Best Music Streaming Apps With Free & Premium Plans in India
Music streaming applications have made it more convenient to enjoy Bollywood songs, Punjabi music, Bengali songs, Tamil and Telugu songs, podcasts, international music, as well as personalized playlists directly from a smartphone. Instead of downloading hundreds of MP3 files, users can search for their favorite artist, album, or playlist and begin listening within seconds.
The top free and premium music streaming apps in India include Spotify, JioSaavn, YouTube Music, Gaana, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Some platforms offer free ad-supported listening, while others are primarily based on paid subscriptions or offer a free trial period.
Premium packages typically come with extra features such as ad-free listening, offline downloads, better sound quality, background playback, and more playback control. Deciding between free and paid music streaming depends on how often you listen to music and which features are important to you.
Best Music Streaming Apps With Free & Premium Plans – Quick Comparison
| Music App | Free Access | Premium Option | Offline Downloads | Ad-Free Premium | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Yes | Spotify Premium | Yes | Yes | Music discovery & playlists |
| JioSaavn | Yes | JioSaavn Pro | Yes | Yes | Bollywood & regional music |
| YouTube Music | Yes | Music Premium | Yes | Yes | Videos, covers & remixes |
| Gaana | Free app/access | Gaana Plus | Yes | Yes | Hindi & regional music |
| Apple Music | Trial | Paid subscription | Yes | Yes | Premium audio quality |
| Amazon Music | Prime-linked access | Depends on membership | Available | Depends on plan | Amazon ecosystem users |
Plans, prices, promotional trials, and features are subject to change. Before subscribing, users should verify the subscription details with the relevant app.
1. Spotify – Free Streaming With Flexible Premium Plans
Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services for those who love discovering new songs and receiving recommendations based on their taste.
Its catalog includes Bollywood, Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, independent artists, podcasts, and international music.
Spotify provides free listening as well as several Premium options. Premium Standard currently includes ad-free listening, offline listening, full playback control, and very high audio quality of around 320 kbps. Spotify also has a Platinum version that features lossless audio and additional features.
Key Features of Spotify
- Free music streaming
- Personalized playlists
- Bollywood and regional songs
- International music
- Podcasts
- Artist discovery
- Create and share playlists
- Offline downloads with Premium
- Ad-free Premium listening
- High-quality audio
- Lossless audio with eligible plans
Who Should Choose Spotify?
Spotify is a great option for those looking for personalized recommendations, international music, Indian songs, podcasts, and music discovery.
Free listening may be enough for occasional users, while Premium may be more suitable for frequent users who want offline and ad-free listening.
2. JioSaavn – Free Music With JioSaavn Pro Upgrade
Bollywood and regional Indian music enthusiasts are especially fond of JioSaavn.
Along with songs in various languages, the platform also provides podcasts, playlists, recommendations, devotional music, and international music.
JioSaavn allows users to continue listening to songs online for free with advertisements. JioSaavn Pro includes benefits such as ad-free listening, unlimited downloads, offline playback, and better audio quality.
Key Features of JioSaavn
- Free music streaming
- Bollywood songs
- Hindi music
- Punjabi songs
- Bengali tracks
- Tamil and Telugu music
- Marathi and Gujarati songs
- Podcasts
- Personalized recommendations
- JioTunes for eligible users
- Offline downloads with Pro
- Ad-free listening with Pro
Who Should Choose JioSaavn?
JioSaavn is particularly beneficial for those who primarily enjoy Indian-language songs.
Those who are mainly interested in online streaming may find the free version suitable, while Pro can be more convenient for users who want offline listening and fewer interruptions.
3. YouTube Music – Free Music, Videos and Premium Features
Unlike other music streaming apps, YouTube Music provides a unique experience by combining YouTube’s vast library of videos and music-related content with a traditional music streaming service.
Users can search for music videos, acoustic versions, remixes, covers, live performances, albums, and official songs.
The free version allows users to listen to music with advertisements. YouTube Music Premium offers background playback, offline music, and ad-free listening.
Key Features of YouTube Music
- Free ad-supported streaming
- Official songs and albums
- Bollywood and regional music
- Music videos
- Covers
- Remixes
- Live performances
- Personalized mixes
- Podcasts
- Offline downloads with Premium
- Background playback with Premium
Who Should Use YouTube Music?
For those who often switch between songs and videos, YouTube Music may be a great choice.
It is also helpful for listeners looking for remixes, live versions, or covers that may not be available on conventional streaming services.
4. Gaana – Hindi, Punjabi and Regional Music
Gaana is also a popular music platform in India.
It features Bollywood, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, and other regional music, podcasts, and playlists.
Gaana Plus offers ad-free listening, high-definition audio, unlimited downloads, offline listening, unlimited skips, and other premium benefits. It is also listed with more than 45 million songs and music in various Indian languages.
Key Features of Gaana
- Bollywood songs
- Hindi music
- Punjabi tracks
- Bengali songs
- Tamil and Telugu songs
- Marathi music
- Regional songs
- Podcasts and shows
- Lyrics
- Curated playlists
- Offline listening with Gaana Plus
- Ad-free listening with Gaana Plus
- HD audio with eligible plans
Who Should Choose Gaana?
Gaana may be suitable for users who mainly listen to Indian music, especially Hindi, Bollywood, Punjabi, devotional, and regional Indian songs.
