6 Best Apple Music Downloaders [Tested in 2026]

Quick Comparison: Best Apple Music Downloaders in 2026

To help you quickly identify the right tool for your setup, the table below compares the top-performing tools. Whether you need full-featured desktop software for bulk library backups or a lightweight online Apple Music downloader for quick single-track downloads, this side-by-side overview highlights where each option excels.

How We Tested Apple Music Playlist Downloaders in August 2026

A useful Apple Music downloader comparison should focus on practical results rather than only advertised features. For this review, we evaluated tools from several perspectives:

1. DRmare Apple Music Converter — Best Overall Apple Music Downloader 320kbps for Mac/Windows

✨Best for: Users who want a desktop-based solution for managing Apple Music tracks, albums, and playlists.

Among the tools we tested, DRmare Apple Music Converter provides the most complete workflow for users who want batch processing, multiple output formats, and easier music library management. It supports converting Apple Music content into common formats such as MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, M4B, and AIFF at up to 30X speed. This makes it suitable for users who want to organize audio files for compatible players, music management software, or personal archives.

It features a built-in web player, eliminating the need to install the official Apple Music app. Instead of processing tracks individually through a browser, users can manage multiple songs at once and keep metadata such as titles, artists, and album information.

How to Use DRmare Apple Music Converter (320kbps) for Mac and Windows

Step 1. Click "Download" above to free install DRmare Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer.

Step 2. Launch this software and you will see built-in Apple Music Web Player. You can click on the "Sign In" button to log into your account and access your music library. You can drag and drop Apple Music files to the "Add" button to load them to the conversion list.

Step 3. This program will download Apple Music to MP3 in 320 kbps if you don't make any changes. If you want other output formats, click the "menu" > or "DRmare Apple Music Converter" icon to choose the "Preferences". There you are also allowed to customize the sample rate and more options.

Step 4. Now click on the "Convert" button to start downloading all your added Apple Music songs. It works at a 30X speed so you can quickly get the offline files. Click on "Converted" section and you can listen to Apple Music offline. You can also go to your computer's folder to find them and use them anywhere.

Our Testing Experience of DRmare:

During testing, DRmare provided a more streamlined workflow compared with online solutions. Adding multiple tracks was straightforward, and the batch processing approach was more suitable for handling larger music collections.

2. gamdl — Best Free Open-Source Apple Music (Video) Downloader

✨Best for: Technical users who prefer free tools and command-line workflows.

gamdl (Glomatico's Apple Music Downloader) is an open-source Apple Music downloader available through GitHub. It is aimed more toward experienced users who are comfortable working with Python-based tools and command-line environments.

Unlike beginner-focused applications, gamdl requires more setup. However, it offers flexibility that attracts advanced users, including support for downloading music videos, lyrics, and other Apple Music-related content. The audio output quality is 256kbps AAC or 64kbps HE-AAC, while video downloads can go up to 4K resolution in MP4 format.

Our Testing Experience of gamdl:

gamdl provides more flexibility than many simple downloaders, but the setup process requires additional technical knowledge.

3. Apple Music Telegram Bots — Best Apple Music Downloader for Android and iPhone

✨Best for: Users who want to experiment with mobile-based downloading methods.

There is no Apple Music downloader APK app specifically for mobile devices. Fortunately, Telegram bots are sometimes used as unofficial music downloading tools because they can be accessed directly through the Telegram app. Some bots claim to process music from different streaming platforms, including Apple Music.

For example, YipPe! Music Bot allows you to download high-quality music from Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, and other services in FLAC (lossless) or 320kbps MP3 format. You can also search for "Apple Music downloader Telegram bots" to discover additional useful bots tailored for music downloading.

4. iOS Shortcuts — Best Built-In iPhone Automation Option

✨Best for: Users who are comfortable with basic automation and customization within the iOS environment.

Apple's Shortcuts app allows iPhone and iPad users to automate certain tasks. Some community-created shortcuts are designed around music workflows. The advantage is that Shortcuts is already integrated into Apple devices. You can use shortcuts to download Apple Music tracks to your iPhone or iPad directly. For example, shortcuts like AM Downloader and Apple Music to MP3 are available. 

