How to Convert YouTube to MP3 on Mac: Best Tools and Methods for 2025

Although video content is trending in this age, audio content is still loved by many due to its overall accessibility. For this purpose, people often look for tools that allow them to convert their videos into MP3 content. While many options exist for Windows, there aren’t many options to convert YouTube to MP3 on Mac. Therefore, this guide will share some useful software and online tools to help you convert YouTube videos to audio.

Part 1. Why Convert YouTube Video to MP3 on Mac?

There are many reasons people still love to carry audio content around instead of videos. For your convenience, the following section contains a few reasons why you should use a YouTube to MP3 Mac converter:

1. Offline Access: The audio files let you listen to your favorite content without an internet connection while on the go.
2. Storage Space: Such files take up less space than videos, which makes them ideal for devices with limited storage capacity.
3. Multitasking: You can perform many tasks at once while enjoying your favorite music and podcasts in the background.
4. Avoid Interruptions: This conversion is also recommended, as downloaded MP3s eliminate the inclusion of ads and buffering issues.

Common Use Cases for YouTube to MP3 Conversion

1. Music Collection: You can convert YouTube to MP3 using Mac to create personal playlists.
2. Podcasts: Users will be able to download long videos like podcasts and interviews for offline listening on the go.
3. Audiobooks and Learning: It allows you to extract MP3s from educational content to enhance learning.
4. Workout Tracks: The process enables you to save fitness playlists and guided meditation sessions as MP3s.

Part 2. Convert YouTube to MP3 for MacBook With Softwares

As we discussed, converting is important to enjoy your favorite audio offline without relying on video streaming. Although online converters offer a quick solution, dedicated software provides a more reliable and quality experience. Thus, the following section will provide you with some best converter that helps you to convert YouTube video to MP3 on Macbook.

Tool 1. Wondershare UniConverter

Among all the available options, UniConverter stands out as the best software to convert your video content to audio files. This dedicated tool lets you change your audio files in various formats, such as MP3 and WAV. You just need to import your video, select output audio format, and convert it. This service also enables you to convert multiple videos in your preferred format. 

Moreover, you can select your desired quality and preferred output location to make the conversion process seamless. Thus, follow the steps below to learn how to convert YouTube video to MP3 on Mac:

Best YouTube to MP3 Converter

Easily convert YouTube videos to MP3 format in premium quality in bulk.

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Step 1. Access UniConverter to Convert YouTube Videos

Upon downloading this advanced tool, open it and click on the “+ Add File(s)” button under the “Converter” section. After that, you need to select and import the downloaded YouTube video from your device.

Step 2. Choose the MP3 Format to Convert

Once the video is imported, click on the “Video Formats” drop-down menu that appears before the gear icon. Select the desired “MP3” under the “Audio” section to choose your preferred output quality, and press the “Create” button to move further.

Step 3. Convert Your Video to Audio File

After selecting the output formats and quality, you need to hit the “Convert All” button. Now, the tool takes a few seconds and converts your videos into MP3 format.

Top Features

1. The software offers you a video merger tool that enables you to combine several clips in one video.
2. Apart from converting YouTube videos, it downloads videos and audio files from over 10,000 different websites.
3. Users can compress their large videos by reducing the size without changing their quality.
4. Upon downloading the video, you can use this tool with several other editing tasks.

Tool 2. VLC Media Player

As an open-source and versatile YouTube to MP3 Mac software, it includes a built-in conversion feature that allows users to extract audio from videos with ease. Although it lacks batch processing like UniConverter, it still remains a reliable option. Go through the guidelines below to understand how to convert your video content to your preferred audio format using VLC:

Step 1. Open the "VLC Media Player" on your device and click on the "File" tab. Then, select the "Convert / Stream" option from the newly appeared drop-down menu.

Step 2. Afterward, press the "Open Media" button to import the downloaded YouTube video to the tool. Next, click the "Output" format drop-down to select the "Audio-MP3" format. Then, hit the "Save As File" button to choose the preferred location of the converted file on your device.

Step 3. Upon choosing the destination and changing the format, hit the “Save” button to finish the task.

Features

1. This dedicated media player is completely free, with no hidden fees or subscriptions required.
2. It has the ability to convert YouTube videos to MP3, WAV, AAC, and other popular audio formats.
3. The tool also allows users to fetch and convert YouTube videos by pasting the video URL.

Tool 3. Audacity (Audio Recorder)

As another great option for converting videos, this tool even helps you edit audio afterward. It also allows users to record and download YouTube MP3 to Mac while supporting multiple audio formats, including WAV and OGG. Users can extract audio from downloaded videos and export them as MP3 files. Thus, let’s dive below to explore how to use Audacity to get MP3 audio files:

Step 1. To inaugurate, open the tool on your Mac and simultaneously stream the video on YouTube. Click the "Red" circular button to start the recording and utilize the "Stop" button to terminate the procedure.

Step 2. Once the recording has been finished successfully, access the toolbar on the left and click on the “File” tab. Now, select the “Export Audio” option from the expanded menu to continue.

Step 3. Upon seeing the "Export Audio" dialog, open the "Format" drop-down list and choose "MP3 Files." Just press the "Export" button to save the audio file in your selected format.

Features

1. While extracting audio, it adjusts your bitrate to ensure professional-grade audio conversions.
2. The software provides deep audio analysis for precise editing and frequency visualization.
3. Its advanced editing features include noise reduction, equalization, and audio trimming tools.

