Sometimes, a YouTube video may have the audio you want, but you don’t necessarily need the video. For example, a lecture. Or maybe you want to listen to the information during a road trip, but you don’t want to keep the YouTube app open the whole time, draining bandwidth or your battery.

Y2MP3 is a simple, free, Open Source app designed for Mac and Windows that lets you download audio from YouTube videos quickly and efficiently. Built as a user-friendly Electron app, it's perfect for users who want a straightforward solution without a bunch of fluff.

Y2MP3 Key Features
Y2MP3 offers a super clean interface that eliminates the need for a manual—everything is exactly where you'd expect it to be, but be sure to check out the option menu.

It supports multiple formats like MP3, FLAC, M4A, and WMA, and you can choose the highest quality for crystal-clear audio or opt for a lower bitrate to save space. As a bonus, it lets you download video thumbnails for easy reference in your media library or player.

The best feature of this app is clipboard monitoring. It automatically detects and adds YouTube links as soon as you copy them, saving you from having to retype or paste the link into the program.

For you uber-geeks, Y2MP3 includes a developer mode (like in your browser), allowing power users to explore some of the details behind the curtain - if the program fails to detect the audio.

Installation Notes:
Windows Users Beware: You might see a warning about the app being "suspicious" during installation. Don't panic—this is standard for new software that hasn't been indexed by antivirus engines yet. If you have concerns, check the VirusTotal Report.

Legality
Downloading audio and video clips from your own YouTube uploads is allowed. (Of course). Typically, public domain or Creative Commons-licensed content can be downloaded legally if expressed, and YouTube Premium lets subscribers download for offline use within the app. However, downloading copyrighted content without permission violates YouTube’s Terms of Service and may breach copyright law, including monetized content that bypasses ad revenue. While personal use downloads are rarely enforced, they may still be against the YouTube rules and could compromise your account. Redistribution or commercial use without explicit permission is always illegal. Always check the license or get the creator’s consent before using a product like this.

Pros

Fast, clean, and easy to use

Multiple audio formats and quality options

Handy clipboard monitoring and thumbnail download

Runs on both Mac and Windows with a simple install
Cons

Windows installation may trigger a warning

Lacks video download support (strictly audio-focused)

Playlist support limited to the first 100..

Geek Verdict
Y2MP3 is a no-nonsense YouTube audio downloader that does the job it sayus it will do without unnecessary features. The clipboard monitoring alone makes it an efficient winner, while the customizable quality settings give you control over your downloads. It's perfect for anyone looking for a lightweight, user-friendly way to extract audio from YouTube. If you are looking for a more full-featured program that offers video as well, check out YoutubeDownloader