If there is one thing that seems to travel with us almost everywhere – from relaxation at home to long drives or late night parties, it is music. Whether we are overjoyed, calm or saddened by a sudden heartbreak, most of us like to listen to music to keep ourselves cheerful. In this digital age, music has become more accessible than ever before with many notable brands launching top-notch music apps for on-demand streaming. But just in case you are finding it a bit hard to discover which one can live up to your billing, we have got you covered with the best free music apps for Android and iPhone in 2019.
Best Free Music Apps for Android and iOS in 2019
Remember, no music app is perfect. At the end of the day, everything boils down to what your needs demand or what suits your taste better. What may seem to be an effortless pick for me may not sound appealing to you. That’s why I have handpicked a variety of music apps that can elegantly cater to your on-demand music and radio listening. Oh yes, I have also included some offline music apps for iOS and Android so that you can enjoy your own music collection.
1. Spotify
When there is a discussion for the overall best music apps across the platforms, the one obvious name that strikes the mind instantly is Spotify. And rightly so as it’s by far the most feature-rich and elegant music app for both iOS and Android.
What has always impressed me the most in Spotify is the very intuitive user-interface. And with the colossal music library of more than 40 millions songs, it’s ever ready to offer any song that you want to hear. The app pays special attention to your interest and offer recommendations accordingly. In fact, in my experience, Spotify has the best music recommendation feature of all the music streaming services.
You can also craft your personal playlists of all of your favorite songs and even share them with your friends and vice-versa. With Spotify Premium ($9.99/monthly), you can unlock several impressive features. For instance, you will be allowed to listen to your songs offline, use the app without any ads and also get better sound quality. Moreover, Spotify also comes with tons of podcasts. So, if you are a loyal podcast listener, you’d be glad to have its massive library at your disposal.
Install: iOS and Android (free, $9.99/month)
2. YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a top-notch music app from Google. If you like to keep a track of the official release or singles from your favorite artists, it will keep you at pace with your interest. Plus, it’s known to deliver the most suitable recommendations as per several things including your taste, location, and even mood.
Another department where YouTube Music has made plenty of strides is refining the entire UI which makes it a lot easier to browse through albums, live performances, remixes and more. Besides, the advanced search plays a vital role in quickly finding a song or album. But what has caught my eyes in this app is the hot list which offers quick access to all the songs that are trending.
One advantage of YouTube Music is that it also lets you access official videos, live performances, and more, right from the app. This means you have access to different versions of songs which is not quite possible on other free music streaming platforms. And if you are willing to spend some bucks, you can go for YouTube Music Premium ($12.99) to listen to music ad-free, get download option and more.
Install: iOS and Android (free, $12.99/month)
3. Pandora
Should you want your music app to not only let you stream songs but also listen to radio and podcasts (all in one) seamlessly, Pandora could be the right way to go. The best part about this music app is the full-on customization that allows you to create stations depending on artists, genres and even your favorite songs. Thus, you have a more personalized music listening experience.
On the recommendation front, Pandora knows pretty well what sounds cool to your ears and curates songs that seem to be suitable for your taste. In terms of podcasts, it has got a library of over 1,400 podcasts from well-known creators. With Pandora Premium ($9.99/monthly), you get unlimited skips and replays. Besides, it will also let you download music for offline listening as well as create custom playlists. And the Plus version will offer you access to unlimited personalized stations and podcasts as well as let you tune into higher quality audio.
Install: iOS and Android (free, $12.99/month for Pandora Premium)
4. Deezer
If you have a rich taste for audio quality or consider yourself an audiophile, Deezer would be a better bet for you. Packed in with over 53 million songs, it’s second to none when it comes to numbers. Regarding the interface, I find it up to the task (if not at par with the best in the business).
It has a handy shuffle mode which makes it pretty simple to find new tracks. And every time, you come across a song that seems pleasing to your ears, you can add it to your ever-growing collection to quickly access it. Like to keep your tracks perfectly organized? Well, the app offers you many customization options, allowing you to organize your tracks based on artists and genres. Beyond music, you can also discover podcasts, radio stations to catch up with popular programs. With Deezer Premium+ ($12.99), you will be able to relish higher quality music (320 kBps) and also use Alexa on compatible devices.
