Must-Have iPhone Apps for Music Fans and Creators in the Year 2025
iPhone is more than just a smartphone; it's a pocket-sized music powerhouse. Whether you're a casual listener, an audiophile, or a budding musician, the App Store is full of apps to elevate your music experience. From streaming platforms and audio editing tools to music discovery and learning apps, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a curated list of the best iPhone apps for music lovers—spanning streaming, editing, discovering, and more.
1. Spotify
Category: Music Streaming
Why It’s Great:
Spotify is the go-to app for music lovers thanks to its massive library, personalized playlists, and user-friendly interface. Features like “Discover Weekly” and “Release Radar” make music discovery effortless.
Bonus: Offline listening, collaborative playlists, and podcasts.
2. Apple Music
Category:Music Streaming
Why It’s Great:
Seamlessly integrated into the iOS ecosystem, Apple Music offers lossless audio, Dolby Atmos, and curated playlists from global artists and editors. It also syncs beautifully with Siri.
Bonus: Lyrics view, spatial audio, iCloud Music Library.
3. GarageBand
Category: Music Creation / Editing
Why It’s Great:
A powerhouse app for music creators, GarageBand turns your iPhone into a mobile studio. You can create tracks using instruments, loops, and even record vocals on the go.
Best For: Beginners and pros alike. Ideal for song demos and mobile music production.
4. Shazam
Category: Music Discovery
Why It’s Great:
Hear a song but don’t know the name? Just tap Shazam. It identifies music in seconds and even syncs with Apple Music or Spotify to add tracks to your playlists.
Bonus: Works offline and shows live lyrics while the song plays.
5. BandLab
Category: Music Production & Collaboration
Why It’s Great:
BandLab is a free digital audio workstation that enables users to create, mix, and collaborate on tracks with musicians worldwide. It includes auto-tune, beat makers, and loops.
Bonus: Cloud storage and social sharing for collaborations.
6. SoundCloud
Category: Music Streaming / Discovery
Why It’s Great:
A haven for independent artists and underground music, SoundCloud lets you explore new sounds and upload your own. Perfect for discovering niche genres and rising talent.
Bonus: Community Engagement and Artist-First Ecosystem.
7. Musixmatch
Category: Lyrics + Music
Why It’s Great:
Musixmatch shows synced lyrics while your music plays from Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. It also offers translation for multilingual music fans.
Best For: Sing-alongs, learning lyrics, and language learners.
8. TIDAL
Category: High-Fidelity Music Streaming
Why It’s Great:
TIDAL is known for its lossless audio quality, MQA files, and artist-first payouts. If you’re an audiophile seeking studio-grade sound, this is the app for you.
Bonus: Exclusive content and live performances.
9. Moises.ai
Category: AI Audio Editing
Why It’s Great:
Moises lets you separate vocals and instruments from any song, change pitch or tempo, and create practice-friendly tracks. It's especially helpful for musicians and vocalists.
Best For: Karaoke, covers, learning instruments.
10. Radio Garden
Category: Live Radio Streaming
Why It’s Great:
Explore thousands of live radio stations from across the globe by simply spinning a 3D globe interface. A must-have for discovering music and culture from different countries.
Bonus: Real-time global music discovery, minimal ads.
Final Note
Whether you're discovering new artists, editing your next big hit, or simply enjoying high-quality tunes, the iPhone offers a rich variety of music apps tailored to your tastes and skills. With tools for streaming, editing, collaboration, and discovery, your music experience is only a tap away from the next level.