Shazam vs YouTube Music: Which Music Streaming App is Best for You?
Shazam is perfect for users who frequently discover songs playing around them or in other apps and want quick identification, lyrics, and concert info. YouTube Music is ideal for those who want a vast library of official songs, live performances, remixes, and personalized playlists, especially if they already use YouTube. Both apps are free with optional premium tiers, but they serve different primary purposes: Shazam excels at identification, YouTube Music at streaming.
Shazam: Find Music & Concerts
- Rating
- ★ 4.84
- Downloads
- 500,000,000+
- Developer
- Apple Inc.
YouTube Music
Recommended- Rating
- ★ 4.51
- Downloads
- 5,000,000,000+
- Developer
- Google LLC
What's that song? Shazam will instantly identify music playing around you or in apps like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube & Snapchat. Discover concerts near you, song lyrics, videos & more. With tens of millions of daily users, Shazam is trusted by music lovers worldwide. Shazam has t…
Pros
- Instantly identifies songs playing around you or in other apps like TikTok and Instagram.
- Provides lyrics, music videos, and artist info for identified tracks.
- Offers concert discovery and alerts for nearby shows.
- Lightweight app with fast performance and low battery usage.
- Works offline to identify pre-recorded songs.
Cons
- Not a full music streaming service; cannot play full songs on demand for free.
- Requires internet connection for live identification (offline only for pre-recorded).
- Limited personalization and playlist creation features.
Connecting you to the world of music: ● Music content including live performances, covers, remixes and music content you can’t find elsewhere ● Thousands of curated playlist across many genres and activities Get personalized music, perfect for every moment: ● Personalized…
Pros
- Massive library of official songs, live performances, covers, and remixes.
- Personalized playlists and mixes based on listening habits and activities.
- Supports offline downloads for premium users.
- Seamless integration with YouTube and Google services.
- Ad-supported free tier with access to most features.
Cons
- Free version includes ads and limited background play.
- Some content may not be available in all regions due to licensing.
- App can be resource-heavy and may consume more data.
Final Verdict
Our pick: YouTube Music
Choose YouTube Music if you want a full-featured music streaming service with a massive catalog, personalized mixes, and offline downloads. It's better for long listening sessions and deep music discovery. Choose Shazam if you primarily need to identify songs quickly and want concert alerts. However, for overall value, YouTube Music wins due to its comprehensive streaming capabilities and integration with YouTube. The winner is YouTube Music.
Shazam: Find Music & Concerts Screenshots
Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.
YouTube Music Screenshots
Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has a higher rating?
Shazam has a higher rating of 4.84 compared to YouTube Music's 4.51, based on user reviews.
Can I download music for offline listening on both apps?
YouTube Music allows offline downloads with a premium subscription. Shazam does not offer offline listening for full songs; it only identifies pre-recorded songs offline.
Do both apps have ads?
Shazam is ad-supported but ads are minimal. YouTube Music's free tier includes ads; a premium subscription removes them.
What are the device requirements?
Both apps require Android 5.0 or later. YouTube Music may need more storage and RAM for optimal performance due to its streaming features.
Which app should I choose if I want to discover new music?
For quick song identification and concert info, choose Shazam. For personalized recommendations and a vast streaming library, choose YouTube Music.
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