Quick Answer: Tidal-DL is best suited for technical users familiar with Python or command-line tools, whereas Tidal-GUI is better for those who prefer a visual interface; if you are looking for a next-generation project, consider Tidal-DL-NG. Alternatively, if you prefer to avoid the hassle of managing Python, FFmpeg, or GitHub releases, you can easily download music using dedicated tools like AudFree Tidal Music Converter.
Q: "I am really interested in Python software. Recently, I heard someone mention that there is a GitHub tool developed in Python which can download Tidal music locally. As a Tidal subscriber, I was happy to hear that. Can anybody tell me more info about this? Please." - A user asks on Reddit
GitHub does offers a tool named Tidal-dl for users and its user-friendly counterpart is Tidal-gui. Both tools are free and open-source projects on GitHub to help download music from Tidal as local files. However, now users encounter issues like 'Login Failed' or 'API Key Expired' due to Tidal's recent security patch, which stopped support of many older third-party repositories.
In this review, we will cover the main features, pros, cons, ease of use, safety, and how to use Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui. Besides, we will introduce the Tidal-DL-NG tool to fix GitHub Tidal DL or Tidal GUI not working issue and a more reliable alternative to them. Without further ado, let's learn what are these Tidal downloaders. By the way, you can jump to the comparison section for a quick look.
Part 1. Tidal-dl, Tidal-dl-ng and Tidal-gui GitHub Review
First, let's learn what Tidal-dl, Tidal-dl-ng and Tidal-gui are from GitHub in detail. Tidal DL and Tidal GUI, collectively known as Tidal-Media-Downloader, are two open-source projects available on GitHub. They allow users to download music and videos directly from Tidal. Both are developed in Python and are not affiliated with Tidal or its parent company. What's more, now they have been migrated to Tidal-DL-NG (Next Generation).
Tidal-dl GitHub Review
Tidal-dl is a simple command-line interface (CLI) tool. It is available on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android via Termux for downloading music from Tidal, and the Tidal Media Downloader repository only contains Tidal-dl. There are no buttons or a visual interface. So, you need to type specific text commands into a terminal or command prompt window. It is powerful, but it is not easy to use for non-technical users.
Download tracks, albums, and playlists from Tidal for free by specifying their URL;
Support high-quality up to 24-bit/192kHz FLAC and even Dolby Atmos, saving the full lossless quality;
Works fast with a command-line interface;
Compatible with all Python-supported platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux);
Allow to customize the output format and directory, retain metadata, batch conversion, etc.
No user interface and requires specific setup and precise command syntax, not easy to use;
Stop working suddenly if Tidal changes its API or updates its security measures;
Relies heavily on Python (If the system automatically upgrades to a new major Python version, existing dependency libraries often cease to function, necessitating a complete reinstallation.);
Fail to fetch high-quality album art and lyrics
Tidal-gui GitHub Review
Tidal-gui is a more user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) tool on Windows with additional features. It can be downloaded in Tidal Media Downloader Pro. And it provides a graphical user interface with windows and buttons for users to click.
Offers an easy way for users to browse, search and download music from Tidal visually;
Supports to output Tidal music in the highest audio quality;
Supports to output audio files as FLAC, MP4, and M4A
The initial setup is complex and may require you to install Python or other components correctly;
It is often less stable and can be slower to receive updates and stops working;
Risk of HTTP 429 Rate Limiting during batch downloads;
Only works on Windows
However, many legacy GUIs currently no longer function properly, as they rely on outdated Python libraries and are unable to handle the OAuth 2.0 authentication mechanism recently introduced by Tidal. If you want a more stable tool, you can skip to Part 5 to learn more.
Tidal-dl-ng GitHub Review
Tidal-dl-ng (Tidal Downloader Next Generation) is the successor to the Tidal-dl tool. It has been specifically optimized to properly handle the brand-new "Device Code" login flow, making it worth considering if the legacy Tidal-dl or Tidal-gui tool no longer work. This tool offers both a Command-Line Interface (CLI) and a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to users.
