Listening to music on the go is a common activity for many people. Whether commuting, traveling, or simply away from a WiFi connection, having offline access to your favorite songs and playlists is invaluable. With streaming services rising in popularity, downloading music directly to your mobile device is easier than ever.
In this guide, I compare the top 15 apps for downloading music for both [history-computer]Android[/history-computer] and iOS platforms. Keep reading to determine which music service best fits your needs.
Why Download Music to Your Phone?
Before diving into the apps, let‘s review some key benefits of downloading music versus streaming:
- Access without internet: Downloaded music can be played anywhere, anytime – no WiFi or cell data required
- Save mobile data: Listening to offline music won‘t eat up your monthly bandwidth allotment
- Reliable playback: Spotty connections won‘t interrupt your listening experience
- Customization: Curate specific playlists and albums to have on hand
- Travel: Download music ahead of flights, long drives, or other situations where internet access may be limited
5 Key Factors for Comparison
There is no definitive "best" music downloading app. Different services cater to different audiences and needs. When evaluating options, consider these key factors:
- Library size – number of songs available to download
- Sound quality – file formats, bitrates, availability of lossless audio
- Price – free vs paid tiers, subscription cost
- Ease of use – intuitive interfaces for finding, downloading, and playing music offline
- Platform availability – iOS, Android, web player, etc.
Now let‘s explore 15 top contenders for downloading music to your mobile device offline.
1. Spotify
Spotify reigns supreme when it comes to music selection and brand recognition. With over 70 million tracks available, depths of curated playlists, and seamless integration across devices, it earns the top recommendation.
Downloading music requires a Premium subscription. This enables saving songs, albums, and playlists for offline listening across mobile and desktop. The Spotify app makes it easy to toggle offline mode.
With one of the best music discovery algorithms, Spotify regularly serves up new artists and tracks tailored specifically to your tastes. Power users can follow friends and check out their public playlists for more ideas.
Other useful Premium features include:
- Ad-free listening
- Unlimited skips
- High quality audio
Cost: $9.99/month
Platforms: Mobile (iOS, Android), desktop (Mac, Windows)
2. Apple Music
Apple‘s music contender, aptly titled Apple Music, integrates tightly across Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, the Apple Watch, and Mac desktops.
The streaming library comprises over 75 million songs – even more than Spotify. Apple Music incorporates your existing iTunes library as well. With a subscription you can download any music – including full playlists – for offline playback. Downloads are easy to manage from playlists.
Apple excels with human curation, featuring mixes and playlists from music experts and tastemakers along with up-and-coming artist recommendations. Siri integration allows hands-free voice commands for optimum convenience.
Other Apple Music features:
- Live radio stations
- Music videos
- Spatial Audio support
Cost: $9.99/month (individual), $4.99/month (student), $14.99/month (family)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], Mac, Apple Watch
3. Amazon Music
Included with all Prime subscriptions, Amazon Music grants access to a library of over 75 million songs. Over 2,000 expertly curated Prime playlists span genres, eras, activities and moods.
Upgrading to Amazon Music Unlimited unlocks the full catalog ad-free, with 100 million songs available. Subscribers can download music playlists and albums directly from the mobile app. Offline listening happens seamlessly in the background.
Notable features beyond the vast streaming catalog include:
- Podcast support
- Hands-free Alexa voice commands
- Family Plan (up to 6 users) for $14.99/month
Cost: Prime Music – free for Amazon Prime subscribers, Music Unlimited – $7.99/month for Prime members,$9.99/month for non-members
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], Fire OS, Alexa devices
4. Pandora
Veteran music service Pandora leads the internet radio space. Listeners can tune into genre stations, create personalized stations based on favorite artists, and discover new music tailored to their tastes.
While the free ad-supported tier only allows on-demand streaming, upgrading to Pandora Plus ($4.99/month) enables downloading stations and playlists for offline listening. Download limits depend on subscription level. Sound quality maxes out at 192kbps even with Plus.