The premium version can be beneficial for users who prefer offline songs and ad-free listening.
5. Apple Music – Premium Music With a Free Trial
Unlike Spotify or JioSaavn, Apple Music is not a long-term free music service supported by advertisements.
Instead, eligible new subscribers may receive a free trial period before paying for a subscription. Apple Music places a strong emphasis on a premium listening experience and offers Lossless Audio, Spatial Audio, and ad-free music.
The service is not limited to iPhones. It can also be used on supported Android, Windows, smart TVs, and other devices.
Key Features of Apple Music
- Large music catalog
- Bollywood and regional songs
- International music
- Ad-free listening
- Lossless Audio
- Spatial Audio
- Dolby Atmos with compatible content
- Offline downloads
- Personalized playlists
- Lyrics
- Apple Music Classical
Who Should Choose Apple Music?
If sound quality is more important than free access, Apple Music may be worth considering.
It may be beneficial for users who have good-quality headphones, speakers, or home audio systems.
6. Amazon Music – Convenient for Amazon Users
Amazon Music offers Indian and international songs, playlists, podcasts, stations, and regional categories.
The platform includes Bollywood, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, and other Indian music genres.
Amazon Prime Music is tied to eligible Amazon Prime membership and does not work exactly like a standard free ad-supported service.
Key Features of Amazon Music
- Bollywood songs
- Punjabi music
- Regional Indian music
- International tracks
- Playlists
- Music stations
- Podcasts
- Smart-device integration
- Alexa compatibility
- Personalized listening
Amazon Music may be convenient for those who already have an Amazon Prime subscription or compatible Alexa devices.
Free vs Premium Music Streaming Apps
The most obvious difference between free and paid music streaming services is convenience.
Free versions may include:
- Advertisements
- Playback restrictions
- Limited skips
- Limited background playback
- No offline downloads
- Fewer audio-quality options
Typical benefits of a premium subscription include:
- Ad-free music
- Offline downloads
- Better audio quality
- Background playback
- Unlimited or enhanced playback control
- Additional premium features
A free plan might be sufficient for those who enjoy music occasionally. If you’re listening on the go, at the gym, during a commute, or for several hours at a time, premium options can be more useful.
Which Free Music Streaming App Is Best in India?
Spotify, JioSaavn, and YouTube Music are some of the popular platforms offering free listening.
Spotify can be useful for personalized recommendations.
JioSaavn may be suitable for Bollywood and regional Indian songs.
YouTube Music stands out for those who are primarily looking for songs along with videos, remixes, covers, and live performances.
Which Premium Music App Is Best?
It depends on your priorities when choosing the best premium option.
If you’re looking for personalized discovery, playlists, offline listening, and high-quality audio, choose Spotify Premium.
If Bollywood and Indian regional music are your priorities, choose JioSaavn Pro.
If background playback, offline music, videos, covers, and remixes are important to you, choose YouTube Music Premium.
If you mostly listen to Hindi and regional Indian music, choose Gaana Plus.
If Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio matter to you, choose Apple Music.
How to Choose the Right Music Streaming Plan
Check Your Listening Frequency
Premium features may not be necessary for occasional listeners. However, offline and ad-free playback may be useful for regular listeners.
Compare Regional Music
Make sure the app provides enough music in your preferred languages.
Check Offline Downloads
Offline listening can be useful while travelling or when there is no internet connection.
Compare Audio Quality
Users with premium headphones or speakers may prefer premium or lossless audio options.
Compare Plan Features
The prices and benefits of plans may vary, so check the latest information before making a payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Music Streaming Apps Offer Free & Premium Plans in India?
Popular music streaming apps in India include Spotify, JioSaavn, YouTube Music, Gaana, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Which Music Apps Are Free in India?
Spotify, JioSaavn, and YouTube Music offer free listening options. Free versions may include advertisements or playback restrictions.
Is JioSaavn Free?
Yes. JioSaavn allows users to play songs online for free with advertisements. JioSaavn Pro offers premium features such as ad-free listening, offline playback, and improved audio quality.
Is Spotify Free in India?
Yes. Spotify offers a free version for listeners and a Premium version with additional features such as ad-free listening, offline downloads, and better audio quality.
Is YouTube Music Free?
Yes. YouTube Music offers free listening with advertisements. Premium includes ad-free playback, downloads, and background play.
Does Apple Music Offer a Free Plan?
Apple Music does not primarily offer a permanent free ad-supported plan. Some eligible new users may receive a free trial before starting a subscription.
Can I Download Songs With a Free Plan?
Offline downloads are typically premium features on major music streaming platforms.
Is a Premium Music Subscription Worth It?
For regular listeners who want better audio quality, offline listening, and ad-free music, a premium subscription may be beneficial.
Conclusion
Some of the best music streaming apps with free and paid plans available in India give listeners several options to choose from.
Spotify offers personalized playlists and several premium features along with free streaming. JioSaavn is also an excellent choice for Bollywood and regional Indian music, while YouTube Music combines music with videos, covers, remixes, and live performances. Gaana places a significant emphasis on Hindi and regional music, Apple Music offers a more premium audio experience, and Amazon Music may be convenient for those already connected to the Amazon ecosystem.
When deciding between a free music plan and a paid music plan, consider the music library, advertisements, regional language support, offline downloads, audio quality, device compatibility, and active subscription benefits. The best plan is the one that matches your music listening frequency and the features you actually use.