Tired of missing out on things just because you use Linux? It can be frustrating when apps work great on Windows and macOS, but not so well on Linux.
Now it's Spotify giving Linux users a hard time.
You can still stream music on Linux, no problem there. But if you want to download your Spotify songs as MP3 files—so you can keep them, move them, or play them offline—there's no easy, official way to do that. Even if you pay for Premium.
And that's a real letdown if you like having your music saved on your own system. Maybe you want to listen while traveling, use your own media player, or just avoid streaming all the time.
The good news? There are ways to make it happen. In this guide, we'll walk you through the best ways to download Spotify music to MP3 on Linux—step by step. Let's get started.
This post covers the 5 available ways to install Spotify app on Linux.
Method 1. Convert Spotify to MP3 on Linux Using SpotDL
SpotDL is a popular open-source tool you run from the command line. It doesn't pull music directly from Spotify. Instead, it finds matching songs on YouTube and downloads those as MP3 files. What's neat is it adds Spotify's metadata too — like album art and lyrics — so your tracks look just right. SpotDL is a favorite on Linux because it's flexible and you can automate it easily with just a few commands.
SpotDL is written in Python, so you'll need Python, pip, and ffmpeg installed. Installation usually means running pip install spotdl. If you're new to command-line tools, it might take some getting used to, but this is the standard way on Linux. For updates and downloads, check the official GitHub page.
- Check if Python is installed: Open a terminal and run:
python3 --version
or
python --version
Note: Most Linux distros come with Python pre-installed. - Install Python and pip if missing: If Python or pip isn't installed, use:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip - Install SpotDL via pip: Run the following command to install SpotDL:
pip3 install spotdl - Install ffmpeg: SpotDL requires ffmpeg to convert and download audio. Install it with:
sudo apt install ffmpeg - Download music using SpotDL: Use SpotDL by passing a Spotify URL for a track, album, or playlist:
spotdl 'https://open.spotify.com/track/<track_id>'
spotdl 'https://open.spotify.com/playlist/<playlist_id>'
Replace <track_id> or <playlist_id> with the actual URL or ID from Spotify. - Wait for the process to finish; your MP3 files will be saved in the current directory.
Read More: How to Use SpotDL: A Complete Review, Tutorial, and Best Alternatives
Method 2. Record Spotify to MP3 on Linux Using Audacity
Audacity is free, open-source software you can use to record audio playing on your system — including Spotify streams. It won't download music files directly, but you can hit record and capture the sound in real time. Then you save the recording as an MP3 or other formats. It's a bit manual and takes longer than other methods, but it works if you want a simple, no-fuss option.
Audacity is available in most Linux repos and installs easily via your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install audacity). You might need to configure your audio system (PulseAudio or ALSA) to capture internal sound, but once set up, it reliably records high-quality audio.
How to install and use Audacity on Linux (for recording Spotify):
- Install Audacity via package manager:
- On Debian/Ubuntu:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install audacity - On Fedora:
sudo dnf install audacity
- On Debian/Ubuntu:
- Configure your audio system to record internal audio: This setup depends on your Linux distribution and desktop environment. Usually, you'll need to:
- Open PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol).
- Under the "Recording" tab, select Audacity and set its input to "Monitor of <your audio output device>" to capture what's playing.
- Open Audacity and start recording:
- Press the record button before playing music on Spotify.
- Play your desired Spotify tracks; Audacity will capture the audio in real-time.
- Stop recording and export:
- After recording, stop Audacity's recording.
- Export the audio to MP3 via File > Export > Export as MP3.
- You may need to install lame encoder if prompted (
sudo apt install lame).
Note: Recording takes as long as the track length, and manual editing may be needed.
Read More: How to Record Spotify Music with Audacity (With Pictures)
Method 3. Rip Spotify to MP3 on Linux Using Deemix
Deemix was made mostly for Deezer, another music streaming service. Still, some Linux users have found ways to get it to work with Spotify playlists using indirect methods. You can download songs in high quality, either MP3 or FLAC. It's not made specifically for Spotify, but if you want an alternative route to grab music files, Deemix might be worth checking out.
Deemix runs on Python 3.7+ and installs via pip or by cloning its GitHub repo. It sometimes requires Deezer API keys or login info, which can be technical. There are community GUIs to simplify use, but the core tool is command-line based. Visit the official GitHub page for instructions.
How to install and use Deemix on Linux:
- Ensure Python 3.7+ and pip are installed (see SpotDL steps).
