The best hi-res audio and music download sites By Quentyn Kennemer and Parker Hall May 18, 2021 Taking advantage of premium audio formats has never been an easy feat, leaving starved connoisseurs. Here is a brief review of the top 10 websites to download music for free. Best free websites to download music. SoundCloud is among the most popular websites that offer free music streaming services. Apart from streaming, you can also download unlimited music from the site without paying a dime.
From not being able to enjoy it outside of a concert hall to being able to walk with hundreds of songs in your pocket, the way that people listen to music has changed drastically over the years. This accessibility has also helped to make music cheaper; no longer do you have to buy that entire album, just for a single three-minute song that you love. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have made it possible to add new songs to your music library very quickly, but there is still a catch: you can only enjoy these songs through your Wi-Fi or data connection unless you pay a monthly fee to gain offline access. While this usually a relatively small fee for unlimited music access, not everyone can afford to shell it out month after month. That’s where an MP3 downloader for Mac can become helpful.
What is an MP3 Downloader?
An MP3 downloader is a tool that makes it possible to download music from YouTube and convert it into an MP3 format, or that let you download MP3 songs directly from the website you found it on. There are countless different versions of these programs available; some that work through websites, requiring an Internet connection while others are available to download onto your desktop to use with or without the Internet.
However, even though countless versions of this kind of program exist, Apple users need to look specifical for an MP3 downloader for Mac to even be able to open the app. Keep in mind, however, that downloading music with this method has some legality issues: you should only use these downloaders to download music you have paid for, that is in the public domain, or that is royalty free. But, with that said, here are some of the best MP3 downloaders for Mac currently available.
1. MP3Jam
If you’re looking for an MP3 downloader for Mac that is both quick and easy-to-use, MP3Jam is a great option. With MP3Jam, you can download multiple songs from different locations all at once, making downloading new songs a quick process. They also work hard to try and find the best quality version of the song you searched for, so you can be sure it will be high quality, going up to 320kbps, unlike other downloaders which may not offer such high quality for the content that you download. While MP3Jam is a free-to-use MP3 downloader for Mac, there is a catch. With this application, you cannot download an entire album all at once and are also limited to just five songs per 25-minute period.
2. Vuze
Vuze is considered by some to be the best current BitTorrent MP3 downloader for Mac. It is an updated, much improved, and much more powerful version of an older software called Azureus, which was made by the same company. Vuze is jam-packed with free user options and is incredibly customizable when it comes the settings. For those unsure of what are the best settings, Vuze makes it simple by providing users with clear descriptions as to what each option means. But, for a program like Vuze, which has so many fantastic features, to be free, there is a bit of a catch: you have to deal with ads. So, to avoid those ads while you download new music, you would have to pay for a subscription.
3. Jakasta
Jakasta is another MP3 downloader for Mac that is very popular. However, while other applications search through the various BitTorrent networks to help you find the music you want, Jakasta does something a little different. With this application, when there is a song you want to download, you need to turn on the programs “monitoring” mode before hitting play on the given song. Jakasta then will display the information within the program window, along with a downloadable MP3 link, which you can then add to your preferred media player. The program can identify over 3 million songs and find high-quality download links. While Jakasta offers a free version of their program, there is also an option to purchase their software to gain access to more features.
4. FrostWire
There’s a chance you’ve heard of FrostWire before; it was like the less popular cousin to popular programs like Napster and LimeWire. If you haven’t heard of FrostWire, it is a Peer-to-Peer information sharing client that allows users to share and search for different files, including MP3 files, all within the BitTorrent network. With FrostWire, you can use it for all sorts of different files, not just music. But, more than anything, people use FrostWire as an MP3 downloader for Mac. Unlike other BitTorrent clients, FrostWire includes a media player and library, making it possible to enjoy your music all in one place. With FrostWire, you can also preview songs before downloading, which is something other BitTorrent programs do not allow you to do for free.
5. Media Human
Media Human is another MP3 downloader for Mac, that you can use to download music from some different websites, including YouTube, SoundCloud, Dailymotion, VEVO, and so many more. You are even able to download multiple songs simultaneously, making it easier to download multiple songs in a single go. On top of that, everything you download using Media Human can easily be transferred into iTunes or your preferred media library. Media Human can also help you find album or song artwork if you are someone that likes to have their music library have a visual aspect. Another cool feature that Media Human has that you cannot find in other similar programs is the ability to search for lyrics, without ever having to leave the software. The best part about Media Human is that it is freeware, so it is entirely free to download and use.
6. iTube Studio
Another well-loved and widely known MP3 downloader for Mac is iTube Studio. This downloader, like all the others, offers users high-quality MP3 downloads, locating them with just a web link. It can get songs from 10,000 different websites, including YouTube, Vimeo, MTV, and Metacafe. With iTube Studio, you can also convert the files you download into a wide range of audio and video formats to fit your needs. It is one of the simpler, more straightforward programs available to Mac users. But, iTube Studio is still a reliable MP3 downloader program, and it does an excellent job of downloading and converting different files for your offline enjoyment.
