Which is the best free MP3 downloader for Android?
The MP3 audio format was introduced in the 1990s and quickly became the most popular digital audio format in the world. Even with the rise of streaming, MP3s remain highly popular today. People want to download MP3s to their Android devices so they can listen to music offline, manage their own music library, and avoid ads and subscription fees. In this article, we will compare the top free MP3 downloader apps for Android:
- 4Shared
- Audiomack
- Songily
- SoundCloud
- YouTube
- Spotify
- MP3 Juice
1. 4Shared
4Shared is a popular Android app that allows you to download MP3 files for free. It has over 100 million users worldwide. The app lets you access and manage files stored on the 4Shared file hosting service.
Some key features of 4Shared include:
- Search, play, and download MP3 files hosted on 4Shared.
- Create playlists and listen to music offline.
- Upload and share files from your phone.
- Available in over 30 languages.
In terms of pros, 4Shared makes it easy to find and download free MP3s without any limits. It has a large music catalog to search through. The app also includes additional features beyond just music downloading, like cloud storage and file sharing.
Some downsides are that you are limited to downloading files hosted on 4Shared, rather than being able to search all music services. There are also advertisements within the app interface. The app has received some complaints about download speeds being slow at times.
4Shared has a 4.5 star rating on the Google Play store, with over 5 million downloads to date (Source). Overall, it remains one of the top and longest running apps for free MP3 downloads.
2. Audiomack
Audiomack is a popular free music and audio downloader for Android. It lets you stream, download, and listen to music offline without using mobile data. Some key features of Audiomack include:
- Stream and download unlimited music for free
- Offline listening so you can enjoy music without internet
- No subscription required
- Huge library of songs and albums
- Create playlists and share with friends
- Follow artists to stay updated
- Daily new music recommendations
Pros of using Audiomack:
- Completely free to use with no ads
- User-friendly interface
- Fast downloading speeds
- Helpful recommendations and curated playlists
- Available for Android and iOS
Potential downsides:
- Limited music selection compared to paid services
- Some user-uploaded content may violate copyright
- No option to upload your own music library
Audiomack has over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store and a rating of 4.5/5 stars, indicating it’s a top choice among Android users looking for a free music downloader.
According to Google Play, Audiomack offers “the best new trending music” and lets you “listen to your local MP3s.” Reviews highlight the huge music catalog, offline listening, and handy features for music discovery.
3. Songily
Songily is a free MP3 and music downloader app for Android. It allows users to search for and download songs and mp3s directly on their device. Some key features of Songily include:
Overview and features:
– Huge music library with over 2 million mp3s to choose from 1.
– Ability to search for songs by artist, album, or song title.
– User-friendly interface and navigation.
– Options to download mp3s in different audio qualities up to 320kbps.
– Downloaded songs accessible offline.
Pros:
– Completely free to use with no ads.
– Fast and easy downloads.
– Regular app updates and improvements.
Cons:
– Limited to only downloading and playing music within the app itself.
– Not all songs available to download due to copyright restrictions.
Ratings:
Songily has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store based on over 500,000 user reviews1. Users praise its intuitive interface, vast music selection, and fast, free downloads.
4. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a popular music streaming service that allows users to upload, promote, and share audio content. While SoundCloud does not have a dedicated app for downloading music, there are some workarounds using third party tools.
One option is to use a SoundCloud downloader website like SoundCloud Downloader or KlickAud. These sites allow you to enter a SoundCloud track or playlist URL and convert the audio to an MP3 file that can be downloaded.
Another option is to use the mobile app SoundLoader. This app integrates with SoundCloud and allows you to download tracks directly within the app.
The pros of using SoundCloud for music downloads is that it offers a huge library of user-generated content not available on other platforms. However, the audio quality can vary since tracks are uploaded by independent artists. SoundCloud also limits free users to only downloading 120 minutes per day.
While downloading from SoundCloud violates their terms of service, it remains a popular source for free MP3s. However, quality and availability of downloads depends entirely on what users have uploaded.
