How to Enjoy Free Music on SoundCloud: The Dos and Don'ts of Downloading Songs

kaixosininmoheads
Aug 1, 2023
11 min read

Is It Free to Download Music on SoundCloud?

SoundCloud is one of the most popular music streaming platforms in the world, with over 200 million tracks from various genres, artists, and labels. But what if you want to download music from SoundCloud and listen to it offline? Is it free to do so? And how can you do it?

In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explain what SoundCloud is and how it works, how to download music from SoundCloud for free using different methods, what are the pros and cons of downloading music from SoundCloud, and what are some alternatives to downloading music from SoundCloud. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether downloading music from SoundCloud is worth it or not.

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What Is SoundCloud and How Does It Work?

SoundCloud is a music streaming service that allows users to upload, share, discover, and listen to music online. It was founded in 2007 by two Swedish entrepreneurs who wanted to create a platform for musicians to collaborate and showcase their work. Since then, SoundCloud has grown into a global community of over 250 million users, including both amateur and professional artists.

SoundCloud offers various features that make it unique and appealing to music lovers. Some of these features are:

SoundCloud allows users to upload their own music or podcasts for free, up to a certain limit depending on their membership level.

SoundCloud enables users to interact with other users and artists by liking, commenting, reposting, and following their tracks and profiles.

SoundCloud provides users with personalized recommendations based on their listening history and preferences.

SoundCloud supports various audio formats, such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, etc.

SoundCloud integrates with other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., allowing users to share their music with their friends and followers.

However, SoundCloud also has some drawbacks that may limit its usability and enjoyment for some users. Some of these drawbacks are:

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SoundCloud does not offer offline listening for free users, meaning they need an internet connection to access their music.

SoundCloud does not allow users to download all tracks for free, meaning they need to rely on the availability and permission of the artists.

SoundCloud does not guarantee the quality or legality of the tracks uploaded by users, meaning they may encounter low-quality or infringing content.

Sound How to Download Music From SoundCloud for Free

If you are a free user of SoundCloud and you want to download music from the platform, you have two options: the official method and the third-party tool method. Let's take a look at each of them and see how they work.

The Official Method

The official method of downloading music from SoundCloud is to use the "Download File" option that some artists provide on their tracks. This option allows you to download the original file that the artist uploaded, without any compression or modification. However, this option is not available for all tracks, as it depends on the artist's choice and permission. To use this option, you need to follow these steps:

Go to the SoundCloud website or app and find the track that you want to download.

Check if there is a "Download File" button below the track. If there is, click on it and save the file to your device. If there is not, then you cannot use this option for that track.

Enjoy your downloaded music offline.

The official method is simple and straightforward, but it has some limitations. First, you cannot download all tracks for free, as some artists may not offer this option or may charge a fee for it. Second, you cannot choose the format or quality of the file, as you will get whatever the artist uploaded. Third, you may encounter some legal issues if you use the downloaded music for commercial or public purposes without the artist's consent.

The Third-Party Tool Method

The third-party tool method of downloading music from SoundCloud is to use a free online SoundCloud downloader, such as KlickAud. This tool allows you to download any track from SoundCloud in MP3 format, regardless of the artist's permission or availability. To use this tool, you need to follow these steps:

Go to the SoundCloud website or app and find the track that you want to download.

Copy the URL of the track from the address bar or the share button.

Go to the KlickAud website and paste the URL in the input box.

Click on the "Download" button and wait for the tool to process the track.

Click on the "Download The Song" button and save the file to your device.

Enjoy your downloaded music offline.

The third-party tool method is convenient and flexible, but it also has some drawbacks. First, you may not get the best quality of the file, as some tracks may be compressed or distorted by the tool. Second, you may violate some terms and conditions of SoundCloud or the artists by downloading their music without their permission. Third, you may expose your device to some security risks by using an unverified or malicious tool.

Pros and Cons of Downloading Music From SoundCloud

Now that you know how to download music from SoundCloud for free, you may wonder if it is worth it or not. To help you decide, here are some pros and cons of downloading music from SoundCloud that you should consider.

