- Method 1: Download Spotify Playlists and Albums to Your Computer Using the Desktop App (Premium Only)
- Method 2: Download Spotify Songs, Playlists, and Albums to Your Computer with a Third-Party Downloader (No Premium Required)
- Method 3: Download Spotify Songs, Playlists, and Albums to Your Computer with Online Tools (Free but Limited)
- Method 4: Record and Extract Songs from Spotify on Your Computer Using Audio Recording Tools
- Extra Tip: How to Save Downloaded Spotify Music to Other Devices
- Pro Tips: Best Practices for Downloading Spotify Songs to Your Computer
- Frequently Asked Questions: Download Music from Spotify to Computer
For many Spotify users, having their favorite music downloaded to a computer or laptop is really important. Maybe you're taking a long flight, heading somewhere without internet, or just don't want to rely on streaming. In these situations, having your music offline can be a real lifesaver.
Before 2021, downloading music was mostly limited to the mobile app. Now, Premium users can also download albums and playlists directly from the Spotify desktop app. The desktop app offers more storage, better tools to organize your music, and the ability to mix Spotify downloads with your own local files for a smoother listening experience. Overall, desktop downloads make offline listening simple and reliable.
What about free users? Spotify doesn't allow direct downloads for free accounts, but you can still save songs as MP3 files that can be moved, played, or backed up freely. In this post, we'll show how both Premium and free users can download Spotify music to a computer, and how to use ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to take those offline songs almost anywhere.
Download Spotify music, podcasts and audiobooks as MP3 and more. Keep full sound and listen offline anytime.
Method 1: Download Spotify Playlists and Albums Using the Desktop App (Premium Only)
If you have Spotify Premium, you can download playlists and albums directly from the desktop app on PC, Mac, or Linux. All Premium plans - Individual, Family, Duo, or Student - work the same. Open the desktop app, find the playlist or album, and click Download. When it turns green, songs are saved for offline listening inside Spotify.
You cannot download individual songs or use the Web Player, but you can save up to 10,000 songs on your computer, which is about 200 playlists with 50 songs each. For reference, 1,000 songs take 2.5 to 10 GB depending on quality: Low (96 Kbps), High (160 Kbps), Very High (320 Kbps), or Lossless (up to 24-bit/44.1 KHz FLAC). These downloads are cached and protected, so you cannot move them elsewhere unless you use an unofficial method to get MP3, WAV, or FLAC files.
Step 1 Open the Spotify desktop app on your computer. You can find it in your apps or Start menu, or download it from Spotify's official site for Mac or Windows if you don't have it yet. Log in first if it's your first time. Have a playlist or album ready to download.
Step 2 Before downloading, adjust the sound quality in Settings. Higher quality sounds better but uses more data. Pick what works for you: Normal, High, or Very High.
| Per minute | Per hour | How long until you reach 1GB | |
| Normal (96kbps) | 0.72MB | 43.2MB | 23.1 hours |
| High (160kbps) | 1.2MB | 72MB | 13.8 hours |
| Very high (320kbps) | 2.4MB | 144MB | 6.9 hours |
Step 3 Search for the playlist or album you want. If you only want a few tracks, create a playlist by clicking the plus sign (+) and adding your favorite songs. Once your playlist is ready, you can start downloading.
Step 4 Click the Download toggle. Little green arrows will appear next to each track to show that Spotify is saving them to your computer. The speed depends on your internet connection and how many songs you're saving.
Step 5 To find your downloads, go to Your Library > Downloads tab at the top. Your saved music is ready to play offline anytime, even without an internet connection.
Step 6 To make offline listening easier, enable Offline Mode:
- Windows: Go to File > Offline Mode at the top-left corner of the Spotify window.
- Mac: Go to Spotify > Offline Mode at the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 7 Make sure to go online at least once every 30 days for the desktop app to verify your subscription is still active and to keep qualified downloads. This ensures your desktop downloads remain available.
Method 2: Download Spotify Songs, Playlists, and Albums with a Third-Party Downloader (No Premium Required)
Not a Premium user? No problem. You can use third-party downloaders to save Spotify music for offline listening on PC or Mac without a Premium subscription.
For example, with ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, open the tool, log in with your Spotify account, and select songs, playlists, or albums. A few clicks later, your music is saved as regular audio files. You're no longer limited to the desktop app's offline feature or a Premium subscription. With a reliable tool like ViWizard, you can get unprotected MP3s.
