Shazam is a popular music identification app that has made a name for itself with its ability to recognize songs within seconds. It’s the go-to app for many people when they hear a song they love but can’t quite put their finger on the title or artist. However, there are times when Shazam might not be the ideal choice, such as when users want additional features or prefer an alternative due to various reasons. In this article, we will explore 9 outstanding Shazam alternatives that music lovers should consider trying.
Introduction
Shazam has been around since 1999, initially as a call-in service before transitioning to a smartphone app. The app has come a long way, with Apple acquiring it in 2018. While Shazam is an incredible app, it’s always good to have options. Some alternatives may offer unique features, better compatibility with certain devices, or a more extensive database for recognizing songs. Let’s dive into the 9 best Shazam alternatives for music lovers.
1. SoundHound
1.1 What is SoundHound?
SoundHound is a music identification app that boasts a powerful music recognition engine. It has been a top competitor to Shazam for years and offers some unique features that set it apart.
1.2 Unique features of SoundHound
One of the most notable features of SoundHound is its ability to identify songs based on humming or singing. This means that even if you can’t remember the lyrics or don’t have the original song playing, SoundHound can still help you find the track. Additionally, SoundHound offers LiveLyrics, which displays lyrics in real-time as the song plays.
1.3 Pros and cons of using SoundHound
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Recognizes songs based on humming or singing | Slower song recognition compared to Shazam |
| LiveLyrics for real-time lyrics display | Occasional misidentification of songs |
| Music discovery features | Ads in the free version |
2. Musixmatch
2.1 What is Musixmatch?
Musixmatch is a music identification app with a primary focus on lyrics. With the world’s largest lyrics catalog, Musixmatch aims to provide users with the most comprehensive lyrics experience possible.
2.2 Musixmatch’s seamless integration with music apps
One of the standout features of Musixmatch is its seamless integration with popular music streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. This integration allows users to view synchronized lyrics while listening to songs on their preferred streaming platform.
2.3 Pros and cons of using Musixmatch
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large lyrics database | Primarily focused on lyrics, less on music recognition |
| Seamless integration with popular music apps | In-app purchases for premium features |
| Synchronized lyrics display | Limited offline functionality |
3. Google Assistant’s Sound Search
3.1 How to use Google Assistant’s Sound Search
Google Assistant’s Sound Search is a built-in song recognition feature available to Android users. To use Sound Search, activate Google Assistant and ask it to identify the song playing. The Assistant will then listen to the music and provide you with the song title and artist.
3.2 Limitations of Sound Search
While Google Assistant’s Sound Search is a convenient alternative to Shazam, it has some limitations. It lacks features like lyrics display and music discovery, which are available in other alternatives.
3.3 Pros and cons of using Google Assistant’s Sound Search
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Already available for Android users | Lacks additional features like lyrics display and music discovery |
| Fast song recognition | Requires an internet connection |
| Integrated with Google Assistant | Less accurate than dedicated music recognition apps |
4. Siri and Apple Music
4.1 Using Siri for song recognition
Siri, Apple’s voice-activated assistant, has a built-in song recognition feature powered by Shazam. To use this feature, simply ask Siri to identify the song playing, and it will provide you with the song title and artist.
4.2 How Apple Music complements Siri’s song recognition
When using Siri for song recognition, it integrates seamlessly with Apple Music, allowing users to add identified songs to their library or playlists quickly. This feature is particularly useful for iPhone users who are already subscribed to Apple Music.
4.3 Pros and cons of using Siri and Apple Music
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Integrated with Apple devices | Only available on Apple devices |
| Seamless integration with Apple Music | Limited to Shazam’s music database |
| Voice-activated song recognition | No additional features like lyrics display |
5. TrackID
5.1 What is TrackID?
TrackID is a music identification app developed by Sony Mobile. It’s designed to recognize songs quickly and provide users with additional information like the artist, album, and even a short bio.
5.2 Unique features of TrackID
TrackID offers a visually appealing interface and a history feature that allows users to see a list of previously identified songs. It also provides YouTube video suggestions related to the identified song.
