Best Free Music Apps in India – Stream Hindi, Bengali & Regional Songs
Music streaming apps are more user-friendly than ever, allowing users to enjoy songs without downloading hundreds of MP3 files onto their smartphones. Now you can find Bollywood songs, Bengali songs, Punjabi songs, Tamil music, Telugu songs, Marathi music, devotional songs, independent artists, podcasts, and international songs directly from your phone.
The best free music apps in India offer access to extensive music libraries without paying for a subscription upfront. Spotify, JioSaavn, YouTube Music, Gaana, and SoundCloud are all popular platforms that provide a variety of free listening experiences.
Some apps are great for Bollywood and regional Indian music, while others are great for international music, remixes, independent artists, podcasts, and personalized playlists. Free plans might contain ads or some playback restrictions, while paid plans usually offer more features.
Best Free Music Apps in India – Quick Comparison
| Music App | Free Streaming | Hindi Songs | Bengali & Regional Songs | Podcasts | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Personalized playlists and discovery |
| JioSaavn | Yes | Excellent | Excellent | Yes | Bollywood and Indian regional music |
| YouTube Music | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Songs, videos, covers and remixes |
| Gaana | Available | Excellent | Excellent | Yes | Hindi, Bengali and regional songs |
| SoundCloud | Yes | Limited mainstream Indian catalog | Independent content | Limited | Remixes and independent artists |
Specific features and availability are subject to change. Free plans might have advertisements or playback restrictions.
1. Spotify – Free Music and Personalized Playlists
Spotify is among the most popular music streaming apps for users who love to discover new music.
It has a free version where users can listen to music with ads. Spotify offers Bollywood songs, Hindi songs, Punjabi songs, Bengali songs, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, independent Indian songs, and international songs.
The key feature that makes Spotify stand out is personalized music discovery. Based on listening habits, the app suggests songs and playlists.
Spotify also has playlists for various activities and moods such as workouts, journeys, relaxation, parties, romance, and study sessions.
Key Features of Spotify
- Premium music streaming with subscription fees and no ads
- Hindi and Bollywood songs
- Regional Indian music
- International songs
- Personalized playlists
- Podcasts
- Artist and album discovery
- Create and share playlists
Spotify also has Premium subscription options, which include ad-free music, downloadable music, and higher sound quality.
Spotify might be a good option for those who listen to Indian and international music and like personalized recommendations.
2. JioSaavn – Good for Hindi and Regional Indian Music
JioSaavn is one of the most helpful platforms for listeners who are predominantly fond of Indian music.
The platform features Bollywood music and songs in multiple Indian languages, making it more appealing for those who are looking for regional songs.
Currently, JioSaavn describes itself as a free song app and says that users can continue streaming songs online for free with advertisements. It also provides music in 16 languages and a vast collection of Bollywood, devotional, regional, and international music.
Key Features of JioSaavn
- Free music streaming
- Bollywood songs
- Hindi music
- Bengali songs
- Punjabi music
- Tamil and Telugu songs
- Marathi and Gujarati songs
- Kannada and Malayalam songs
- Podcasts
- Personalized recommendations
- Mood-based playlists
- JioTunes for eligible users
JioSaavn is particularly helpful for those who like listening to Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and other regional Indian music.
3. YouTube Music – Songs, Covers, Videos and Remixes
Another popular choice for free online music is YouTube Music.
The main benefit of its YouTube-powered content is that it offers a wide range of options. Official songs, covers, acoustic versions, remixes, live versions, music videos, and other versions of popular songs are all available for users.
This may be especially helpful if a song or version isn’t available on a standard streaming service.
Key Features of YouTube Music
- Free music streaming
- Bollywood songs
- Hindi and regional songs
- Music videos
- Live performances
- Cover songs
- Remixes
- Personalized recommendations
- Playlists and mixes
- Podcasts
Listeners can enjoy tracks, albums, and artists for free on YouTube Music, while YouTube Music Premium adds extra features including ad-free music, background playback, and the ability to download music for offline listening.
For those who enjoy video-driven music discovery, YouTube Music may be a great option.
4. Gaana – Popular for Hindi, Bengali and Regional Songs
Gaana is a familiar Indian music platform.
It provides a vast selection of songs in Hindi, Bollywood, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, devotional, and other regional genres.
The current Gaana app includes Hindi songs, Bollywood music, regional music, podcasts, independent music, and international music. The app is available as a free Music & Audio download with in-app purchases, while Gaana Plus offers premium features such as ad-free listening and offline downloads.
Key Features of Gaana
- Hindi and Bollywood songs
- Bengali music
- Punjabi tracks
- Tamil and Telugu music
- Marathi songs
- Gujarati music
- Kannada and Malayalam songs
- Devotional music
- Podcasts and shows
- Lyrics
- Curated playlists
For those whose listening habits are mainly focused on Indian-language music, Gaana can be useful.