What You Need: ViWizard Spotify Music Downloader
Designed for all Spotify users, ViWizard Spotify Music Downloader works on PC and Mac to download Spotify music directly, without limits. It downloads songs, podcasts, and audiobooks, converting them to MP3, WAV, M4A, M4B, FLAC, or AIFF. DRM is removed, and lossless audio with full metadata is preserved.
The process is simple: use your Spotify account (free or paid) to access your library through a familiar Spotify Web Player interface, select songs to convert, set the format, and start converting. Batch downloading saves time for playlists or albums, and files are saved in an organized way, for example: TrackNum - SongTitle - Artist.mp3 in folders like Genre/Artist/Album or Mood/Theme/PlaylistName. Conversion is fast, up to 15× speed. For best results, use Wi-Fi and avoid downloading too many songs at once.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
Step 1: Download and Install ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Start by downloading the ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to your computer. Make sure to select the right version for either Windows or Mac. After the download, run the installer and follow the instructions on-screen. Once the installation is complete, open ViWizard to begin converting your Spotify music.
Step 2: Add Spotify Tracks for Conversion
Open ViWizard and log in to your Spotify account. Browse your playlists, albums, or favorite tracks, then select the songs you want to convert. Click the "+" button at the bottom-right of the app, and it will load your selected songs into ViWizard.
Step 3: Choose Output Format and Settings
To make sure your converted songs are easy to use, click the menu icon in the top-right corner and go to Preferences > Conversion. Choose your preferred output format like MP3, WAV, or FLAC. For the best sound quality, set the bitrate to 320kbps. You can also adjust other settings like sample rate and channels for higher quality.
Step 4: Convert and Download Spotify Music
Once you're happy with the settings, click the "Convert" button. ViWizard will convert your music at up to 15x faster speed than most other tools. You can track the progress as it works through each song. After the conversion is done, go to the output folder to find your newly converted tracks, ready for use.
Method 3: Download Spotify Songs, Playlists, and Albums Using Online Tools (Free but Limited)
Web-based tools let you download Spotify music directly to your desktop without installing software. Pick a tool like SpotiDownloader, SpotiDownloader.com, or SpotMate, paste the playlist or song link, and it saves the files for you.
These are usually lossy MP3s at 192–256 Kbps. Lossless formats like WAV or FLAC are mostly found in dedicated software like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. Online tools work well for a few songs: they download individual tracks to your Downloads folder or a zip folder for playlists and albums. The downside is that they often have limits - fewer downloads at a time, slower speeds, or occasional errors. Still, they're fine if you only need a handful of Spotify tracks.
Download Spotify music, podcasts and audiobooks as MP3 and more. Keep full sound and listen offline anytime.
Option 1: SpotiDownloader
Step 1 Open your browser and go to the SpotiDownloader website. You don't need to sign up or install anything.
Step 2 Open Spotify, either the Web Player or the app, and find the track, playlist, or album you want to download.
Step 3 Click the three dots next to the item, then choose Share > Copy Song Link (or Copy Link to Playlist/Album).
Step 4 Go back to the SpotiDownloader site and paste the link into the input box.
Step 5 Click Submit. If a CAPTCHA appears, complete it to confirm you are not a bot.
Step 6 Wait a few moments while SpotiDownloader processes your link. You'll see the song, playlist, or album appear below the input box.
Step 7 Click the Save or Download button next to the track you want. For playlists or albums, click the Download ZIP button to save everything at once.
Step 8 Find your MP3 file in your Downloads folder or the location where your browser saves files, then enjoy your music offline.
Option 2: SpotiDownloader.com
Step 1 Open Spotify and find the album, playlist, or track you want to download.
Step 2 Click the three dots next to the item, then choose Share > Copy Link.
Step 3 Open SpotiDownloader.com in your browser, then paste the copied link into the text box.
Step 4 Click Download and wait for the site to process your link.
Step 5 When processing finishes, click the Download button next to the song you want. If it's a playlist or album, click Download ZIP to save all tracks at once.
Step 6 Check your Downloads folder or browser's save location to find your MP3 files. They're ready to play offline.
Option 3: SpotMate
Step 1 Open Spotify and find the track, album, or playlist you want.
Step 2 Copy the URL of the item.
