Shazam review
Identify any song playing around you in seconds
- Apple
- Free
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac
Does it deserve #5?
The verdict
Shazam does one thing better than anything else: it tells you what song is playing. Tap the button and it usually names the track within seconds, then shows lyrics and links to Apple Music or Spotify. Auto Shazam can keep listening in the background, and offline matches are saved until you're back online. It's free with no ads. Just don't expect a full music player.
- Fast song recognition
- Auto Shazam background listening
- Synced lyrics and music videos
- Concert listings for artists
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Fast, accurate recognition even in noisy places
- Free with no ads
- Built into iPhone Control Center and the Mac
What could be better
- Not a full music player
- Some features work best with Apple Music
Music lovers who often hear a song and want to know what it is
you need a full music player rather than a song finder
Questions about Shazam
Is Shazam free?
Yes, Shazam is completely free, with no ads or subscription. Playing full songs needs a streaming service such as Apple Music or Spotify.
Can Shazam identify songs playing in other apps?
On iPhone, you can use Shazam from Control Center to identify music playing in other apps, even with headphones on. On Android, Pop-up Shazam does the same job.
What are the best alternatives to Shazam?
The closest alternatives are Apple Music, Spotify and SoundCloud. See all of them ranked on our Shazam alternatives page.
Where does Shazam rank?
Shazam ranks #5 of 8 in our Music & Podcasts ranking, with an overall score of 8.6 out of 10.