5. SoundCloud – Best for Remixes and Independent Music
Unlike other popular music streaming services, SoundCloud is unique.
It is focused heavily on independent artists, DJs, creators, remixes, demos, DJ sets, and emerging music.
On SoundCloud, users looking for versions of songs that aren’t available on mainstream music platforms, or for independent artists, may find content that is not available elsewhere.
SoundCloud allows listeners to stream music online and offers a selection of popular songs, remixes, demos, DJ sets, and independent uploads.
Key Features of SoundCloud
- Free online listening
- Independent artists
- Remixes
- DJ sets
- Alternative tracks and demos
- Artist discovery
- User-uploaded music
- Music communities
Though it may not be the ideal platform for Bollywood movie songs or Bengali film songs, SoundCloud can be a good place for finding independent and experimental music.
Best Free Music App for Hindi Songs
For those who mainly want to listen to Hindi or Bollywood songs, JioSaavn and Gaana are good options.
Both platforms focus on Indian music with playlists based on artists, movies, moods, and genres.
YouTube Music also has a good Bollywood and Hindi music section, while Spotify has a large collection as well.
Best Free Music App for Bengali Songs
For Bengali music enthusiasts, JioSaavn, Gaana, Spotify, and YouTube Music are good options.
You can find Bengali movie songs, modern Bengali music, popular Bengali artists, devotional music, and various regional playlists.
Song availability may differ based on licensing.
Best Apps for Other Regional Indian Songs
India is a country with diverse music listeners, so regional language support is important when choosing a music app.
Popular platforms offer music in languages such as:
- Hindi
- Bengali
- Punjabi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Marathi
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Bhojpuri
- Assamese
- Odia
Users should check their favorite artists and regional catalogs before choosing an app that suits them best.
Free Music Apps vs Premium Music Apps
For casual listeners, free music streaming apps may be sufficient.
However, free plans may contain advertisements or have some playback restrictions.
Typically, premium plans offer features such as:
- Ad-free listening
- Offline song downloads
- Higher audio quality
- Background playback
- Better playback control
- Additional premium features
For instance, JioSaavn says that its free version includes online streaming with ads, whereas Pro offers ad-free streaming, offline listening, and better audio quality.
How to Choose the Best Free Music App in India
Check Regional Music Availability
Ensure that the app has enough music in your preferred language.
Compare the Free Plan
Check whether free users can easily search and play songs and what restrictions may apply.
Look at Music Discovery
Spotify and YouTube Music may be useful for finding songs based on what you listen to.
Check Podcasts and Audio Shows
If you listen to podcasts as well as songs, compare the podcast catalog available on each platform.
Compare Premium Features
Even if you don’t have a paid plan, it can help to know what features are included if you decide to upgrade later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is the Best Free Music App in India?
Some popular options are Spotify, JioSaavn, YouTube Music, Gaana, and SoundCloud. The best choice depends on your preferred language and type of music.
Which Free Music App Is Best for Hindi Songs?
For Hindi and Bollywood music, JioSaavn and Gaana are good choices. Spotify and YouTube Music also have large collections of Hindi songs.
Which Music App Is Best for Bengali Songs?
JioSaavn, Gaana, Spotify, and YouTube Music offer Bengali music. Song availability may differ across platforms.
Is JioSaavn Free?
Yes. According to JioSaavn, users can enjoy songs online for free with advertisements.
Is YouTube Music Free?
Yes. YouTube Music offers free music streaming, while Premium provides offline music downloads, background listening, and ad-free playback.
Can I Download Songs for Free?
Offline downloads are typically premium features on major music streaming platforms. Users should review the current plan of their chosen app.
Which App Is Best for Regional Indian Music?
JioSaavn and Gaana are especially good for regional Indian music, while YouTube Music and Spotify also offer songs in several Indian languages.
Which Free Music App Is Best for Remixes?
YouTube Music and SoundCloud can be useful for finding remixes, covers, live versions, DJ sets, and alternative versions of tracks.
Conclusion
There are several free music apps available in India that allow users to easily play Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, and other regional songs without having to store a huge offline music collection.
For personalized recommendations and discovery, Spotify is a great option, while JioSaavn and Gaana are strong choices for Bollywood and regional Indian music. YouTube Music is useful for songs, music videos, covers, and remixes, while SoundCloud is good for independent artists and alternative music.
The choice of which app to use will depend on your preferred language, artists, tolerance for ads, and whether you need offline listening capabilities. Comparing the free versions first can help you decide which music app is best for your everyday listening.