Best Music Streaming Apps in India – Spotify, JioSaavn, Gaana & More
India has totally transformed the way people listen to songs in the era of music streaming. Rather than downloading a single song or keeping hundreds of MP3 tracks on their phone, users can now stream millions of songs directly from their phones. Whether you’re into Bollywood, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, or international hits, today’s best music streaming apps in India have something for everyone.
Spotify, JioSaavn, Gaana, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are some of the popular platforms that offer extensive libraries of music, playlists, podcasts, and offline listening. But each app comes with its own set of advantages. Some are better at music discovery, while others offer better regional content, audio quality, or premium features.
If you are uncertain about which music streaming app to choose, this guide compares some of the most popular music streaming apps available in India.
Quick Comparison of the Best Music Streaming Apps in India
| Music App | Free Listening | Offline Music | Regional Songs | Main Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Yes | Premium | Yes | Personalized playlists and discovery |
| JioSaavn | Yes | Premium | Excellent | Bollywood and Indian regional music |
| Gaana | Yes | Premium features may vary | Excellent | Hindi and regional music |
| YouTube Music | Yes | Premium | Yes | Songs, covers, remixes, and live versions |
| Apple Music | Trial/Subscription | Yes | Yes | Lossless and Spatial Audio |
| Amazon Music | Depends on plan | Yes | Yes | Useful for Amazon ecosystem users |
Availability, features, and subscription prices are subject to change. Users are advised to verify details in the respective app before subscribing.
1. Spotify – Great for Discovering Music and Creating Playlists
Spotify is a widely used music streaming application globally, and it has established a significant user base in India. Its main advantage is its recommendation system.
Spotify makes custom playlists according to your music taste. Daily mixes and recommended tracks can help users find new artists and songs easily without having to browse them individually.
The platform has Bollywood music, English songs, Punjabi music, independent artists, and music in various languages.
Premium users get features like ad-free listening, offline downloading, and better audio quality. Spotify also has various premium accounts, such as individual and student accounts.
Key Features of Spotify
- Large collection of Indian and international music
- Personalized song recommendations
- Playlists by music genre
- Podcasts and audio content
- Offline music downloads with eligible premium plans
- High-quality audio options
- Easy playlist creation and sharing
For those who like to find new songs on a regular basis, Spotify may be a great option.
2. JioSaavn – Best for Bollywood and Regional Indian Music Lovers
JioSaavn is still one of the most popular Indian music streaming platforms. It is especially popular among listeners who often listen to Bollywood songs and regional Indian music.
Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, and other regional language tracks are available in the app.
Users can search by artist, album, playlist, and trending songs. JioSaavn also has curated playlists for activities and moods like workouts, travelling, romance, and relaxation.
Key Features of JioSaavn
- Large Bollywood music library
- Strong collection of Indian music
- Curated playlists
- Artist and album discovery
- Podcasts and other audio content
- Offline listening with eligible subscription plans
- Personalized recommendations
If you are primarily interested in Indian music, JioSaavn is one of the apps you should consider.
3. Gaana – Popular Choice for Hindi and Regional Songs
Gaana has been a trusted name in the Indian digital music industry for years. The platform is mainly focused on Bollywood, Hindi music, and regional songs.
Listeners can browse music by artist, language, album, genre, and mood. Regional music availability makes Gaana important for people who want to listen to music in their native language.
Key Features of Gaana
- Bollywood songs
- Hindi music
- Punjabi tracks
- Regional Indian songs
- Curated playlists
- Trending music discovery
- Personalized listening experience
For those seeking an Indian-focused music streaming platform that offers a wide range of music genres across different regions, Gaana may be a helpful option.
4. YouTube Music – Best for Songs, Remixes, and Live Versions
YouTube Music stands apart from other conventional music streaming platforms because it uses the immense music ecosystem of YouTube.
In addition to official tracks and albums, users can also find live performances, cover versions, remixes, and more, which may not always be easily accessible on standard music apps.
Its recommendation engine also adjusts to the user’s listening preferences.
Key Features of YouTube Music
- Official music videos and songs
- Live performances
- Covers and remixes
- Personalized playlists
- Indian and international music
- Background listening with eligible Premium plans
- Offline downloads with Premium
YouTube Music is especially handy for those who often switch between songs and music videos.
5. Apple Music – Great Option for High-Quality Audio
Apple Music is a great choice for music lovers who value audio quality. It offers access to a huge library of songs and features like Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio for compatible songs and devices.
The name may imply that it is only for Apple products, but Apple Music is also accessible on Android and other platforms.
It offers playlists featuring Bollywood, regional Indian music, international artists, classics, and new releases.