The redesigned mobile app provides handy access to Pandora‘s massive catalog spanning over 2 million tracks. Expect genre-based recommendations as well as playlists compiled by experts. Podcast integration further bolsters Pandora‘s offerings.
Cost: Free with ads, $4.99/month (Plus), $9.99/month (Premium)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], web browser
5. SoundCloud
Favored by musicians over other streaming services, SoundCloud offers a unique listening experience led by emerging and independent artists. Users can discover fresh original tracks across genres like electronica, hip hop, and alternative rock.
Over 300 million tracks populate SoundCloud‘s massive crowdsourced catalog. You‘ll find remixes, concert recordings, DJ sets and podcasts in addition to officially released songs.
Downloading for offline access requires a paid SoundCloud Go subscription ($4.99/month). This unlocks saving tracks, albums and playlists across mobile and desktop apps. Note that some material flagged as copyrighted may not download properly.
Cost: Free streaming with ads, Go for $4.99/month
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], web player
6. Tidal
Audiophiles dissatisfied with highly compressed music streams will appreciate Tidal‘s quality offerings. Tidal provides lossless CD-quality music at 16 bit / 44.1kHz across iOS and Android devices.
Downloads require a paid Tidal HiFi subscription ($9.99/month). You can then save albums, playlists and tracks to your phone. The interface makes managing offline content straightforward. No restrictive download limits impede listeners.
Beyond sound quality, Tidal shines with exclusive concerts, videos and online events. Over 80 million tracks fill the streaming catalog spanning both popular and niche genres. Curated editorial also helps listeners discover new artists.
Cost: Free trial available, then $9.99/month (HiFi) or $1.99/month (standard)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], desktop clients
7. YouTube Music
As an audio extension of the leading online video platform, YouTube Music grants access to a massive catalog beyond standard songs. With remixes, live performances, deep cuts and covers, the streaming selection feels endless.
Paid subscribers can download anything in the YouTube Music app for offline playback. Downloads transfer seamlessly between mobile and desktop. Managing downloads occurs in the Library tab of the mobile app.
Beyond the core over 70 million track catalog, YouTube Music opens up concerts, musical artist commentaries, fan covers and even music videos. Expect lots of niche, long-tail content unavailable on other platforms.
Cost: $9.99/month (after free trial)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], Web
8. Deezer
Veteran French platform Deezer often gets overlooked by American listeners. Offering an massive library of 90 million tracks, Deezer focuses intensely on music discovery through editorial-programmed channels, custom recommendations, and fully integrated podcasts.
Paid subscribers ($9.99/month) can download tracks, albums, artists, and curated playlists for offline listening. Podcast support extends to offline as well. Downloads sync seamlessly across devices.
Deezer may appeal especially to global music fans, thanks to the diverse selection pulling from scenes in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Fans of podcasts will also appreciate full integration and organization with music.
Cost: Free with ads, $9.99/month (Premium) subscription
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], Web, Alexa systems
9. Napster
Once the scourge of the music industry for fueling online piracy, Napster reemerged as an rebranded legal streaming platform after settling lawsuits. Now owned by RealNetworks, Napster houses an extensive catalog spanning 75 million tracks.
For $9.99/month, Napster Premier subscribers can download songs, albums playlists for offline listening. Focus lies more on mainstream popular artists. Curation proves relatively minimal compared to Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
Cost: $9.99/month (Premier plan)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], Web
10. iHeartRadio
Transitioning from terrestrial radio giant Clear Channel to dedicated streaming, iHeartRadio offers digital access to over 1,500 live radio stations across the United States. Genre stations provide another taste of familiar radio.
Beyond playing radio stations live, iHeartRadio provides customizable stations based on favorite artists and tracks. With iHeartRadio Plus, subscribers can download stations for offline listening for $4.99 a month.
Podcast support further bolsters iHeartRadio‘s utility alongside music stations – over 30,000 shows available on demand. Given the radio-centric design, downloading functions focus on full stations rather than individual tracks.
