Best MP3 Converter for Macbook (2025): Top 10 Picks + Guide

Looking for the best mp3 converter for Mac? You’re not alone. MP3 remains one of the most widely supported audio formats on macOS because it offers small file sizes, universal compatibility, and decent quality.

Many Mac users struggle with format errors, audio quality loss, missing metadata, slow conversions, or clunky software. In this guide, we’ll cover how to pick the right tool, review 15 of the best converters, show you how to use UniConverter, and give you tips for top sound quality.

Part 1. How to Choose a Great MP3 Converter for Mac

Choosing a reliable mac os mp3 converter is about more than just pressing convert. Here’s what matters:

• Audio quality & bitrate options： Pick tools that let you set bitrate (128–320 kbps), sample rate (44.1/48 kHz), and channels. Avoid needless upsampling.
• Supported formats： Choose software that accepts WAV, FLAC, AAC, AIFF, MP4, MOV, MKV, and exports clean MP3 files.
• Batch & metadata： Preserve ID3 tags and album art. Batch processing saves time for large libraries.
• Speed & resources： Hardware acceleration helps. Good tools are fast without draining CPU or RAM.
• Ease of use： Drag-and-drop, clear presets, and simple menus beat complex setups.
• Safety & legal： Use trusted apps and only convert content you own or have rights to.

Part 2. Top 15 MP3 Converters for MacBook (Free, Paid & Online)

Category 1 – Best All-Round Paid Converters

1) Wondershare UniConverter

UniConverter is an all-in-one media toolkit for macOS with conversion across 1,000+ formats, plus compression, editing, and a downloader. It supports 4K/8K and HDR, GPU acceleration, and helpful extras like metadata editing and an AI Lab (noise removal, vocal remover, subtitle tools). It is an ideal choice if you need a powerful mp3 converter for mac that also manages other media tasks.

Its interface is straightforward, and the Mac version keeps pace with new chips and OS updates. Recent reviews describe it as a “Swiss-army knife,” highlighting speed and breadth. That makes it ideal if you want one app to convert video to MP3 on Mac and also handle other daily media tasks.

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Price: Paid (trial available)

Speed: Fast; up to “130×” claims with acceleration (varies by hardware)

Special features: Downloader, batch mode, AI tools, editor

Ideal user: Frequent converters who want one tool to do most tasks.

2) Movavi Video Converter (Mac)

Movavi supports 180+ formats with many device presets. You can export to MP3 from video or audio, trim or crop, and compress files with minimal quality loss. The UI is clean, and the app is known for stable, error-free conversions on macOS. It’s a strong match if you want a mac os mp3 converter that is easy for non-technical users.

The Mac App Store listing highlights quick processing and modern codecs, including 4K, with “SuperSpeed” modes for near-instant remuxing in some cases. Third-party reviews also call out ease of use, presets, and reliable output quality.

Price: Paid (trial available)

Speed: Moderate to fast; very quick on common tasks

Special features: Basic editor, compression, device presets

Ideal user: Casual users who want quick, simple MP3 exports.

3) Leawo Video Converter (Mac)

Leawo converts between 180+ video and audio formats, handles 4K sources, multi-audio tracks, and subtitles. It can extract audio from video, so it doubles as a mp3 converter software for mac. The Mac edition is part of Leawo Prof. Media, which can also include DVD ripping and an online video downloader in the larger bundle. It’s flexible if you juggle mixed media and need precise control.

Leawo’s pages note 3D conversion options and preview windows. The tool continues supporting recent macOS versions and Apple Silicon chips, making it a versatile tool when you also need broader media tasks.

Price: Paid (bundle options)

Speed: Moderate; depends on source complexity

Special features: 3D conversion, DVD tools (in bundle), downloader

Ideal user: Users handling mixed video/audio plus MP3 output.

4) Xilisoft Audio Converter (Mac)

Xilisoft focuses on audio. It converts MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, OGG, APE, and more, and can extract audio from HD video. It includes CD ripping/burning and audio effects like fade, normalization, echo, and chorus. While the UI looks dated, it offers deep control for audio-centric workflows.

If you often process albums or long recordings, the split/clip tools help isolate tracks before conversion. For convert mp3 on mac tasks that need CD handling or effects, Xilisoft remains a capable choice even if it’s not the most modern interface on macOS.

Price: Paid

Speed: Good for audio; slower for video extraction

Special features: CD tools, effects, splitting/clipping

Ideal user: Audio collectors and editors.

Category 2 – Best Free & Open Source Converters

5) VLC Media Player

VLC is a free, open-source player that also converts audio or video to MP3 on Mac. The conversion UI lives under “Convert/Save,” and guides show simple steps to extract MP3 from video. It supports virtually every codec, thanks to built-in libraries.

