Uncovering the Best Shazam Alternative for Music Discovery
Shazam has long been the go-to app for instant music identification, allowing you to quickly name that catchy tune playing on the radio or in a cafe. With its ability to not only identify songs but also link to streaming services, provide lyrics, and even auto-Shazam in the background, it’s a powerful tool for any music lover. However, the world of music discovery is vast, and many excellent Shazam alternatives offer unique features and cater to different user preferences. If you're looking to explore other options beyond Shazam, you're in the right place.
Top Shazam Alternatives
Whether you're seeking a more robust lyric database, a community-driven identification service, or simply a different user experience, these alternatives provide compelling reasons to switch or supplement your music discovery toolkit.
SoundHound
SoundHound stands out as a powerful Shazam alternative, offering the world's fastest music search and discovery. Its unique selling point is the ability to identify songs by singing or humming, making it incredibly versatile. Available across various platforms including Freemium, Android, iPhone, and more, SoundHound offers features like Music Discovery, a Music Library, a Music Player, and robust Voice recognition capabilities, making it a comprehensive choice for music enthusiasts.
Musixmatch
Musixmatch is the world's largest collection of song lyrics, providing instant synchronized lyrics for platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Pandora. As a Freemium service available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iPhone, it's an excellent Shazam alternative for those prioritizing lyrics. Its features include Automatic Lyrics Finder, Apps with Chromecast Support, IFTTT integration, and Music Discovery, making it a rich resource for understanding the songs you love.
Midomi
Midomi.com is a free web-based Shazam alternative that allows users to find and discover music using their voice. It's particularly useful for those who remember a tune but not the lyrics or title. Its primary feature is Voice recognition, enabling you to hum or sing a melody to identify the song, instantly connecting you to your favorite music and a community of shared musical interests.
TuneFind
TuneFind is a free, web-based Shazam alternative perfect for identifying songs heard on TV shows and movies. It leverages a dedicated community of users who contribute and update information about music used in various media. Its key features include Music Discovery and the ability to Stream video to Apple TV, making it invaluable for tracking down that elusive song from your favorite series.
MusicID
MusicID is a slick, free app available on Android, iPhone, and Blackberry that allows you to identify songs in seconds, similar to Shazam. Simply hold your device up to the music, and MusicID will quickly tell you the name of the song. Its core feature is Music Discovery, providing a straightforward and efficient way to identify tracks heard on the radio or in other environments.
WatZatSong
WatZatSong is a unique, free, community-based Shazam alternative available on the web, Android, and iPhone. Instead of relying solely on an algorithm, it connects you with a community of music enthusiasts who can help identify most songs and tracks. Users can record a snippet of the song, and others will offer their insights, making it a great option for hard-to-identify or obscure music.
AudioTag
AudioTag.info is a free web-based music-recognition service that serves as a straightforward Shazam alternative. It allows users to upload an unknown piece of music quickly and easily for identification. While it doesn't boast a long list of features, its simplicity and effectiveness in identifying tracks make it a solid choice for quick recognition needs.
AHA Music
AHA Music is a free browser-based Shazam alternative, specifically designed as a Chrome extension. It detects songs playing on your browser and provides direct links to Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube streams. Its key features include Browser integration and being available as a Google Chrome Extension, making it incredibly convenient for identifying music while browsing online.
WhoSampled
WhoSampled is a Freemium service available on Android and iPhone that identifies music samples, covers, and remixes. While not a direct song identification tool like Shazam for any random track, it's an invaluable Shazam alternative for music aficionados who want to delve into the origins and influences of their favorite songs. It excels at discovering the interconnectedness of music.
Sound Search for Google Play
Sound Search for Google Play is a free Android widget that functions as a straightforward Shazam alternative. It allows you to recognize music and songs playing around you quickly. Integrated directly into the Android ecosystem, it provides a seamless way for Android users to identify tracks without needing a separate application download, often displaying results directly within Google Play.
Ultimately, the best Shazam alternative depends on your specific needs. Whether you prioritize vocal recognition, comprehensive lyric databases, browser integration, or community-driven identification, there's a powerful tool out there to enhance your music discovery journey. Explore these options to find the perfect fit for your listening habits.