Facebook videos are everywhere—from inspirational talks and insightful interviews to funny skits and music covers that you just can’t get out of your head. What if you’re only interested in the audio portion of a Facebook video? Whether it’s a song, a motivational speech, or a podcast-style discussion, extracting just the audio can be extremely useful. If you’re a Mac user, there are powerful tools available that can rip audio from Facebook videos efficiently and at various levels of quality, complexity, and cost. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best Mac tools—both free and professional—to help you get the audio you want from Facebook content.
Why Rip Audio from Facebook Videos on Mac?
Before diving into the tools, it’s good to understand why you might want to extract audio content:
- Offline Listening: Save audio for use during commutes or travel.
- Content Creation: Reuse clips in presentations, projects, or podcasts (ensuring copyright compliance).
- Language Learning: Replay lessons and speeches to improve understanding.
- Music Enjoyment: Separate vocals and covers that aren’t available officially.
Let’s explore the best tools available on Mac for audio ripping, from free options to professional-grade applications.
1. 4K Video Downloader (Free + Paid)
4K Video Downloader is a versatile tool that works flawlessly on macOS. Although it’s primarily marketed for video downloads, it also allows you to extract audio in MP3, M4A, and OGG formats directly from Facebook video URLs.
Main Features:
- Extract audio in high quality
- One-click download and conversion
- Support for playlists and individual videos
- Free version offers limited downloads per day
The Pro version removes all limitations and costs a one-time fee of around $15, making it ideal for frequent users.
2. Audacity (Free)
Audacity is a popular open-source audio editing software available for macOS. Although it’s not designed to download Facebook videos, it can record the system audio while you’re playing a Facebook video in your browser.
How It Works:
- Open Audacity and change audio input to “loopback” or “Stereo Mix.”
- Play the Facebook video you want to extract audio from.
- Record and export the audio in your chosen format.
This method is legal and perfect for personal use but may lack the convenience of a direct extractor. Still, it gives you complete control over audio quality and file editing.
Best For: Tinkerers and users who want a free, flexible solution with powerful editing capabilities.
3. ClipGrab (Free)
ClipGrab is another free, user-friendly application that supports Facebook links. Though it’s often associated with YouTube, ClipGrab also handles other platforms very well.
Key Benefits:
- Clean, easy-to-use interface
- Fast downloads and conversions
- Possible to extract directly to MP3
ClipGrab may not offer the highest fidelity audio output options, but it’s a perfect fit for users looking for a no-fuss solution.
4. Downie + Permute (Paid Bundle)
Downie is one of the most polished video downloading tools available for Mac. While it excels at downloading videos, it’s often paired with Permute—the developers’ own media converter—to extract audio from those downloaded files.
How to Use:
- Paste the Facebook video URL into Downie.
- Once the file is downloaded, open it in Permute to convert it to MP3 or any other audio format.
Why It’s Great: The integration between Downie and Permute is seamless, and both apps feature modern, intuitive interfaces. Together, they provide a complete end-to-end solution with top-tier performance and image quality.
Cost: Around $25–$30 for the bundle, with free trial available.
5. Wondershare UniConverter (Freemium)
Wondershare UniConverter is an all-in-one toolkit for multimedia management on Mac. It’s ideal for users who want more than just an audio ripper—from DVD burning to video compression. When it comes to Facebook videos, you can download and extract audio with ease.
Standout Features:
- Batch downloading and conversion
- Preset output formats (MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc.)
- Supports 1000+ websites beyond Facebook
While the free version puts some limitations on usage, the full version unlocks a wealth of premium features and costs about $39.95/year.
6. Screenflow (Professional, Paid)
Screenflow is a full-fledged screen recording and video editing suite used by professionals. If the Facebook video involves high-quality sound that you want to preserve at its best, Screenflow enables you to record both your screen and system audio in perfect sync.
Once you’ve recorded the content, the built-in editor can help you extract only the sound portion. You can then export it in various audio formats, with full control over bitrate and file size.
Perfect For: Content creators, educators, and podcast producers.
Cost: Around $169 license fee, but well worth it for serious users.
7. Online Tools: Not Mac-Specific but Usable
Technically, not Mac-exclusive, but there are reliable online platforms like FBDown.net or Getfvid that let you download Facebook videos and extract audio. Simply paste the URL, and the site processes it for you directly within the browser.
Pros:
- Quick and no installation needed
- Work on any browser, including Safari on Mac
Cons:
- May have limitations on file size/quality
- Potential privacy and security concerns
If you’re hesitant about installing software or only need to extract audio occasionally, an online tool might do the trick.
Legal Considerations
While these tools are powerful, it’s essential to consider copyright laws and platform policies. Extracting and using audio without proper permission may infringe on intellectual property rights. Always ensure you are using the content for personal use or under fair use guidelines, especially for remixing, reposting, or commercial purposes.
Final Thoughts
Ripping audio from Facebook videos on a Mac has never been easier. You can go the free route with tools like Audacity and ClipGrab or invest in robust, feature-rich software like Downie + Permute or Screenflow. Each tool brings its own strengths to the table depending on what you value most—be it simplicity, control over audio quality, editing features, or professional-grade results.
Whether you’re an audiophile, creator, or just someone who enjoys listening on the go, these Mac tools offer everything you need to transform Facebook videos into audio treasures.