However, these solutions usually depend on third-party shortcut creators and may not provide the same control as desktop applications.

5. AAPLmusicDownloader — Best Online Apple Music Downloader for Quick Tasks

✨Best for: Users who want a browser-based option without installing software.

AAPLmusicDownloader is a convenient Apple Music M4A/MP3 downloader that works across various web browsers, including Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, and Firefox. It allows you to download Apple Music tracks, playlists, and albums at MP3 320kbps or M4A 256kbps. It also supports batch download by clicking the ZIP button, which compresses all selected songs into one file.

The tool also lets you choose audio quality between 64kbps and 320kbps and preserves ID3 tags such as lyrics and artist information. It's a powerful online solution for those looking to download Apple Music without extra costs.

Our Testing Experience of AAPLmusicDownloader:

During test, it could quickly download Apple Music tracks without installing software and preserve metadata without adding unwanted tags. But it only allowed up to 3 song downloads per day or the first two tracks from a playlist or album when using the free tier.

Using Spek analysis, the downloaded M4A files showed a frequency response of around 20 kHz, matching Apple Music streaming quality. The audio quality was much better than many low-quality online converters, although it is not lossless.

6. APLMate — Simple Apple Music Downloader Online

✨Best for: Users who need a straightforward browser-based workflow.

APLMate is another online Apple Music downloader that focuses on downloading songs, albums, and playlists from Apple Music for free. It's user-friendly and offers fast download speeds. Simply copy and paste the link to your Apple Music track, and you can download it in MP3 format. The downloaded songs are saved on your device for offline listening. This option is also suitable for users who prefer not to subscribe to Apple Music.

Our Testing Experience of APLMate:

We tested APLMate on Windows 11 with Chrome and found it convenient for downloading single Apple Music tracks, but it has noticeable limitations. We encountered many annoying ads on its website. Track links worked, while artist and radio links failed, and playlists required manual downloads one by one.

Although APLMate claims to offer 320kbps MP3 quality, Spek analysis showed a 16 kHz cutoff, suggesting the files were not true high-quality Apple Music conversions.

Are Apple Music Playlist Downloaders Safe and Legal?

Using third-party Apple Music playlist downloaders requires a clear understanding of both legal boundaries and digital security.

Is It Legal to Use an Apple Music Downloader?

The legality of Apple Music downloaders depends on several factors, including your location, how the files are used, and the source of the content. Keep these three distinct categories in mind:

• Personal Music Management: In some regions, users are legally permitted to create personal backups or format-shift media they have legitimately accessed for private use.
• Terms of Service Agreements: Apple Music operates on a rental model. Your subscription grants you temporary access to a locked ecosystem, not ownership of the tracks. Using third-party tools to extract permanent files generally violates Apple's user agreements.
• Commercial vs. Private Application: Distributing, sharing, or monetizing downloaded tracks is strictly illegal. Any downloaded content must remain strictly for personal, offline listening.

Are Free Apple Music Downloaders Safe?

While free online utilities can be convenient for a quick test, they carry inherent risks that established, licensed desktop software avoids. When evaluating a free tool, actively watch out for these red flags:

• Deceptive Redirects: Websites that force you through multiple, aggressive advertising layers before delivering a file.
• Credential Harvesting: Any tool or bot that asks for your Apple Account, password, or unnecessary personal information.
• Malware and Adware: Unknown executable files or unverified browser extensions that request broad system permissions.
• Misleading Quality Claims: Web-based rippers that falsely advertise true lossless output when they are merely upscaling low-bitrate audio.

FAQs About Best Apple Music Downloaders

Final Thoughts:

The right Apple Music downloader depends on what you are trying to achieve. For users who want a more complete music management workflow, desktop software usually provides the most flexibility with formats, playlists, and organization. Advanced users may prefer open-source solutions that offer more customization, while casual listeners may find online tools convenient for occasional tasks.

Before choosing a downloader, focus on the features that matter most: output quality, reliability, metadata handling, security, and ease of use. A good tool should fit your listening habits rather than simply offering the largest list of features.