What's the best free music app?

I lost my paid subscription to my favorite music app and can’t afford it anymore. Looking for recommendations on the best free music app with a great selection of songs. Any suggestions?

When you lose a paid subscription, it can be pretty frustrating, but there are still some awesome free music apps you can try out. One of the best free music apps I’ve found is Spotify. Sure, the free version has ads, but you still get access to a huge library of songs. You can create playlists, discover new music with their smart algorithms, and even listen to podcasts.

Another solid option is YouTube Music. The free version is pretty robust, although it does come with ads, and you can’t listen offline. What’s cool about YouTube Music is that it combines official tracks and user-generated content, so the selection is pretty vast.

If those don’t work for you, you might wanna check out Pandora. It has a free tier that’s ad-supported, but it’s a great way to discover new music based on your preferences. Their radio stations can be pretty spot-on.

For something different, you could also try Amazon Music Free. Yep, Amazon has a free tier too, and it offers a decent selection of playlists and stations. The downside is that it’s more limited compared to the paid versions, but hey, free is free.

SoundCloud is another gem. Lots of indie and new artists share their music there, so it’s perfect if you’re into discovering new, underground tunes.

Ultimately, each of these apps has its pros and cons, but they all offer a great way to find and enjoy music without paying a dime.

In my experience, the best free music app depends on what matters most to you, but you might feel differently if you’re looking for something a bit outside the mainstream. While Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, Amazon Music Free, and SoundCloud are great choices mentioned already, I’d also throw in a couple of other cool options.

First up, Deezer. The free version has ads, but you get access to a massive library of over 70 million tracks. They have a cool feature called Flow that uses AI to recommend songs, which is pretty rad if you’re into discovering new music. One downside is that the free tier doesn’t support offline listening, but it’s worth a shot for the song variety alone.

Another underrated app is Jango Radio. It’s ad-supported, but it’s known for its unique user-based station creation. You can search for artists or songs, and it creates a personalized station for you. It’s particularly awesome if you’re into genres that aren’t mainstream.

You might also consider listening via Audiomack. This app is especially a hit for fans of hip-hop, rap, and Afrobeats. It’s relatively ad-light compared to some other services, and you can even download songs for offline listening without paying a dime.

If classical or jazz is your jam, check out Radio Garden. It allows you to listen to live radio stations worldwide, so you might find some rare gems. It doesn’t offer on-demand song selection but it’s a fun way to discover new sounds.

Lastly, stations like iHeartRadio let you enjoy unlimited radio streaming from a range of stations. It’s not the same as picking specific songs, but if you enjoy the curated experience of live radio, it’s a fantastic option.

Remember though, while all these free versions come with ads, they still offer a vast array of music for everyone. Balancing ads and selection might be a bit tricky, but there’s something for everyone.

Have you considered the Napster Free Music Streamer? Okay, don’t laugh; I know Napster’s got a bit of a retro rep, but the revamped version offers a pretty neat free experience. The selection covers loads of genres, and the user-created playlists can offer an unexpected treasure trove of tracks you’re not likely to find elsewhere. However, the downside is that offline listening isn’t supported and ads can be somewhat intrusive. But hey, if you’re an aggro-gen-X type, the nostalgia factor might be a bonus.

Spotify’s free version is solid, but the ads can sometimes feel relentless. That said, its smart algorithm for discovering new music is genuinely remarkable, and the playlist-sharing feature is ace. On the flip side, the lack of offline listening could be a deal-breaker if you’re often on the move.

YouTube Music? Spot on for finding everything from official releases to quirky covers and live versions. Yet, the constant ads and the absence of offline playback in the free version might make you cringe.

Deezer Free? A stellar library of over 70 million tracks sounds tempting, and their Flow feature for recommendations is tops, though again, no offline listening sucks if your Wi-Fi’s spotty.

Since we’re talking lesser-knowns, how about Groove Music + Spotify? Oddly enough, Microsoft’s Groove still kicks around with its free radio feature that integrates with OneDrive. You can upload your own music and stream it from anywhere, though the app doesn’t offer much in terms of new music discovery compared to Spotify or Pandora.

Jango Radio is also pretty rad with its personalized radio stations, although it’s ad-supported and can sometimes feel a tad dated in its interface. But if you’re into indie or niche genres, it’s lesser competition to mainstream-heavy apps like Spotify and YouTube Music.

Audiomack is cool, especially for hip-hop and afrobeats lovers, where even the free tier lets you download music for offline playback. A definite plus if cellular data is a precious commodity for you.

For classical or nostalgic sounds, Classical Music for Kids offers curated playlists and engaging content that you might want for a calming experience or to introduce kids to classical music. Works straight out of the box but can feel limited in scope if you’re thirsting for mainstream pop or the latest hits.

Can you really resist a plunge into Radio Garden’s global radio station smörgåsbord? Endless moving dots on the map, live radio from every conceivable nook in the world? Mongo cool for serendipitous discovery, but no on-demand song choice can be a Letdown City if you’re in the mood for something specific.

And don’t forget Plex. This media server software traditionally known for movies and TV shows has stepped up its music game with free streaming music channels. It’s hassle-free if you’ve already got a Plex ecosystem set up for other media.

Weighing all these pros and cons is like balancing a cat on a Roomba – it’s tricky but, hey, when you find what fits, it’s pure magic. Cheers to finding your next groove!