13 Free Tools for Extracting Audio from Video Files

If you have a video file but only need the soundtrack, speech, music, or sound effects, you do not always need paid software to pull the audio out. There are plenty of free tools that can extract audio from video quickly, whether you want a simple one-click converter or a more flexible editor.

This guide covers 13 free tools for ripping audio from video, along with what each one is best for, so you can choose the easiest option for your device and workflow.

13 Free Tools for Extracting Audio from Video Files

1. VLC Media Player

VLC is better known as a media player, but it can also convert video files into audio-only formats. It is a good choice if you already have it installed and want a no-cost way to extract audio without learning a separate editor.

Best For People who want a familiar, lightweight tool that is already useful for many other media tasks.

Key Fact VLC can convert to common audio formats such as MP3 and WAV, depending on the conversion profile you choose.

2. Audacity

Audacity is a free audio editor that can import video files through supported workflows and let you export the audio in the format you want. It is especially useful if you plan to trim, clean up, or edit the soundtrack after extracting it.

Best For Editing speech, music, podcasts, or recordings after the audio has been extracted.

Note For some video formats, you may need an additional component or to convert the video first before Audacity can work with it smoothly.

3. HandBrake

HandBrake is a free video transcoder that can remove the video track and output an audio-only result in certain workflows. It is more commonly used for video conversion, but it can still be helpful when you want to process a file efficiently.

Best For Users who already use HandBrake for video conversion and want a free way to repurpose media files.

Why It Matters A tool like HandBrake can be useful when you want to handle large files locally instead of relying on a web-based converter.

4. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a powerful command-line tool that can extract audio from almost any video format you throw at it. It is not the easiest option for beginners, but it is one of the most flexible and reliable tools available.

Install FFmpeg on your system.
Open a terminal or command prompt.
Run a command that maps the audio stream from the video into a new audio file.
Choose an output format such as MP3, AAC, WAV, or FLAC depending on your needs.

Best For Advanced users, batch processing, and people who want precise control over output settings.

Warning Because FFmpeg uses commands, a small typing mistake can produce the wrong output or fail entirely. Double-check file names and paths before running a command.

5. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free video editor that can cut and save media without fully re-encoding in some cases. That makes it a useful lightweight option when you want to remove the video portion or save audio-related content with minimal fuss.

Best For Simple editing and quick trimming before exporting audio or video segments.

6. Shotcut

Shotcut is a free, open-source video editor that can export audio from a project after you load a video. It gives you more editing control than a basic converter, which is helpful if you need to cut a specific section before saving the soundtrack.

Best For Users who want to edit the clip first and then export the audio they actually need.

7. OpenShot

OpenShot is another free video editor that makes it easy to import video, trim it, and export media in a usable form. It is a friendly choice if you prefer a graphical interface and do not want to work from the command line.

Best For Beginners who want a simple video editor with a gentle learning curve.

8. FreeConvert

FreeConvert is a browser-based conversion tool that can extract audio from uploaded video files. It is convenient if you only need a quick conversion and do not want to install anything locally.

Best For Occasional use when you need a fast online conversion from a browser.

Warning Online converters may not be a good choice for private, copyrighted, or sensitive files, since the video has to be uploaded to a web service.

9. CloudConvert

CloudConvert is another web-based converter that supports many file types and can turn video into audio-only formats. It is especially handy when you want a polished interface and broad format support.

Best For Users who work with unusual file types or need a conversion tool that runs in the browser.

Note Free online converters often limit file size, number of conversions, or processing time.

10. Convertio

Convertio is a straightforward online tool for turning video into audio without installing software. It is useful for quick, occasional jobs where convenience matters more than advanced control.

Best For Small, one-off conversions on a device where you do not want to install an app.

11. Media.io

Media.io provides a browser-based conversion workflow that can extract audio from video files and export common audio formats. It is easy to use and well suited to simple conversions.

Best For Users who want a web tool with a clean interface and minimal setup.

12. Any Video Converter Free

Any Video Converter Free is a desktop app that can convert video files into audio formats while also offering other conversion features. It is a good middle ground between beginner-friendly software and more advanced tools.

Best For People who want a dedicated desktop converter with a visual interface.

13. Format Factory

Format Factory is a long-running free conversion tool for Windows that can process media into different formats, including audio-only outputs. It is useful if you often deal with mixed media files and want one app to handle several file types.

Best For Windows users who want an all-in-one media conversion utility.

How to Choose the Right Tool

The best tool depends on how often you need to extract audio, how comfortable you are with software, and whether the file is sensitive or large.

Use VLC if you want a simple local tool and already have it installed.
Use Audacity if you want to edit the audio after extracting it.
Use FFmpeg if you need fast batch conversions or exact control over the output.
Use an online converter if you only need a quick one-time conversion and the file is not sensitive.
Use a full video editor like Shotcut or OpenShot if you want to trim the clip first before exporting audio.

Why It Matters Choosing the right tool can save time and avoid unnecessary re-encoding, which may reduce audio quality or make the workflow more complicated than it needs to be.

What Format Should You Export To?

The best output format depends on what you plan to do with the audio afterward.

MP3: Best for broad compatibility and smaller file sizes.
WAV: Best for uncompressed audio and editing.
AAC or M4A: Good for efficient compression with decent quality.
FLAC: Best if you want lossless audio and do not mind larger files.

Quick Tip If you are unsure, MP3 is usually the most convenient choice for everyday listening, while WAV is better if you plan to edit the audio later.

A Few Practical Tips Before You Convert

Before extracting audio, check whether the video contains multiple audio tracks, because some tools will only grab the default track unless you choose otherwise. If the file is very large, a desktop tool is usually more reliable than an online converter.

Warning If the source video has poor audio quality, converting it will not improve the sound. You will still get the same recording problems in the output file.

Which Tool Should You Start With?

If you want the simplest answer, start with VLC for a local desktop option or a browser-based converter if the file is small and not private. If you need more control, FFmpeg and Audacity are the strongest free options, while Shotcut and OpenShot are better when the audio needs trimming before export.

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