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GitHub Tidal DL GUI Review & Its Best Alternative

By Olivia Anderson Tidal Music Tips Updated on 11/20/2025

If you have ever had your connection suddenly drop while listening to music on Tidal, you have probably wished more than once that you could download HiRes tracks for offline playback. This is exactly why the Tidal DL GUI became popular on GitHub. It saves songs without any DRM restrictions and converts them directly into FLAC files that you can keep permanently. But is it still the best tool for downloading Tidal HiRes FLAC files today? When you try installing it and encounter API failures or unexplained errors, you may start to realize that open source tools, although free, are not always easy to use. In this honest GitHub Tidal DL GUI Review, we will show you what using Tidal DL GUI is really like, covering its advantages, limitations, and whether there is a more reliable option for everyday users.

Part 1: What is GitHub Tidal DL GUI?

Tidal DL GUI is an open-source tool on GitHub that gives you a simple graphical interface for downloading music and videos from Tidal. It lets you save tracks, albums, playlists, and even music videos in formats like FLAC, MP3, AAC, and M4A. When you choose FLAC, the files keep their original lossless quality, up to 24-bit and 192 kHz. Since the downloads are DRM-free, the files work on any device or player without a Tidal subscription or an internet connection. This makes it especially convenient for people who want compatible files for car systems, DAPs, or third-party music software.

Tidal DL GUI is the only option among several Tidal download tools. To show how it compares with other versions, here is a quick look at three commonly used options.

Part 2: How to Download and Use GitHub Tidal DL GUI?

Step 1 Download the Program From the Official Source

First, visit the official GitHub Releases page and make sure you download the program only from the official source, since this helps you avoid the security risks that come with repackaged files found on other sites. Look for the latest file named tidal-gui.exe and save it to your Windows computer. This way, you are getting the tool directly from the original repository, which is the safest and most reliable option.

Step 2 Install and Launch the Tidal DL GUI

After downloading the .exe file, run it. The first time you launch Tidal DL GUI, it won't ask you for a username and password. Instead, it will display a unique device code and prompt you to log in. This is a secure login method, since you don't need to enter a code in a third-party application to authorize the connection.

Step 3 Change the Settings and Search for Music

After a successful login, you'll arrive at the main interface. Now, please search for the tracks, albums, or playlists you want to download. You can also adjust the output format and other settings if needed.

Step 4 Hit Download and Enjoy Your Music

Click the download button. Once the song is downloaded, it will no longer be a cached file in the Tidal app, but a completely DRM-free audio file. You can drag these files into a professional music player or anywhere you want to transfer them.

Part 3: Real Review of GitHub Tidal DL GUI - Pros and Cons

Part 4: The Best GitHub Tidal DL GUI Alternative - Strongly Recommended

Although Tidal DL GUI allows downloading high-quality, DRM-free audio files, its technical setup and occasional glitches can be challenging for many users. As a result, many users are looking for easier-to-use programs. In this section, we will introduce a tool with a simple interface and user-friendly operation that also supports downloading Hi-Res FLAC music and removing DRM restrictions.

TunePat Tidal Media Downloader has consistently been recognized as one of the top tools for downloading Tidal music. It supports Hi-Res FLAC downloads, offers flexible output settings, and comes with a professional, responsive support team, helping users avoid the common issues often associated with open-source software. Additionally, TunePat enables download speeds of up to 10× and preserves ID3 tags, album art, and lyrics. In the following sections, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to use this powerful alternative to GitHub Tidal DL GUI.

TunePat Tidal Media Downloader

TunePat Tidal Media Downloader enables users to download all Tidal contents to MP3 or other common formats.

Downloaded Tidal Music songs, albums, playlists, and podcasts.

Convert Tidal songs to MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and ALAC formats.

Keep HiFi audio quality and ID3 tags.

10X faster download speed & support downloading multiple playlists in bulk.

Keep Tidal downloads permanently and transfer them everywhere you want, like Shotcut, Roku, etc.

Download Download

Step 1 Select the Windows or Mac version and click the "Download" button above. Once installed, open TunePat Tidal Media Downloader on your computer. The Tidal web player or Tidal app will launch automatically. You can switch the audio source by clicking "Tidal App" or "Tidal web player" as needed. The Tidal App offers higher-quality downloads, while the Tidal Web Player provides faster download speeds.

Step 2 Click "Log In" in the top-right corner of the Tidal web player or app. After successfully logging in, you will have access to your Tidal playlists. Choose the playlist or album you want to convert and download. Once selected, click the blue button to import them into TunePat. Then, select the specific songs you want and click "Add" to add them to TunePat.

Step 3 Now you can adjust some basic settings, which is especially helpful for new users. Once set, TunePat will remember your preferences for easier downloads in the future. You can modify the output format, bit rate, sample rate, output folder, and more. Additionally, you can choose whether to download lyrics along with your songs.

Step 4 If you want to add more songs from another playlist or album, you can click "Add More". If you are ready to convert music, please click the "Convert" button. The progress will be displayed in real time. Once the conversion is complete, you can view it in the "History" tab. All downloaded files are 100% DRM-free and ready to copy to your phone, car, or any other device.

FAQs About GitHub Tidal DL GUI

Q1: Do I need a Tidal account?

Q2: Which is better: Tidal DL, Tidal DL NG, or Tidal DL GUI?

Q3: Is there a beginner-friendly tool to download Tidal music in lossless quality?

Q4: Does Tidal DL GUI automatically download lyrics and album art?

Q5: Why am I getting "API failed" errors?

Conclusion

GitHub Tidal DL GUI is a powerful open-source tool that lets you download Tidal music in HiRes FLAC. For tech-savvy users who don’t mind occasional glitches or manual metadata editing, it can be a useful option. However, its Windows-only support, reliance on Tidal’s API, and lack of automatic lyrics and album art embedding make it less ideal for everyday users.

For those seeking a more reliable, beginner-friendly experience, TunePat Tidal Media Downloader is a clear winner. With one-click installation, Hi-Res FLAC downloads, automatic metadata management, and faster download speeds, it eliminates the common frustrations often associated with open-source tools. Whether you want to enjoy your music offline or transfer tracks to any device, TunePat makes the process seamless and stress-free.

Olivia Anderson

Senior Writer

Olivia Anderson has a strong background in the audio and video conversion industry, accumulating extensive expertise over the years. Not only has she authored numerous articles in the field of music, but she is also a seasoned personal blogger and music enthusiast. Passionate about resolving readers' queries on various music-related platforms, she regularly reviews different audio downloaders.