As a music lover, you probably have a few apps that help you find and play new music, but it’s always nice to know what else is out there. We’ve compiled some of the best apps for finding new music and sharing it with your friends.
- [app name] – This app uses your Spotify library to suggest songs for you to like/dislike, and then suggests songs based on your likes/dislikes. You can also share what you listen to with your followers and follow other users to see what they are listening to.
- [app name] – This app has a large database of music, so you can search for any song or artist by name, lyric, or genre and find it in their database. It also lets you upload your own songs so others can listen to them and share them with their friends.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Finding New Music
Hillydilly
hillydilly
Image via Hillydilly
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Hillydilly began as a music blog dedicated to unearthing new sounds and emerging artists, and now has its own app so you that you can continue your music discovery on the go. Browse newly added tracks, what’s currently trending in the app, or by genre and mood. Save your favorites, create playlists, and follow other users to see what they’re listening to. The dedicated staff also updates Hillydilly’s own playlists on the reg, so there’s always something new to stumble upon.
Indie Shuffle
indieshuffle
Image via Indie Shuffle
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Don’t let the name fool you: Indie Shuffle has much more to offer than its namesake denotes. From rock and pop, hip-hop, and R&B, to Detroit swindle and grime, this app will keep you at the top of your game when it comes to the newest releases. Their team of writers and curators are scattered around the world, tapping into the latest sounds on their local beats. Their playlists are also always on point, offering hand-picked selections to fit any frame of mind or musical mood.
Bandcamp
bandcamp
Image via Bandcamp
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
A longtime favorite of independent artists, Bandcamp is an amazing resource for finding bands just before they break. The “New and Notable” section highlights the latest releases that have caught Bandcamp’s ear, and the featured Album of the Day is a great way to discover a brand new sound. You can also follow other music fans, genres, or artists to see what tracks are currently in their rotation.
SoundCloud
soundcloud logo 2018
Image via SoundCloud
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
SoundCloud has been through many ups and downs as a business over the last couple years, but the app remains one of the best places on the internet to discover music in its most raw, underground form. The process to upload music on SoundCloud is easier than anywhere else, so the barriers to entry are low. In turn, you’ll have a better chance of finding hidden gems years before they blow up on SoundCloud than you will via any other music app.
Mixcloud
mixcloud
Image via Mixcloud
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Some of our greatest music discoveries come from DJ sets, and with Mixcloud you can get dance floor-ready mixes delivered straight to your phone. Follow your DJs and independent radio stations and stay up to date on their sets from around the world, complete with track IDs. You can also search for mixes by genre, and might just discover your new favorite DJ on the decks.
Spotify
Spotify Logo
Image via Spotify
Platforms: iOs, Android
Price: Free
The streaming pioneer is holding strong, and continuing to focus on music discovery as one of their most important features. Going above and beyond their basic streaming services and Discover Weekly playlists, they’ve also added a personalized Release Radar that keeps you up to date on new singles from bands you follow, as well as the New Music Friday playlist that offers up hot takes from artists you might be familiar with.
8Tracks
8tracks
Image via 8Tracks
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Taking its name from the old-school 8-track tapes used to make mixes in the ‘60s and ‘70s, 8Tracks is an app that boasts thousands of playlists curated to match any mood, climate, activity, or event. Feeling some type a way? There’s a mix for that. You can look for mixes created by other users, or make your own by uploading songs or adding tracks via SoundCloud. You can also add your own custom artwork, giving it that truly personal touch.
Apple Music
Apple Music
Image via Getty/studioEAST
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: $9.99/month
With so many free options, it may seem silly to pony up for a premium service, but in the case of Apple Music, trust us: it’s worth it. You’ll have access to everything in their extensive library and personalized playlists, anytime, anywhere, but what truly sets this service apart is the access to all of the Beats1 radio stations. From resident DJs Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden, and Julie Adenuga, to programs hosted by your favorite artists, from Frank Ocean and Drake to Pharrell, you’re bound to hear some deep cuts and fresh sounds every time you open the app.
SoundHound
soundhound
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
There’s no situation more frustrating than being instantly captivated by a song, but unable to find the tune after the fact. Gone are the days of having to decipher the lyrics to be Googled later, just pull up the SoundHound app and you’re good to go. After listening for just a few seconds, the app while immediately tell you the name, artist, album, and more. You can also see what artists are popular in your hometown, or all over the globe with their world map feature. The app can also be linked to your Spotify or Apple Music account, automatically generating a playlist with all of your ID’d tracks.
Pandora
pandora app nurphoto
Image via Getty/NurPhoto
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free (Pandora Plus is $4.99/month and Pandora Premium is $9.99/month)
As much fun as it is to go on deep dives through apps like Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Music, sometimes a hands-off radio approach is preferred. Founded in 2000, Pandora has been around for nearly two decades, but it remains one of the best services for music discovery. Pick from one of their pre-selected stations or choose your own adventure based on music you already like. Either way, you’ll discover great new music with minimal effort.