Tool 4. HandBrake

Apart from the above, HandBrake is a powerful open-source tool designed for video and audio conversion. The tool enables you to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on a MacBook by extracting audio from video files. Moreover, it provides quality output with adjustable bitrate settings for better sound clarity. Follow the given steps below to learn how to use the HandBrake tool:

Step 1. Start the process by downloading this tool and launching it on your Mac. After that, press the “Open Source” button to import the downloaded YouTube video from your device.

Step 2. Upon importing, navigate to the “Audio” and choose the “MP3” format under the “Codec” section. Then, select the destination location for your newly generated audio and click the “Start” button to encode the audio.

Features

1. It boosts conversion speed with optional hardware acceleration for supported systems.
2. You can convert multiple files at once by saving time and effort with batch processing.
3. The platform’s audio encoder supports various formats, such as AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, Opus, and more.

Part 3. Convert YouTube to MP3 Online on Mac

Other than this offline software, you can find many online converters that allow you to convert YouTube to an MP3 Mac. For your convenience, we’ve shared a few dependable online converters below:

Tool 1. Y2Mate

This online tool enables quick conversions to audio files without any software installation. Users simply paste a video URL and start the conversion to download it. Other than conversion to audio, the tool also supports changing the video format to MP4 for easy handling. Additionally, the online tool is also available in French, Italian, and Spanish language. So, follow these steps to convert YouTube to MP3 for MacBook:

Step 1. Initiate the conversion process by going to the online tool’s homepage. Then, paste the link of your desired YouTube video in the given dialogue box and press the “Convert” button.

Step 2. Once the tool converts the video into the audio format, you will be able to save it by pressing the “Download” button.

Key Features

1. The tool is available as a browser extension on Firefox and Opera browsers for quick accessibility.
2. Users can also use it as a bookmarklet to drag and drop their videos for quick conversion.
3. Its partnership with MP3 Juices allows users to search for their desired videos and download them.

Tool 2. EzMP3

It is easily the best online resource to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on Macbook due to its valuable features. As an online tool, it almost instantly provides audio versions of your videos once you paste their link. Other than its quick speed, the tool also supports choosing your desired audio quality during conversion. You can learn how easy it is to use this tool by going through these detailed steps:

Step 1. Simply copy the link of your desired YouTube video and paste it into this tool’s dialogue box. Afterward, press the “Convert” button and let the tool do its job.

Step 2. Once the conversion process completes, press the “Download MP3” button to save it on your MacBook.

Key Features

1. It allows users to choose from different audio qualities before converting videos.
2. Users can enjoy a strain-free experience on the site as it is also accessible in dark mode.
3. EzMP3 allows users to trim their videos to only get selective audio conversions.

Part 4. Tips for Safe and Efficient YouTube to MP3 Conversion

While these tools are helpful in the conversion process, you need to adopt some safety measures to avoid any problems. To ensure the YouTube to MP3 osX conversion process is safe and efficient, you can follow these tips:

1. Reputable Tool: You should avoid unreliable websites that may contain viruses or deceptive download buttons. Similarly, always verify the tool’s security and avoid tools that need unnecessary permissions.
2. Audio Quality: To ensure you have a good experience, always select high-bitrate MP3 options. Since most tools allow you to choose the bitrate before downloading, always check settings for the highest quality available.
3. Legal Boundaries: Before converting videos, ensure it is doesn’t have any copyrights. Additionally, if you need music for personal use, consider using royalty-free tracks or YouTube’s own audio library.
4. Updates: You should also regularly update your converter software to prevent errors and improve performance. That’s because older versions may stop working due to changes in YouTube’s algorithm.
5. Library Management: To prevent any loss, users should organize downloaded audio files into clearly labeled folders. Additionally, they should sync their collection with iCloud to access their files across all devices.

Part 5. FAQs about YouTube to MP3 OSX

1. Is it legal to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on Mac?

Generally, it is not illegal in itself, but it depends on how the content is used. However, downloading or converting copyrighted material without permission violates YouTube's terms of service. Hence, it is important to respect intellectual property laws and only convert videos for personal use.

2. What is the best YouTube to MP3 software for Mac?

We have explored several softwares that are the best YouTube to MP3 software for Mac. However, among all the options, the UniConverter stands out as the best software. It supports various formats and high-speed conversion, which makes it a versatile tool.

3. Can I convert YouTube videos to MP3 on a Mac without software?

You can convert videos to MP3 on your device without software using online converters. These tools allow you to paste the YouTube video URL and download the audio in MP3 format directly. Along with that, you need to make sure to use trusted sites to avoid malware or unwanted ads while converting your videos.

4. How do I ensure high-quality MP3 files?

To ensure quality MP3 files, start by using reliable audio recording or editing software with high bitrates (256 kbps or higher). Plus, you should avoid excessive compression, as it can degrade audio quality. When exporting or converting, select the appropriate settings, such as the highest possible bitrate and sample rate. Also, you must use UniConverter to ensure your converted audio files have high quality.

5. Are online converters safe to use?

Although online converters can be safe to use, caution is needed. That’s why you should use trusted and reputable websites that usually have security measures in place to protect your data. Along with that, you must always check user reviews and ensure the website uses encryption (HTTPS.)

To Sum Up

In short, converting YouTube to MP3 Mac is a practical solution to enjoy your favorite content on the go. For this purpose, you can find many online tools and offline software that allow the conversion of YouTube to MP3 for MacBook. Tools like HandBrake and VLC are reliable free options that make the whole conversion process easier.

On the other hand, online resources like Y2Mate and EzMP3 further simplify the conversion process with their simple interface. While these solutions are reliable, Wondershare UniConverter is the recommended solution as it supports bulk conversion of videos. With its advanced features and simple interface, it makes the MP3 conversion process easier than ever.

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