Pros

Some of the benefits of downloading music from SoundCloud are:

You can access your favorite tracks offline, without needing an internet connection or a subscription.

You can backup your favorite tracks on your device or cloud storage, in case they get deleted or removed from SoundCloud.

You can support independent artists by downloading their music and giving them more exposure and feedback.

You can discover new music from different genres, cultures, and backgrounds that may not be available on other platforms.

Cons

Some of the drawbacks of downloading music from SoundCloud are:

You may not be able to download all tracks for free, as some artists may not offer this option or may charge a fee for it.

You may face some legal issues if you use the downloaded music for commercial or public purposes without the artist's consent or attribution.

You may lose some quality or features of the original file, such as metadata, artwork, lyrics, etc., depending on the method or tool that you use.

You may harm SoundCloud's revenue and sustainability by reducing its streaming and advertising income.

Alternatives to Downloading Music From SoundCloud

If you are not satisfied with downloading music from SoundCloud for free, or if you want to explore other options to enjoy music from SoundCloud without downloading it, here are some alternatives that you can try:

SoundCloud PremiumSoundCloud Premium

SoundCloud Premium is a paid subscription service that offers users some additional features and benefits that are not available for free users. Some of these features and benefits are:

SoundCloud Premium allows users to download any track for offline listening, without any restrictions or limitations.

SoundCloud Premium gives users access to over 200 million tracks, including exclusive and ad-free content from SoundCloud Originals, SoundCloud Go+, and SoundCloud Next Wave.

SoundCloud Premium supports high-quality audio streaming, up to 256 kbps, for a better listening experience.

SoundCloud Premium removes all ads and interruptions from the platform, allowing users to enjoy uninterrupted music.

SoundCloud Premium has two plans: SoundCloud Go and SoundCloud Go+. SoundCloud Go costs $4.99 per month and offers offline listening and ad-free streaming. SoundCloud Go+ costs $9.99 per month and offers offline listening, ad-free streaming, high-quality audio, and access to exclusive and premium content. Both plans offer a free trial period of 30 days for new users.

Streaming Services

Streaming services are another alternative to downloading music from SoundCloud, as they allow users to listen to music online without storing it on their devices. Some of the most popular streaming services are Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. These services offer various features and benefits that may appeal to different users. Some of these features and benefits are:

Streaming services have a large and diverse catalog of music, covering various genres, artists, and labels from around the world.

Streaming services provide users with personalized recommendations, curated playlists, radio stations, podcasts, and more based on their listening history and preferences.

Streaming services enable users to create their own playlists, share their music with others, follow their favorite artists, and discover new music.

Streaming services offer different subscription plans and pricing options, ranging from free to premium, depending on the user's needs and budget.

However, streaming services also have some drawbacks that may discourage some users from using them. Some of these drawbacks are:

Streaming services require an internet connection or a subscription to access their music, meaning they may not be available or affordable for everyone.

Streaming services do not allow users to download all tracks for offline listening, meaning they may not be able to enjoy their music when they are offline or have a poor connection.

Streaming services may not have all the tracks that are available on SoundCloud, meaning they may miss out on some independent or niche music.

Streaming services may have some ads or interruptions on their platforms, depending on the user's subscription level or location.

Podcasts and Playlists

Podcasts and playlists are another way to enjoy music from SoundCloud without downloading it, as they allow users to listen to curated and themed collections of tracks that suit their taste and mood. Podcasts and playlists can be found on SoundCloud itself or on other platforms that integrate with SoundCloud. Some of the benefits of podcasts and playlists are:

Podcasts and playlists can help users discover new music from different genres, cultures, and backgrounds that they may not find otherwise.

Podcasts and playlists can provide users with entertainment, education, inspiration, and information on various topics related to music or beyond.

Podcasts and playlists can allow users to connect with other listeners and creators who share their interests and passions.

Podcasts and playlists can be accessed for free or for a low cost, depending on the platform or the creator.

