Loader.to Tested: Review and Safer YouTube MP3 Downloaders

Part 1. What Is Loader.to?

Loader.to is a free web-based tool that lets you convert and download online videos into a variety of audio and video formats. It works with sources like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, Facebook, X, Twitch, TikTok, and IMDb. You can save videos as audio files such as MP3 or in video formats like MP4, with resolutions up to 1440p.

Like many browser-based tools, it works on any computer or mobile device with a web browser. There is no installation or registration required, making it a convenient option if you just want to save YouTube content for offline use.

Part 2. How to Use Loader.to to Download YouTube MP3

Loader.to uses a simple "copy, paste, convert" workflow, so whether you're on a mobile device or a computer, the process is the same. Here's a step-by-step guide using a computer web browser as an example:

Step 1Copy the Video URL: Go to YouTube and find the video you want. Copy the URL from your browser's address bar.

Step 2Visit Loader.to: Open your browser and go to https://en.loader.to/.

Step 3Paste the Link: Paste the YouTube URL into the box labeled "URL."

Step 4Select Format: Use the "Format" dropdown menu to choose MP3. You can also pick another audio format if you prefer.

Step 5Start Conversion: Click the blue Download button to begin processing the video. (Note: this step may open a new tab for a redirect, just close it and stay on the Loader.to page.)

Step 6Download the File: When the conversion is done, a second "Download" button will appear. Click it to save the MP3 to your device. Be ready to close any pop-up tabs that appear during this step.

A Note on the Loader.to Browser Extension

We also tested the Loader.to browser extension, which promises to add a "Download" button directly below YouTube videos. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

On Firefox, the extension fails to generate any download buttons, a problem confirmed by many recent user reviews. On Chrome and Opera, the official download links lead to 404 error pages, which suggests the extension has been removed from these stores.

For now, it's best to stick with the web-based version or try a more reliable alternative, such as ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter. This tool lets you download tracks, playlists, albums, and podcasts from YouTube and nine other music platforms with a batch download button. It saves a lot of time, boosts productivity, and most importantly, it is completely safe to use.

ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter

Download songs, playlists, albums, and your whole music library from 10 major streaming platforms, including YouTube Music, to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, or M4B with original sound quality and full song info and keep your music forever.

Available on:

Free Download

Free Download

Secure Download

Part 3. Loader.to Performance Test Results

We ran several performance tests with videos of different lengths and types. While Loader.to impressed us with its conversion speed, our testing also revealed some limitations and misleading features, especially when it comes to playlists.

1. Fixed Bitrate Quality

One of the first things we noticed is that Loader.to does not let you choose a specific bitrate like 128kbps or 192kbps for MP3 files. Instead, it automatically converts everything to 320kbps. High-quality audio is great, but if you want smaller files to save space, there's no option to lower the bitrate.

2. Conversion and Download Speed

The platform is fast. In our tests:

• Short Tracks: Music videos under 5 minutes took about 15–30 seconds to convert and prepare for download.
• Long-form Content: Videos around 1 hour finished in under 2 minutes.

The speed stayed consistent across multiple tests, making Loader.to one of the quicker web-based converters available.

3. The Playlist Download "Catch"

Loader.to heavily markets its ability to download entire YouTube playlists, but our tests showed this feature is highly misleading:

If you paste a playlist link into the main converter, it usually only processes the first video. Above the download button, there's a line that says, "Download big playlist with more than 20 videos."

Clicking this link redirects you to a third-party tool, named ByClick, that requires a software installation and a paid subscription. We do not recommend installing this software. Redirected installers from unknown sites can contain malware or adware. Essentially, Loader.to cannot download full playlists directly on its website.

4. Incomplete ID3 Metadata

If you care about keeping your music library organized, Loader.to can be disappointing. The downloaded MP3s often lack key ID3 tags such as Album Title and Album Artist. Usually, the metadata only includes the video title and a generic thumbnail.

5. Intrusive Ads and Redirect Risks

The biggest drawback is the aggressive advertising. Every click, whether on the "Download" button or the search bar, can trigger pop-up redirects to external sites, many of which look suspicious. To stay safe, you need to be vigilant: close any new tabs immediately and avoid clicking on "Software Update" or "System Alert" messages that appear during these redirects.

