How to Extract Audio from Video

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10 best audio extractors [free & online included]

Edited by Sam P Dunn
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Have you ever come across audio that you wanted to use but never could because it was attached to a video? Are you looking for a convenient way to separate the desired audio from the video?

We’ve provided ten user-friendly options on how to extract audio from MP4, MKV, WMV, MOV, FLV, AVI, and other formats. Now you can easily extract any audio you want without the hassle of dealing with the accompanying video.

Here is a table of tried-and-tested software that can be used to extract audio. Many of these are free and readily available online so choose wisely.

Software

OS

Best for

Download

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Combining player and converter

Windows, macOS, and Linux

Professional audio editing

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Here’s what Movavi’s team does to provide you with verified information:

  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • All products mentioned in this article have been tested by Movavi Content Team.

  • When testing, we aim to highlight the best features of a product and what it’s best suited for.

  • We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.

  • We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

1. Movavi Video Converter

As a professional video editor, it’s important to be able to manipulate and change files with ease, for example removing audio from video so you are just left with the audio. Here’s how to do exactly that!

Operating system: available for Windows PC and Mac.

Movavi Video Converter is the most acclaimed audio extractor that supports various media formats, including AVI, MP4, FLV, MKV, M4V, MOV, and many more. It also allows you to rip audio from videos, movies, or short clips and convert them into MP3, M4R, FLAC, AAC, and other audio formats.

Supported by the latest Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD technologies, this software offers high conversion speeds while ensuring that the audio quality is not affected despite this fast conversion speed. Additionally, it provides an easy-to-use interface, powerful features, and easy editing for the extracted audio tracks. [1]

How to use Movavi Video Converter

  1. Download, install, and launch Movavi Video Converter.

  2. Click Add Media, select Add Video, and then choose files and click Open.

  3. Click on the Audio tab to select the suitable output format.

  4. Select the desired folder where you want to save the file and then click Convert.

  5. Once the process of stripping audio from video is complete, the MP3 extractor opens the folder automatically.

Pros:

  • Converts over 180 different media formats without the loss of quality

  • Extracts audio from video files with breakneck conversion speeds and saves them as MPS/WMA that can be played on a range of MP3 players

Cons:

  • Limited audio effects

One important thing to consider when choosing software to extract audio from video is security and privacy, as this helps ensure your data remains protected.

Offline tools like VLC, Audacity, FFmpeg, and Adobe® Premiere® Pro are best for sensitive or confidential data, or for users who want total control over their media files, since the data remains on your device.

Online tools, like Beecut Online Audio Extractor, are best for casual or non-sensitive tasks. Always try to avoid using online tools if your files contain personal, sensitive, or confidential information.

2. VLC

Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

VLC is a free cross-platform media player and a media streaming tool that enables you to convert media files into different formats. You can use it to strip audio from video files and play it in various formats without worrying about spyware or ads. [2]

Even for the files that do not play when you transfer them from a PC to your mobile phone, VLC transcodes the video into the format you want. With an easy-to-use interface, streaming support, integrations, and a massive library of add-ons, VLC makes it easy for you to extract and tweak audio files quickly. If you are wondering how to take audio from a video, use VLC to extract audio from all forms of video files.

How to extract audio with VLC

  1. Open VLC, click Media on the top right of the window and choose Convert/Save from the drop-down menu.

  2. When the Open Media window opens, click Add and browse through your media album to search for your video file.

  3. Click on Convert/Save, after which the Convert button pops up.

  4. Select the audio format you want to convert the extracted file into from the profile settings.

  5. Click the Browse button and select the folder where you want to save the extracted audio file. Enter the name of the file and choose the audio format you want.

  6. Click on the Start button and start converting the audio file. Once finished, open the extracted audio file and enjoy the extracted audio on VLC.

Pros:

  • Supports various audio file formats, including MKV, MP4, AVI, WMV, MPS, MOV, and many more

  • Several outstanding tools for tweaking audio playback that can be played on a range of smartphones, PCs, and MP3 players

Cons:

  • An outdated interface that is not as stylish as other media players

  • Does not play protected DVD formats

  • It does not allow you to use tags

3. Audacity

Operating system: Audacity is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Audacity is an open-source editor. It allows you to remove noise from audio files, rip and combine clips and apply special effects for more professional-quality audio.

Use it to mix different audio tracks to make music, podcasts, or even an audiobook. [3] With a simple-to-use interface, you can easily access all the Audacity tools that include noise reduction features or recording audio from a microphone and computer playback. This tool allows you to import files of different formats and edit them to improve your audio quality.

