How to Download Music from YouTube to Computer (4 Best Methods) 2025

Although YouTube offers an unparalleled music library, directly downloading songs to a computer for offline listening remains a significant challenge. Official methods, such as YouTube Premium, mainly limit downloads to mobile devices and their applications, forcing PC users to seek effective alternatives. 

Before we can move ahead, it’s essential to understand the YouTube music downloads legality.

Is It Legal to Download Music from YouTube?

According to YouTube’s Terms of Service, downloading videos or audio without explicit permission is not allowed, except via features offered by YouTube itself (like YouTube Premium).

However, you can legally download the music from YouTube in the following scenarios:

• You have a YouTube Premium subscription.
• The content is royalty-free or under a Creative Commons license.
• You’ve received direct permission from the copyright owner.

Downloading copyrighted material without permission could lead to legal issues, so always use these tools responsibly. Having understood those legalities, we will now find out how to download music from YouTube to the computer.

Top 5 Methods to Download Music from YouTube to Computer

Method 1 – Official Method: YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium offers a legitimate way to download music from YouTube Premium to a computer, though it comes with limitations.

Here are the steps involved in downloading the music from YouTube Premium -

• Go to YouTube Music
• Choose a track that you want to download
• Search for the track that you wish to download

• Click on the three dots beside the track
• Click on Download

That will do it, and the track will be downloaded.

The method offers the following benefits:

• Download videos and music directly within the YouTube app.
• Enjoy ad-free viewing.
• Play music in the background or offline.

The options, however, come with a few limitations as well.

• Downloads are limited to the YouTube app or mobile devices.
• You cannot directly export the audio files to your PC or other applications.

Still, if you're looking for a legal and secure option, YouTube Premium music download is a good place to start.

Method 2 – Download Music from YouTube Music & YouTube with Paid Software

1. MusicFab

Another practical option can be to use a third-party YouTube downloader. Several downloaders can prove to be handy. But we recommend MusicFab YouTube Converter as a promising and reliable tool for all your downloads. The high-quality audio and YouTube video download to MP3 options and simple-to-use functionality further make it a reliable tool.

Key Highlights:

1. Your Music, Your Format: Forget temporary downloads and restriictive DRM. MusicFab lets you convert tracks into MP3, WAV, FLAC, and M4A. This means you can:

• Get lossless quality (WAV, FLAC) to hear every note as the artist intended.
• Ensure universal compatibility (MP3) for any device.
• Keep files permanently, even if your subscription ends.

2. Download Smarter, Not Harder: Stop the tedious click-by-click download process. Batch download feature lets you grab entire albums, playlists, or artist discographies in a single go.

3. Unmatched Speed: MusicFab boasts download speeds up to 20x faster than comparable tools. Compared with other converters using recording, MusicFab has real downloads. 

4. Built-in Browser: Easy-to-use interface integrates with a built-in browser and advanced settings let you search and download music all inside MusicFab, customize your downloaded files.

5. Save ID3 tag info: It keeps ID3 tag and lyrics, ideal for those who have a huge library to manage.

6. Friendily free trial: Free to try to download 3 songs before you buy, with no limits.

Here is how you can download the tracks from YouTube using the tool:

• Install MusicFab on your computer,
• Choose YouTube from among the services supported,

• Log in to your account and choose the track or playlists that you wish to download, then MusicFab will analyze it automatically.

• In the pop-up window, configure the download parameters, such as media, audio file format, and quality.

• Click on the Download icon to begin the download.

Legal Note: Only use MusicFab for content you own or have rights to. Avoid downloading copyrighted materials without proper permission.

2. MusicFab alternatives - Download Music from YouTube videos

Apart from MusicFab, several other tools can be handy in letting you understand how to download music from a YouTube Video to your computer. You can choose from among several tools that promise to do an outstanding job of helping you download music from YouTube to your PC.

Tools like 4K YouTube to MP3, YTD Video Downloader, and Freemake YouTube Downloader offer:

• Custom output formats.
• Playlist support.
• Adjustable bitrate for quality control.

These tools provide a high level of user control and are ideal for frequent downloaders looking to download music from YouTube to PC efficiently.

Method 4 – Download Music from YouTube to Computer Free Online

If you prefer not to install any applications, here's how to download music from YouTube to computer-free software. You can find many options from this perspective as well.

1. Online Downloaders (YouTube Videos Only)

Online downloaders provide the benefit of downloading your favorite shows without any need to install software. The best part about the downloaders lies in the fact that they offer you a free download experience.

Tools like Savefromnet, Y2Mate, and YTMP3 can prove to be an excellent option for your needs in online downloaders.

The steps involved in downloading the titles would include

• Paste a YouTube URL and download the audio as MP3.

• Choose audio quality.
• Get music in seconds without registration.

Note: These sites may show ads or require careful navigation to avoid unwanted downloads.

2. Browser Extensions (YouTube Video Only)

If you are not happy with the standalone downloaders and online downloader options, using browser extensions may prove to be a really wiser choice for downloading your videos. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox offer the best extensions and add-on support.

You can check out browser extensions like Video DownloadHelper or YouTube MP3 Downloader for a seamless download experience.

Here are the steps to use for downloading the tracks:

• Install the browser plugin and add it to your Chrome browser.
• Play YouTube Music on the web portal and play the title you want to download
• The extension will detect the download link and provide you with the option to download.
• Click on the link to download the track

3. Developer Tools (for Advanced Users) - YouTube Video Only

If you are tech-savvy enough, you can use advanced options such as Developer tools for downloading your favorite YouTube music onto your device.

The browser developer tools can capture audio requests during playback. This method is complex but does not require third-party tools.

While free, these methods often come with limitations like slower speeds, reduced audio quality, or potential security risks.

Pros

• No tools are needed.
• Fully manual.

Cons

• Technical and time-consuming.
• It may not work on all browsers.

Comparison of different methods for downloading YouTube Music

In short:

The table below should help you make the best choice between the different tools and which tools to use.

Conclusion

There are multiple effective ways to download music from YouTube to a computer, from official methods to powerful software tools and free online services. Each of these methods comes with its plus points and disadvantages. You can use the right tool based on your specific requirements. Whichever method you choose, make sure to download music from YouTube to your PC responsibly and ethically.

However, MusicFab YouTube Downloaders does offer you an excellent array of options that would make your download experience stand out. Check out the tool and find what it has on offer for you.