Some of the drawbacks of podcasts and playlists are:

Podcasts and playlists may not be updated regularly or frequently, meaning they may become outdated or boring after a while.

Podcasts and playlists may not match the user's preferences or expectations, meaning they may not enjoy them or find them relevant.

Podcasts and playlists may not be available for offline listening or downloading, meaning they may need an internet connection or a subscription to access them.

Podcasts and playlists may contain some ads or promotions that may interrupt or annoy the user.

Conclusion

In conclusion, downloading music from SoundCloud for free is possible but not always easy or advisable. Depending on the method or tool that you use, you may encounter some limitations, challenges, or risks that may affect your experience or satisfaction. Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of downloading music from SoundCloud before you decide to do so.

If you are looking for other ways to enjoy music If you are looking for other ways to enjoy music from SoundCloud without downloading it, you can try some of the alternatives that we mentioned, such as SoundCloud Premium, streaming services, podcasts, and playlists. These options may offer you more features, benefits, and convenience than downloading music from SoundCloud for free.

Whatever option you choose, we hope that you have a great time listening to music from SoundCloud and discovering new sounds and artists. SoundCloud is a wonderful platform for music lovers and creators, and we encourage you to support it and its community.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers related to downloading music from SoundCloud:

Is downloading music from SoundCloud legal?

Downloading music from SoundCloud may not be legal in some cases, depending on the track, the artist, and the purpose. Some tracks may be protected by copyright or other rights, and some artists may not allow or approve of downloading their music. If you download music from SoundCloud for commercial or public purposes without the artist's consent or attribution, you may violate some laws or regulations. Therefore, you should always check the terms and conditions of SoundCloud and the artists before downloading their music.

Is downloading music from SoundCloud safe?

Downloading music from SoundCloud may not be safe in some cases, depending on the method or tool that you use. Some methods or tools may not guarantee the quality or legality of the tracks that they download, and some may expose your device to some security risks, such as malware, viruses, or phishing. Therefore, you should always use trusted and verified methods or tools to download music from SoundCloud.

How can I download music from SoundCloud to my iPhone?

To download music from SoundCloud to your iPhone, you can use either the official method or the third-party tool method that we explained in this article. However, for the third-party tool method, you will need to use a different tool than KlickAud, as KlickAud does not support iOS devices. One of the tools that you can use is MyMP3, which is a free app that allows you to convert any video or audio file to MP3 format and save it to your iPhone. To use this tool, you need to follow these steps:

Download and install the MyMP3 app on your iPhone.

Open the SoundCloud app on your iPhone and find the track that you want to download.

Tap on the share button and copy the URL of the track.

Open the MyMP3 app on your iPhone and paste the URL in the input box.

Tap on the convert button and wait for the app to process the track.

Tap on the save button and choose a destination folder on your iPhone.

Enjoy your downloaded music offline.

How can I download music from SoundCloud to my Android?

To download music from SoundCloud to your Android, you can use either the official method or the third-party tool method that we explained in this article. However, for the third-party tool method, you will need to use a different tool than KlickAud, as KlickAud does not support Android devices. One of the tools that you can use is SnapTube, which is a free app that allows you to download any video or audio file from various platforms, including SoundCloud. To use this tool, you need to follow these steps:

Download and install the SnapTube app on your Android device.

Open the SnapTube app on your Android device and search for SoundCloud in the search bar.

Tap on the SoundCloud icon and find the track that you want to download.

Tap on the download button and choose MP3 as the format.

Select a quality option and tap on OK.

Wait for the app to download the track and save it to your device.

Enjoy your downloaded music offline.

How can I download music from SoundCloud to my PC?

To download music from SoundCloud to your PC, you can use either To download music from SoundCloud to your PC, you can use either the official method or the third-party tool method that we explained in this article. However, for the third-party tool method, you can use the same tool that we used for the example, which is KlickAud. To use this tool, you need to follow these steps:

Go to the SoundCloud website on your PC and find the track that you want to download.