Apps for listening to free music on your mobile phone.

Listening to music on your phone has never been easier. The main streaming apps have free and legal versions, with millions of songs, ready-made playlists, and personalized radio stations. In return, you hear some ads between tracks.

Each app has a strong point: some are more accurate in their recommendations, others feature independent artists, or work better for podcasts. Check out the options and choose yours.

Free or paid: what makes the difference?

In the free versions, there are usually ads and some limitations, such as not being able to download music for offline listening or having to listen in shuffle mode. Paid plans remove ads and unlock downloads. For most people, the free version is sufficient for everyday use.

The most recommended apps

Spotify

The world's most popular music streaming service. The free version lets you listen to playlists, albums, and podcasts with ads, and the weekly recommendations are a highlight.

• Personalized playlists every week
• Podcasts in the same app
• Free version with ads

YouTube Music

It includes the official catalog as well as live versions, covers, and remixes that are only available on YouTube. Good for those who like to find rare recordings.

• Music videos, live performances, and covers.
• Integration with YouTube
• Free version with ads

Deezer

It has a large catalog and the Flow feature, which creates an endless radio station to your liking. It also identifies songs playing nearby.

• Customized Flow Radio
• Synchronized lyrics
• Free version available

SoundCloud

The place for independent artists, DJs, and remixes. Great for discovering new music before it hits the major platforms.

• Independent artists
• Remixes and DJ sets
• Free with ads

Audiomack

Strong in rap, funk, afrobeat, and urban music, with many releases from new artists. Allows saving songs to listen offline in the free version, according to the artist's release schedule.

• Focus on urban music
• Offline music released by artists
• Free

How to save data while listening to music

In each app's settings, there's an audio quality option. Reducing it to normal quality saves a lot of data. Whenever possible, use Wi-Fi to listen to or download music.

Beware of pirated apps.

Avoid apps from outside the official store that promise to download any song for free. Besides being illegal, many contain viruses and intrusive ads. The apps on this list are legal and pay the artists.

Podcasts and audiobooks in the same app.

Several of these apps also have free podcasts, ranging from news to humor and stories. It's a great way to pass the time on the commute or while doing housework. On Spotify and Deezer, podcasts are in their own tab and can be followed to receive new episodes.

How to create good playlists

Start by saving the songs you like while listening to radio stations and pre-made playlists. Then, organize them by occasion: workout, study, travel, or relaxation. The apps use these choices to improve recommendations, so the more you like and skip songs, the more accurate the suggestions become.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to listen to free music on these apps?

Yes. The free versions are official and supported by ads, which pay the artists.

Can I listen offline for free?

In most apps, downloading is a paid feature. Audiomack allows you to save some songs for free when the artist releases them.

Which one has the best music recommendations?

Spotify is highly praised for its personalized playlists, but Deezer Flow also gets a lot right.

Try two or three apps for a few days and stick with the one that best suits your taste. They're all free to start.