7. Airy YouTube Downloader
BitTorrent software can be a bit intimidating for some people. If you are reluctant to try those kinds of programs, another option is to turn to an MP3 downloader for Mac that works with video sites like YouTube to download content. Airy YouTube Downloader allows you to search for YouTube videos within the interface of the program to then download and convert them into a high-quality MP3, MP4, and FLV files. Airy is by far one of the most straightforward programs that you can use to convert your favorite music from a YouTube video format into an MP3 audio format.
8. FLVTO YouTube Downloader
FLVTO is another free Mac program that allows users to take YouTube video links and convert them into downloadable audio files. With this program, users can not only convert their files in MP3 format, but also MP3, MP4, AVI, FLV, AAC, MOV, WMV, and WMA. But, it also makes it possible to extract audio files from video content before converting it into your desired format. It also uses HD-quality versions of the videos when it can, to ensure the highest quality of sound during the conversion.
Honorable Mention: All2MP3 for Mac
All2MP3 for Mac is not an actual MP3 downloader for Mac, but an MP3 converter. In other words,the All2MP3 for Mac software will easily allow you to convert music files between over 25 different file times. The All2MP3 for Mac program has been the preferred audio converter for Mac users for over eight years, so you can be sure it is incredibly reliable. What makes All2MP3 for Mac even more popular with Mac users is that it is entirely free.
Even though music has become cheaper every year, thanks to new technology, sometimes having an MP3 downloader for Mac can be useful. These programs all offer quick, easy, and efficient ways to download new music for you to enjoy without having to need an Internet connection. But, the best part of these programs? All of them are free, or at least offer free versions, with the option of paid accounts if you want more features and ad-free downloading, making them accessible to everyone with a computer. But, just as mentioned at the beginning of this article, these programs need to be used with care, considering the various copyright laws that come with downloading music and other kinds of online content for free. With that in mind, however, when you need an MP3 downloader for Mac, then this list is bound to have a perfect option for you.
If you don’t want to install a third-party app to download music on your mac, you can also download music from your browsers like Safari & Firefox. This is a very easy and efficient way for users who can’t or don’t want to install apps for some reason.
It appears that an increasing number of users would like to download video clips and movies from YouTube, Google Video, Veoh, Break, or DailyMotion, etc. and convert them to portable devices such as iPhone, iPad, etc., so that you can enjoy the videos anytime anywhere.
There are tons of free video downloaders for Mac and Windows PC. Some are for desktop while others are web apps. No matter which one you pick, each has its pros and cons. Here I would introduce the top 10 best free video downloader for Mac or PC to you. All of them are able to help you grab videos to your computer with the URLs.
Best Video Downloader for Mac
Cisdem Video Converter (All-in-one Solution)
- Download clips from more than 1000 popular sites
- Cope with 720p, 1080p, 4k and 8k videos
- Ensure video conversion between over 500 formats without losing quality
- Support batch processing multiple videos
- Built-in media editor allows to trim, combine, crop, add subtitles or effects, etc.
- Rip personal & commercial DVD to digital formats
- Supported OS: OS X 10.10 or later
Reviews on Best Free Video Downloader for Mac/PC
1. iFunia YouTube Downloader (Mac)
iFunia YouTube Downloader is a free video downloader for Mac that helps you download online 1080p FHD, 4k UHD videos to Mac in batch. It's not just for video downloads from YouTube but from Dailymotion, Vimeo, Blip TV, Liveleak, Lynda, Break, Vube, Ustream, Ted, and other websites.
Copy the video URL and it will be auto pasted into the URL field. Or you can drag-n-drop all of the videos' thumbnails into the program, and start to download favorite videos for several minutes.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use, intuitive
- Support to download YouTube playlist
2. VDownloader (Windows, macOS)
VDownloader is an intuitive app that focuses on video downloading. It’s fully compatible with major video hosting sites, like Dailymotion, Break, Twitch, Vimeo, and more.
However, you are only allowed to bulk download unlimited videos 10 times and convert local videos 3 times. If you like this best free video downloader, you can fetch their commercial version at the price of $17.99/yearly or $59/lifetime.
Pros:
- Integrated with a search feature to add video content to your follow tab
- Convert video to custom format
Cons:
- The speed of installation is pretty slow
- Not work well on Mac computer and merely available on macOS Mojave or later
3. QDownloader.io (web tool)
QDownloader.io is a free online video downloader & converter with the ability to grab videos from a handful of video hosting sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
It can directly convert video from websites to MP4 and MP3 on Mac or PC. There are browser extension versions on Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome, assisting you in downloading.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Quickly catch video by adding io before 'youtube.com'
Cons:
- Save up to 720p video, even it's a 1080p or 4k video
- Download up to 128kbps audio only
4. Keepv.id (web tool)
KeepVid is one of the best free video downloader for Mac/PC that allows you to download all types of videos online from YouTube, Facebook, Twitch.Tv, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and many more. The downloaded videos will be saved in MP4, MP3, M4A, or WebM format.
Without superfluous interfaces, novices can get started via copying & pasting the URL in the textbox.