5. YouTube
YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for finding and listening to music online. While YouTube itself does not allow downloading MP3s directly, there are some workarounds using YouTube that make it easy to get MP3 files on your Android device:
Using YouTube to find and download MP3s
The easiest way is to use a YouTube to MP3 converter site or app. These allow you to input the URL for a YouTube video, then convert and download just the audio in MP3 format. Some popular YouTube to MP3 converters include y2meta, ToMP3.cc, and apps like SnapTube and TubeMate.
You can also use a YouTube downloader app on your Android device to save YouTube videos, then extract just the audio track and convert it to MP3 using an audio converter app.
Pros:
- Huge selection of music and songs on YouTube.
- Ability to convert videos to MP3 for free.
- Good audio quality potential.
Cons:
- YouTube converters may sometimes get blocked or shut down.
- Quality depends on the original YouTube upload.
- Legal gray area regarding downloading copyrighted content.
Ratings: YouTube can be a great free source of music if you use MP3 converters responsibly. Just be careful of quality issues or copyrighted content. It earns 4/5 stars as a MP3 source.
6. Spotify
Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services, with over 299 million monthly active users globally (Spotify, 2022). While Spotify does not allow free users to directly download songs as MP3 files, there are some workarounds using third-party apps and converters:
One option is to use the Spotify app to download songs for offline listening. Free users can save up to 10,000 songs for offline listening across 5 devices (Spotify, 2022). The songs are encrypted, but third-party apps like SpotiFlyer can decrypt and convert them to MP3 files.
Another option is to use a Spotify to MP3 converter website like SpotifyDown to convert Spotify songs to MP3. This allows you to download unlimited songs as MP3 files.
The major limitation of the free Spotify tier is the lack of on-demand offline listening and unlimited downloads. Premium members can download songs to listen offline and do not have the 10,000 song cap.
On the Google Play store, Spotify has a 4.5/5 rating based on over 100 million reviews, making it one of the top rated music apps (Google Play, 2022).
7. MP3 Juice
MP3 Juice 1 is a free online music search and download platform. It allows users to search for and download MP3 files without registration or paying. Some key features include:
Overview and Features:
- Search for songs, albums, or artists
- Download MP3s up to 320kbps high quality
- No registration required
- Completely free to use with no ads
- User friendly interface and quick downloads
- Mobile friendly site and Android app available
Pros:
- Large music library to search from
- Ability to download high quality MP3 files
- No need to register an account
- Easy to use on both desktop and mobile
Cons:
- Questionable legality due to copyright issues
- Contains ads on the mobile site version
- Android app no longer available on Google Play Store
- Downloading too many songs may be detected as suspicious activity
In terms of user ratings, MP3 Juice receives mixed reviews. Some praise its simplicity and large music catalog. Others criticize the invasive ads, suspicious downloads, and legal uncertainty. It currently has a 2.5/5 rating on Trustpilot 2.
8. Comparison Chart
Here is a side-by-side comparison of some of the top free MP3 downloader apps for Android:
| App | Ratings | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4Shared | 4.5 stars |
|
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| Audiomack | 4.3 stars |
|
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| Songily | 4.1 stars |
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Conclusion
Based on the free MP3 downloaders reviewed, SoundCloud stands out as the best overall option for Android users. With its massive catalog of user-uploaded tracks and ability to download songs directly in MP3 format, SoundCloud offers an unparalleled selection and convenience.
Some honorable mentions include 4Shared for its versatility in downloading not just music but other media files, YouTube for sourcing official music videos and live performances in MP3 format, and Spotify for its playlists and recommendations. However, SoundCloud has the advantage of focusing solely on music and optimizing the MP3 download experience.
In summary, Android users searching for the top free MP3 downloader have a range of quality choices. But SoundCloud rises above the rest with its seamless mobile interface, constantly-updated music library spanning all genres, and user-friendly downloading capabilities. For discovering and saving new MP3 tracks on an Android device, SoundCloud is the clear winner.