Shazam vs SoundHound: Which Song Identifier is Best?
Comparing Music Identification Apps: Shazam vs. SoundHound
For those who didn't acquire Shazam when unlimited song identification was freely available, SoundHound has recently enhanced its free application. The updated version now provides unlimited tagging capabilities.
Both applications serve the same primary function: recording a brief audio segment to determine a song's title. However, their underlying methodologies and subsequent functionalities diverge significantly.
How the Apps Function
Each music identifier employs a unique approach to deliver identification results. Furthermore, the features available after a song is identified also vary between the two platforms.
To comprehensively evaluate their performance, we conducted a comparative test utilizing the iPad versions of both Shazam and SoundHound.
The goal was to ascertain which application proved superior in accuracy and usability.
Testing Methodology
We subjected both apps to a series of tests, exposing them to a diverse range of musical genres and recording conditions.
This included testing in noisy environments and with songs featuring complex instrumentation.
The focus was on speed of identification, accuracy of results, and the overall user experience.
Key Differences Observed
- Identification Speed: SoundHound generally demonstrated a faster identification speed in our tests.
- Accuracy: Both apps exhibited high levels of accuracy, though Shazam occasionally outperformed SoundHound with obscure tracks.
- User Interface: SoundHound's interface is often considered more visually appealing and intuitive.
- Additional Features: Shazam offers deeper integration with music streaming services.
Ultimately, the choice between Shazam and SoundHound depends on individual preferences and priorities.
Both represent powerful tools for identifying music, and the recent update to SoundHound makes it a particularly compelling option for users seeking a free and unlimited solution.
Comparing Shazam and SoundHound: Advertising and Usage Limits
A primary distinction between these two popular applications, Shazam [iTunes link] and SoundHound [iTunes link], lies in their advertising models.
Currently, Shazam offers an ad-free experience, while SoundHound incorporates advertisements within its interface.
However, it's important to note the recent launch of the Shazam iPad application.
Should the iPad version mirror the functionality of its iPhone predecessor, a restriction of five song identifications per month for new users may be implemented in the future.
As it stands, Shazam currently holds an advantage solely with its iPad application due to the absence of ads.
Conversely, SoundHound’s commitment to maintaining an unlimited usage policy for its free version positions it as the more advantageous choice over the long term.
Therefore, while Shazam is presently ad-free on iPad, SoundHound’s lack of usage restrictions provides a compelling benefit for frequent users.
Comparing Music Identification Apps: Shazam and SoundHound
Shazam identifies songs by displaying the title and artist, along with the album artwork, genre, and the date the song was tagged. Further details, such as the artist's biography, are accessible on a dedicated page.
Users of Shazam are provided with options to purchase the identified song through iTunes, discover related music, explore the artist’s complete discography, and share the track via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, or through email.
Shazam's Feature Set
The application presents information in a straightforward manner, focusing on core song details and immediate actions.
SoundHound's Comprehensive Approach
SoundHound also reveals the song title and artist, showcasing the album cover and its original release date. However, it distinguishes itself through a significantly expanded range of functionalities.
Beyond basic identification, SoundHound allows users to download songs via iTunes, explore similar artists, delve into other tracks from the same album, and access the artist’s full discography.
Additional SoundHound Capabilities
SoundHound further enriches the user experience with features like lyric display, access to YouTube videos, tour date information, details on other album appearances of the song, and sharing options via Facebook, Twitter, email, and SMS.
A notable advantage for Pandora subscribers is the ability to instantly initiate a Pandora radio station based on the identified song.
User Interface and Display
SoundHound effectively utilizes the larger screen real estate of the iPad, offering a more visually engaging and informative layout compared to Shazam’s comparatively minimalist design.
Considering the breadth of available options, SoundHound demonstrably provides a more feature-rich and comprehensive experience.
Tag Charts: A Comparison
Both Shazam and SoundHound incorporate charts into their functionality. Specifically, Shazam presents a listing of the ten most frequently identified songs.
SoundHound's Expanded Charts
SoundHound, conversely, offers a more comprehensive view. It showcases the top twenty-five tracks currently being tagged by users.
This allows users to observe trends in music popularity, identifying songs that are gaining or losing traction. Furthermore, SoundHound distinguishes itself by highlighting the twenty-five most tagged songs that are receiving limited radio airplay.
- SoundHound provides a broader overview of trending music.
- It identifies emerging hits not yet widely broadcast.
Consequently, SoundHound emerges as the superior option regarding chart-based music discovery. The app’s detailed charts offer a unique insight into the musical landscape.
The inclusion of songs with limited radio play is a particularly valuable feature. It allows users to discover music outside of mainstream channels.
Tracks Identified Recently
Both applications showcase tracks that other users have recently identified. Notably, Shazam leverages the expansive display of the iPad for this feature.
SoundHound employs a compact, scrolling ticker situated at the screen's base, positioned below the charts.
Conversely, Shazam presents this information in a manner that is more aesthetically pleasing. This makes it the preferred option when considering user interface design.
In terms of visual presentation of recently tagged tracks, Shazam emerges as the superior choice.Tracking Tagged Songs: A History Feature
Both applications provide users with the ability to review their past song identification activity. Within Shazam, a complete list of previously tagged tracks is readily visible in the left-hand sidebar.
SoundHound offers access to its history through the menu located in the left sidebar. Furthermore, SoundHound distinguishes itself by offering a bookmarking feature.
SoundHound's Enhanced History Management
This allows users to save specific tracks from their history, effectively preserving a curated collection of identified songs. This functionality isn't currently available within Shazam.
Consequently, SoundHound demonstrates a more comprehensive approach to managing tagged song history, positioning it favorably compared to Shazam in this aspect.
SoundHound provides greater control over your identified music, allowing you to retain favorites while clearing unwanted entries.
Accuracy
While SoundHound appears superior in many aspects, Shazam demonstrated greater precision when it came to the crucial task of music identification. During testing with a remix of Elvis Presley’s "Blue Suede Shoes," Shazam correctly identified the specific track, however SoundHound labeled it as the original recording.
Further evaluation using a live performance revealed a similar pattern. Shazam accurately recognized the song, while SoundHound mistakenly identified it as a studio version. Repeated tests with various live recordings consistently favored Shazam’s performance.
It’s important to note that both applications performed flawlessly with pre-recorded songs, and SoundHound often achieved identification with a shorter audio sample than Shazam.
Shazam requires the playback of the original recorded music for successful identification; humming or singing a song is insufficient. Conversely, SoundHound offers the capability to identify a song simply by humming the melody, though the reliability of this feature is variable.
Our testing indicated a success rate of approximately one correct identification for every five attempts when using the humming feature. However, it should be acknowledged that vocal ability may influence these results.
Considering these findings, Shazam emerges as the more accurate application for music identification.
Determining the Optimal Song Identifier
The question arises: which song identification application best suits your needs? Shazam presents a streamlined experience, ideal for users who prioritize quick song tagging without further exploration.
Conversely, SoundHound caters to dedicated music enthusiasts seeking comprehensive song details and potential music discovery opportunities. It can even function as an alternative to standard music player applications on devices like the iPad.
Availability Across Platforms
Shazam’s complimentary, albeit restricted, version is accessible to users of iPhone, Android, Nokia, and Blackberry devices. Additionally, an unrestricted version is offered at no cost for iPad users.
SoundHound’s free application is available on iPhone, iPad, and Android platforms. A paid version is also offered for Nokia device owners.
Considerations for Choice: The selection between these two applications hinges on individual preferences and usage patterns.
Share Your Preference
We are interested in learning which application you favor – Shazam or SoundHound? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
