Shazam vs SoundHound: which is better in 2026?
Short answer: choose Shazam when the song is playing right now, around you or inside TikTok, Instagram or YouTube, since it listens even offline and from a Lock Screen widget. Choose SoundHound when the song is only in your head, since you can sing or hum it, and for lyrics that scroll along with the music. Shazam is also in Ukrainian; SoundHound is not.
How we compare: what each developer says the app does in its own App Store description, how it listens, offline use, what it does after it finds a song, and languages in the App Store. Then the current standing of both on the Censuus ranking.
| Shazam | SoundHound | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | music playing around you or in other apps | a tune you sing or hum |
| Singing or humming | not described in its store listing | yes |
| Inside other apps | TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, with headphones | not described in its store listing |
| Offline | recognises offline, result when back online | not described in its store listing |
| Lyrics | lyrics and videos | real-time lyrics as the song plays |
| Hands-free | Lock Screen widget, ask Siri | “Hey SoundHound” voice control |
| Play the song | Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer | Apple Music, Spotify, built-in YouTube player |
| Ukrainian | yes | no |
A song playing now
Shazam identifies music around you and in apps like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat, works with headphones and while you are in another app, and recognises songs offline, showing the result once you are back online. SoundHound listens for a few seconds and gives the title, artist, album and lyrics.
A song stuck in your head
SoundHound lets you press the button and sing or hum the tune, so you can find a song without hearing it again. Shazam needs the music itself. Google’s Hum to Search does humming too, and it is in song identification apps.
After you find it
Shazam keeps a history of everything you found, shows lyrics, videos and concerts nearby, and opens the song in Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music or Deezer. SoundHound keeps your discovery history and plays songs with lyrics that move along in real time, through Apple Music, Spotify or a built-in YouTube player.
Hands-free and language
Shazam starts from a Lock Screen widget or by asking Siri, and its app is in Ukrainian. SoundHound answers “Hey SoundHound” without touching the phone, with its app in English.
The verdict
Pick Shazam for songs playing around you or in other apps, offline and in Ukrainian. Pick SoundHound to find a song by singing or humming and to read lyrics in real time. To make your own music, see song maker apps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shazam or SoundHound better?
Neither outright. Shazam is better for music playing around you or in other apps, even offline; SoundHound is better when you can only sing or hum the song.
Can Shazam find a song by humming?
Shazam’s store listing describes identifying music that is playing. SoundHound and Google Hum to Search find a song you sing or hum.
Do Shazam and SoundHound work offline?
Shazam recognises songs offline and shows the result once you are back online.