7 Best Mac Free YouTube to MP3 Converter Desktop Tools (2026 Guide)

7 Best Mac Free YouTube to MP3 Converter Desktop Tools (2026 Guide)

Have you tried various online converters, but found they either don't work properly or contain malware? Finding a reliable Mac free YouTube to MP3 converter desktop tool can be frustrating.

If you need a solution that is safe, supports high bitrate (320kbps), outputs without loss of audio quality, and allows batch downloading, then dedicated YouTube to MP3 Mac software is your best choice.

Then you have come to the right place! This article tests and filters the best YouTube to MP3 converter for Mac options (both free and paid), helping you easily build an offline music library on macOS. Let's take a look.

YouTube to MP3 Converter for Mac

EasyDown - Best YouTube to MP3 Converter for Mac

The first tool we will introduce for converting YouTube music to MP3 format is iFoneTool EasyDown Video Converter. This is a desktop program that can be used on Windows and Mac computers.

It can help users convert and download YouTube Music, Videos and playlists to MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC format with original audio quality. It can not only convert at up to 10X speeds but also preserve ID3 tags including Title, Album, Artist, etc.

EasyDown YouTube to MP3 Converter Interface
EasyDown - Best Video Downloader

EasyDown Converter can help you download and convert all YouTube Videos, Music, and playlists to MP3 on your local computer for offline listening.

free-downloadFree Download free-downloadFree Download
Key Features:
  • Download YouTube videos/songs/short videos/playlists.

  • Convert YouTube Music songs to MP3/AAC/WAV/FLAC/AIFF/ALAC.

  • 10X faster speed & keep the lossless sound quality.

  • Keep ID3 tags, including Title, Album, Artist, etc.

How to Convert a YouTube Video to MP3 on Mac with EasyDown

1

Step 1: Launch and Search

We will take a Mac computer as an example to demonstrate how to convert youtube video to mp3 on mac. First, please click the "Download" button below to download EasyDown Converter and launch it.

After clicking the Search Online Tab, you will see the interface below. You can click "YouTube" to open the YouTube web player for conversion.

EasyDown YouTube converter interface on Mac

2

Step 2: Customize Output Settings

Click the 'Settings' button at the top of the Home tab to customize your settings. Select 'MP3' as the output format. You can also adjust other settings, such as subtitle language and output location.

Set MP3 output format settings in EasyDown

3

Step 3: One-Click Download

Now, please return to the YouTube web player or YouTube app, select your favorite song or album, and click the red "Download" button. EasyDown will automatically download the song for you. Wait a moment, and the music will be downloaded in MP3 format.

Downloading MP3 from YouTube on Mac

note
Note

If you need to transfer MP3s to Music, please click here to jump to our Bonus Tips section.

4K Video Downloader

4K Video Downloader enjoys a high reputation in the industry. Although its name emphasizes "Video", its "audio extraction" function is equally robust. It allows users to download entire channels or playlists from YouTube, which is perfect for fans following creators.

How to Use:

  1. Download and install 4K Video Downloader on your Mac.
  2. Copy the YouTube video link you want to download in your browser.
  3. Click the "Paste Link" button in the upper left corner of the software.
  4. In the pop-up window, select "Extract Audio" and "MP3" format.
  5. Click the "Extract" button and wait for the download to complete.

4K Video Downloader on Mac

pros
Pros:
  • checkSupports downloading entire YouTube playlists and channels.
  • checkSupports extracting subtitles from YouTube videos.
cons
Cons:
  • wrongThe free version limits the number of downloads to 30 per day.
  • wrongThe free version cannot download long playlists with subtitles.

MediaHuman

If you are looking for a pure free youtube to mp3 converter for mac os x, MediaHuman is a veteran and trustworthy choice. MediaHuman was once the most highly recommended audio extraction tool by Mac users because it supports automatically adding downloaded audio to the iTunes/Music app, which is very convenient for users in the Apple ecosystem.

How to Use:

  1. Open MediaHuman YouTube to MP3 Converter.
  2. Drag and drop the YouTube video URL from the browser to the application window, or click "Paste Link".
  3. You can add multiple links at once for batch processing.
  4. Click the download arrow icon in the upper right corner to start the conversion.
  5. The file will be saved automatically and can optionally be added to your music library.

MediaHuman YouTube to MP3 Converter on Mac

pros
Pros:
  • checkSupports batch downloading of playlists or albums.
  • checkSupports automatic import to iTunes/Music App.
  • checkIncludes a tag editor to modify cover art and metadata.
cons
Cons:
  • wrongThe user interface looks outdated.
  • wrongThe download acceleration feature named "Turbo Boost" requires payment.

MacX Video Converter Pro (AI)

MacX Video Converter Pro is a comprehensive multimedia tool. It is not just a youtube to mp3 converter for mac, but also integrates video conversion, compression, screen recording, and even AI image enhancement functions. For creators who need to convert a youtube video to mp3 on mac and may need subsequent audio or video editing, this is an all-in-one software.

How to Use:

  1. Launch MacX Video Converter Pro and click the "URL" button to enter the download interface.
  2. Paste the YouTube video link and click "Analyze".
  3. After the analysis is complete, select the output format, or download the video first.
  4. If it is a video, drag it into the main interface after downloading, and select "to Music" -> "MP3".
  5. Click the "RUN" button to start processing.