How to use Audacity

  1. Download, install, and launch Audacity.

  2. Click on File and select Open to open the desired video file.

  3. Again click on File and select the Export option.

  4. Choose from Export as MP3 or WAV format based on what you need.

  5. Click on Save.

Pros:

  • Supports several audio files, including WAV, MP3, FLAC, AIFF, and many more

  • Add sound effects, change the audio speed or pitch, and mix sounds

Cons:

  • Limited mixing capabilities

  • It does not allow you to publish or share extracted audio files

  • It does not offer real-time editing effects

Quick tip! If you plan to edit your extracted audio file, choose the WAV format when exporting from Audacity. As you see, WAV stands for Waveform Audio File Format. This means that audio exported as WAV is uncompressed and its lossless format provides high-quality audio perfect for editing.

4. FFmpeg

Operating system: it works on Linux, Windows PC, and Mac OS.

It is open-source extract audio from video software that allows you to manipulate and stream audio and video files. This tool can play any format or codec, whether old or new, in addition to offering tools to cut, merge and stream audio files. [4]

Wondering how to extract audio from video with FFmpeg? You will find multiple graphical user interface implementations so that you can easily strip audio from video files. It serves as a media player, streaming media server, streams analysis tool, and writing commands to manipulate media.

How to use FFMPEG

  1. Download, install, and launch FFmpeg.

  2. Use ffprobe to check the original audio format of the file.

  3. Substitute myvideo.mp4 in the command with the video filename.

  4. After getting the original audio format, extract the audio by re-encoding the video file.

  5. Replace myvideo.mp4 in the command line with the video filename and audio.ogg with the name you have chosen for the extracted audio file.

  6. You get an isolated audio stream now.

Pros:

  • Supports a host of formats that include MP3, MPEG4, HEVC, AAC, FLAC, VP9, and many more

  • Supports multiple streaming protocols

Cons:

  • It has a steep learning curve for a beginner

  • Limited cross-platform support

  • Incomprehensible official documentation

5. Windows Movie Maker

Operating system: it runs on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.

It is a free video editing software that enables you to create a movie using videos or images. Windows Movie Maker also allows you to add effects, music, or transitions and publish your videos on various platforms. With an intuitive interface and easy navigation, you don’t need special knowledge or expertise to convert video to sound through this tool. [5]

How to rip audio from video with Windows Movie Maker

  1. Start the Windows Movie Maker on your Windows PC.

  2. Click Add Video and Photos and select the video file you want to extract the audio from.

  3. When the video loads in the Movie Maker, click File, select Save Movie, and choose Audio Only.

  4. Name the audio file, and the Movie Maker will save it in MP4/AAC format automatically. You can also save it as a WMA file.

  5. Depending on the length of the audio, you see a window that shows the progress of the conversion.

Pros:

  • Post the audio files to different platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and many more

  • Drag and drop the clip anywhere that you want on the timeline

Cons:

  • It is not able to create complex videos

  • Very crash-prone

  • Only designed for video and audio editors that are just starting out

6. 123Apps

Operating system: online

This online audio extractor by 123Apps is a free app that you can use to convert audio files. It supports 300 types of files, including MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, OGG, AMR, MP2, and more. You can even adjust the quality, frequency, apply reverse feedback, or remove noise from the audio clip with this tool’s advanced settings. It also allows you to change the audio track’s name or even tag it. Wondering how to pull audio from a video, 123Apps serves as an audio extractor online that completes the job.

How to extract audio from video online

  1. Open the online audio converter.

  2. Click Open Files.

  3. Select the video file you want to extract the audio from and start the extraction process.

  4. Choose the format you want to convert the sound into.

  5. If there’s no particular format you want to convert to, use the default settings.

  6. Click on Convert and wait until it is done.

  7. Then click Download, and the file is saved on your computer.

Pros:

  • Offers audio conversion into 300 formats

  • It does not require installation

Cons:

  • Slow upload speed

  • It does not allow you to queue videos for multiple clips conversion

7. AVS4YOU

Operating system: available for Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista, and XP.

This app allows you to save audio from video and convert audio files between different formats, including MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, OGG, AAC, M4R, and many more. With this video editor, you can manipulate, merge, rotate or mix videos. [6]

You can even insert menus, audio, text, and subtitles or select from over 300 video effects and transitions. Convert your audio files into M4A format or add your information to audio files; this app offers a huge room to play with audio files.

