SoundCloud is home to millions of tracks you will not find anywhere else: DJ mixes, remixes, demos, beats, podcasts and music from independent artists. Many artists allow downloads with a button under the track, but most tracks have no button at all, and SoundCloud Go only saves tracks for offline playback inside the app. This guide shows how to convert a SoundCloud track to MP3 by link, for free, on any device, and what to keep in mind about quality and artists' rights.
SoundCloud to MP3 is free here
Most audio formats in Skachok are part of paid plans, because converting video to audio costs server time. SoundCloud is the exception: it is an audio-only platform, so the MP3 is the only thing there is to download, and it is free like a video download on any other site. Free use covers 3 downloads a day without an account and 5 with a free account.
How to download a SoundCloud track as MP3
- Open the track on SoundCloud.
- Copy the link: from the browser bar, or "Share" → "Copy link" in the app.
- Open Skachok and paste the link.
- Press "Find" and choose MP3 in the Audio tab.
- Press "Download".
Short links from the app, which look like on.soundcloud.com/…, work as they are.
On iPhone and Android
- iPhone: the MP3 goes to the Files app, in Downloads, and plays from there. To use it in a music app, share it from Files.
- Android: the file appears in the Download folder and in most music players right away.
SoundCloud mixes are often an hour or longer, so a download over Wi-Fi saves mobile data.
Formats and quality
| Format | When to choose it |
|---|---|
| MP3 | plays everywhere: car stereos, old players, DJ software |
| M4A | the original AAC stream when SoundCloud provides one, no re-encoding |
| OGG | open format for Android and Linux players |
| FLAC (Max plan) | for archiving; it cannot add quality the stream does not have |
SoundCloud streams most tracks at about 128 kbps for free listeners. A downloaded MP3 has the quality of that stream; choosing a higher bitrate would not make it sound better. If the artist enabled the official download button, that file is sometimes higher quality (even WAV), so use the button when it exists.
Mixes, podcasts and long tracks
DJ sets and podcasts can run for hours. There is no length limit: a two-hour mix converts like a three-minute song, it just takes a little longer to prepare. One hour of MP3 is roughly 60–85 MB.
Playlists and several tracks
To download several tracks, paste their links one per line. Free processes 3 links at a time, Lite 5, Pro 10 and Max up to 50. For a whole playlist, open each track and copy its link, or use the official download buttons where the artist provides them.
Using SoundCloud tracks offline
Downloaded tracks are ordinary files, so you can build your own offline library: a folder per artist or per mood, synced to your phone. DJs often keep a folder of reference tracks and edits for practice. Producers download their own uploads to recover a mixdown they lost. For a long drive, copy a few mixes to a USB stick: MP3 plays in almost every car stereo, and an hour-long mix is only one file to skip through.
The track's cover art
Want the artwork too? Paste the track link into the thumbnail tool: it finds the cover image the same way it finds the audio.
Tracks that cannot be downloaded
- Private tracks shared only with specific people.
- SoundCloud Go+ only tracks: some label releases are available only to paying subscribers.
- Region-blocked tracks: some releases are not available in every country.
- Deleted tracks.
If a track plays in a private browser window without signing in, it can usually be downloaded.
Respect the artists
SoundCloud is where independent artists build an audience. Download for your own listening, then support the artists you like: follow them, repost their tracks, buy their releases on Bandcamp or streaming stores, go to their shows. Do not reupload or sell someone else's tracks, and do not use them in your own releases without permission.
SoundCloud vs. YouTube for music
| SoundCloud | YouTube | |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 price in Skachok | free | Lite plan and up |
| Typical source quality | ~128 kbps | ~130–160 kbps |
| Best for | mixes, remixes, independent artists | official releases, music videos |
For music from YouTube, see the YouTube to MP3 page and YouTube to MP3 320kbps: the truth.
Prices
| Plan | Price | SoundCloud MP3 | Other audio | Downloads a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | yes | — | 5 (3 without an account) |
| Lite | $1.99/mo | yes | MP3, M4A from any site | 20 |
| Pro | $3.99/mo | yes | MP3, M4A, OGG | 50 |
| Max | $5.99/mo | yes | MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC | 100 |
No automatic renewal. Details on the pricing page.
FAQ
How do I convert SoundCloud to MP3 for free?
Copy the track link, paste it into Skachok, choose MP3 in the Audio tab and download. SoundCloud MP3 is free.
Do on.soundcloud.com links work?
Yes. Short links from the SoundCloud app work as they are.
What quality is the MP3?
The quality of SoundCloud's stream, usually about 128 kbps. A higher bitrate setting cannot add quality.
Can I download a whole SoundCloud playlist?
Paste the track links one per line: 3 at a time for free, up to 50 on the Max plan.
Can I download private or Go+ tracks?
No. Only tracks that play publicly without signing in can be downloaded.