Top 12 Music Apps That Are Still Making Waves in 2024

Music apps are undoubtedly essential tools for music lovers and creators alike. 

They offer a diverse range of features, from streaming and downloading music to discovering new artists and creating personalized playlists. 

As a producer or artist, knowing the top music apps can help you reach a wider audience and stay updated with the latest trends. 

It’s all very beneficial if you know what to do with the information.

That’s why we’re breaking down the top 12 options, giving you a look into their:

• Key features ✓ 
• Unique functions ✓
• Subscription options ✓
• User interface ✓
• Audio quality ✓
• Offline capabilities ✓
• Integration with other services ✓
• Personalization options ✓
• Exclusive content access ✓

After reading this article, you’ll know everything about the top music apps, so you can choose the best one to fit your needs.

Plus, you’ll be able to get your own music discovered, see what people are drawn to, and hopefully get to the top of everyone’s playlist yourself.

So, let’s dive right in…

#1. Spotify Premium

Spotify Premium, the king of streaming apps, offers a superior music streaming experience with a variety of features designed to enhance user satisfaction. 

One of the standout features is (of course) ad-free listening.

Spotify Premium also provides the ability to download songs and playlists for offline listening, so users can enjoy their favorite tracks with no internet connection. 

The Premium version also offers higher sound quality, streaming up to 320 kbps, which ensures a way more detailed audio experience. 

If you’re a producer, this is perfect for hearing certain effects and unique sounds.

You also have the benefit of unlimited skips, giving you full control over your playlists and the ability to tweak your listening sessions to match your preferences.

Another significant advantage of Spotify Premium is the personalized experience it offers 一 curated playlists/recommendations are always updated based on habits.

This feature helps users discover new music and artists that align with their tastes (which you should use to your advantage if you’re a producer/artist yourself).

Additionally, Spotify Premium allows for cross-device syncing which is awesome.

With access to exclusive content such as early releases and unique podcast integration, Spotify Premium makes sure users are always at the forefront of the music scene. 

The combination of these features makes Spotify Premium one of the best music apps available, hands down.

Standout Features of Spotify Premium:

• Ad-free listening
• Offline playback
• Higher sound quality (up to 320 kbps)
• Unlimited skips
• Personalized playlists and recommendations
• Cross-device syncing
• Exclusive content access
• Offers a free version with ads and limited features​
• One of the best music apps available

#2. YouTube Music

YouTube Music offers a unique and comprehensive music streaming service that integrates traditional music streaming with a huge collection of music videos. 

This OG music service provides personalized playlists and recommendations tailored to your listening habits.

One of the standout features is the ability to switch between audio tracks and their music videos, so you can enjoy both formats without interruption. 

YouTube Music Premium, the app’s subscription service (which I linked above), provides ad-free listening, enhancing the overall user experience by removing interruptions. 

YouTube Music Premium also allows background play so you can continue listening to music while using other apps or when the screen is off.

Which, I don’t know why, I find very satisfying.

Another significant feature of YouTube Music is the offline playback capability (no internet needed), so you can download your favorite:

• Songs
• Albums
• Playlists

This music app also offers a smart search function 一 helping you find songs even if you don’t know the exact title, by typing in lyrics or general descriptions. 

NOTE: YouTube Music integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant, making it easy to control playback with voice commands. 

The combination of these features guarantees a versatile and user-friendly experience, making YouTube Music Premium one of the best music apps available.

Standout Features of YouTube Music App:

• Ad-free listening
• Background play
• Offline playback
• Smart search function
• Seamless audio and video integration
• Personalized playlists and recommendations
• Google Assistant integration
• Offers a free version with ads​
• One of the best music apps/ad-free apps available

#3. Pandora

Pandora offers a highly personalized music streaming experience that is renowned for its custom radio stations. 

Users can create stations based on their favorite songs, artists, or different genres, and Pandora’s Music Genome Project analyzes millions of songs.

It’s all based on hundreds of attributes that match with your unique vibe.

This feature ensures that users consistently discover new music that aligns with their unique tastes and specific styles.

Again, if you’re a producer or artist, paying attention to these trends and what’s most popular is key.