Pros:
Best Free Music Download For Macbook
- Preserve video metadata like name, song title, album, etc. in MP3
- Keep subtitles in various languages
Cons:
- Only 100 videos in the YouTube playlist can be detected at most
- Can't download the playlist all at once and no batch download
- The output definition is limited no exceed 1280p
5. aTube Catcher (Windows)
aTube Catcher is a desktop free video downloader for PC system which can perform lots of video tasks. It lets you download videos from social websites, and export them to PC or some portable devices, like iPad, iPod, PSP, MP4 player, and DVD.
It offers donations access for users to help them in the budget and maintain the best free video downloader app updated and running.
Pros:
- A host of video formats are supported
- Record screen, create DVDs/CDs
Best Mac Video Downloader
- No risk of ads, buffering, virus attack to your Mac.
- Support the download from all popular sites, like YouTube, Tumblr, DailyMotion, Blip, Veoh, AOL, Vimeo, etc.
- Batch download
- Preview the downloaded videos
- Snapshot and save your favorite screen picture.
- Convert and transfer videos to any kind of digital device including iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone, PSP, etc.
6. Freemake (Windows, macOS)
Freemake is a popular video downloader for free works on Mac and Windows. It supports downloading videos, playlists, channels in HD, MP4, MP3, AVI, 3GP, FLV, etc. Lots of sites are supported, like Youtube, Facebook, Vevo, Hulu, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Vkontakte.
The software has a self-explanatory UI. Any new users can easily know how to use it.
Cons (limits of the free version):
- Download up to 50 videos
- Each video can’t longer than 3 minutes
- Unable to convert video to MP3
- Add Freemake logo to your video
- Fail to fetch 4k videos
7. ClipGrab (Windows, Mac)
Free Mp3 Downloads For Mac
ClipGrab is an acclaimed best free video downloader working on Windows. It supports downloading videos, playlists, channels in MP4, MP3, AVI, 3GP, FLV, etc. with quality retained.
Plus, it supports certain media sites, like Youtube, Facebook, Vevo, Hulu, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Vkontakte.
Note: It expects you to donate 10, 20, 30 euros for further development.
Pros:
- Automatically catch URL from clipboard
- Support a built-in search option
8. GetTube (Mac)
In old days, GetTube is a lightweight Mac OS X app that enables you to download videos and playback the media any time you like, directly from your computer. Get Tube works well with Safari and Firefox. Once you install it, you'll see a new button in the browser while you surf on YouTube. Click it and you'll be able to download the featured video in a matter of seconds.
With compatibility with macOS 10.12 or above, GetTube starts to charge, and you need to pay 5 euros to unlock the download function.
Pros:
- Download videos in high quality
- Search videos within the software
Cons:
- Inconvenient UI
- Only save video as MP4 and MP3 format
9. 4K Video Downloader (Windows, Mac)
4K Video Downloader is a reliable freeware that downloads videos, playlists, channels, and subtitles from YouTube, Vimeo, etc. This best free video downloader for Mac/PC lets you manually set the output formats as MP4, FLV, MKV, MP3, OGG, M4A.
You just copy the URLs of the target movies and, click the button “Paste Links”. But if you want to download more than 25 YouTube playlist videos or download the channel, you have to buy the serial number and get the perpetual permissions.
Pros:
- Support to download 4k & 360-degree videos
- Download the whole playlists
10. MacTubes (Mac)
Update: 1. The developer stopped releasing the app; 2. Not work anymore since Google changed YouTube API.
MacTubes is a handy free video downloader for Mac that you don’t have to visit the site itself. It allows you to create playlists based on what you've downloaded or what you've searched on. And it will list the downloaded and played files for you to create playlists.
Pros:
- Work without having to open the YouTube website
Cons:
- Offer no compatibility with other major video sites
- Only save videos in one format
Bonus: Best Video Downloader Mac for Paid
Cisdem Video Converter is a one-stop and professional toolbox for Mac users to download & convert & edit videos, rip DVDs, etc. It should be the best video downloader for Mac to help you grab TV episodes, movies, music videos, news, sports, and other online video clips with the fastest speed.
Once you launch the free trial version, it would pop up a small box. Click “Evaluate”, and download the online video for free. If you buy its pro version, you would get the registration code to enjoy video conversion, video downloading, DVD ripping, and sharing functions within one.
Quick Steps to Download Video from Website Mac Using Cisdem Video Converter:
Best Free Music Download Programs
Download Cisdem Video Converter to your Mac first, then run it and click the download section at the top.
Go to the video streaming sites that the software supports. Find the video you desire to download and copy its URL.
Best Free Music Download Software
Return to the best video downloader for Mac, and paste the URL to the download bar.
Click on the “down arrow” icon to start the video download. You can add multiple URLs to the download list.
It provides you with a free trial version for taking a test. But the free version of this best video downloader Mac merely converts 5 minutes per file and merely downloads 3 videos. Come to download its commercial version which priced at $49.99. You can enjoy YouTube videos on any portable devices.
Conclusion
After being familiar with a vast assortment of options for the best free video downloaders for Mac/ PC as well as the paid one, we can easily distinguish their benefits and drawbacks. With our overview, you should have a clearer picture of which best video downloader suits most of your needs.