Audius

Overview

Audius is a music-sharing and streaming service built around artists, labels and fans. It best suits listeners seeking free discovery and independent artists who want to upload and sell releases. Its strongest case is the combination of free access, artist-set prices and detailed search filters; sellers should weigh the 10% fee and strict rights rules.

Key features

Listeners can discover, stream, collect, like and share tracks without charge. Search filters for genre, mood, key, BPM and download availability make it easier to narrow a catalog by musical characteristics rather than just artist or title. Streaming reaches 320kbps at a 48kHz sample rate, with lossless downloads when an artist enables them; offline listening is supported too. That is a useful set of options for listeners who care about sound quality and want music away from a connection, though lossless downloads depend on the artist.

Artists can upload and promote music for free, then offer releases at no cost or set a price. Fans can buy tracks and albums with credit or debit cards or cryptocurrency. Artists receive 90% of sales, with the remaining 10% taken as a network fee; the balance is available for instant withdrawal. This gives artists a direct way to sell music, but the fee cuts into earnings on every paid release.

The REST API can query and stream tracks, users and playlists. Most read endpoints do not need credentials, while write actions require an API key and secret. A JavaScript SDK, OAuth login and a GraphQL subgraph hosted by The Graph give developers further ways to build integrations or index Audius smart-contract data.

Audius says direct messages are end-to-end encrypted, so only the sender and recipient can read them, but group messaging is unavailable. Artist verification requires a KYC/ID check and unlocks features including Fan Clubs and Message Blasts. Uploads must be music the uploader owns or has explicit written permission or a licensing arrangement to use, and content is scanned for flagged material. Artists dealing with mistaken copyright takedowns or verification difficulties can contact [email protected].

Pricing

Free Audius Music: free. The plan includes free streaming, uploads and promotion; listeners can use discovery and sharing features at no charge. Artists can set paid-content prices, but Audius takes a 10% network fee on sales. The free plan makes Audius a low-commitment choice for listeners and a no-cost way for artists to publish, while sellers should account for that cut.

Platforms

Audius supports web browsers, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux. Its broad desktop and mobile coverage suits listeners moving between devices, with modern Android and iOS devices supported.

Who it's for

Audius is a strong fit for artists who want free uploads, promotion and control over release prices, and for fans who want free streaming, discovery and a way to buy directly from artists. It is less suited to artists who cannot document rights to their uploads or want to avoid a sales fee. Developers building around music catalogs may also value the API and integration options.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Listeners can stream, discover and share music for free, with offline listening and high-quality streaming.
• Pro: Search filters include mood, key, BPM and download availability, helping listeners find music by more than name or artist.
• Pro: Artists can upload at no cost and set release prices, with 90% of sales available for instant withdrawal.
• Con: The 10% fee reduces proceeds from every music sale.
• Con: Uploads require ownership or explicit written permission or a licensing arrangement, so artists need to clear rights before publishing.
• Con: Group messaging is unavailable, and verification requires a KYC/ID check.

Alternatives

Anghami is another freemium service with a free plan and apps for Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows; its Family Plan covers six accounts, making it a relevant option for households.

Amazon Music offers a free plan and trial across Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows. Its Amazon Music Prime plan is free, included with a Prime membership, and includes ad-free music and podcasts plus offline listening for All-Access Playlists.

Deezer has a free, ad-supported plan with over 120 million songs, a better fit for listeners prioritizing a large catalog over Audius's artist uploads and sales tools.

Playary is a free option across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows; consider it if you want a service spanning music, podcasts, movies, audiobooks and TV shows.

Calm Radio offers 200 music channels, guided sleep and meditation, nature sounds and scenic videos in its free plan, so it suits ambient listening and wellness content better than artist-led music discovery.

JioSaavn has a free plan with ads and in-app purchases and supports Android, iOS, web and Windows; it is an alternative for listeners who want a freemium music app.

Pandora pairs personalized stations and podcasts in its free plan, with unlimited skips unlocked by viewing an ad. Choose it for station-based listening rather than artist uploads and direct sales.

IDAGIO offers a free plan with six collection items; its Premium Audio plan adds offline mobile playback, ad-free listening and on-demand playback, making it a fit for listeners seeking those premium listening features.

Browse more options in Music Streaming Software.

Verdict

Audius is worth choosing if you want free music discovery or a direct, artist-controlled way to publish and sell releases. Its distinctive strengths are detailed search and free artist uploads, but the 10% sales fee and rights requirements make it a weaker fit for sellers who need every dollar or cannot clear their catalog.