Snag vs SoundHound

Snag is a free iPhone music-identification app built with Apple’s ShazamKit. Every identification attempt saves a short recording, including attempts that find no match. Retry Analysis examines that recording across several time windows and can sometimes identify a song missed initially. The app can capture audio without an internet connection; matching needs a connection and can happen later. Its history records attempt dates and can include location and personal notes. Users can replay recordings, retry identification, open matched songs in Apple Music or Spotify, and share identified songs with a link. History and recordings remain on the iPhone and can sync through the user’s private iCloud account. For matching, the device sends an audio fingerprint directly to Apple’s Shazam Catalog; Snag says it does not see, store, or process that fingerprint. There is no Snag account, advertising tracker, or third-party product analytics. Music history currently lacks search.

SoundHound is a mobile app for identifying music nearby and finding songs with voice control. Users can also sing or hum a tune to identify it. Saying “Hey SoundHound…” can navigate the app, start music discovery, and control playback hands-free. LiveLyrics displays moving lyrics in real time. The app connects Apple Music or Spotify accounts and includes a built-in YouTube player. Discoveries can sync across devices and be shared through Facebook, Twitter, messaging services, or email. Its Apple Watch app identifies music and displays LiveLyrics; a cellular-enabled watch can be used without an iPhone connection. SoundHound is available on Android and iOS, and keeps an identification history, but does not identify music offline. The free app includes advertising. SoundHound∞ is an ad-free upgrade listed at $6.99 as a one-time purchase, with no monthly fees. Personalized playlists through Apple Music or Spotify require a SoundHound account and a music subscription; voice playback of Spotify playlists also requires a Spotify account and registration. The company identifies itself as SoundHound AI Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California.