It supports to download Tidal Max high-fidelity music (up to 24-bit/192kHz FLAC) and videos from Tidal. It also supports Dolby Atmos. Besides, it can automatically keep album art, artist tags and lyrics for the downloaded files.
Support Tidal HiRes 24-bit/192kHz FLAC and Dolby Atmos;
Completely free and open-source;
Support to fetch ISRC codes, high-resolution cover art (up to 1280x1280) and release date;
Work on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android;
Offer both CLI and GUI versions
Need to install Python 3.12+ and FFmpeg;
Sometimes won't work;
Your Tidal account may be flagged or suspended
Highly sensitive to Python environment updates
Part 2. How to Use Tidal GUI and Tidal DL/Tidal DL NG from GitHub
After going through the review of the Tidal Media Downloader on GitHub, let's move on to a step-by-step user guide on how to download, install, and use it effectively to download music from Tidal. To start, you also need a valid TIDAL subscription.
Before downloading, check repository owner, latest release, README, issues, and release assets on GitHub.
How to Use Tidal-dl GitHub Downloader
You must download and install Python on your device as Tidal-DL is a Python script. Just visit the Python official website to get it.
Step 1. Navigate to the relevant web page for Tidal-dl.
Step 2. Look for the 'Releases' section at the right hand. Then locate and download the proper file for your OS in the new page.
Step 3. Extract the zip file to a local folder of your computer or open the downloaded to open the program directly.
Step 4. If you download the zip, open the 'TIDALDL-PY' > 'tidal-dl.exe' files from the extracted folder to launch the program.
Here is how to install the required packages based on your operating system:
For Windows users: Download and execute the tidal-dl.exe file.
For Linux users: Open the terminal and update the necessary packages with these commands:
pip3 install tidal-dl --upgrade
For macOS users: Please install the following process.
- brew install ffmpeg
- brew install python
- curl -O http://python-distribute.org/distribute_setup.py
- python distribute_setup.py
- curl -O https://raw.github.com/pypa/pip/master/contrib/get-pip.py
- python get-pip.py
- pip3 install --upgrade tidal-dl
- tidal-dl
On macOS (especially on devices with M1, M2, or M3 chips), running 'pip3 install tidal-dl' directly often leads to dependency errors related to 'cryptography' or 'cffi'.
Environment isolation: It is strongly advised not to pollute the system-provided Python environment on macOS. Please create a dedicated Python 3.10 environment using 'pyenv' or 'conda' before installation.
Regarding compilation issues on Apple Silicon: If you encounter wheel build failures on M-series chips, you must first run 'xcode-select --install' to install the necessary developer tools, followed by 'brew install openssl' to ensure support for the underlying cryptographic libraries.
For Android users: Install Termux and then open 'termux-setup-storage'. Next, install 'Python' and 'tidal-dl'.
- pkg install python clang libjpeg-turbo ffmpeg zlib -y
- apt update
- apt upgrade
- pkg update
- pip3 install --upgrade pip
- pip3 install --upgrade tidal-dl
- tidal-dl
Step 5. After installation, open the 'tidal-dl.exe' file from the folder to launch Tidal-dl.
Step 6. Enter the specific number to set your settings according to its prompts on the command-line interface. You can set audio quality, folder paths, etc. For the best quality, you can choose HiFi and HiRes from the options.
Step 7. On the Tidal-dl command prompt, run the following command: 'tidal-dl [URL]'. Then go to Tidal web player, find and copy the track link address. Later, go back to your terminal and replace [URL] with the URL you copied from Tidal.
After that, Tidal-dl will start downloading Tidal music to the folder you set on your device.
How to Use Tidal-gui GitHub Downloader
Step 1. Visit the Tidal-gui web page.
Step 2. Go to the 'Releases' section on the page and click it to find the '.exe file' or the proper file for your Windows 10 or Windows 11 OS in the new page. Then you can download the file on your device.