Slacker Radio
slackerradio
Image via Slacker Radio
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Think of Slacker Radio as Sirius XM for your mobile, but without the monthly fee. This free app has dozens of carefully curated stations spanning every genre, and also allows you to customize stations to better suit your musical preferences. The weekly specials offer a deeper look into your favorite artists, albums, and musical eras, and make it easy to share your favorite stations and specials with friends. If you’ve ever fancied yourself an aspiring radio host, this is the app for you.
Shazam
shazam getty anadolu agency
Image via Getty/Anadolu Agency
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free
For years, Shazam has been dependably answering the question, “Wait, what’s that song?” Using mysterious technology that we’ll never understand, the app listens to music playing in the background of noisy bars, restaurants, and wherever else you happen to be, and near-flawlessly identifies the song (with links to purchase or stream on other services). With Shazam in your pocket, you’ll never again have to aimlessly Google lyrics with the hopes of identifying a song.
apps that recommend music
- Spotify
Still top of the game, though there’s plenty of hi-res competition around.
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality of free tier: Up to 160kbpsLibrary size: 70 million+Platforms: iOS and Android apps, desktop app, web player, smart TV apps, connected speaker support, cars
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Spotify Student
US$4.99/mth
Spotify Premium
US$9.99/mth
Spotify Family
US$15.99/mth
VISIT SITE
at Spotify
REASONS TO BUY
+Plenty of ways to find new music
+Easy to use
+Works on lots of platforms
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not the best sounding
-No lossless audio
The best-known free streaming service is also one of the best – and certainly one of the most sociable. You will have to put up with ads if you don’t want to pay and you will also have to listen to most playlists on shuffle mode, but there’s still plenty to like: decent sound quality, around 90 million songs, offline listening, bags of podcasts, new features arriving daily and it all works on almost any device imaginable. If you want free music streaming, Spotify will probably be your first port of call.
Read the full review: Spotify
Best free music apps: listen on the move for free
(Image credit: Amazon)
- Amazon Prime Music
The best streaming service you didn’t know you had.
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality: 256kbpsLibrary size: 2 millionPlatforms: iOS and Android apps, Echo and Fire TV devices
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
3-MONTH FREE TRIAL
Amazon Music Unlimited
£9.99/mth
VISIT SITE
at Amazon Music Unlimited
REASONS TO BUY
+2 million songs for free
+No adverts
+Works with Alexa
REASONS TO AVOID
-Only free to Prime subscribers
You might not know it, but if you have Amazon Prime(opens in new tab) then you can access Amazon’s entry-level music streaming service. That’s right, as well as free one-day delivery and Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime entitles you to Amazon Prime Music, which gives you over 2 million songs to stream on-demand at no additional cost. And the best bit? They’re ad-free.
As you would expect, the selection is pretty mainstream, and the sound quality isn’t going to blow you away, but Prime customers can’t really complain. And if you’re not happy, you can always step up to Amazon Music Unlimited, which costs £9.99/$9.99(or £7.99/$7.99 with Prime) a month and now includes HD(opens in new tab), its hi-res tier, for free!
Read more: Amazon Prime Music
Best free music apps: listen on the move for free
(Image credit: Future)
- Deezer
An extensive catalogue makes this free service a compelling prospect.
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality of free tier: 128kbpsLibrary size: 56 millionPlatforms: iOS and Android apps, desktop app, web player
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
CHECK AMAZON
REASONS TO BUY
+Lots of choice
+Good podcasts
+Simple to use
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not great for discovery
Deezer’s free tier means you have to suffer ads, and the track quality is only 128kbps. The mobile app for this tier is also a little limited, though no more so than any of its rivals. However, when it comes to what to listen to, there’s a ton of choice, and the layout is pleasingly simple to navigate. There are also lots of podcasts and other non-music content to get your ears into. A great choice for anyone looking beyond just music. If you do sign-up for the full service, you can enjoy CD-quality (though not hi-res) audio, too.
Read the full review: Deezer
Best free music apps: listen on the move for free
(Image credit: Future)
- YouTube Music
The video-sharing giant’s free music streaming service is surprisingly decent.
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality of free tier: 128kbpsLibrary size: N/APlatforms: iOS and Android apps, web player
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
YouTube Music Premium
(opens in new tab)
£9.99/mth(opens in new tab)
VISIT SITE(OPENS IN NEW TAB)
at Youtube(opens in new tab)
REASONS TO BUY
+Uncluttered
+Plenty of rareties
+Lots of videos
REASONS TO AVOID
-Iffy sound quality
-Discovery could be improved
YouTube isn’t just for videos. Launched back in 2015, YouTube Music is the video-sharing site’s attempt to take on Spotify et al. And, just like Spotify, it offers a free tier. Sure, there are adverts, as you would expect, but not as many as you might fear.