Cost: Free access to stations, $4.99/month (Plus) lets you download stations
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], Web
11. Audiomack
Lesser-known, hip hop oriented Audiomack houses over 2 million tracks with a spotlight on breakout rap, R&B, and DJ acts. Numerous albums and mixtapes premiere exclusively on Audiomack before wider release.
While generally acting as a streaming platform, Audiomack introduced offline capabilities allowing subscribers to download albums and playlists. Simple toggle buttons make tracks available offline, integrated with profile libraries.
Beyond obscure hip hop hopefuls, Audiomack offers emerging songs across Latin, reggae, EDM, gospel, and blues. Clean interfaces and music discovery options make exploration enjoyable.
Cost: Free streaming with ads, $5.99 per month (Audiomack Supporters remove ads, enable downloads)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android
12. Bandcamp
Beloved by independent musicians for direct fan engagement, Bandcamp differentiates itself from corporate streaming giants. You deal directly with artists when buying digital music. App functionality focuses exclusively on streaming.
With over 85% of sales going straight to artists however, Bandcamp becomes the most ethical platform for downloading music. Digitally purchased albums automatically become available to stream and play offline.
Beyond direct artist support, Bandcamp wins fans through quirky, geeky indie music across every conceivable genre (post-metal anyone?). Explore some musical weirdness offline by buying obscure records. Apps allow downloads integration.
Cost: Free streaming, albums prices set by artists (typically $5-15)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer]
13. Jango Radio
Lesser known Jango Radio mimics the experience of terrestrial and custom radio stations through digital streams. Listen for free or remove ads through the $4.99 Jango Air subscription.
Offline listening requires setup on desktop to record songs, then transfer to mobile. The system works but lacks seamless integration and convenience of other downloading apps. However over 1 million tracks fill Jango‘s radio algorithm to discover new artists. Genre stations provide additional depth.
Cost: Free access with ads, $4.99 per month (Jango Air)
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer], Web
14. MusixMatch
While not strictly speaking a full featured music downloading platform, handy lyric app MusixMatch integrates with top streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. It can identify tracks playing across your device.
Paid subscribers gain access to unlimited offline lyrics synced to tracks in your personal libraries. Toggle the offline button next to any song to save lyrics. Lyrics scroll in real time as music plays. Interpret your favorite songs by studying verses up close offline.
Cost: Free limited access, $4.99 per month (Premium) removes ads, offers advanced lyric features
Platforms: [history-computer]iOS[/history-computer], [history-computer]Android[/history-computer]
15. Free Music Archive
For a completely free, legal and ethical music source, check out Free Music Archive. While functioning as a digital archive, the platform allows downloading song files in MP3 format.
Content comes directly from independent artists as well as public domain material. Every track offers download links to add to your mobile device. Genres lean electronic, hip hop, classical, jazz and experimental.
With over 120,000 tracks spanning a decade of releases, you can discover some gems in FMA‘s archives. Going offline involves a quick extra step of downloading files manually. But for free music, it works!
Cost: Completely free to download after free registration
Platforms: Online catalog with mobile downloads
Key Takeaways: Best Apps to Download Music
- Spotify dominates with the best combination of music discovery, playlists, and downloading capability
- Apple Music excellently integrates downloads across the Apple ecosystem
- Amazon Music appeals especially to existing Prime subscribers
- YouTube Music offers extensive niche content beyond standard catalog songs
Choose based your preferred devices, budgets, genres, and listening scenarios. Got an obsession with bootleg concert recordings? Perhaps SoundCloud or YouTube Music better suit your interests. Is audio fidelity critical for you? Go lossless with Tidal.
Beyond the above apps, also look into Pandora, Deezer, and Bandcamp which offer their own standout music downloading functionalities.
No single music app definitively stands above the rest when it comes to downloading songs offline. Let your preferences and priorities guide you – not hype or branding. Hopefully breaking down the major contenders here illuminates the ideal music downloader just for your listening lifestyle.
Image attributions: Product screenshots by respective companies – licensed for promotional use. Cover photo by G-stock Studio.
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