Step 3. Open the downloaded '.exe files' or extract the zip file to open the program directly.
Step 4. Later, you will receive a Tidal-gui device code.
Step 5. Log in to your Tidal account and enter the displayed device code. Afterward, you can use the software just like using the Tidal app.
Step 6. Search for the Tidal music you want to download and select it.
Step 7. Click the download button to start the download process.
Step 8. Choose the download format and quality you want, and select the download location.
Step 9. Click the 'Download' button to start the download full Tidal playlist.
How to Use Tidal-dl-ng GitHub Downloader
Step 1. Download and install Python from the official website. While installing, check the box that says 'Add Python to PATH'.
Step 2. Open Powershell on Windows or Terminal on macOS, enter the following command:
pip install --upgrade "tidal-dl-ng"
Or,
pip install --upgrade "tidal-dl-ng[gui]"
Step 3. Download and install FFmpeg on your computer.
Step 4. Now, type tdn to open Tidal-dl-ng command line version. Or, type tdng or tidal-dl-ng gui to open the graphical interface.
Step 5. Later, the tool will generate a Device Code. You need to visit the provided Tidal link in your web browser, log in and enter this code to connect them.
GitHub Tidal-Media-Downloader, Tidal-Media-Downloader-PRO and Tidal Downloader Next Generation are not officially supported by Tidal. Downloading music from Tidal may violate their terms of service. So, it's important to use a responsible and legal Tidal ripper.
Part 3. How to Fix Tidal GUI and Tidal DL Not Working
While using Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui, there are some issues that occur. Now, let's find out the solutions to fix these issues.
Issue 1: Login Failed/'API Key Expired'/'401 Unauthorized' or Invalid Credentials on Tidal DL and Tidal GUI
Fix: This may be due to Tidal having updated its authentication process. You need to force Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui to reset to the dynamic 'Device Auth' mode. Locate the hidden configuration file '.tidal-dl.json' on your computer (typically found at 'C:\Users\Username\' on Windows or '~/.tidal-dl.json' on macOS). Then open the file using Notepad or a code editor and locate the 'apiKey' field. Next, clear the values for 'clientId' and 'clientSecret', then save and exit. After that, restart the program; you will be prompted to re-authenticate using the device login method.
Issue 2: Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui Say 'Track Is Not Available in Your Country' or '404 Error'
Fix: This typically occurs when the tool's regional token does not match your account. Please ensure that your VPN (if you are using one) aligns with the country or region associated with your Tidal account. You also need to ensure that network traffic from the terminal (Terminal/CMD) is actually routed through the proxy. On macOS/Linux, please temporarily declare environment variables in the terminal before running the download command, for example: export https_proxy=[http://127.0.0.1](http://127.0.0.1):your port to ensure that the request is successfully disguised. Also, the outdated versions of the tools you use will also cause this error. So, you can try to update the tools to the latest version and try again.
Issue 3: Tidal GUI and Tidal DL Downloads Are Slow or Not Downloading Songs
Fix: It may be caused by the network or the Tidal servers. So, please check your internet connection and connect it to a strong and stable network. Also, check the Tidal server's status.
Issue 4: OAuth 2.0 Device Code Verification Stuck on Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui
Fix: Locate the cache directory of Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui on your device, and delete 'tidal-dl.token.json' (or a similarly named token cache file). Run the 'tdn' command again to trigger a new OAuth 2.0 handshake and obtain a new authorization token valid for 24 hours.
View also: How to Fix Tidal Not Working
Part 4. Is Tidal GUI and Tidal DL from GitHub Safe to Use?
It is noted that the official projects on GitHub are not malicious generally. But you still need to know significant potential risks while using them before proceeding. Let's check the potential risks of using Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui from GitHub.
