A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… SoundCloud used to be a completely free platform for independent artists to share their music. It was a service made by artists for artists and was seen as a revolutionary platform that democratized music distribution. But the times have changed, and now it is not what it looked like before. SoundCloud now hosts a broader range of music, including mainstream tracks and podcasts, although it remains a platform for indie artists.
Read also: 19% of Songs Have Modified Versions & SoundCloud Is the Leading Platform That Streams Them
Since SoundCloud is a popular place to discover new music that is unavailable on the usual streaming services, you might want to listen to these tracks offline or on a device that does not support SoundCloud. The solution? Convert SoundCloud tracks to MP3 files. This article is going to provide you with several ways to do so.
Is It Legal to Download Music From SoundCloud?
Before we look at the different ways to convert SoundCloud tracks to MP3, it is important to understand the legal implications. SoundCloud provides a platform for artists to share their music and also respects the rights of those creators. Some tracks on SoundCloud are available for free download, often with a direct download button provided by the artist. Downloading these tracks is perfectly legal.
However, many tracks are not intended to be downloaded without the artist’s permission, so saving them from SoundCloud could violate copyright laws. To avoid problems, the content should be for personal use only to minimize the risks. We also recommend supporting artists by purchasing their music through legitimate channels whenever possible. If you want to download their music, this must mean that they deserve some type of recognition!
How to Download Music From SoundCloud to MP3 on Windows/MacOS
Depending on whether you want to use official methods, third-party tools, or specific software, there are several different ways to download songs from SoundCloud. We have listed the most common ways below.
How to Download Music Directly from SoundCloud
Some artists on SoundCloud let you download their tracks directly. If this option is available, it is the simplest and most legal way to download a song. Here is how you do it:
- Open SoundCloud in your browser and log in to your account.
- Find the track you want to download.
- Click “...” and look for the Download Button. If the artist has enabled downloads, you will see a “Download” button.
- Click “Download file.”
SoundCloud supports various file formats, so the track will not necessarily be in MP3 format but in WAV or FLAC. You can use any format converter to make MP3, such as CloudConvert, FreeConvert, or Convertio.
Some artists have a button for downloading directly on the SoundCloud website, which then leads to another source where you can buy the song or an album or download it for free.
How to Download Tracks using 4K Video Downloader Plus
If you have ever tried downloading directly from the website, you must have noticed that artists usually do not allow downloading their tracks. If you do not see the button, that means that the author has not made it possible.
If you can’t download tracks directly, you can use 4K Video Downloader Plus to download SoundCloud songs as MP3 files. You can install this app and download MP3 from SoundCloud on Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu, and Android. Here is how it works:
- Go to the official 4K Video Downloader Plus website and install the software on your device.
- Go to SoundCloud, find the track you want to download, and copy its URL.
- Choose what you want to download (in this case Audio) and the MP3 format.
- Paste the URL in the 4K Video Downloader Plus. The download will begin automatically.
- Wait for the process to complete. Once complete, you can open your file in the folder.
The app also makes it possible to download the whole playlists in one click.
How to Download SoundCloud Music to MP3 With Online Converters
Online converters are a handy alternative if you prefer not to download any software. These tools let you download SoundCloud tracks straight from your browser:
The process is very similar on all of the websites. You just need to copy the link for the track you want to download, paste it into the converter’s input field, сlick the convert button, and then download the MP3 file.
While these online converters are great, they often have limitations, like lower audio quality and download caps. Also, keep an eye out for ads and pop-ups, as these sites can sometimes be full of them.
How to Download SoundCloud Music to MP3 With Browser Extensions
If you download lots of music from the web, browser extensions can make your life much easier. These extensions work directly with your web browser so that you can download tracks from SoundCloud with just one click. One of the most popular extensions is SoundCloud Music Downloader by Addoncrop. This is how to use this plugin:
- Visit the website and download an extension for your browser.
- Go to SoundCloud and find the track you want to download
- Once the extension is installed, you will see a download button next to the tracks. Just click it to download the MP3 file.
Browser extensions are quick and easy to use, but they might not support playlist downloads and could be affected by frequent SoundCloud updates that turn off the download button. What is more, they might also collect your personal data, so be careful.
Read also: How to Make an Album on SoundCloud on Web & Mobile
How to Convert SoundCloud to MP3 on Android and iOS
Unfortunately, the official app does not allow you to download SoundCloud tracks directly to your mobile device. However, you can still use the browser version to download songs. It is also still possible to use online converters. Let us see how it might work on different smartphones.
How to Download MP3 From SoundCloud On Android
If you’re looking to download SoundCloud tracks directly to your mobile device, there are Android apps that can help you out. For example, the already mentioned 4K Video Downloader Plus is available on the official website. The app works just like on a PC and downloads the tracks using the link directly onto your smartphone.
There is also a SoundLoader app that does the same thing. It is a simple app that allows you to download SoundCloud tracks directly to your Android device in MP3 format.
How to Download MP3 From SoundCloud On iOS
Because of Apple’s restrictions, it is more difficult to download music directly from SoundCloud to MP3 on iOS. However, you can use a web-based method in Safari and transfer your MP3 files from your computer using iTunes to sync them to your iOS device.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to download music from SoundCloud to MP3 and provided you with useful tips. With the right tools, you can enjoy your favorite SoundCloud tracks offline, whenever and wherever you want.