Additionally, Pandora offers various subscription tiers, shown below.

This includes Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium, which enhance the listening experience by offering features such as: 

• Ad-free listening
• Higher audio quality
• Offline playback

Pandora’s adaptive listening experience is another standout feature. 

It continually learns from user interactions, such as thumbs up or down on tracks, to refine and improve the recommendations over time. 

This makes Pandora a dynamic and always evolving platform that grows with the user’s preferences, which is really important.

With an epic library of music and podcasts, Pandora remains a versatile and highly customizable music streaming service, making it one of the best music apps available.

Standout Features of Pandora:

• Custom radio stations
• Personalized recommendations
• Ad-free listening (Plus and Premium)
• Higher audio quality
• Offline playback
• Offers a free version with ads​
• Device integration (smart speakers, car systems)
• One of the best music apps available

#4. Samsung Music

Samsung Music was optimized for Samsung devices, providing a free user-friendly music playback experience. 

This music app supports playback of various sound formats, including: 

• MP3
• WMA
• AAC
• FLAC

Samsung Music’s integration with Samsung’s ecosystem allows for easy synchronization with other Samsung devices.

This makes it easy to manage and enjoy music across smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, wherever you are, you’ll be able to access it.

It also features a clean and intuitive interface, making it super easy to navigate your music library and playlists.

One of the unique features of Samsung Music is its powerful built-in equalizer, which allows users to customize their audio settings to suit their preferences (above).

It also offers features such as music recommendations, playlists creation, and offline playback, which is always a plus.

NOTE: Samsung Music’s integration with Bixby, Samsung’s virtual assistant, enables voice-controlled music playback 一 adding another layer of convenience. 

With its comprehensive feature set and deep integration with Samsung’s hardware, Samsung Music stands out as one of the best music apps available for Samsung device users.

Standout Features of Samsung Music:

• Free to use, particularly optimized for Samsung devices​
• Supports multiple audio formats (MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC)
• Built-in equalizer
• Music recommendations
• Offline playback
• Bixby integration
• One of the best free music apps available

#5. Amazon Music

Amazon Music is a top music streaming service with several tiers to cater to different user needs. 

Amazon Music Prime, included with an Amazon Prime membership, provides access to: 

• Millions of songs
• Thousands of playlists
• Ad-free listening at no additional cost

 

For users seeking a more extensive library, Amazon Music Unlimited offers access to over 75 million songs, hi-res audio, and exclusive releases. 

Both tiers allow for offline playback, making it possible to download their favorite music for listening without an internet connection.

One of Amazon Music’s unique features is its integration with Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant (which is listening to you at all times, FYI).

This allows users to control their music playback using voice commands 一 making it easy to play, pause, or skip single songs without touching their devices. 

It’s definitely one of my favorite features.

Additionally, Amazon Music offers personalized playlists and recommendations based on user listening habits and provides an awesome podcast library.

That’s why it’s considered a one-stop solution for both music and podcast enthusiasts, and if you keep on eye on the trends, it’s super beneficial.

With its extensive library, high-quality audio, and flawless integration with Amazon’s ecosystem, Amazon Music stands out as one of the best music apps available.

Standout Features of Amazon Music:

• Access to over 75 million songs (Unlimited)
• Ad-free listening
• Amazon Music Unlimited offers high-quality audio/hi-res, including HD and Ultra HD tracks, which are considered lossless formats​
• Offline playback
• Alexa integration
• Personalized playlists and recommendations
• Extensive podcast library
• Offers a free version with ads. Additionally, Amazon Prime members get access to Amazon Music Prime at no additional cost​
• One of the best music apps available

#6. SoundCloud

SoundCloud is a unique music streaming platform/app that stands out for its focus on independent and emerging (even obscure) artists. 

Unlike traditional streaming services, SoundCloud allows artists to upload their own tracks directly to the platform.

It provides a space for new and unsigned musicians to share their music with the world, so if you’re a musician trying to get your music out there, it’s awesome. 

As of right now, it offers a diverse library of over 200 million tracks 一 including many exclusive and unreleased songs (some can be from you!).