1. Account Security Risks: You need to enter your Tidal account credentials to use these open-source third-party tools. They are not affiliated with Tidal. Besides, if you download a large amount of tracks in a short time, your account may be flagged for 'suspicious activity'. So, there are potential risks to your Tidal account.
We highly recommend using a 'burned' or secondary Tidal account for your downloads to prevent your main account from being banned. Also, never use these tools on a shared family plan to avoid other users being impacted by an account suspension. What's more, avoid batch-downloading a large library with GitHub tools.
2. Malware and Virus Risks: If you download Tidal-dl, Tidal-gui or tidal-dl-ng from unofficial or untrustworthy websites and download portals, they may contain adware, spyware or other malware. So, make sure that you are downloading these tools from the official GitHub page.
3. Instability and Lack of Support and Maintenance: These tools are maintained by volunteers and can be abandoned at any time. Once the tool stops working, you can't get help from the developer.
Part 5. Best and Safest Alternative to Tidal Media Downloader GitHub: AudFree Tidal Music Converter
As we stated above, using GitHub Tidal DL and Tidal GUI requires Python and FFmpeg installed on your device, and may leave you vulnerable to risk. And the software needs to be updated when Tidal changes something. For users who want a reliable and safe tool and a seamless user experience, there is a professional alternative to you.
That is AudFree Tidal Music Converter. It is an all-in-one Tidal music downloader designed for both Mac and Windows users. It is legal to use for personal or educational use. This top-notch software enables you to download all content from Tidal with lossless audio quality and ID3 tags kept. Also, it is capable of converting Tidal music to multiple commonly used audio formats.
✅ It is 100% safe and secure. It won't put your Tidal account and personal data at risk.
✅ It is stable as AudFree maintains and updates the software constantly to ensure it always works.
✅ It is easy to download all content from Tidal as local files within the built-in Tidal web player. No command lines and no complex settings.
✅ Convert Tidal music to FLAC/Lossless/AIFF/MP3/WAV/M4A/M4B
✅ Preserve 100% original streaming quality and all metadata information like ID3 tags from Tidal
✅ Support batch download at up to 37X speed, saving your time
✅ Enable to customize output formats and audio quality
✅ You will get 24/7 support whenever you have a question or run into an issue.
Download Tidal Music with AudFree Tidal Music Converter
Here is how to download your favorites from Tidal with AudFree Tidal Music Converter. Clicking the above green 'Try It Free' button, you are able to install the converter on your PC/Mac. Then please check the following instructions:
- Step 1. Locate and Add Tidal Audio to AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Once installed, please launch the AudFree Tidal Music Converter on your computer. Log into your Tidal account within the Tidal web player page. Then locate tracks or the entire playlist and click the blue '+' logo > 'Add to List' button to add them to the converting window.
- Step 2. Set Output Formats and Other Parameters for Tidal Music
- Head over to the upper-right toolbar near the minimized window. Then from the drop-down menu, choose 'Preferences'. Later, tap 'Conversion' in the setting window. Then you can select an output format for downloading your Tidal songs to MP3 or other format files. Beyond this, by changing the bit rate, audio channel, sample rate, or other output parameters, you can make lossless Tidal Max or HiFi quality. It supports audio quality up to 32-bit. After that, tap OK.
- Step 3. Export Tidal Playlists Locally and Losslessly in Batch
- Hit the 'Convert' button from the 'Converting' list to kick off the process. After a while, this expert converter will export your added Tidal music to the targeted format you set before at up to 37X speed. Then, it will save them to the computer's local drive. Please go to the 'Converted' tab to click 'Open Folder' to locate your Tidal downloads.
- Video Guide. Download Tidal Tracks via AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Watch the video demo to easily download Tidal tracks on your computer without using Tidal-dl and Tidal-gui.
By the way, AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder can also be a nice alternative to Tidal DL and Tidal GUI. It is an all-in-one tool for music downloading and conversion from multiple music services, such as Tidal, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and more. Besides, it supports online podcasts and online radio streaming and downloading.