Install: iOS and Android (free, $12.99/month)
5. SoundCloud
Here comes the world’s largest music and audio streaming platform by a long distance! Loaded with over 180 million tracks, SoundCloud will never let your music time go through a low phase. Everything from jazz, hip hop, classical, podcasts to audiobooks that you like to listen to or enjoy tuning into will be there on your radar.
If you always want to keep yourself in sync with the latest offerings from top artists, the app will help you stay in the loop. You can join the huge community of music lovers and also connect with the artists you admire. Furthermore, you will have easy access to mixes, chart-topping albums, and live sets. With SoundCloud Go and Go+ ($5.99/$12.99), you will get additional features like offline listening, just 30 seconds of preview, ad-free listening and more.
Install: iOS and Android (free, $5.99/month)
6. Amazon Music
“Amazon Music” has vastly improved in most aspects. And if you are ready to switch your loyalty or simply want to have a music app that can tick off most boxes, this one has to be a pretty safe pick.
The app now has a clean and intuitive interface that makes for easy navigation. As for the music library, Amazon claims to have got a whopping 50 million songs, which are undoubtedly a lot more than you can ever stream. The one apparent advantage of having a big catalog of music is that your search for a unique song will rarely go for a miss.
Amazon Music is also pretty smart in recommending songs and stations based on your preference. So, when you want to go for a music drive, you will not have to spend plenty of time to choose the songs that can thrill you. And just in case, you often have to deal with a poor internet connection, you have the liberty to download songs and stream them offline. And with Alexa always there at your beck and call, getting started with music will always be easy for you. Do note that this app is available for free only with Prime membership. Non-Prime users will need to spend $9.99/month.
Install: iOS and Android (free with Prime, $9.99/month for non-Prime customers)
7. TuneIn Radio
This one is primed for the folks who enjoy listening to the radio. With TuneIn Radio, you have access to over 100,000 radio stations. From news, sports, music to talk radio, you get plenty of options to explore and listen to your favorite content. It offers live commentary to every NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL games. You can catch up with the trending top shows and famous podcasts on demand.
The app provides access to around 600 music stations, which would be ever ready to entice your music time. Besides, it keeps a tab on your taste and curates music stations that are more geared for different moods. There is also a large library of over 40,000 audiobooks, which would be more than enough to satiate your listening pleasure. Lastly, only TuneIn Premium ($9.99) can allow you to take advantage of all the features without any restriction.
Install: iOS and Android (free, $9.99/month)
8. iHeartRadio
Though not as feature-packed as some of its noted counterparts, “iHeartRadio” has long been a good platform for music, radio, and podcasts. To ensure your music station delivers only what you wish, you have the option to create personalized radio stations based on your all-time favorite artists. The music library has loads of tracks of several different genres like Top 40, Country, Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, EDM, R&B and more.
With this app, you can discover a lot of radio stations that are near you or from anywhere in the world. This liberty ensures you can listen to top radio stations, no matter where they exist. Whether you would like to tune into music, news, sports, talk show or comedy, it would allow you to follow your interest with the needed freedom. As a sports fan, you would be pleased to have popular stations like ESPN Radio and Fox Sports on your radar. And if you think that all the offerings of iHeartRadio are worth giving a try, you can upgrade to the plus or full version ($5.99/$12.99/monthly).
Install: iOS and Android (free, $5.99/month)
9. Gaana Music
At first glance, “Gaana Music” may lack the versatility to compete with the likes of Spotify and Apple Music but when you take a close look at its repertoire, you would find it more than good enough. From classic Bollywood tracks to the chart-topping English songs, it’s got the collection (over 30 million songs) to fit into your different moods. The app is also pretty decent at curating songs in line with the varying demands.
On the design front, Gaana Music has a fairly good appearance which makes for smooth-sailing navigation. With useful subsections like trending songs, top charts, and featured artists, it’s quite easy to access tracks that are making waves. It also shows the lyrics of the songs so that you can jam along. Better yet, the voice search makes it more convenient to search and play any song. Not to underestimate, the radio seems to be fully equipped to entertain.
