WhoSampled

WhoSampled pairs music recognition with a catalog for tracing samples, covers and remixes. It suits listeners who want to follow a song’s musical lineage, not just identify it. Its free plan covers discovery, but full-length listening may require another service or subscription.

Overview

WhoSampled’s focus is the relationships between tracks: identify music playing nearby or scan a Spotify or Apple Music library, then explore linked samples, covers and remixes. Its catalog contains over 1,280,000 tracks and 398,000 artists, with daily additions; verified content is built by a community of over 38,000 contributors. That breadth makes it a strong companion for curious listeners, though its value depends on wanting context around music rather than a general-purpose listening service.

Key features

Recognition and library scanning

Track ID identifies music around you, while Spotify and Apple Music scanning brings the same connection-finding to saved tracks. Spotify users can switch to WhoSampled’s Now Playing feature to inspect a track’s links. These tools give recognition a useful next step; someone who only needs a song title may not need the broader catalog.

Sample exploration and playback

Sample entries can show timing, sample type and the portion used. On the site, Jump moves between listed sample timings, making it easier to compare a source and sampled track. Side-by-side comparison and full-length listening through YouTube where available help put those links in context, but playback options are conditional: full tracks may also be available through Spotify with Premium or Apple Music with a subscription.

Further discovery

Trending, top-rated and all-time influential charts provide routes into artists and tracks beyond a single identification. Favorites and contextual recommendations help continue browsing through related samples, covers and remixes. This makes WhoSampled better suited to exploration than a one-off recognition lookup.

Pricing

WhoSampled uses a freemium model. The Free plan costs nothing and includes text search, Track ID, Spotify and Apple Music library scanning, and an ad-free experience. It is a substantial starting point for discovery, with no paid tier required for those core tools. The main caveat is listening: full-length tracks depend on YouTube availability or access to Spotify Premium or an Apple Music subscription. No paid WhoSampled plan is described.

Platforms

WhoSampled is available on Android, iOS and the web. The combination of mobile apps and web access suits people who want to identify music on the go and investigate connections on a larger screen.

Who it's for

WhoSampled is a good fit for listeners who enjoy tracing musical influence across Hip-Hop, Electronic/Dance, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Soul, Reggae and Classical. It is especially useful when a sample or cover opens a path into other music. It is less compelling for listeners seeking only a lightweight song-name lookup or a standalone source of unrestricted full-length playback.

Pros and cons

Pros: Track ID and scanning across Spotify and Apple Music connect recognition to a large catalog of samples, covers and remixes.

Pros: Sample timings, types and sampled portions make entries more informative than a bare relationship label.

Pros: The free plan includes both core discovery tools and an ad-free experience.

Cons: Full-length listening depends on YouTube availability or paid access to Spotify or Apple Music.

Cons: Its central strength is musical connections, so it is not the best match for someone who only wants to identify a track and stop there.

Alternatives

Music Identification Apps is a broader category to browse if you are comparing recognition tools. ACRCloud is a better fit for API use: its 14-day free trial offers full API access without a credit card, while WhoSampled centers on listener-facing discovery. For tailored enterprise services, Audible Magic offers custom services shaped around platform needs and existing music licenses. Annie is a free Android and iOS identification option with no subscription required for music identification and universal links. SongRec is a free, open-source, Linux-focused desktop client for readers who prefer that environment. SoundHound offers a free ad-supported app or a 6.99 USD one-time fee for an ad-free experience. AirScrobble is an iOS alternative with Music discovery, Last.fm integration, Auto Scrobble, Apple Music integration and Siri. AudD is a paid API-oriented option with a file-recognition pay-as-you-go plan at $5 a month, billed $5 per 1,000 requests, with the first 300 requests free.

Verdict

Choose WhoSampled if you want song recognition to lead into the samples, covers and remixes behind the music, and value library scanning and detailed sample entries. Its free plan makes that distinctive discovery useful without an upfront cost. Look elsewhere if your priority is unrestricted full-length playback or a simple recognition tool without the extra context.