Key Features of Apple Music
- Over 100 million songs
- Lossless Audio
- Spatial Audio for compatible music
- Offline downloads
- Ad-free listening
- Curated playlists
- Apple Music Classical with eligible subscription plans
For those who have high-quality headphones or speakers, Apple Music could be a compelling choice for audio quality.
6. Amazon Music – Convenient for Amazon Ecosystem Users
Another popular music streaming choice is Amazon Music, which is especially useful for those already using Amazon services.
It offers music in various genres and languages, including Bollywood, English, and regional Indian music. Specific features may depend on the subscription or Amazon membership being used.
Key Features of Amazon Music
- Indian and international songs
- Bollywood playlists
- Regional music
- Alexa integration
- Personalized recommendations
- Music on smartphones and supported smart devices
Amazon Music might work well for families who are already using Alexa-enabled speakers or other Amazon products.
Free vs Premium Music Streaming Apps
An important question is whether you really need to subscribe to a music streaming service.
If you just want to listen to music occasionally, the free versions of music streaming apps might be sufficient. Free services typically allow you to search for and play a vast collection of songs.
However, some free plans may include ads or platform limitations.
With premium plans, you’ll likely receive benefits like:
- Ad-free music
- Offline song downloads
- Better audio quality
- More playback control
- Background listening
- Additional premium features
If you’re listening to music on a daily basis, you might consider subscribing to a premium plan. Casual listeners may prefer to start with a free plan and upgrade later.
Which Music Streaming App Is Best in India?
No app is right for everyone. Which one is best depends on the listener.
If you’re looking for personalized recommendations and discovering new music, choose Spotify.
If you mainly listen to Bollywood and regional Indian songs, choose JioSaavn.
If you prefer another India-focused option, choose Gaana, which offers Hindi and regional music.
Choose YouTube Music if you prefer official songs, remixes, covers, music videos, and live performances.
If audio quality, Lossless Audio, and Spatial Audio are important to you, choose Apple Music.
If you are already using Amazon services or Alexa devices, choose Amazon Music.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Music Streaming App
Compare a few important factors before spending money on a music streaming service.
Music Library
Make sure the app includes your favorite artists, albums, and regional languages.
Audio Quality
Users with high-quality headphones, car audio systems, or speakers may prefer higher-quality or lossless streaming.
Offline Downloads
Offline downloads can be very handy if you are travelling or have limited mobile data.
Subscription Cost
Compare monthly, annual, student, and family plans, if applicable. Subscription fees may change, so check the official app for current pricing.
Regional Language Support
Indian users should also check whether the platform offers enough music in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, and other regional languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is the Best Music Streaming App in India?
Spotify, JioSaavn, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Gaana, and Amazon Music are among the major options. The best app will vary depending on whether you want recommendations, regional songs, audio quality, or music videos.
Which Is the Best Music App for Bollywood Songs?
JioSaavn and Gaana have traditionally focused strongly on Bollywood and regional Indian music. Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music also have large collections of Bollywood music.
Can I Listen to Music for Free?
Yes. Some music streaming apps offer free streaming with ads or certain playback restrictions. Premium subscriptions usually remove advertising and provide additional features.
Which Music App Is Best for Regional Indian Songs?
For regional Indian music, you can consider JioSaavn, Gaana, Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, which offer music in various Indian languages.
Which Music Streaming App Is Best for Audio Quality?
Apple Music offers Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio for supported tracks and devices. Spotify also offers high-quality audio options, including lossless audio through selected premium services.
Is It Possible to Download Music for Offline Listening?
Yes. Offline downloads are available on most major music streaming platforms with eligible paid plans.
Spotify or JioSaavn – Which One Is Better?
Spotify excels in personalized recommendations and international music discovery. JioSaavn is particularly attractive for those with a strong interest in Bollywood and regional Indian music. The better choice depends on your personal taste.
Is YouTube Music Worth Using?
For those who love official songs, music videos, covers, live performances, and remixes in one place, YouTube Music can be very useful.
Conclusion
With the best music streaming apps in India, you can listen to millions of songs without having to download a large music library on your smartphone. Spotify is great for personalization and music discovery, while JioSaavn and Gaana are good options for Bollywood and regional Indian music. Apple Music places a strong emphasis on audio quality, while YouTube Music provides a distinct mix of songs, videos, covers, and remixes. For those already familiar with Amazon’s ecosystem, Amazon Music can also be a convenient option.
Rather than choosing an app simply because it is popular, look into its music library, regional language support, audio quality, offline options, and subscription price. Using a free version or trial can also be a good way to determine which platform is right for you.