Install: iOS and Android (free, Rs. 298/year)
10. JioSaavn
If you are living in India and want a music app that can let you stream millions of songs for free, JioSaavn could be more than a handful. The first thing that caught my attention in this app is the compilation of over 55 million tracks, which are definitely at par with the best in the business. Speaking of the interface, it appears to be pretty clean and light. The home screen shows you the weekly top 15 songs to keep you in the loop with the biggest movers. Then there is “Trending Today” which allows you quick access to all the songs that are getting a lot of traction.
Not to mention the “Romantic Hot 40” and “EDM Hot 40” that can keep your music time on the charge. If you like tracking the new releases, the app will also offer you instant access to the tracks which have just been rolled out. The editorial picks are thoughtfully-crafted, keeping in mind different tastes. JioSaavn podcasts aren’t comprehensive, however, it shouldn’t disappoint you. Remember, the free version of JioSaavn can’t provide you access to all the features like high-quality 320kbps, ad-free music, and unlimited skips. So, you will have to get onboard with the premium version (around $4/year) to unlock all the features.
Install: iOS and Android (free, Rs. 299/year)
Best Offline Music Apps for iPhone and Android
If you are someone who likes to curate their own collection of music then all of the above music apps are not for you. What you need is a good music player app that can help you not only play your offline music but also categorize it, sort it, and keep it accessible. In this section, we are going to mention 5 such offline music player apps that you should check out.
11. Vox Music Player
I’ve always found “Vox Music Player” to be a full-fledged music player app. Whether you want to store a lot of music or keep your entire playlists in the right order, it will stand up to your needs. Thanks to the support for many audio (including the hi-res) formats such as FLAC, APE, WAV, ALAC, MP3, WMA, OGG and more, it ensures managing and playing music always remains a convenient task for you. Better yet, it also lets you stream music from Spotify and SoundCloud. And with over 30’000 radio stations, you will be able to tune into your favorite radio programs as well.
Install: iOS (free, $4.99/month)
12. Radsone Hi-Res Player
For keeping the entire music library perfectly in sync, “Radsone Hi-Res Player” is as good as any music app. With the implementation of Distinctive Clear Technology (DCT), it delivers impressive sound quality by getting rid of digital artifacts. Thanks to the sound optimization system, you can also fine-tune the app to get the desired sound. And with the AirPlay support, you will be able to stream your music to the compatible devices.
Install: iOS (free, in-app purchases available)
Note: We have separately compiled the best offline iPhone music player apps. You should click on the link to check it out.
13. Pulsar Music Player
If versatility is right on top of your priority list, you should try out “Pulsar Music Player”. The modern interface coupled with a wide range of features makes it a full-fledged music player. Features like easy play speed adjustment, convenient tag editing, equalizer, music visualizer, and crossfade can enhance your music listening experience. Additionally, it also has the support for Google Voice command and Android Auto. If you have a penchant for customization, you would appreciate various colorful themes that can add plenty of fun elements into the play.
Install: Android (free, in-app purchases available)
14. Musicolet
There are very few Android music players in the market that provide as much flexibility as “Musicolet”. It lets you create up to 20 queues, which would be more than enough to keep your tracks perfectly in line. One notable feature of this app is that it allows you to manage queues while catching up with another queue. Sporting pretty minimalistic design, it makes navigating your music library quite straightforward. With the handy tag editor, you will be able to edit tags and album arts of many songs at one go.
Install: Android (free, in-app purchases available)
15. Canaree
To take complete control of tons of songs and keep them in the apple-pie-order, “Canaree” is always one of the better picks. Featuring a nifty UI and smooth player controls, the app doesn’t take much time to carve out a niche. The floating windows make it more convenient for tracking videos. And with the offline lyrics support, it gives your jamming a bit more leeway. Speaking of the built-in metadata tag editor, it is suffcient to handle your tracks, albums, and artists. Moreover, the support for Android Auto, Android Wear, and Google voice commands put Canaree in the elite league of the best music players for Android.
Install: Android (free, in-app purchases available)
SEE ALSO: 10 Best Audio Editing Software
Time to Get the Most Out of Your Favorite Music App
That ends our article on the best free music apps that you can get for your iPhone and Android. In this article we have assemble the list of best free music streaming apps and offline music player apps for you. Do check them out and let us know which is your favorite among them all. Also, if we missed out on any app, drop its name down in the comments section.