SoundCloud has long been a go-to platform for independent music, bootlegs, DJ sets, and niche podcasts. It’s a sprawling archive of audio that isn’t always available elsewhere. But what happens when you want to take those tracks offline? That’s where SoundCloud to MP3 converters come in.

Not all converters are made equal, though. Some work, while others drown you in pop-ups or cap your download options to just one track at a time. Here’s a look at tools that actually deliver, without the detours.

Why Convert SoundCloud to MP3?

People download SoundCloud audio for all kinds of reasons. Maybe you’re a DJ collecting remixes, a student archiving interviews, or just someone who wants their playlists available on the move without relying on data or Wi-Fi.

MP3 is still the most portable format around. It works on everything from budget smartphones to digital recorders. That makes MP3 conversion a simple but useful step.

SoundCloud to MP3 Converters: The Top Picks

We tested a mix of desktop apps and browser-based tools to see which ones held up under everyday use. Two desktop apps stood out for reliability, speed, and ease of use: 4K Video Downloader Plus and 4K YouTube to MP3, both from the team at 4K Download.

4K Video Downloader Plus: Full Playlist Support & Smooth Interface

If you’re dealing with long playlists or want better control over audio quality, 4K Video Downloader Plus is built for the job. It handles SoundCloud links with no fuss and converts them straight to MP3, up to 320kbps. You can download entire playlists or albums in one go.

What sets it apart:

• Batch downloads

• Clean interface, no ads

• Smart Mode for automatic one-click conversion

• High-quality MP3 output

• Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Ubuntu and Android

How to Convert SoundCloud Songs, Playlists or Albums to MP3 with 4K Video Downloader Plus

1. Copy a SoundCloud link, be it a song, playlist or album.

2. Open the app and click "Paste Link."

3. Choose “Extract Audio” and select MP3 in the Smart Mode.

The track(s) will be downloaded right away.

It also works with YouTube, TikTok, TikTok, Twitch, Dailymotion, Facebook and other major platforms, handy if you’re juggling content from different sources.

You can also use the in-app browser to find and download tracks without even leaving the app. Just find the SoundCloud icon and click on it. Then, simply browse SoundCloud or enter the name of the song you want to save as MP3.

4K YouTube to MP3: For Users Who Just Want the Audio, Fast

If you’re focused only on audio, no need for video downloads or extras, this lightweight tool handles SoundCloud just fine. 4K YouTube to MP3 is essentially a drag-and-drop solution. It’s less feature-heavy than its sibling but gets the job done quickly.

What you get:

• Simple, no-clutter interface

• Direct SoundCloud to MP3 conversion

• Drag-and-drop support

• Optional download folder customization

• Windows, macOS, and Linux compatible

How to Convert a SoundCloud to MP3 with This Tool

1. Copy a SoundCloud link.

2. Open the app and click "Paste Link."

The track, playlist, or album will be downloaded and saved into a special 4K YouTube to MP3 folder on your desktop.

It also works with YouTube, TikTok, TikTok, Twitch, Dailymotion, Facebook and other major platforms, handy if you’re juggling content from different sources. And just like with 4K Video Downloader Plus, you can browse and download tracks right in the browser.

You can also use the in-app browser to find and download tracks without even leaving the app. Just find the SoundCloud icon and click on it. Then, simply browse SoundCloud or enter the name of the song you want to save as MP3.

Other Desktop SoundCloud to MP3 Converters for Mac & Windows

Macsome Music One: A Versatile Option with Multi-Platform Support

Macsome Music One is a desktop app that handles SoundCloud to MP3 conversion with ease. Unlike tools that focus solely on one platform, this software casts a wider net. It records and downloads tracks in MP3 format while preserving the original audio quality. Other supported formats include AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and ALAC.

What makes it stand out is its compatibility with a broad range of services. In addition to SoundCloud, Macsome can pull audio from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and more. It doesn’t support downloads from video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, but it's built with music in mind.

Beyond downloading, the app includes extras like batch conversion, tag editing, and even audio editing features such as vocal or instrument removal. There’s also a built-in podcast section where users can explore episodes on sports, tech, culture, and more.

Macsome Music One offers a free trial, so you can take it for a spin before deciding if it’s the right fit.

Pros:

• Supports multiple audio formats (MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC)

• Works with several streaming services, not just SoundCloud

• Preserves original audio quality

• Offers batch conversion and tag editing

• Includes tools for vocal/instrument removal

• Built-in podcast browser

Cons:

• No support for video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo

• Requires a paid license after the trial period

Any Video Converter Free: A Free Option with Broad Format Support

Any Video Converter Free is another desktop tool that can convert SoundCloud tracks to MP3. While it's primarily known for handling video, it also supports audio downloads from SoundCloud by pasting the track URL.