Extras such as downloading for offline listening are pay-only, so you’re limited to streaming the service’s selection, but there’s a considerable catalogue to choose from, the layout is nice and clean, and its selection of music videos is, of course, unrivalled. Well worth a listen.
Read the full review: YouTube Music
Best free music apps: listen on the move for free
(Image credit: Future)
- TuneIn Radio
Radio lover? Tune in to TuneIn. You won’t be disappointed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality of free tier: N/ALibrary size: N/APlatforms: iOS and Android apps, web player, smart speakers, cars, wearables, smart TVs, games consoles
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
CHECK AMAZON
REASONS TO BUY
+Wide spread of content
+Big name stations
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not music-focussed
This isn’t a pure music streaming service – rather the focus is on radio stations, so think of it as getting your music fix that way. It offers a range of stations, including some BBC Radio, NPR, All India Radio and C-SPAN, as well as news from the likes of CNN and Fox News and a host of podcasts. There are even local and genre-specific radio stations to choose from, so there should be something for everyone. Featuring a wide choice of radio apps, this is the best we’ve come across.
Best free music apps: listen on the move for free
(Image credit: BBC)
- BBC Sounds
The new app to replace iPlayer Radio.
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality of free tier: 48-320kbpsLibrary size: N/APlatforms: iOS and Android apps, web player, internet radios, smart speakers, Virgin Media, YouView
REASONS TO BUY
+Diverse content
+Excellent radio stations
+Useful features
REASONS TO AVOID
-Buggy
-Not music-centric
BBC Sounds has taken the place of the Beeb’s iPlayer Radio app and it feels like a good decision. As well as the usual BBC radio stations (Radio 1, Radio 4, 1Xtra, etc) which you can listen to live or on-demand, it brings together all sorts of podcasts, music mixes, live sets and more.
You can search by genre, download and listen on-the-go and continue listening where you left off on another device. The app had some teething issues, but has blossomed into a suitably rich and slick home for the BBC’s excellent audio output.
Best free music apps: listen on the move for free
(Image credit: Future)
- SoundCloud
If your taste is more off the beaten track, SoundCloud could be for you…
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality of free tier: 64kbpsLibrary size: 200 millionPlatforms: iOS and Android apps, web player
REASONS TO BUY
+Great for emerging artists
+120 million+ tracks
+Great UI
REASONS TO AVOID
-Some annoying pop-ups
SoundCloud is known as the home of emerging artists, so if you want to check out acts and predict which bands are going to make it big, this is the place to do so. The free tier offers over 120 million tracks, mixes, podcasts and more, though we can’t vouch for the quality of each (that’s the trouble with ‘up-and-coming’ artists).
The upside is you can connect with friends and even the artists directly on the platform, make playlists, and get curated tracklists based on your taste. The downside is that, like many free services, you do have to put up with adverts.
If you tire of the mainstream, perhaps it’s time to take a trip to SoundCloud.
Tidal
(Image credit: Apple / Tidal)
- Tidal
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2021 winner, now with a free tier in the US
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality of free tier: 160kbpsLibrary size: 80 million tracksPlatforms: PC, desktop, iOS and Android apps, Apple and Android TV apps, Apple CarPlay, Roon, Tidal Connect
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
CHECK AMAZON
REASONS TO BUY
+Great sound quality
+Hi-res Tidal Masters
+Intuitive and expansive
REASONS TO AVOID
-Hi-res tier undercut by Amazon, Apple
In the US? Lucky you. US customers can now gain access to the service’s first-ever free plan, called (unsurprisingly) ‘Tidal Free’, which offers streams of the complete library of 80 million tracks at 160kbps with “limited interruptions”. It launched in November 2021 and, at the time of writing, we have not yet reviewed the dedicated Free plan.
For anyone not domiciled in the States, a fee is still involved. The ‘Tidal Premium’ tier (£9.99, $9.99, AU$11.99 per month) that offered 320kbps quality has now been rebranded as ‘Tidal HiFi’ and gets you audio at up to 1411 kbps (i.e. CD quality), as well as offline capabilities and access to features such as Tidal Connect, for that same monthly price. Tidal’s basic Family Tier has also seen the same increase in standard bit rate streams.
The top tier, formerly ‘Tidal HiFi’, is now known as ‘Tidal HiFi Plus’ and remains £19.99 ($19.99, AU$23.99) per month. It brings audio quality up to 9216 kbps (i.e. hi-res) by supporting Tidal Masters via Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) technology. It is also the tier you have to subscribe to in order to listen to immersive music in Dolby Atmos Music and Sony 360 Audio.
This new subscription model puts Tidal’s CD-quality offering more in line with the competition from Amazon and Apple, although its hi-res streaming remains at a premium that might put some people off. That said, Tidal has ensured its HiFi Plus tier has extra appeal for audiophiles and, besides, will no doubt still appeal to those with MQA-supporting hardware.
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