This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on August 2, 2021 - August 8, 2021

For most Malaysians, Spotify is the go-to audio streaming app, whether it is to listen to the latest hits, podcasts or even news stories. Apple Music and Google Play Music are common alternatives and come with their own subscription fees. However, most other apps stream songs that are already on your device.

If you are in the market for different music streaming apps, here are some worth checking out.

This app is easily comparable to Spotify, as it gives off the same vibe. Nevertheless, it is still a good alternative to the common apps available on the market, as its seamless user interface and lyrics display allow users to sing along to their favourite songs. The lyrics can also be broadcast to your TV set using Chromecast.

Deezer also has a feature called SongCatcher, which, like Shazam, identifies songs being played. Deezer Free provides shuffle-based streaming with occasional ads. Or, you can subscribe to the app from RM11.20 a month (if you sign up for the annual plan). 

If you like discovering independent artists or underrated songs, Bandcamp is the app for you. It is essentially a platform for independent artists to promote their music as well as sell their songs and albums. The app is fairly easy to use, as it has a seamless interface.

Users can listen to selected songs by an artist as a means to preview their album. If you like the artist, you may purchase their music or contribute to their respective fundraising campaigns. 

The app also has an initiative called Bandcamp Friday, where artists will receive 100% of the proceeds directed to their music. The site also allows artists to sell vinyl records and CDs. There is no subscription fee for the app, but feel free to contribute to your favourite artists instead.

Joox is a new addition to the song-streaming universe and is said to target more of the Asian market. A quick browse on the website proves that to be true, as most of the songs are Malaysian, Chinese, J-Pop and K-Pop songs, with a smattering of international English releases.

The app offers unlimited listening as long as you sign up and log in. You can also rack up VIP points to earn yourself more listening time and unlock other songs, which means less pressure to subscribe to the service itself. If you wish to subscribe, ad-free listening is available under its VIP programme for RM9.90 a month.

The app also has a social media element to it, allowing you to record a karaoke track. It will initiate the camera landing page with lyrics on the top and a minus-1 track playing in the background.

Serving Asian content, KKBOX focuses on Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean music and podcasts. The service targets mainly the music markets of East and Southeast Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.

The “Listen With” feature allows users to follow DJs on the app or become a DJ themselves and host a listening party. Within this feature, users listening to the same DJ set can interact with each other and the DJ via a chatroom.

Some songs and services can be accessed through a free account, but if you are looking to subscribe, it starts from RM14.90 a month.

If you are more into the Bollywood scene, Gaana Music might be the music-streaming app for you. It offers free, unlimited access to current and classic Bollywood songs. Users can also download the songs of their favourite artists, popular albums or movies. The platform also has podcasts and video shows, including comedies, news, meditation, workouts and astrology.

Its premium ad-free service, Gaana Plus, allows offline listening. The account can be synchronised to five devices and subscriptions range from US$3.99 (RM17) a month to US$33.99 a year. You can also access Gaana Music at gaana.com.

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's AppStore and Androids' Google Play.