MacX Video Converter Pro on Mac

pros
Pros:
  • checkFast conversion speed.
  • checkRich features: includes editing, merging, compression, and AI enhancement.
cons
Cons:
  • wrongOverkill and complex for simple MP3 needs.
  • wrongPaid software with limited free trial.

4K YouTube to MP3

The free "Starter" version only allows downloading 15 single files per day. More fatally, for Playlist and Channel downloads, the free version can only extract the first 10 tracks.

How to Use:

  1. Run 4K YouTube to MP3.
  2. Pre-set the output format to MP3 and the desired quality (such as 320kbps) in "Preferences".
  3. Copy the YouTube link and click "Paste Link" on the software interface.
  4. The software will automatically start downloading and converting to MP3 without extra clicks.

4K YouTube to MP3 Converter on Mac

pros
Pros:
  • checkBuilt-in music player.
  • checkSupports audio extraction from SoundCloud and Facebook.
cons
Cons:
  • wrongFree "Starter" version limited to 15 files/day.
  • wrongSingle function, cannot handle videos.

YTD Video Downloader for Mac

YTD Video Downloader is a classic mac free youtube to mp3 converter desktop tool; although the interface hasn't changed for many years, the core conversion function remains effective.

How to Use:

  1. Open YTD Video Downloader for Mac.
  2. Paste the YouTube URL in the "Download" tab.
  3. After the software downloads the video, switch to the "Convert" tab.
  4. Select the file you just downloaded and set the output format to "MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3)".
  5. Click "Convert Video" to complete the conversion.

YTD Video Downloader on Mac

pros
Pros:
  • checkSmall software size, low resource usage.
  • checkSupports resume capability.
cons
Cons:
  • wrongFree version contains ads.
  • wrongSlow download/conversion speeds.

Cisdem Video Converter

Cisdem Video Converter is known for its stability and rarely crashes. As a youtube to mp3 mac software, it supports not only downloading but also an extremely wide range of format conversions. If you need to ensure that downloaded MP3s can play on all devices, Cisdem is a good choice.

How to Use:

  1. Enter the "Download" section of Cisdem Video Converter.
  2. Paste the YouTube video address and press Enter.
  3. After the download is complete, drag the file into the "Convert" section (if it wasn't saved directly as audio).
  4. In the format list, select "General Audio" -> "MP3 Audio".
  5. Click the convert icon to export the file.

Cisdem Video Paw on Mac

pros
Pros:
  • checkSupports batch conversion and file merging.
  • checkExcellent lossless conversion quality.
cons
Cons:
  • wrongFree trial limited to converting half file length.
  • wrongPrice is relatively high.

Bonus Tip: How to Import MP3 to Mac Music (and Sync to iPhone)

Downloading high-quality MP3s is just the first step. To get the best listening experience in your Apple ecosystem, it is recommended that you import the files into the native macOS "Music" app. This not only organizes cluttered files but also seamlessly syncs them to your iPhone or iPad.

1

Import to Apple Music (Mac)

This is the simplest management method, making your Mac the music command center.

  1. Open the "Music" application.
  2. Open Finder at the same time and locate your download folder.
  3. Select your downloaded MP3 files and drag and drop them directly into the "Songs" list of the "Music" app.
Or: Click File > Import in the top menu bar (Shortcut: Cmd + O).

Import MP3 to Mac

2

Perfecting Song Metadata (ID3 Tags)

some downloaders often don't include complete album art or artist information, which makes your playlist look messy.

  1. In the "Music" app, right-click on the newly imported song and select "Get Info".
  2. Get Music Info on Mac

  3. Here, you can manually enter the Artist, Album name, or even drag in a high-definition image as the Cover Art in the "Artwork" tab.

faq_icon_1

Complete information helps Siri identify and play your songs more accurately. If you use EasyDown for downloading, it will automatically match the complete Artist, Album name, and Cover Art for you, so you can ignore this step.

3

Two Ways to Sync to iPhone

Once the files are organized, you can listen on your phone in the following ways:

  • Method A: Automatic Sync (Recommended) - If you subscribe to Apple Music or iTunes Match and have enabled the "Sync Library" feature, the MP3s you added and organized on your Mac will automatically appear on your iPhone via iCloud, without any extra operations.
  • Method B: Manual Sync (via Cable) - If you do not subscribe to Apple Music, connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable. Find your iPhone in the Finder sidebar, switch to the "Music" tab, check "Sync music onto [Your iPhone Name]", and click "Apply".

Sync Music to iPhone

FAQ

Is there a free YouTube audio downloader for Mac?

Yes, there are many choices. EasyDown and MediaHuman both provide excellent free versions. Additionally, 4K YouTube to MP3 also offers a daily free download quota, which is enough to meet the needs of ordinary users.

How can I download MP3s from YouTube directly?

To download MP3s directly without downloading the video footage, you need to use specialized 'audio extraction' software. We recommend using EasyDown from the list above; simply paste the link, and the software will grab only the audio stream and save it as an MP3 format.

What is the best YouTube converter for Mac?

This depends on your needs. If you pursue speed and ease of use, and need to download entire playlists, EasyDown is the best choice.


conclusion
Conclusion

Choosing the right YouTube to MP3 downloader software for Mac depends on your specific needs. Whether you prefer the simplicity of MediaHuman or the all-in-one efficiency of EasyDown, these desktop solutions offer a safer alternative to online converters.

We hope this guide helped you learn how to convert a YouTube video to MP3 on Mac effectively. Download EasyDown today and start building your offline library!

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