Many of the best free music, video and AI tools are open source, and their home is GitHub: a website where programmers store and share code. The first page you see, a list of folders and files, is the source code. You don't need it. Programs that are ready to install are usually in a separate place called Releases.
The shortcut: use the download page
Most popular tools also have a normal download page or a browser version. Use these first:
| Tool | Get it |
|---|---|
| Shotcut | Download (Win, Mac, Linux) |
| Kdenlive | Download (Win, Mac, Linux) |
| Astrofox | Download (Win, Mac, Linux) |
| LMMS | Download (Win, Mac, Linux) |
| Ultimate Vocal Remover | Download installer |
| ComfyUI | Download desktop app |
| openDAW | Open in browser |
| Basic Pitch (Spotify) | Open in browser |
| ACE-Step 1.5 | Install steps |
If you are on a GitHub page: find Releases
- Ignore the file list in the middle of the page. Don't click the green Code button or "Download ZIP": that downloads source code, not a program.
- Look at the right-hand column (on a phone, scroll down) for a section called Releases, with a version such as "v5.6" marked Latest. Click it.
- Scroll down to Assets on the release page. Click Assets to expand it if you only see a few files.
- Download the file for your computer using the table below.
Tip: adding /releases/latest to the end of a project's GitHub address jumps straight to its newest release.
Which file do I download?
| Your computer | Look for a file ending in | Often labelled |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | .exe or .msi (installer), or .zip / .7z (portable) | win, windows, x64, setup |
| Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or newer) | .dmg or .zip | arm64, apple-silicon, universal |
| Older Intel Mac | .dmg or .zip | x86_64, x64, intel, universal |
| Linux | .AppImage, .deb or .rpm | linux |
| Skip these | "Source code (zip)" and "Source code (tar.gz)" | Only for programmers |
Not sure which Mac you have? Click the Apple menu, then About This Mac: "Chip: Apple M…" means Apple silicon.
What if there are no Releases?
- Check the link under About at the top right of the page: it often points to the official website with a Download button.
- Scroll down to the README (the text below the file list) and look for headings like Download, Install or Quick start. Some projects, such as ACE-Step, link a ready-made "portable" package there.
- If the README only shows terminal commands (lines like
git cloneorpip install), the tool is meant for programmers. Look for a browser version or a desktop app instead; our guides always point to the easiest option.
Opening what you downloaded
- .exe / .msi (Windows): double-click and follow the installer. If Windows shows "Windows protected your PC", that usually means the program isn't widely downloaded yet. Only for software from the official page, click More info, then Run anyway.
- .dmg (Mac): double-click, then drag the app into Applications. If macOS says it can't check the app, open System Settings > Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway, again only for software from the official page.
- .zip / .7z (portable): unpack it first (Windows needs the free 7-Zip for .7z), open the folder and run the file whose name starts with "start" or ends in
.exeor.bat. - .AppImage (Linux): right-click, Properties, allow executing as a program, then double-click.
Stay safe
- Download only from the project's own GitHub page or the official website it links to. Fake sites copy popular AI tools; ACE-Step's own README warns about this.
- Check that the page looks alive: thousands of stars, recent releases, an About link to an official site.
- Never run a program that someone sent you as a "cracked" or "premium" version.
What next?
Pick a project: make a complete song with free tools, generate a song with ACE-Step or make a music video.
Questions people ask
Why is there no download button on GitHub?
The main GitHub page shows source code for programmers. Ready-to-install programs are under Releases, in the right-hand column: open the latest release and download a file from Assets.
Should I click Code and Download ZIP?
No, not to install a program. That downloads the source code. Use Releases, or the tool's official website.
Which file do I download for Windows or Mac?
Windows: a .exe or .msi installer, or a .zip or .7z portable package. Mac: a .dmg or .zip, choosing arm64 for Apple silicon (M1 or newer) or x86_64 for older Intel Macs.
Is it safe to download from GitHub?
From a project's official page, generally yes. Check the stars, recent releases and the official website link, and avoid copies on other sites.