Step 3 Open SpotMate online and paste the copied URL into the converter field.
Step 4 Click Download to start the conversion process.
Step 5 Wait a moment while SpotMate converts the song or playlist.
Step 6 Once it's done, click the download link to save your MP3 file. Transfer the MP3 to any device you like. You now have offline copies ready to play anytime.
Method 4: Record and Extract Spotify Songs Using Audio Recording Tools
Recording software captures Spotify music as it plays in real time in the desktop app. Start recording, play your songs in Spotify, and export them as MP3 or another format. This works for both free and Premium users, and files are yours to use anywhere. Recording takes the same amount of time as the song, so it is best for individual tracks.
Step 1 Download and install Audacity from its official site, then open it. Make sure Spotify is running because you will need to play music while recording.
Step 2 Set Audacity to record system audio:
- Windows: Choose WASAPI as the audio host and select your output device (speakers or headphones).
- Mac: You may need a virtual audio routing tool like BlackHole or Loopback Audio to capture internal sound.
Step 3 Press Record in Audacity and immediately start playing the Spotify track, album, or playlist you want to save.
Step 4 Let the music play through completely. When it is done, hit Stop in Audacity.
Step 5 Go to File > Export, choose MP3, WAV, or another format, name your file, and save it to your computer. You now have your music ready to listen offline or move anywhere.
Discover how Audacity and its top alternatives can record Spotify music, podcasts and audiobooks in real time, turning what you hear on your computer into MP3s, WAVs, or other usable audio files.
Extra Tip: How to Save Downloaded Spotify Music to Other Devices
Once your Spotify songs are saved on your computer, you can move them to almost any device. Desktop downloads with a Premium subscription are cached files, not MP3s, and are heavily DRM-protected. To transfer music to an SD card, USB drive, MP3 player, smartphone, or CD player, you need the actual audio files, such as MP3s.
Option 1: Transfer Spotify Music to an SD Card
Move the downloaded files to your SD card, then pop it into your phone, tablet, or music player. It's perfect for devices with limited space.
Step 1 Insert your SD card into your computer's card reader.
Step 2 Open the folder where your downloaded Spotify music is saved.
Step 3 Select the songs, playlists, or albums you want to transfer.
Step 4 Right-click and choose Copy, or press Ctrl + C / Cmd + C.
Step 5 Open the SD card folder.
Step 6 Right-click and choose Paste, or press Ctrl + V / Cmd + V.
Step 7 Wait for the transfer to complete.
Step 8 Safely eject the SD card from your computer.
Step 9 Insert the SD card into your phone, tablet, or music player to play the tracks offline.
Option 2: Transfer Spotify Music to a USB Flash Drive
Drag the files to a USB drive, plug it into any computer, and you're ready to share or backup your playlists.
Step 1 Plug your USB flash drive into your computer.
Step 2 Open the folder containing your downloaded Spotify music.
Step 3 Select the tracks, playlists, or albums you want to copy.
Step 4 Drag and drop them into your USB drive folder, or right-click and select Copy, then Paste.
Step 5 Wait until the transfer is complete.
Step 6 Safely eject the USB drive from your computer.
Step 7 Connect the USB drive to another device to play your music.
Option 3: Transfer Spotify Music to an MP3 Player
Classic MP3 players still work great, whether they're compatible with Spotify or not.
Step 1 Connect your MP3 player to your computer using its USB cable.
Step 2 Open the folder containing your downloaded Spotify music.
Step 3 Select the songs you want to move.
Step 4 Drag and drop the files into the MP3 player's Music folder.
Step 5 Wait until the transfer finishes.
Step 6 Safely eject the MP3 player from your computer.
Step 7 Turn on your MP3 player and check that the songs play correctly.
Option 4: Transfer Spotify Music to Smartphones
Android users can drag and drop files directly. iPhone users may need iTunes or a file manager app. Either way, your music is ready offline anytime.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
Step 1 Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
Step 2 Open iTunes (or the Music app on Mac).
Step 3 Go to File > Add File/Folder to Library (iTunes) or Import Music (Music app).
Step 4 Select your downloaded Spotify songs or folders to add them to your library.
Step 5 Select your device from the menu or Finder sidebar.
Step 6 Click Music on the sidebar, then check Entire music library or select specific playlists.
Step 7 Click Apply to sync.