5.3 Pros and cons of using TrackID
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Visually appealing interface | Discontinued by Sony Mobile |
| History feature for previously identified songs | No longer available on app stores |
| YouTube video suggestions | No lyrics display feature |
6. Soly
6.1 What is Soly?
Soly is a music recognition app that stands out for its offline functionality. It allows users to identify songs without an internet connection, making it a convenient option for those with limited connectivity.
6.2 Soly’s offline recognition feature
Soly’s offline recognition works by analyzing the audio fingerprint of the song and comparing it to an internal database. While this database may not be as extensive as online alternatives, it still offers a decent recognition rate for popular songs.
6.3 Pros and cons of using Soly
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offline music recognition | Limited song database compared to online alternatives |
| Simple and user-friendly interface | No lyrics display feature |
| Lightweight and fast | Ads in the free version |
7. BeatFind
7.1 What is BeatFind?
BeatFind is a music identification app with a unique visualizer feature that adds a visual element to the song recognition process.
7.2 BeatFind’s Visualizer feature
When using BeatFind to identify a song, the Visualizer creates a dynamic light show synchronized to the music. This adds a fun, interactive element to the app, making it an engaging alternative to Shazam.
7.3 Pros and cons of using BeatFind
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique Visualizer feature | Requires an internet connection |
| Fast song recognition | Limited features compared to other alternatives |
| Lightweight and easy to use | Ads in the free version |
8. ACRCloud
8.1 What is ACRCloud?
ACRCloud is a comprehensive music recognition platform that offers robust music identification services through its API. While not a standalone app like Shazam, ACRCloud powers several apps and services that rely on its extensive music database and recognition capabilities.
8.2 ACRCloud’s robust music recognition engine
ACRCloud’s music recognition engine is known for its accuracy and speed. It can identify songs in various languages and genres, making it a versatile option for developers and users who need reliable music recognition services.
8.3 Pros and cons of using ACRCloud
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly accurate music recognition | Not a standalone app |
| Powers various apps and services | Requires technical knowledge to use API |
| Extensive music database | No direct user interface |
9. Genius
9.1 What is Genius?
Genius is a platform that primarily focuses on song lyrics, annotations, and music knowledge. While not a dedicated music recognition app like Shazam, Genius offers a feature that allows users to identify songs by holding their phone up to the music source.
9.2 Genius’s extensive lyrics database
Genius has an extensive lyrics database, providing users with accurate lyrics and additional information such as song meanings, annotations, and artist interviews. This makes Genius an excellent resource for music enthusiasts looking to dive deeper into their favorite songs.
9.3 Pros and cons of using Genius
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extensive lyrics database | Primarily focused on lyrics, less on music recognition |
| Song meanings and annotations | Requires an internet connection |
| Artist interviews and music news | Limited song recognition functionality |
Conclusion
There are many Shazam alternatives available, each with its unique features and capabilities. Whether you’re looking for a more accurate music recognition engine, additional features like lyrics display, or an app that works offline, there’s an alternative that caters to your needs.
The 9 alternatives discussed in this article offer a range of options for music lovers who want to explore beyond Shazam. Remember that finding the best alternative for you depends on your preferences and requirements. Give these alternatives a try and discover which one resonates with you the most.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are these Shazam alternatives free to use?
Most of the Shazam alternatives mentioned in this article offer free versions with basic functionality. However, some may require in-app purchases or subscriptions for premium features or an ad-free experience.
2. Can I use these Shazam alternatives on both Android and iOS?
Many of the Shazam alternatives listed are available on both Android and iOS. However, some alternatives, like Siri and Apple Music, are exclusive to Apple devices, while Google Assistant’s Sound Search is limited to Android users.
3. What is the most accurate Shazam alternative for song recognition?
While it’s difficult to determine the most accurate Shazam alternative definitively, apps like SoundHound and ACRCloud are known for their reliable and accurate music recognition capabilities.
4. Can these Shazam alternatives recognize songs when I hum or sing the tune?
SoundHound is the most notable Shazam alternative that can recognize songs based on humming or singing. While other alternatives may not offer this feature, they excel in other areas such as lyrics display or music discovery.
5. Do these Shazam alternatives also provide lyrics along with song recognition?
Some Shazam alternatives, like Musixmatch and Genius, focus on providing lyrics and additional information about songs. However, not all alternatives offer lyrics display as a primary feature.