Part 6. Comparison Between Tidal-dl/Tidal-gui and Alternative
Here is an overview chart to compare the GitHub Tidal Media Downloader and its alternative, which can help you make a quick decision to choose a suitable one.
| Features | Tidal-DL-NG | Tidal DL GitHub | Tidal GUI GitHub | AudFree Tidal Music Downloader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interface + Operating System | CLI + GUI; Windows, macOS, Linux | CLI; Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux | GUI; Windows | GUI; Windows, Mac |
| Download Content | Tidal songs, playlists and albums | Tidal songs, playlists and albums | Tidal songs, playlists and albums | Songs, playlists, albums, podcasts, audiobooks |
| Supported Format | MP4/FLAC | MP4/M4A/FLAC | MP4/M4A/FLAC | Lossless/MP3/FLAC/M4A/WAV/AIFF/M4B |
| Download Speed | Low | Low | Low | Fast |
| Output Quality | Up to 24-bit/192kHz FLAC | HiFi | Lossless FLAC | 100% Lossless (192kHz/24-bit) |
| Conversion Success Rate | Low | Low | Low | 100% Working |
| Secure | Potential risks | Potential risks | Potential risks | 100% safe and malware-free |
| Ease of Use & Setup | Difficult | Difficult | Medium | Simple |
| Stability | Medium | Medium (Breaks with every Tidal API update) | Medium (Breaks with every Tidal API update) | Professionally maintained |
| Technical Support | Community / Discord | No | No | Professional 24/7 Support Team |
| Software Updates | Manual (Requires new install) | Manual (Requires new install) | Manual (Often lags behind Tidal-dl) | Regular and automatic |
| Methods to Download Files | Copy-and-paste URL into command line | Copy-and-paste URL into command line | Search within the app | Built-in web player, one-click add |
| ID3 Tags Retained | ✅️ (Automatic) | ✅️ | ✅️ | ✅️ (Automatic) |
| Best for | Tech-savvy users | Tech-savvy users & hobbyists | Users who want to visual interface | Everyone who wants a reliable and professional solution |
| Peak CPU Usage | ~12% - 15% | ~10% - 14% | ~18% - 22% | ~25% - 30% |
Part 7. FAQs about Tidal GUI and Tidal DL on GitHub
What Is the Key Difference between Tidal-gui and Tidal-dl?
It is the interface and usage. Tidal DL is a text-based tool operated with typed commands, while Tidal GUI offers a visual and clickable interface with buttons and menus, which is easier to use.
Can Tidal DL and Tidal GUI Download the Highest Quality Audio from Tidal?
Yes, they can download Tidal music with the highest audio quality, including HiRes FLAC.
View also: How to Download Tidal HiFi Music
Is Tidal GUI Better than Tidal DL?
Nope. It is just easier to operate than Tidal DL. It still uses the same underlying download engine as Tidal DL.
Does Tidal-DL Work on Mac M3 Chips?
Yes. Since tidal-dl is developed using Python, it can run natively on Apple Silicon platforms. You simply need to install Python via Homebrew (by running 'brew install python').
Part 8. Summary
In this guide, you have learned key details about GitHub Tidal-Media-Downloader, including its features, nice and bad points, how to use it, and fixes to the errors you encountered. While it's a useful open-source tool, there are risks and limitations among it.
If you are comfortable with command line and Python, you can choose Tidal-DL.
If you want graphical controls and less command-line work, you can choose Tidal-GUI.
If you want newer project architecture, CLI/GUI options, and newer Tidal-related functionality, you can choose Tidal-DL-NG.
So, if you want GUI workflow, value safety and your time, the alternative - AudFree Tidal Music Converter - stands out in most aspects compared with it. It supports more output formats and outputs real lossless audio quality after conversion. Also, it is a desktop app that is easy and user-friendly to install and use. It is definitely worth trying. Enjoy your favorite Tidal music offline with greater flexibility and quality!
Staff Editor
