Downloading a SoundCloud playlist means saving an entire collection of tracks — in MP3 or other audio formats — directly to your device for offline listening. You can do this in under 2 minutes using 4K Video Downloader Plus.
Why Download a SoundCloud Playlist?
To listen offline without ads, without an internet connection, or on any device, including those without the SoundCloud app.
Can I Download Any SoundCloud Playlist?
You can download any publicly available SoundCloud playlists with 4K Video Downloader Plus.
With 4K Video Downloader Plus, you can save the entire SoundCloud playlist in 5 steps.
Why You Can't Download SoundCloud Playlists Directly
SoundCloud does not support downloading full playlists through its own interface. Only individual tracks can be downloaded natively, and only if the artist has explicitly enabled that option for their upload. If there's no "Download file" button under a track, the artist has disabled it. Playlists as a whole have no built-in download option at all.
This is why a third-party tool like 4K Video Downloader Plus is needed to save an entire playlist to your computer in one go.
Does SoundCloud Go+ Allow Me to Download a SoundCloud Playlist?
Not fully. SoundCloud's paid subscription — Go+ at $9.99/month — lets you save playlists for offline listening inside the SoundCloud app. But there are two key limitations: the tracks are stored only within the app and cannot be exported to your device as files, and if you cancel your subscription or uninstall the app, all saved content becomes inaccessible. 4K Video Downloader Plus saves tracks as actual audio files on your hard drive permanently, with no SoundCloud subscription required to keep them.
How to Find the Right SoundCloud Playlist URL
The URL must point to a playlist, not a single track or a user profile. A valid playlist URL always contains
/sets/soundcloud.com/username/sets/playlist-nameTo copy it: open the playlist page on SoundCloud in your browser → find the Like, Repost and Share buttons under the playlist → click on Share → copy the link. Alternatively, copy the URL directly from the browser's address bar while on the playlist page.
How to Download a SoundCloud Playlist
Stat: SoundCloud hosts over 400 million tracks from 40+ million artists as of 2024 (SoundCloud , official press data), making playlist download the only practical way to save curated collections locally.
- Launch 4K Video Downloader Plus . It's available for macOS (12 or newer), Windows 11, and Ubuntu (22.04 64-bit (GNOME only) or newer).
- Open SoundCloud in your browser and navigate to the playlist you want to download.
- Copy the playlist URL from the address bar (e.g., soundcloud.com/user/sets/playlist-name).
- Click Paste Link inside 4K Video Downloader Plus. The app will automatically detect all tracks in the playlist and offer you to download it.
- Click Download the Playlist.
- Select your preferred audio format (MP3, M4A, OGG), bitrate, OS, and output folder, then click Download.
The entire playlist will be saved to your computer within minutes, depending on its size.
How to Save Time with Smart Mode
If you download SoundCloud playlists regularly, Smart Mode in 4K Video Downloader Plus lets you set your preferred format, audio quality, and output folder once, and every subsequent playlist downloads automatically in one click without any repeat configuration. To enable it: open the app → click Smart Mode in the top toolbar → set your defaults. From that point, pasting any SoundCloud playlist URL starts the download immediately with no extra steps.
What Format and Quality Can I Download?
4K Video Downloader Plus supports the following audio options for SoundCloud playlists:
| Format | Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Up to 256 kbps | Universal compatibility, all players |
| M4A | Up to 256 kbps | Apple devices, iTunes |
| OGG | Up to 256 kbps | Open-source players, online music playback, video games, and low-bitrate streaming due to limited compatibility compared to MP3, which is sometimes not fully supported on Apple devices. |
Besides, 4K Video Downloader Plus allows you to select only the OS of the device where you’re downloading the content. This setting makes sure the videos or audio you’re downloading end up being saved in the format that is compatible with your OS. Here’s how to use it:
- Before downloading a playlist from SoundCloud, head over to Smart Mode and find the Format tab.
- Click on it.
- Select your preferred OS, i.e. the operating system of the device on which you’re going to play the SoundCloud playlist. The default containers 4K Video Downloader Plus uses are:
- Windows, Android — MP3
- macOS, iOS — M4A
- Linux — OGG
- Copy the SoundCloud playlist link and click the Paste Link button in 4K Video Downloader Plus.
The playlist will be saved on your device with the right playback settings.
How to Listen to a Downloaded SoundCloud Playlist Offline on Mobile
Once the playlist is downloaded to your computer, you can transfer it to your smartphone:
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB, use a file transfer app, or AirDrop if you’re transferring files from your Mac to an iPhone.
- Copy the downloaded audio folder to your phone's music library.
- Open any local music player app (e.g., VLC, Poweramp, Apple Music) to play the tracks offline.
Why Can’t I Download a SoundCloud Playlist? Common Issues & Fixes
| Problem | Why It Happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Can't parse link" error | Incomplete or incorrect URL copied from browser | Copy the full playlist URL directly from the address bar; make sure it contains soundcloud.com/sets/ . Make sure you use the latest version of 4K Video Downloader Plus |
| Playlist is not detected | Playlist is set to Private by its creator | Public playlists can be downloaded. |
| Some tracks skip and don't download | Individual tracks within the playlist are private, region-locked, or removed by the uploader | Some tracks may not download if they are private or region-locked by the uploader |
| Download fails or freezes | Antivirus or firewall is blocking the app's internet access | Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall, or add 4K Video Downloader Plus to its whitelist |
| Meta data in file names missing | 4K Video Downloader Plus pulls whatever information the source platform provides for each track. So if some meta data is missing on SoundCould, it won’t appear after you download a track. | Either fill out the missing meta data or, for large libraries, use a third-party tag editor that can batch‑edit and auto‑tag content |
| App crashes mid-download | Outdated version of 4K Video Downloader Plus | Update to the latest version via Tools → Check for Updates |
FAQ
Can I download someone else's SoundCloud playlist?
Yes, as long as the playlist is set to public by its creator, 4K Video Downloader Plus can detect and download all tracks in it.
Will the downloaded tracks keep their metadata (artist, title, artwork)?
Yes. 4K Video Downloader Plus automatically embeds track titles, artist names, and cover art into the downloaded files.
How long does it take to download a full SoundCloud playlist?
A 50-track playlist typically downloads in 3–7 minutes on a standard broadband connection, depending on audio quality selected.
Is it legal to download SoundCloud playlists?
Downloading for personal offline use is generally permitted under SoundCloud's terms for tracks that aren't behind a paywall. Redistribution of downloaded content is not allowed.
What if only some tracks download but others fail?
Some tracks on SoundCloud are region-locked or set to private by their uploaders, so they may not be downloaded.
Can I Download a SoundCloud Playlist for Free?
Yes, 4K Video Downloader Plus offers a free version with limitations, which can be lifted after upgrading to a higher tier. For unlimited playlist downloads, including large DJ sets or full discographies, the paid plan starts at $15 for a yearly plan (Lite) or $25 one-time fee for the lifetime Personal plan and removes all track limits.