The app works with over 1,000 websites, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It offers both a one-click download mode and a manual option if you want more control over the process.

Though free, it packs in a range of features:

• Video and audio conversion

• Basic editing tools like clipping, cropping, and merging

• Audio filters

• Support for a wide variety of input and output formats

It’s open-source, doesn’t hide any features behind a paywall, and runs without pushing ads. If you’re after an all-in-one tool that covers both video and audio tasks, this one’s worth a look.

SnapDownloader: Simple Interface with Fast Downloads

SnapDownloader is a desktop tool available for both Windows and macOS that handles SoundCloud to MP3 conversion with a straightforward approach. You copy the link to a SoundCloud track or playlist, paste it into the app, hit “Download,” and your file is saved as an MP3—no complicated setup required.

It supports downloads at up to 320 kbps and handles multiple files at once, which is helpful if you’re working through a larger playlist. Beyond SoundCloud, the app also works with platforms like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit.

There’s a 48-hour free trial, but after that, a paid license is required. Also worth noting: SnapDownloader doesn’t include ID3 tag support, so if metadata matters to you, you’ll need to edit that manually afterward.

Pros:

• Fast downloads

• Supports 320 kbps audio

• Works with playlists and multiple downloads

• Supports other platforms

Cons:

• No ID3 tags

• Limited to 48-hour free trial before purchase is needed

Allavsoft Video Downloader: Clean Interface with High-Quality Audio Downloads

Allavsoft Video Downloader offers SoundCloud to MP3 conversion on both Windows and macOS. The app is easy to navigate and supports downloading songs in 320 kbps MP3, along with several other audio formats.

It allows batch downloads and handles multiple tracks at once without much hassle. However, the free version caps usage at five downloads. To continue using it after that, you’ll need to purchase a license.

While audio quality is solid, the software does have a few weak points. URL parsing can be slow at times, and like some other tools, it doesn’t embed ID3 tags in the downloaded files.

Pros:

• Downloads in 320 kbps MP3

• Supports batch downloading

• Offers multiple audio formats

• Available on Windows and macOS

Cons:

• URL processing can lag

• No ID3 tag support

• Only five downloads allowed for free use

What About Browser-Based SoundCloud to MP3 Converters?

Yes, they exist, and no, they’re not always reliable. Tools like ScloudDownloader or SoundCloudRips can work in a pinch. You paste a link, get a download button, and walk away with an MP3 file. But there are trade-offs.

What to expect:

• Single-track downloads only

• Ads, pop-ups, and redirect traps

• Downtime or broken links

• Variable audio quality

• No playlist support

For occasional downloads, they might do the trick. But if you find yourself converting more than one track a week, switching to a desktop tool is a smoother ride.

Is SoundCloud to MP3 legal?

The legality of converting SoundCloud tracks to MP3 depends on what you’re downloading and how you use it.

SoundCloud’s terms of service prohibit downloading or copying content unless the artist has explicitly made it available for that purpose, either through a download button or a Creative Commons license. If you’re using a converter to download tracks that aren’t meant to be downloaded, you’re likely violating those terms.

That said, downloading for personal, offline listening, especially content that’s free to access or share, generally falls into a grey area. It’s not strictly legal, but it’s not always pursued either, especially when there’s no redistribution or commercial use involved.

What is the best export for SoundCloud?

If you're an artist uploading to SoundCloud, the best format to export your audio in is:

WAV (16-bit or 24-bit, 44.1 kHz or higher)

Here’s why:

• SoundCloud transcodes all uploads to 128 kbps MP3 for streaming, but it stores the original file you upload for download (if you allow it).

• Uploading in a lossless format like WAV ensures that the stream sounds as good as possible after compression, and listeners who download the track (if enabled) get the full-quality version.

Recommended export settings:

• Format: WAV or FLAC

• Bit depth: 24-bit (16-bit is acceptable)

• Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or higher

• Normalization: Avoid hard limiting or over-compression; keep headroom around -1 dBFS

MP3 (320 kbps) is acceptable if you're tight on space or bandwidth, but for best results, especially for mastering-grade audio, stick with WAV or FLAC.

In short: export in WAV for upload, let SoundCloud handle the compression, and you’ll maintain better sound quality across the board.

What quality is SoundCloud MP3?

Hiqh Quality streaming format on SoundCloud is encoded in 256kbps AAC, equivalent to an mp3 encoded in 320kbps.