It’s perfect when you already have VLC installed and need a quick mac os mp3 converter without paying. The downside: conversion options are less obvious, and batch/preset handling is limited compared to dedicated converters.

Price: Free

Speed: Moderate; fine for typical jobs

Special features: Play + convert in one app

Ideal user: Casual users needing occasional conversions.

6) Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor for Mac with multi-track editing, effects, and MP3 export. Since the LAME patent expired, MP3 export on macOS is built-in, so you can export without extra installs. That makes Audacity excellent for podcasts and voice edits before converting to MP3.

You can trim, normalize, fade, and then export with selected bitrate and sample rate. While it lacks native video conversion, it’s a powerful free mp3 converter for mac when your sources are audio and you want precise edits.

Price: Free

Speed: Good; depends on edits applied

Special features: Effects, noise tools, plugins

Ideal user: Creators editing audio before export.

7) FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a command-line powerhouse that supports nearly all formats and fine control of encoders. Use it to extract audio from video and automate huge batches. The MP3 encoder typically uses libmp3lame, and official docs and guides show simple commands to convert to MP3.

Performance is excellent when scripted, but there’s no GUI. If you manage large libraries or want repeatable automation on macOS, FFmpeg is the most flexible os x mp3 converter option—just expect a learning curve.

Price: Free

Speed: Very fast when tuned

Special features: Automation via shell scripts

Ideal user: Power users and developers.

Category 3 – Best for Video-to-MP3 Extraction

8) UniConverter (Downloader Mode)

Paste a video URL, download the video, and convert to MP3 inside UniConverter. You can pick bitrate and do batch downloads. This mode simplifies the whole youtube to mp3 mac workflow into one app, with higher reliability than many free sites. Use only with content you have rights to.

UniConverter’s guide shows safe methods for YouTube to MP3 on Mac, including bulk actions and quality selection. For teams or creators, that integrated flow can save significant time versus juggling several tools.

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Price: Paid (trial available)

Speed: Fast; network-dependent

Special features: Downloader + converter in one

Ideal user: Learners, creators, researchers extracting lectures or music legally.

9) CloudConvert (Online)

CloudConvert is a browser-based converter supporting 200+ formats, including audio. Upload files or import from URLs, pick MP3, and tweak quality options. Free plans have limits, while paid credits raise file size and speed. It’s handy when you don’t want to install an app on your Mac.

Because it runs in the cloud, conversion speed and privacy depend on your internet and account tier. For quick online mp3 converter mac jobs, it’s a solid choice with a clean UI and API if you need automation later.

Price: Free tier; paid credits/subscriptions

Speed: Internet-dependent; scales with plan

Special features: URL import, Drive/Dropbox links, API

Ideal user: Light or occasional users across devices.

10) Convertio (Online)

Convertio converts 300+ formats entirely in the browser. You can upload, paste a URL, or use Drive/Dropbox, then export MP3. The free plan has file size and daily limits; paid plans raise those caps. Its help center explains retention: input files are deleted after conversion; outputs are auto-deleted after 24 hours or when you delete them.

For quick mp3 converter macbook jobs, Convertio’s clean UI makes it easy. Review sites note the broad conversion matrix and simple flow, but remind users that larger videos often require upgrading due to limits.

Price: Free tier; paid plans available

Speed: Moderate; network-bound

Special features: Cloud storage integration; URL input

Ideal user: Quick one-offs and small files.

Part 3. Step-by-Step – How to Convert to MP3 on Mac Using UniConverter

Step 1. Download Download and Open UniConverter and select Converter.

Step 2. Add audio or video files via “+” or drag-and-drop.

Step 3. Pick Output Format → Audio → MP3 and choose bitrate (192–320 kbps). Add more files for batch mode; confirm metadata. Choose an output folder.

Step 4. Click Convert All and wait for the queue to finish.

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Part 4. Tips & Tricks – Get the Best Quality While Converting

• Use 256–320 kbps for music; 128–192 kbps for speech.
• Don’t upsample beyond the source sample rate.
• Preserve ID3 tags and album art for tidy libraries.
• Keep folder structure during batch jobs.
• Trim silence and add fades for podcasts.
• Convert only DRM-free content you own or can legally use.

Conclusion

Picking the right mp3 converter for mac depends on your needs: speed, quality, batch size, and convenience.

For frequent, reliable work, choose Wondershare UniConverter.

For free tools, try VLC, Audacity, or FFmpeg.

For online mp3 converter mac tasks or YouTube audio, use UniConverter (downloader), CloudConvert, or Convertio.

Set the right bitrate, protect your tags, and follow legal rules. With the right workflow, converting to MP3 on Mac is fast, clean, and stress-free.