Best Music & Radio Streaming Apps in India – Features, Plans & Comparison
Music and radio listening in India has changed dramatically. Instead of downloading MP3 files or searching manually for FM frequencies, users can now access millions of songs, podcasts, live radio stations and regional content directly from a smartphone.
Popular services such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, TuneIn and NewsOnAIR offer different combinations of free streaming, premium subscriptions, offline downloads, high-quality audio and live radio.
But which app offers the best value? Here is a simple comparison.
Best Music & Radio Streaming Apps in India
| App | Best For | Free Option | Premium/Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Music & playlists | Yes | From ₹139/month |
| Apple Music | Premium audio quality | Trial | ₹139/month Individual |
| YouTube Music | Songs & music videos | Yes | Premium available |
| JioSaavn | Indian & regional music | Yes | Pro plans available |
| Gaana | Hindi & regional songs | Limited | Gaana+ available |
| TuneIn | Global internet radio | Yes | Premium available |
| NewsOnAIR | AIR & regional radio | Yes | Free |
Prices and offers can change, and app-store pricing may differ by device or platform.
1. Spotify
Spotify is one of the most popular music-streaming services for discovering new songs, playlists and artists.
Its Premium Standard plan in India currently costs ₹139 per month, while a prepaid one-year Standard plan is listed at ₹799. Spotify also offers a verified Student plan at ₹69 per month and a Platinum tier with lossless audio and additional features.
Key Features
- Ad-free listening with Premium
- Offline song downloads
- Personalised playlists
- Podcasts
- Up to approximately 320 kbps on Standard Premium
- Lossless audio with selected Platinum plans
Best for: Users who like personalised music recommendations and playlists.
2. Apple Music
Apple Music is a strong choice for listeners who care about premium audio quality.
Apple currently lists its Individual plan in India at ₹139 per month, Family at ₹229 per month, and Student at ₹69 per month. The service includes more than 100 million songs, offline listening, Spatial Audio and lossless audio.
Apple Music also works on Android, Windows and many smart devices, so it is not limited to iPhone users.
Best for: High-quality audio, premium music and family subscriptions.
3. YouTube Music
If you frequently search for songs, live performances, remixes or music videos on YouTube, YouTube Music can be particularly convenient.
YouTube Music Premium supports:
- Ad-free music
- Background playback
- Offline downloads
- Music videos
- Songs and podcasts
Google currently offers Individual, Student, Family and annual/prepaid membership options in India, although the exact price shown can depend on your account and purchase method.
Best for: People who regularly use both YouTube and music streaming.
4. JioSaavn
JioSaavn remains a popular option for Bollywood, Hindi, Punjabi and other Indian-language music.
Its app offers free listening as well as paid Pro subscriptions. Current App Store listings include options such as approximately ₹99 monthly and ₹899 annually, although available prices and offers can vary.
JioSaavn can be especially useful for listeners who prefer Indian film music and regional songs.
Best for: Bollywood and Indian regional music.
5. Gaana
Gaana provides Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and other regional music along with podcasts and playlists.
Gaana+ provides features such as:
- Ad-free music
- Offline downloads
- High-quality streaming
- Lyrics
- Multiple-device support
Current app listings show Gaana+ purchase options around ₹119 for one month and ₹799 for one year, though prices can vary by platform and promotional offer.
Best for: Hindi and regional Indian music listeners.
6. TuneIn Radio
If your priority is live radio rather than only songs, TuneIn deserves attention.
TuneIn’s free service provides access to a large collection of internet radio stations and podcasts. Premium adds selected commercial-free content, audiobooks, news and sports services. Pricing varies depending on location and platform.
Best for: Live international radio, news, talk shows and podcasts.
7. NewsOnAIR
For listeners searching specifically for All India Radio or Akashvani, NewsOnAIR is one of the most useful options.
Prasar Bharati provides the app free for mobile users to listen to supported AIR radio stations. WAVES is another Prasar Bharati platform offering live radio, TV and other digital content.
You may find national and regional Akashvani programming from different parts of India.
Best for: All India Radio, regional radio and news.
|
Which Music Streaming App Is Best?
Your best choice depends on what you listen to.
| Requirement | Recommended Option |
|---|---|
| Personalised playlists | Spotify |
| Lossless/premium audio | Apple Music |
| Music videos | YouTube Music |
| Bollywood & regional songs | JioSaavn / Gaana |
| International live radio | TuneIn |
| All India Radio | NewsOnAIR |
| Offline music | Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music |
Free vs Premium Music Apps
Free plans are suitable for casual listeners, but they may include advertisements, playback restrictions or limited offline features.
Premium subscriptions usually provide benefits such as ad-free streaming, offline downloads, higher audio quality, unlimited skips and improved playback control.
Before subscribing, compare the monthly and annual price, audio quality, supported devices and cancellation conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best free music app in India?
Spotify, YouTube Music, JioSaavn and some other services provide free listening options, although features and advertisements vary.
Which app is best for regional Indian songs?
JioSaavn and Gaana offer extensive Indian-language music, while other major streaming apps also provide regional catalogues.
Which app is best for All India Radio?
NewsOnAIR is an official Prasar Bharati option for listening to supported AIR stations.
Which music app has lossless audio?
Apple Music includes lossless audio in its subscription, while Spotify currently offers lossless listening through its Platinum tier.
Is an annual plan cheaper than monthly payment?
Sometimes. For example, Spotify currently lists its prepaid Standard annual plan at ₹799 compared with ₹139 per month for its Standard monthly subscription. Always compare the latest price before paying.
Conclusion
There is no single music or radio app that is best for everyone. Spotify is strong for discovery, Apple Music focuses on premium sound quality, YouTube Music combines songs with videos, while JioSaavn and Gaana are useful for Indian and regional music.
For live internet radio, TuneIn provides a broad selection, while NewsOnAIR is a useful choice for listeners interested in All India Radio and regional Akashvani services.
Compare the latest subscription price, offline-download options, audio quality and available content before choosing a paid music or radio streaming plan.