
  

Finally, here's my take...

Wondershare Uniconverter is a great all-in-one YouTube video downloader tool.

For example, you can download entire videos or just isolated clips. Plus you can convert them to many audio file formats and even edit videos inside the tool.

4. Any Video Converter

Best Free Tool

This MP3 YouTube video converter is a great choice for converting videos into multiple audio files at no cost.

In fact, it does it so well with their free version that you feel you should be paying for it!

Plus it can also be used for a lot more than to just convert YouTube video, you can also rip music tracks from Facebook videos, Dailymotion, Vimeo and many others.

The only downside for the free version is that it’ll try to install other software on your computer.

So, make sure to choose the custom install option and uncheck all unwanted boxes.

Any Video Converter features that stand out:

• Easy to use
• Supports a wide range of video formats
• Filters and effects are fantastic
• Compatible with both Windows and macOS

Price:

• Free version available
• Premium version costs $49.95

5. aTube Catcher

Best for Video Editing

This is a great piece of software that's a lot more than just a simple YouTube to MP3 video converter.

It’s also a video downloader, an audio and screen recorder, a DVD, Blu-Ray and CD burner and a video editor.

Like AVC, it’ll try to download bundled software, so make sure you choose the custom install option and check off all the boxes you don’t want.

aTube Catcher features that stand out:

• Easy to use
• Supports many formats, including MP3, MP4, WAV, PSP, MPG, VOB, OGG, WMA, WMV, GIF, AVI, XVID, and MOV
• Comes with built-in DVD/Blu-Ray and CD burner software

Price:

• Free

6. 123 Apps

Best for Anonymous Downloading

This is one of the best YouTube to MP3 converters that provides users with anonymity by deleting your video conversion files from their servers after a few hours.

123 Apps features that stand out:

• Easy to use
• Allows downloads in batch mode
• Supports MP3, FLAC, M4A, AAC, OGG and WAV

Price:

• Free

7. Allavsoft

Best for Batch Downloading

Allavsoft is another great tool that not only converts YouTube videos to MP3 but also supports batch downloading, converting multiple YouTube videos at a time, and a large number of audio files and video files.

Another great feature of Allavsoft it that it automatically detects ads and downloads video and music files ad free.

Finally, Allavsoft comes with a handy built-in video player to preview and play back the downloaded videos.

Allavsoft features that stand out:

• Can download video files and subtitles from YouTube to MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MGP plus many other video formats
• Can download YouTube music to MP3, WAV, FLAC, WMA, M4A plus many other audio formats
• Can download YouTube video and music files from ad-free
• Can also download music and video from Vimeo, Facebook, Spotify, Soundcloud, Twitter, Dailymotion, CNN, ESPN, PBS, etc
  

Price:

• $19.99/mth, $29.99/yr or $59.99 lifetime

8. DVDVideoSoft

Best for Mac and PC

This quality video converter is available for Windows and macOS.

It’s clean and straightforward, and although it doesn’t support as many audio file formats as its competitors, it does cover the most popular ones.

Like most free-based software, it comes bundled with optional software that you’ll have to opt-out at installation time by choosing the custom install option.

DVDVideoSoft features that stand out:

• Easy to use
• Allows downloads in batch mode
• Supports both Windows and macOS

Price:

• Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a YouTube to MP3 converter?

A YouTube to MP3 video converter is a computer program or online service that enables users to convert YouTube videos into MP3 files.

This can be helpful if, for example, you want to listen to a video file offline or on a device that doesn't support videos.

There are many different ways to convert a YouTube video into an MP3 file.

The process can be as simple as copying and pasting a video URL into an online YouTube converter.

Or it can be as complicated as using native software to download the entire video and then convert it to MP3 format.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using a YouTube to MP3 converter.

First, be aware that most artists and labels do not want their music available in MP3 format, so it is important to check the terms of use for any video you plan to convert.

Additionally, many converters will only allow you to download YouTube videos that are of a certain length.

So if you're trying to convert a very long video, it may need to be split into multiple files and then reassembled.

Finally, keep in mind that the audio quality of the MP3 file will be based on the quality of the video.

So, if you're converting a low-quality video, don't expect the MP3 to sound better than the original.

Why is MP3 such a popular audio format?

MP3 is a popular audio format because it compresses the file size while maintaining good audio quality.

This makes it ideal for listening to music on the go, since it takes up a lot less storage space on mobile devices than the raw sound file.

MP3 files can also be easily shared online, making them a popular choice for uploading and sharing music tracks.

Additionally, many popular paid music streaming services offer their tracks in MP3 format, making it easy for users to download multiple videos and listen to their favorite songs offline.

Why convert YouTube videos to MP3s?

The main reason people convert YouTube videos to MP3s is because it allows them to save the audio component of the video for offline playback.

This is useful, for example if you want to listen to a video podcast, an interview, a panel discussion, a TED talk, etc. while doing something else, like working or driving.

MP3 files are a lot smaller in size than video files, so if you don't care for the visual content, you can save up a lot of storage space on your device.

Also, a lot of people like to use MP3 converters to download the audio component of music videos to create their own song libraries.

