SoundHound

Overview

SoundHound is a mobile app for identifying music, including tunes you sing or hum, and exploring songs with voice control. It suits listeners who want to find a song without knowing its title or keep discovery and playback within a voice-led app. Its strongest distinction is the combination of hum search, hands-free controls, and Apple Watch support; the trade-offs are ads on the free plan and dependence on music-service accounts for personalized playlists.

Identification history and listening links make it easier to return to discoveries and move from recognition to listening. Discoveries can sync across devices and be shared by social networks, messaging, or email.

For other options in the category, see our Music Identification Apps list.

Key features

Search by sound or by humming

The app identifies music playing nearby, and it can also search from a tune you sing or hum. That second route is useful when the song is stuck in your head but no recording is available. Identification history and listening links help carry a discovery forward, though SoundHound does not offer offline identification.

Voice control, lyrics, and listening

“Hey SoundHound…” commands can navigate the app, start discovery, and control playback hands-free. LiveLyrics displays lyrics in time with a song, adding a sing-along aid rather than just a song title. A built-in YouTube player offers one listening route; connecting Apple Music or Spotify adds service-based listening and playlists.

Personalized playlists through Apple Music or Spotify require both a SoundHound account and a music subscription. Playing Spotify playlists by voice also requires a Spotify account and registration. SoundHound therefore works best for voice-led playback when a listener is willing to connect and maintain the relevant service accounts.

Apple Watch and sharing

The Apple Watch app identifies music and displays LiveLyrics. A cellular-enabled watch can do this without an iPhone connection, which makes it a more independent option for watch users than a setup that relies on a nearby phone. Discoveries also sync across multiple devices and can be shared through Facebook, Twitter, messaging services, or email.

Pricing

SoundHound uses a freemium model with two plans. The free SoundHound plan costs nothing and includes ads, making it the sensible starting point for occasional searches or anyone comfortable with advertising.

SoundHound∞ costs $6.99, paid once, billed as a one-time fee with no monthly fees. It removes ads, so it suits regular users who want an ad-free experience without a recurring charge. It does not remove the need for an Apple Music or Spotify subscription to use personalized playlists through those services.

Platforms

SoundHound is a mobile app for Android and iOS. The Apple Watch app adds music identification and LiveLyrics on the watch, with cellular-enabled models able to work without an iPhone connection.

Who it's for

SoundHound is a good fit for curious listeners who often need to identify songs, hum tunes to search, or use voice controls while listening. It is especially appealing to Apple Watch owners who want identification and lyrics on their wrist. It is less suitable for people who need offline song recognition or want personalized playlists without paying for a connected music service.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Humming and singing offer a way to find a song when there is no recording to identify.
• Pros: Hands-free discovery and playback controls, LiveLyrics, and an Apple Watch app cover several stages of finding and following a song.
• Pros: The 6.99 USD one-time SoundHound∞ upgrade removes ads without adding monthly fees.
• Cons: The free version includes advertising.
• Cons: Offline identification is not supported, so the app is not a fit for searches that must work without a connection.
• Cons: Personalized Apple Music or Spotify playlists require both a SoundHound account and a paid music subscription; Spotify voice playlists also require account registration.

Alternatives

For a broader look at music discovery options, browse Music Identification Apps. The other linked options focus on drive-thru or voicebot software rather than music identification:

• Solink Drive-Thru AI is a paid option for Android, iOS, and web.
• Qu Drive-Thru is a paid Android and iOS option with pricing on request.
• Dine Out Pro Drive-Thru Software is a paid Android and web option, with listed plans for staff accounts, terminals, ordering, and web access.
• DRIVETHRUiQ is a paid web option.
• Berry AI Drive-Thru Timer is a paid web option with pricing and setup handled by Berry AI.
• VOICEplug Drive-Thru AI is a paid option.
• PAR Ordering is a paid Android, iOS, and web option with pricing available by contacting PAR.
• Hi Auto is a paid option.

Verdict

Choose SoundHound if you want a music identifier that can search by humming and extend discovery into voice control, lyrics, and Apple Watch use. Its best case is a listener who values those paths and is happy with ads or the one-time ad-free upgrade. Look elsewhere if offline identification is essential or if service-dependent playlists without a subscription are a priority.