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How to Download Audio From YouTube

April 9, 2025

Want to rip music off YouTube?
Whether you're grabbing background music, motivational speeches, or soundtracks you love, ripping songs from YouTube is more popular than ever.

There are tools for every setup—from quick YouTube sound rippers to advanced YouTube audio grab software. In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to rip music from YouTube legally, safely, and in the format you want.

Key Takeaway:
The best way to rip music from YouTube in 2025 is to use reliable video-to-audio converters like Y2Mate, aTube Catcher, or 4K Download.

Whether you're extracting audio, converting tracks, or grabbing sound for offline listening, always make sure you're using these tools for non-copyrighted or royalty-free content.

You can find almost any audio or video on YouTube, music videos, tutorials, interviews, podcasts, and more. But sometimes it’s the audio you want, not the screen time. Instead of downloading full videos, you can rip sound from YouTube and just keep what matters.

Maybe you want that lo-fi playlist for offline listening. Or a motivational speech you can play on your MP3 player without needing Wi-Fi. Or you're a content creator looking for royalty-free backing tracks. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of ways to rip music off YouTube without breaking a sweat.

Downloading Music Using YouTube Premium

If you're already a YouTube Premium user, you can legally download audio and video to your device. It comes with a monthly subscription, but it gives you ad-free streaming, offline playback, and access to YouTube Music's full library.

But if you're not keen on paying, or you're after specific soundtracks or voiceovers, ripping music from YouTube can still be done—you just need the right tools.

Best Apps for Ripping Music Off YouTube

There are dozens of apps out there that let you convert YouTube videos to audio formats like MP3, M4A, or WAV. These tools help you rip audio off YouTube and keep only what you want.

Vidmate

A flexible app that lets you rip songs from YouTube straight to your Android device. It supports downloads in different quality levels and works with other platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Supports downloads from multiple sites
  • Offers HD-quality streaming
  • Free to use

Cons:

  • Not on the Play Store
  • Android only
  • Ads can be annoying

aTube Catcher

This tool lets you rip music off YouTube and convert it to MP3, with support for multiple output formats. It also works as a screen and sound recorder—useful for offline backups or editing projects.

Pros:

  • Clean user interface
  • Works on mobile and desktop
  • Supports video downloads from other platforms too

Cons:

  • Not the fastest converter out there

Top Tools to Rip Songs and Audio from YouTube

If you don't want to install anything, browser-based converters are a quick win. Just paste the link, choose your format, and download.

Y2Mate

One of the most popular YouTube audio grab sites. It supports MP3 and MP4 downloads and works across browsers without registration.

Pros:

  • No sign-up required
  • Compatible with all browsers
  • Save files directly to Dropbox or Google Drive

Cons:

  • Doesn’t work well with platforms beyond YouTube

VideoPROC

Great for ripping audio off YouTube in bulk, with excellent format and quality options. It supports more than 1,000 sites and includes full GPU acceleration.

Pros:

  • Batch conversion support
  • Lightweight and fast
  • Huge format and codec range

Cons:

  • No smartphone version

4K Download MP3

Simple, effective, and supports sites beyond YouTube like Soundcloud, VEVO, and Vimeo. You can also preview your audio and tweak quality settings.

Pros:

  • Clean, intuitive UI
  • Adjustable audio quality
  • Smart Mode speeds up downloads

Cons:

  • Requires separate downloads for full features

Can You Rip Sound from YouTube Legally?

Yes, but with limits.

If you're using YouTube Premium, you're covered. You can also legally download and convert content that's in the public domain, under Creative Commons licenses, or that you personally uploaded. But ripping copyrighted music from YouTube without permission? That's a no-go.

Here are some quick guidelines to stay safe:

  • Only use your own uploads or verified royalty-free content
  • Look for "public domain" or "Creative Commons" tags
  • Don’t repost ripped audio without permission
  • Avoid sketchy converters—some carry malware

When in doubt, stick with music that’s legally shareable.

Transfer Music from YouTube to Other Streaming Services

Want to take your favorite YouTube tracks to Spotify, Apple Music, or TIDAL? The Free Your Music app makes it easy.

  1. Download Free Your Music
  2. Choose YouTube as your source
  3. Pick your destination platform (20+ services supported)
  4. Select the songs or playlists you want to move
  5. Hit transfer—done.

You can even back up your music to a file before switching devices or building a new archive.

No more rebuilding playlists from scratch. Just move your music and keep listening.

Migrate from and to any music services

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