Best Music Identification Apps

If you want to identify a song playing nearby, Shazam is a good place to start. If you only remember the tune, try SoundHound or Google's song search. The best choice depends on what you have to work with—and what you want to do once you know the title.

Some apps focus on recognizing music. Others make it easier to follow the lyrics, learn about the artist, or open the song in your streaming service. If you listen on Tidal or Qobuz, Song IQ is worth a look for that integration. Here's how the main options compare.

Shazam: A good place to start

Shazam is a straightforward choice for the usual question: what's that song playing nearby? It's available on iPhone and Android, and it can also identify music playing in other apps, such as YouTube or Instagram. On an iPhone, you can add Music Recognition to Control Center so it's easy to reach when you need it. Apple explains how it works.

That easy access is a big part of its appeal. When a song is about to end, you want the recognition button somewhere you can find it quickly. One of the downsides is that Shazam now heavily advertises Apple Music in the app.

SoundHound: Search by singing or humming

SoundHound can identify music playing around you, but it also lets you sing or hum a tune. That makes it useful when the song has stopped and all you remember is part of the melody.

You still need enough of the tune to give it something to match. Treat it as a way to look for a half-remembered song, with no guarantee that your first attempt will find it.

Choose SoundHound if you want one app for both recorded music and melodies you remember.

Google song search: Try the app you may already have

The Google app can search for a song that's playing or use a melody you hum, whistle, or sing. Open the app, tap the microphone, and choose Search a song. Google's song search instructions explain the steps on Android.

If you already have the Google app, this is an easy option to try before installing another music app. It's especially handy when you remember the melody but don't know any lyrics you could type into a search.

Pixel Now Playing: Identify music automatically

On supported Pixel phones, Now Playing can automatically identify nearby music and show the song name on your lock screen. You need to enable it first; after that, you can check the screen without starting a search each time. See Google's Now Playing guide.

The main benefit is convenience. You might notice a title while a song is playing, or look through your recognition history later. The main restriction is the phone: this is a Pixel feature, so it won't be an option for everyone.

Musixmatch: For following the lyrics

Musixmatch combines song identification with lyrics. Its app offers synchronized lyrics that let you follow the words as the music plays, along with lyric translations. You can also identify a nearby song and bring up its lyrics. These features are listed on the Musixmatch app page.

It's worth considering if finding the title usually leads to another question: what are they singing? Lyrics are the main reason to choose it.

Song IQ: Open the song in your preferred music app

Song IQ identifies nearby music, then lets you open the track in the music app you prefer: Tidal, Spotify, Apple Music, or Qobuz. If you already pay for one of those services, you can go straight from finding a song to listening there without searching for it again.

Song IQ is the only app to support opening tracks in Tidal and Qobuz and is particularly useful if either is your main music app. Other recognition apps also offer limited streaming choices so it's worth checking for the service you actually use.

Song IQ also provides lyrics and background on the artist. It requires no account and collects no user data.

It's built around recognizing a recording and exploring the result. If you're trying to identify a hummed melody, choose SoundHound or Google song search. If you want automatic recognition on a Pixel, use Now Playing.

Which should you choose?

Start with the problem you're trying to solve:

• Identify a song playing now: Shazam is a good first choice. Check Song IQ if you don't want ads.

• Find a tune you remember: Try SoundHound or Google song search.

• Recognize music automatically on a Pixel: Enable Now Playing.

• Follow the words: Consider Musixmatch.

• Open discoveries in Tidal, Spotify, Apple Music, or Qobuz: Try Song IQ, which also includes lyrics and artist background.

You probably don't need all of them. Start with the option that fits how you listen. If Tidal or Qobuz is where you keep your music, Song IQ gives you a direct route from identifying a track to opening it there. Finding the title is useful; being able to find and play that song again is what makes a recognition app worth keeping.