YouTube Music Downloader Free 2026: 10 Best Tools for MP3

You found a song on YouTube and want to save it as an MP3. Maybe it’s for an offline playlist, a video project, or just because you’re tired of buffering. The problem: YouTube doesn’t let you download audio directly, and most “free downloader” sites are full of ads, redirects, or worse.

We tested 10 YouTube music downloaders across PC, Android, and iPhone to find which ones actually work in 2026. Some are free, some cost money, and one is the official YouTube solution. Here’s what we found.

If you need to convert YouTube videos to MP3 or download full playlists, we have separate guides for those.

Full Comparison Table

How We Tested

We evaluated each YouTube music downloader on five criteria:

1. Platform and ease of use — cross-platform support and a straightforward interface
2. Audio quality — support for 320kbps MP3 and above
3. Features — playlist downloads, batch processing, format options
4. Safety — malware-free experience, minimal ads
5. Value — free tier functionality vs. premium cost

Best for PC or Mac

Desktop users have the most options. Here are our top three picks.

1. 4K Video Downloader (Best Overall)

A reliable app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It downloads high-quality audio, video, and full playlists at up to 320kbps MP3. The free version limits you to 10 downloads per day.

Pricing: Free tier available. Personal plan is $25 (lifetime). Pro plan is $60 (lifetime).

Pros:

• Up to 320kbps audio
• Full playlist downloads
• Clean, ad-free interface
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Cons:

• Free version has daily limits
• Pro plan costs $60
• Larger install size

2. By Click Downloader (Easiest)

This Windows-only app detects YouTube videos automatically and downloads with a single click. Good for people who browse YouTube a lot and want a simple workflow.

Pricing: Free tier available. Premium is $9.99 (one-time).

Pros:

• Automatic video detection
• Fast download speeds
• Clean interface

Cons:

• Windows only
• Limited format options
• Premium features cost extra

3. YTMP3.nu (Best Online)

A browser-based YouTube to MP3 converter. No install needed — just paste a URL and download. Works on any device with a browser.

Pricing: Free.

Pros:

• No installation required
• Works on any device
• Fast conversions

Cons:

• Some ads
• Single downloads only
• Needs internet connection

Best for Android

Android users have several good free options for downloading YouTube music directly.

4. TubeMate (Most Features)

A long-standing Android app that downloads videos and music from YouTube in various formats. It has a built-in browser and supports multiple quality levels. Not available on Google Play — you need to sideload the APK from the official TubeMate site.

Pricing: Free.

Pros:

• Built-in YouTube browser
• Multiple quality options
• Fast downloads
• Completely free

Cons:

• Not on Google Play Store
• Requires APK sideloading
• Contains ads

5. NewPipe (Best Open Source)

A lightweight, privacy-focused, ad-free YouTube client with download features. Good for users who care about privacy. Available on F-Droid.

Pricing: Free and open-source.

Pros:

• Completely ad-free
• Open-source
• Background audio playback
• Regular community updates

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• Not on Play Store
• Less polished interface

Best for iPhone

iPhone users have fewer options due to App Store restrictions, but these workarounds are reliable.

6. Documents by Readdle

This file manager app has a built-in browser that works with online converter sites to save MP3s directly to your iPhone. It’s the most reliable iOS workaround that doesn’t require a jailbreak.

How to use it:

1. Download Documents by Readdle from the App Store
2. Open the app and tap the browser icon
3. Go to a YouTube to MP3 converter site
4. Paste the YouTube URL and convert
5. Download the MP3 file to your iPhone

Pricing: Free.

Pros:

• Available on App Store
• Built-in file management
• No jailbreak needed

Cons:

• Multi-step process
• Depends on online converter
• Limited format options

7. Shortcuts App

A custom Siri Shortcut can automate downloading YouTube audio from the share menu. Takes some setup but works well once configured.

Pricing: Free (built into iOS).

Pros:

• Share menu integration
• Automated process
• Uses official Apple app

Cons:

• Complex initial setup
• May break with iOS updates
• Needs some technical knowledge

Legal and Official Options

For users who prefer the official route, these options are safe and legal.

8. YouTube Premium ($13.99/mo)

The only official way to download YouTube music offline. Works within the YouTube and YouTube Music apps on all platforms.

Pricing:

• Individual: $13.99/month (or $139.99/year)
• Family: $22.99/month (up to 6 members)
• Student: $7.99/month

Pros:

• Completely legal and safe
• Supports artists
• Ad-free experience
• Background playback
• YouTube Music included

Cons:

• Monthly fee
• Downloads expire if you cancel
• Limited to YouTube apps

9. yt-dlp (Reddit Favorite)

A command-line tool popular on Reddit and tech forums. It’s free, open-source, and downloads from YouTube and hundreds of other platforms. Can output lossless audio formats.

Pricing: Free and open-source.

Pros:

• Extremely flexible
• Regular updates from the community
• Supports many platforms
• Lossless audio output

Cons:

• Command-line only
• Steep learning curve
• Not beginner-friendly

10. YouTube Audio Library

YouTube’s own library of copyright-free tracks for creators. Thousands of songs available for free download and use in your own videos. You can also extract audio from videos with ScreenApp if you need audio from specific clips.

Pricing: Free.

Pros:

• Copyright-free music
• High-quality audio
• Various genres
• Safe for commercial use

Cons:

• Only library content (not popular songs)
• Requires YouTube account

Legal and Safety Notes

Downloading music from YouTube exists in a legal gray area. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Legal: YouTube Premium offline downloads, YouTube Audio Library content
• Gray area: Personal use of copyrighted content for backup purposes
• Illegal: Distributing copyrighted music, commercial use without permission

According to U.S. Copyright Office guidelines, fair use may apply in limited circumstances, but downloading copyrighted music typically violates YouTube’s Terms of Service.

FAQ

Best free YouTube downloader?

For desktop, 4K Video Downloader has the best free experience with up to 10 downloads per day. Android users should try TubeMate. For browser-based use, YTMP3.nu is clean and fast.

How to get high quality audio?

Use desktop apps like 4K Video Downloader or yt-dlp, which support up to 320kbps MP3 or lossless formats. Always pick the highest quality option available. You can also convert YouTube videos to MP4 if you need both audio and video.

Are online downloaders safe?

Some are, many aren’t. Stick to well-known sites like YTMP3.nu and use an ad blocker. Desktop applications are generally safer than online converters.

Can I download full playlists?

Yes. 4K Video Downloader and yt-dlp both handle entire playlists automatically. Paste the playlist URL instead of individual video URLs. For more playlist tools, see our YouTube playlist downloader guide.

Best option for iPhone?

The Documents by Readdle method is the most reliable free option. For the smoothest experience, YouTube Premium at $13.99/month gives you official offline downloads with no workarounds.

Which Tool Should You Pick?

Here’s a quick summary:

• Need the best quality? 4K Video Downloader ($60 Pro or free tier)
• Using Android? TubeMate or NewPipe (both free)
• Using iPhone? Documents by Readdle (free)
• Want the official solution? YouTube Premium ($13.99/month)
• Quick one-time download? YTMP3.nu (free, browser-based)
• Tech-savvy and want full control? yt-dlp (free, command-line)

For related guides, check out our SoundCloud to MP3 converter guide or learn how to extract audio from MP4 files. If you’re working with YouTube content for research or study, our AI YouTube summarizer tools can help you get the main points without watching entire videos.