- Install Deemix client: Clone the Deemix GUI repository or install the command-line version. To install the CLI tool:
pip3 install deemix
Or clone from GitHub for latest updates:
git clone https://github.com/Deemix/deemix.git
cd deemix
pip3 install -r requirements.txt - Launch Deemix (if using GUI, run the executable, or use CLI commands):
For CLI, run:
deemix --help - Input Deezer API key or login (required for Deemix functionality). Note: Deemix does not natively support Spotify but can handle playlists and songs if you have corresponding Deezer links or convert Spotify links externally.
- Download music: Use commands or GUI to search and download songs in MP3 or FLAC format.
Method 4. Extract Spotify to MP3 on Linux Using Zotify
Zotify runs in the command line and works by copying what plays in the Spotify web player in real time. You get MP3 or FLAC files in high quality, but since it records the audio as it plays, the download takes as long as the song itself. Even so, it's a straightforward way to save your Spotify music offline on Linux without much hassle.
Install Zotify with pipx—a Python tool for managing apps: first install pipx (sudo apt install pipx or python3 -m pip install --user pipx), then run:
pipx install https://get.zotify.xyz
Zotify mimics the Spotify web player, so you need an active Spotify session and stable internet. It's open-source with code and updates on GitHub. If you run into issues, check your Python and dependencies.
How to install and use Zotify on Linux:
- Install pipx (Python package runner) if not installed:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install pipx
pipx ensurepath - Install Zotify with pipx:
pipx install https://get.zotify.xyz - Ensure you have a Spotify Premium account and a stable internet connection.
- Download Spotify music by running:
zotify 'https://open.spotify.com/track/<track_id>'
Tip: Or for playlists/albums, use the corresponding Spotify URL. - Zotify records audio in real-time, so the process will take as long as the total playtime of the music.
Method 5. Use ViWizard to Convert Spotify Music to MP3 on Linux
Not a Premium user? Or want MP3 files on your Linux? ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is a solid choice. It's popular on Windows and Mac, and though using it on Linux takes a few extra steps, it's definitely worth it.
Why ViWizard?
Unlike the official app that restricts downloads to Premium users and locked formats, ViWizard converts tracks into common formats like MP3, FLAC, or WAV. This means you keep your music forever, move it freely, and play it on almost any device—including Linux. A free account works fine. Just sign in via the built-in Web Player, select your favorite songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks (Premium required for some), and start converting. Your files save locally with no playback restrictions.
ViWizard preserves all key info—titles, artists, albums, genres—so your library stays organized. You can convert whole playlists or albums at once, perfect for building an offline collection. After conversion, transfer your music however you want on Linux—USB drive, digital storage, or other ways—and you're all set.
ViWizard is for personal use only. It's great for backing up your library or moving songs to devices but not for commercial use.
A brilliant Spotify music downloader designed to download and convert Spotify songs, playlists, albums, artists, podcasts, and audiobooks to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly. The sound stays as clear as the original, and all track details are preserved, offering a seamless experience to enjoy your Spotify music offline on any player or device.
Step 1Install ViWizard on Your Windows or Mac Computer
Start by downloading and installing ViWizard Spotify Music Converter on your Windows or Mac machine. The setup is straightforward—just follow the on-screen instructions. Once installed, launch the app to get started.
Step 2Log Into Your Spotify Account
Open ViWizard and sign in with your Spotify credentials. This connects your account, letting you browse playlists, albums, and saved tracks right inside the app. Pick the songs or playlists you want to convert by adding them to your conversion list.
Step 3Choose MP3 as Your Output Format
Head to the settings menu and select MP3 as your output format for broad compatibility and good audio quality. You can also adjust bitrate or sample rate if you prefer higher quality. If you want lyrics, enable the "Save lyrics (if provided)" option—ViWizard will download lyrics files when available. Save your preferences to proceed.
Step 4Convert and Save Your Music
Hit the "Convert" button and watch ViWizard remove ads and copy protections while converting your tracks. It will save both songs and their lyrics locally on your computer. When it's done, your music will be ready for offline listening anytime.
Step 5Transfer Your Music to Linux
Moving your converted music to Linux is easy:
- Plug a USB drive or external storage into your Windows or Mac computer.
- Copy the converted MP3 files from your computer onto the USB drive.
- Safely eject the USB drive.
- Connect the USB drive to your Linux machine.
- Open your Linux file manager, navigate to the USB drive, and copy the music files to your preferred folder.
Now your tracks are fully accessible on your Linux system, ready to play without limits.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you've learned how to download Spotify music to MP3 on or for your Linux system. You now have the ability to transform Spotify tracks into timeless MP3 files regardless of an internet connection. Just try out either spotDL or ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to unlock more music possibilities.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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