Step 8 When syncing is complete, click Done.
Step 9 Open the Music app on your device to find your transferred Spotify downloads.
Android:
Step 1 Connect your Android phone to your computer using a USB cable.
Step 2 Mac users should install https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ if needed.
Step 3 Open Android File Transfer (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows).
Step 4 Copy your downloaded Spotify music files from your computer.
Step 5 Paste or drag them into your device's storage folder.
Step 6 Safely disconnect your Android device.
Step 7 Open the Files or Music app on your phone to verify the music files are available.
Pro Tips: Best Practices for Downloading Spotify Songs to Your Computer
To make the most of desktop downloads, consider these practices:
Tip 1: Burn Spotify Music to CD
Old-school but useful for road trips or car stereos. Use Windows Media Player or iTunes to burn your downloaded songs.
Step 1: Insert a blank CD into your computer's disc drive.
Step 2: Open a CD-burning program (Windows Media Player, iTunes, or another app).
Step 3: Create a new burn list or playlist in the software.
Step 4: Drag and drop your downloaded Spotify songs into the burn list.
Step 5: Click Burn or Start Burn.
Step 6: Wait for the process to complete.
Step 7: Eject the CD from your computer.
Tip 2: Upload Downloaded Spotify Songs as Local Files in the Desktop App
Add your downloaded music to Spotify as local files. Playlists stay organized, and everything is in one place.
Step 1: Open the Spotify desktop app.
Step 2: Click the three-dot menu in the top-left corner and go to Settings.
Step 3: Scroll down to the Local Files section and toggle it on.
Step 4: Click Add a Source and select the folder containing your downloaded Spotify files.
Step 5: Spotify will scan and import the tracks automatically.
Step 6: Go to Your Library > Local Files to play the songs alongside your streaming playlists.
Tip 3: Play Spotify Music in iTunes or Windows Media Player
Import MP3 files to any media player. Smart playlists and syncing with devices make this convenient.
Step 1: Open iTunes or Windows Media Player.
Step 2: Go to File > Add to Library (iTunes) or Organize > Manage Libraries > Add (Windows).
Step 3: Select the folder containing your downloaded Spotify music.
Step 4: Wait for the songs to import.
Step 5: Create playlists or organize your tracks as desired.
Tip 4: Keep Spotify Music for Backup
Save copies on external drives or cloud storage. It's an insurance policy for your music.
Step 1: Open the folder containing your downloaded Spotify files.
Step 2: Copy the files to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.
Step 3: Wait for the transfer to finish.
Step 4: Store the backup safely so you can access your music anytime.
Tip 5: Use Spotify Music for Personal Projects
Want ringtones or background tracks for private videos? Downloaded files make this possible. Just keep it personal, not commercial.
Step 1: Decide which project you want to use the music for.
Step 2: Open your downloaded Spotify folder.
Step 3: Move the files to your project folder or import them into your software.
Note: Keep your usage personal and private.
Frequently Asked Questions: Download Music from Spotify to Computer
Can I download Spotify songs directly to my computer?
Premium users can download music for offline listening, but the downloads are encrypted and can only be played in the Spotify app. They aren't regular audio files like MP3. For example, if you download an album or playlist, you can listen offline, but you won't be able to play them outside of Spotify.
Where are my downloaded Spotify songs stored on my computer?
Downloaded Spotify songs are stored in this folder: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Spotify\Storage. These files are encrypted, so you can only play them in the Spotify app. You won't be able to open or use them in other media players.
Can I transfer Spotify downloaded music to another device?
No, Spotify's downloaded music can only be played in the Spotify app and can't be moved to other devices as regular files. For example, even if you copy the downloaded files to another computer, they won't work unless you're logged into the same Spotify account and using the app.
Can I download Spotify songs as MP3 files?
Spotify doesn't let you download songs as MP3s. However, with a tool like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, you can change Spotify songs into MP3 and other formats, making them easier to play on different devices or media players.
Conclusion
By using ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, you can download songs, albums, playlists, audiobook, and podcasts from Spotify to MP3 and other format files to your computer. Then you are able to play them on any device, such as smartwatches, MP3 player, or add them into video as the background music. The trial version can be downloaded for free, and thus you can save Spotify songs to computer free for one minute. If you want to unlock all the features, you can buy the full version. Just download it, and have a try first.
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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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