SoundCloud users can follow their favorite artists, create and share playlists, and engage with the community through comments and likes on tracks. 

Another significant feature of SoundCloud is its subscription tiers. 

The free tier version of SoundCloud offers basic access to the platform’s extensive music library with ads.

SoundCloud Go and Go+ subscriptions, on the other hand, provide an ad-free experience, offline listening, and higher audio quality. 

NOTE: The Go+ tier also grants access to a larger catalog of licensed tracks. 

SoundCloud’s integration with various social media platforms allows for easy sharing and promotes community interaction. 

With its unique focus on independent artists and community-driven approach, SoundCloud is one of the best music apps available for discovering new and unique music and releasing your own music.

Standout Features of SoundCloud:

• Focus on independent and emerging artists
• Over 200 million tracks
• User-uploaded content
• Community engagement (comments, likes)
• Multiple subscription tiers
• Social media integration
• Offers a free tier with ads and limited features​
• One of the best music apps available

#7. Shazam

Shazam is renowned for its music identification capabilities, helping people find the song that’s stuck on their mind or they find on the radio.

By simply tapping the Shazam button, users can discover the: 

• Name of the song
• Artist
• Other relevant details within seconds

Once a song is identified, Shazam provides additional information such as lyrics, music videos, and links to streaming services where the full song can be played. 

This makes Shazam an invaluable tool for music discovery, especially in situations where users hear a song they like but do not know its name or artist.

Shazam also integrates with other music apps, particularly Apple Music 一 allowing users to add identified songs directly to their Apple Music playlists.

This music app features a My Shazam section that keeps a record of all the songs a user has identified, making it easy to revisit and explore new music. 

Shazam also offers real-time trending charts, showcasing the most Shazamed songs globally, providing insights into current music trends. 

NOTE: This is suuuper beneficial as an artist or producer because you can see what people are drawn to and try to emulate that type-beat or artistic style, with your own edge, of course.

With its powerful identification technology and integration with other music services, Shazam is one of the best free music apps available.

Standout Features of Shazam

• Accurate music identification
• Completely free to use​
• Lyric and video integration
• Links to streaming services
• My Shazam history
• Real-time trending charts
• Seamless integration with Apple Music
• One of the best free music apps available

#8. Mi Music

Mi Music is a somewhat popular music streaming app that comes pre-installed on all your devices that are part of the Xiaomi family. 

This music app supports a wide range of audio formats.

One of the standout features of Mi Music is its powerful built-in equalizer, which allows users to customize their audio settings to enhance their listening experience.

In addition to standard music playback, Mi Music offers a variety of features that enhance the overall user experience…

These include lyrics display, which allows users to follow along with their favorite songs, and offline playback.

Mi Music also integrates with Xiaomi’s smart ecosystem 一 enabling users to control their music with Xiaomi’s voice assistant. 

With its solid feature set and seamless integration with Xiaomi devices, Mi Music is one of the best music apps available for Xiaomi users.

Standout Features of Mi Music:

• Wide range of audio format support
• Clean and intuitive interface
• Built-in equalizer
• Lyrics display
• Offline playback
• Free and comes pre-installed on Xiaomi devices​
• Integration with Xiaomi’s ecosystem
• One of the best music apps available

#9. Apple Music

Apple Music is one of the most popular music apps, period, with a vast library of over 75 million songs, making it a strong competitor in the music streaming market. 

The service provides users with access to: 

• Curated playlists
• Radio shows
• Exclusive releases from top artists

One of the standout features of Apple Music is its integration with the Apple ecosystem, which is always a plus.

In addition to its extensive music library, Apple Music offers personalized recommendations based on user listening habits. 

The “For You” section provides collaborative playlists and album suggestions tweaked to individual preferences. 

NOTE: Apple Music also includes a feature called Apple Music 1, a global radio station that broadcasts live shows, interviews, and exclusive music releases. 

With the option to download songs for offline listening and high-fidelity audio options like lossless and spatial audio, Apple Music delivers a premium listening experience. 

These features, combined with its ecosystem integration, make Apple Music one of the best music apps available.