How to use AVS4YOU

  1. Download, install, and launch AVS Audio Converter.

  2. Run the converter and select the video file you want to extract the audio from.

  3. Open the Edit window and select the part of the video you want to extract audio from.

  4. Start the extraction process.

Pros:

  • Clean and intuitive user interface

  • Offers ready conversion templates through its command-line mode

Cons:

  • It does not provide multiple video track editing

  • Lack of advanced editing tools

  • Basic audio mixing tools

8. QuickTime

Operating system: it is the official video player for Mac OS, but Windows also supports it. [7]

QuickTime Player comes bundled with the Mac OS and allows you to play videos, stream video content and extract audio from video on a Mac. You can make the most of this software by installing free plugins that increase its functionality. As compared to other video players, QuickTime allows you to record and edit videos for free. It is a good option for beginners who want to edit videos with an easy-to-use and elegant interface.

How to use QuickTime

  1. Launch the QuickTime player and open the video file you want to extract audio from.

  2. From the Menu bar, select File, choose Export, and then Audio Only from the drop-down menu.

  3. Enter the file name in the dialog box and select the folder where you want to save it.

  4. Hit the Save button, and the audio file is exported.

Pros:

  • Easy to use interface

  • Allows you to record and edit videos

Cons:

  • Offers no playback support for various formats, including AVI, WMV, MKV, etc.

  • You need to install extra codecs to play video and audio

  • Need to install bloatware that causes problems for your computer

If you encounter any sync issues after extraction, especially when using the audio in a new video, it might be due to frame rate differences between the original and new project files. Adjusting the audio length slightly can usually fix these issues.

9. AoA Audio Extractor

Operating system: it supports Windows XP, 2003.

This audio separator allows you to separate video from the audio from different formats, including AVI, MPEG, MP4, MOV, and ASF. With this tool, you can easily split audio from video by selecting the video files' start and endpoints.

How to use AoA Audio Extractor

  1. Download and install the program.

  2. Click on the Add Files icon and select the video file you want to extract audio from. You can also drag and drop the file.

  3. Choose the required output format.

  4. Click the start button to begin the extraction process.

Pros:

  • Stylish and easy user interface

  • Extract audio from multiple videos at once

Cons:

  • The app overwrites the file you’re converting

10. Beecut Online Audio Extractor

Operating system: online

Apart from a convenient and powerful online video editor, Beecut provides a standalone audio extraction tool. This web app works with all popular video formats (AVI, WEBM, MP4, MOV, etc.). Beecut Online Audio Extractor allows you to take the audio out of a video in one click without any quality loss. You can set start and end times for the extracted audio by dragging the slider or entering the start and end times.

How to use Beecut Online Audio Extractor

  1. Open the program.
  2. Drag the video into the browser window and wait for the audio extractor to process it.
  3. Use the slider to choose the part of the video to extract audio for.
  4. Click Start Extracting and wait for the extraction to finish.
  5. Click Download.

Pros:

  • Simple and fast

  • Focused on audio extraction

Cons:

  • Only output audio file in MP3 format

  • No other advanced features

Conclusion: how to choose software to extract audio from video

We hope this article has helped you consider what to look for in a video converter. Here are some of the most important things to consider when choosing the best conversion software:

  • Usability: ensure that the app or software you choose is easy to use and its interface doesn’t confuse you. If possible, choose software that offers a free trial so you can ensure it suits you.

  • Supported formats: it’s important for video converters to support as many formats as possible including the most common file formats.

  • User reviews: it’s a good idea to check out the ratings and user reviews for any software before you purchase it to see how happy other users are with the software, as well as highlight any problems, bugs, or issues.

  • Support: check out what support is available – for example live chat, online, or email support.

  1. Movavi Video Converter – full video conversion package
  2. VLC – playing and ripping media
  3. Audacity – best for audio recording and editing
  4. FFmpeg – suitable for users who need an all-around media organization tool
  5. Windows Movie Maker – stabilization on Windows devices
  6. 123Apps – online conversions
  7. AVS4YOU – simple audio and video editing
  8. QuickTime – best for Apple fans
  9. AoA Audio Extractor – best for older versions of Windows
  10. Beecut Online Audio Extractor – best for simple audio extraction

Frequently asked questions

▶️ Can I convert audio to video?

▶️ How do I extract audio from video on Mac?

▶️ Can Audacity extract audio from a video?

▶️ How do I extract audio from video on an iPhone?

▶️ How do I extract audio from video on an Android phone?

▶️ How do I extract audio from video on Windows 10?

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