Part 4. Safer Loader.to Alternatives for YouTube to MP3

Looking for a more powerful, safer, and efficient way to download YouTube MP3s? We've put together three options for you. The first is ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter, the most capable tool on the list, while the other two are free online YouTube downloaders. Let's take a closer look.

Tool 1. ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter

ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter solves all the limitations of Loader.to and offers plenty of extra benefits. It's 100% safe and reliable, working on both Windows and Mac. You can download music from 10 different music platforms and save it in MP3, FLAC, M4A, M4B, AIFF, or WAV, with customizable audio quality. It's ad-free, supports batch playlist downloads, preserves full ID3 tags, and converts files quickly. In our testing, ViWizard proved to be the most complete and efficient tool for downloading and archiving YouTube music.

Key Features of ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter

Free Trial Free Trial

* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.

• Fast, batch downloads of YouTube Music tracks in MP3, FLAC, and more
• Full ID3 tags preserved, including title, artist, album, and artwork
• Remove ads and streaming restrictions for uninterrupted listening
• Keep lossless audio from YouTube Music and nine other music platforms

Step 1 Open ViWizard, go to Menu > Preferences > Conversion, and choose MP3 or another format. You can adjust bitrate, sample rate, and audio channel if you like. Pick an output folder and click OK.

Step 2 Close Preferences and scroll to the bottom of the home screen. Click the YouTube Music logo to open the built-in web player. Log in to access your library safely.

Step 3 Find the tracks, playlists, albums, or podcasts you want. Click the green plus button to add them.

Step 4 In the pop-up window, select all or just some songs, then click Add to List.

Step 5 Go to the conversion list and hit Convert. Once done, click the folder icon next to a track to access your downloaded files. You can now play them or transfer them to any device.

Tool 2. SongCharts

SongCharts (dl2mp3.to) is a web-based downloader that features top song charts and trending downloads right on its homepage. Unlike Loader.to, it lets you search for songs by keywords, although you can still paste a YouTube video URL if you prefer. You can download content in MP3 or MP4, and it even lets you choose the MP3 audio quality, a feature Loader.to doesn't offer.

Step 1 Visit SongCharts: Go to https://dl2mp3.to/.

Step 2 Search or Paste: Type the song or artist name in the search bar, or paste a YouTube link. (Note: Close any redirects if prompted.)

Step 3 Select the Track: Click the song from the search results. You can preview it to make sure it's the right version.

Step 4 Choose Format: Pick the MP3 quality or MP4 format you want.

Step 5 Download: Click the download button. The site will process the file and save it directly to your device.

Tool 3. CnvMP3

If the constant ads and misleading redirects on Loader.to drive you crazy, CnvMP3 (cnvmp3.com) provides a much cleaner alternative. This donor-supported, web-based tool is built for users who want a simple, no-fuss way to download music. It works not only with YouTube but also with TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.

Step 1 Copy the Link: Find the YouTube video you want and copy its URL.

Step 2 Paste and Select: Go to cnvmp3.com and paste the link into the input field.

Step 3 Choose Quality: Select MP3 and pick your preferred bitrate, like 320kbps for the best sound.

Step 4 Convert and Save: Click Convert. When the progress bar finishes, the file will download automatically to your device.

Is CnvMP3 Safe to Use? An Honest Review

An honest CnvMP3 review covering safety, output quality, common problems, and the best alternatives for downloading YouTube music.

Part 5. Comparison Table of Loader.to and Its Alternatives

To help you choose the right tool, we've put together a head-to-head comparison. Free online options like Loader.to and CnvMP3 are great for quick, one-time downloads, but professional software like ViWizard provides far more security and keeps your music library organized, something web-based converters can't match.

Part 6. FAQs about Loader.to

Final Thoughts

While Loader.to delivers fast, high-quality MP3 conversions, its aggressive ads and misleading playlist features make it a risky choice. With outdated infrastructure and nonfunctional browser extensions, it's no longer the top-tier option it once was. If you care about security and maintaining a clean music library, safer alternatives like CnvMP3, SongCharts, or professional software such as ViWizard All-in-One Music Converter are far better options.