In this way, they don't have to purchase individual tracks or pay for a subscription to a streaming service.

Is it illegal to rip music from YouTube?

Yes, it is illegal to rip music from YouTube.

The act of ripping music from YouTube and converting video into an MP3 file is called "downloading" or "stream ripping", and it's considered copyright infringement.

YouTube videos are protected by copyright law, and the owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to download, reproduce, distribute, perform, and display the work.

When someone downloads or stream rips a song from a YouTube video, they're infringing on the copyright owner's exclusive rights.

There are a few ways to get around this issue.

One is to find songs that are in the public domain (meaning they're no longer copyrighted due to a statute of limitations).

Another is to buy songs from a legitimate online music store.

And finally, you could get permission from the copyright owner to download or stream rip the song.

Can you convert YouTube to MP3 legally?

Under certain circumstances, it is legal to convert YouTube videos to MP3s, but for the most part it’s not. 

YouTube’s terms and conditions stipulate that it is illegal to download YouTube videos unless you either:

• Own the copyright yourself
• Have written permission from the copyright holder
• Have written permission from YouTube itself
• Are downloading videos that are in the public domain
• Are downloading videos covered by licenses that allow it under certain circumstances, like Creative Commons

Under all other circumstances, YouTube does not allow you to download videos.

Having said that, YouTube does not write public laws and the only way to enforce their own terms and conditions is to cancel your YouTube account and ban you from the platform.

The thing is, you don’t really need an account to use YouTube, so the banning aspect is kind of moot.

Technically, they could try to sue you if they know who you are and how to get in touch with you so they can serve you, however, there are no current records of YouTube ever having sued their own users.

Finally, copyright holders (record labels, musicians, etc.) could technically sue you for copyright infringement, but they would first need to have evidence that you illegally downloaded videos — so, good luck getting proof!

How to avoid getting caught downloading music

There are a few steps you can take to avoid getting caught downloading or stream ripping music.

First, make sure you're only downloading or converting videos that are in the public domain.

Second, buy songs from legitimate online music stores or download them from streaming services where you have a current paid account.

Third, get permission from the copyright holder before downloading or converting any YouTube videos.

Finally, be aware that some countries have stringent laws music and video piracy, so, If you live in one of these countries it's best to avoid downloading videos altogether.

How to convert YouTube videos into MP3 files

There are a few different ways to convert a YouTube video into an MP3 file. The simplest method is to use an cloud MP3 converter — there are many websites that offer this service for free.

All you need is the YouTube URL of the video you want to convert, and the website will handle the rest.

If you want more control over the conversion process, or if you need to convert a longer video, you can use dedicated software to download and convert the YouTube video into an MP3 file using your computer's resources.

This method generally requires a few more steps than using online tools, but it gives you more options for controlling the quality of the final MP3 file.

Additionally, some software programs can batch-convert multiple videos at once, which can be helpful if you have a large number of YouTube videos you want to convert.

Are there drawbacks to converting YouTube videos to MP3?

There are a few potential drawbacks to converting YouTube videos to MP3 files.

If you use a poorly-designed converter, the quality of the MP3 file may not be as good as the original video file.

Additionally, if you're using an online YouTube converter, there's always the risk that your personal information could be compromised via malware.

Finally, downloading or stream ripping copyrighted music is illegal in many countries.

Overall, though, the benefits of converting YouTube videos to MP3 files tend to outweigh the drawbacks.

MP3 files are more convenient to use than video files, and they can be played on a wider range of devices.

Are free YouTube to MP3 online converters safe?

This is a hard question to answer.

Many are just great and do a fantastic job every time with quality and reliability.

However, others are downright malicious and will infect your computer with viruses that can steal all your personal information, and in some cases hijack your device entirely.

When looking for an MP3 converter, it's best to stick with reputable websites or programs, so always read many reviews first.

Also, be sure to only download software from the developer's official website and never from an unknown source.

What are the main benefits of YouTube to MP3 converters?

There are many benefits to using the best YouTube to MP3 conversion tools.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that you can save videos for offline playback, which is great when you're traveling or don't have access to an internet connection.

Conversion tools are also a great way to keep your music library organized.

Instead of having a bunch of random videos and playlists clogging up your YouTube channel, you can download them all as MP3s and organize them however you wish.

What should I look for in a YouTube to MP3 converter?

There are a few things that you should look for when choosing a YouTube to MP3 converter.

The first is that the converter should be able to convert videos in high quality and offer you advanced settings so you can control what your output sounds like.

The second is that the converter should be easy to use. It should be easy to add videos to the queue, or better yet, do batch downloading, and it should be easy to convert them once they are in the queue.

The third is that the converter should be fast.

The best online YouTube video converter on the market will work in a couple of minutes, even for a sizeable file.

Some others may keep the wheel of death spinning for 20 to 30 minutes or more to achieve the same result.

Finally, it is important to choose a YouTube converter that's reliable.

This means that it will not crash, or worse yet, freeze your device, or stop working in the middle of a conversion so you have to restart the app multiple times.