Standout Features of Apple Music:

• Extensive library (75+ million songs)
• Curated playlists and personalized recommendations
• Apple ecosystem integration
• Apple Music 1 radio station
• Offline playback
• High-fidelity audio, including Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio
• Apple Music offers a free trial, but not a permanent free version. It requires a subscription after the trial period​
• High-fidelity audio (Lossless and Spatial Audio)
• One of the best music apps available

#10. Deezer

Deezer offers a free, versatile music streaming service with an extensive library of over 73 million new tracks, all different styles and vibes.

It features Flow, a personalized soundtrack that combines user favorite tracks with smart recommendations of the latest songs.

Plus, provides a continuous stream of music to individual preferences. 

Deezer also offers curated playlists, radio stations, and podcasts 一 making it a solid platform for all audio content needs. 

The app’s integration with various devices, including smart speakers, smart TVs, and car systems, so you never have to worry about where you’re at.

One of Deezer’s standout features is its high-fidelity audio option, Deezer HiFi, which offers CD-quality (lossless audio​) sound for an enhanced listening experience. 

Additionally, Deezer allows users to download music for offline playback, making it convenient for users to listen to their favorite tracks without an internet connection. 

This digital music app also supports lyrics display.

Deezer’s user-friendly interface and impressive feature set make it a strong contender in the music streaming market.

NOTE: A unique fact about Deezer that hasn’t been mentioned is its feature called “SongCatcher.” SongCatcher allows users to identify songs playing around them, similar to how Shazam works. 

Standout Features of Deezer:

• Extensive library (73+ million tracks)
• Flow personalized soundtrack
• Curated playlists and radio stations
• High-fidelity audio (Deezer HiFi); great sound quality
• Offline playback
• Lyrics display
• Offers a free version with ads​
• Device integration (smart speakers, smart TVs, car systems)
• One of the best music apps available

#11. Audiomack

Audiomack is a versatile music streaming app and audio discovery platform that focuses on providing free tier access to the latest music across different genres.

This includes especially hip-hop, R&B, EDM, Afropop, and more. 

It allows users to stream and download songs for offline listening, making it convenient for users to enjoy their favorite tracks without an internet connection. 

One of Audiomack’s standout features is its offline mode, which enables users to download unlimited songs and playlists.

Additionally, Audiomack’s trending section highlights the most popular tracks and albums, helping users stay updated with the latest hits.

And, helping you as a producer/artist figure out what really sticks.

Another significant feature of Audiomack is its support for independent artists… The platform allows artists to upload their music directly.

So basically you’ll have a platform to reach a wider audience without the need for a record label, which is awesome.

It includes both mainstream hits and underground gems. 

Audiomack also offers curated playlists and personalized recommendations based on user listening habits, enhancing the overall music discovery experience. 

With its support for indie artists, diverse music selection, and strong support for offline listening, Audiomack stands out as one of the best free music stations available.

Standout Features of Audiomack:

• Free way to stream music, play music, and download music
• Offline playback; hi-res audio/lossless audio
• Trending section for latest hits
• Support for independent artists
• Offers free music with ads and the ability to download songs for offline listening​
• Curated playlists and personalized recommendations
• Perfect for music streamers
• One of the best free music apps available

Music Apps: Final Thoughts

Music apps are not just for listening and discovering new tunes and listening offline.

They can really help you, as a producer or artist, figure out the latest trends and reach a wider audience (which is super beneficial).

They can enhance your music production process and provide popular platforms to share your creations with the world. 

The 11 music apps we covered today are all perfect for different aspects of your musical journey, from streaming and discovering new music to managing and promoting your own tracks.

To really elevate your skills and make sure your beats/songs are not ignored, don’t miss out on the completely free Artist Series Essentials. 

This collection contains 30 killer samples that will help you get your music heard when you upload them to these apps. 

These samples can make your music sound polished and professional 一 standing out over all your competition. 

Side note, these samples have generated over 10 million plays and have been used in chart-topping tracks, so you know you’re getting top-notch quality. 

And yes, they’re signature sounds, so you can’t find them anywhere else.

Remember, leveraging the right music apps can transform your music production and promotion, so make sure to take advantage of those trends!

Until next time…