WhoSampled

WhoSampled suits listeners who want to trace the musical lineage of songs, not just identify what is playing. Its strongest case is the combination of track recognition, library scanning and sample-level context, all available on a free plan. It is less compelling if uninterrupted playback is the main goal.

Overview

WhoSampled centers discovery on the links between songs: samples, covers and remixes. Identify music nearby or scan a Spotify or Apple Music library, then follow those connections through a catalog the service describes as containing more than 1,280,000 tracks and 398,000 artists, with daily additions. It also says over 38,000 contributors build verified content. That scale gives curious listeners plenty to explore, though the service is most useful when a track has connections they want to investigate.

The focus is musical context rather than broad music search. Fans of Hip-Hop, Electronic/Dance, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Soul, Reggae and Classical have particular reason to look; anyone who only needs a quick song name may find the extra discovery layer unnecessary.

Key features

Identification and library scanning

Track ID identifies music playing around the user and leads to its samples, covers and remixes. Spotify and Apple Music scanning extends that exploration to saved tracks, making WhoSampled useful for revisiting a library with fresh context. Spotify listeners can also switch from Spotify to WhoSampled’s Now Playing feature to inspect a track’s connections.

Sample detail and comparison

Entries can show when a sample occurs, its type and the part of the source track used. On the website, Jump moves between listed sample timings, helping listeners compare source and sampled tracks without losing their place. Side-by-side comparison adds a useful way to hear the relationship, although full-length playback depends on YouTube availability or a qualifying streaming service.

Discovery and playback

Trending, top-rated and all-time influential charts, favorites and contextual recommendations give listeners ways to continue exploring beyond a single identification. Full-length tracks can play through YouTube where available, Spotify with Premium, or Apple Music with a subscription. This keeps discovery connected to listening, but the choice of playback route and access to a track can constrain the experience.

Privacy and support

WhoSampled.com Limited is the data controller. Its privacy policy says personal data may include identity, contact, financial, technical, profile, usage and marketing data; it describes security measures, business-need access restrictions and confidentiality requirements. The policy also provides a right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office. Support is available at [email protected].

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. That is a substantial discovery toolkit at no charge, particularly for listeners who want to connect familiar tracks to samples and covers. No paid WhoSampled plan is described, so there is no stated upgrade price to weigh against the free features.

Playback is the practical caveat: full-length tracks may require Spotify Premium or an Apple Music subscription, while YouTube playback depends on availability. Those are separate service conditions rather than a reason to treat the Free plan as full-featured streaming.

Platforms

WhoSampled is available on Android, iOS and the web, with cross-platform support. That mix suits listeners who want mobile identification and scanning as well as browser-based sample exploration.

Who it's for

Choose WhoSampled if you enjoy discovering where musical ideas came from, want to scan saved Spotify or Apple Music tracks, or value sample timing and comparison. It is a weaker fit for someone seeking only a recognition tool or a single destination for unrestricted full-length playback.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Track ID and Spotify and Apple Music scanning connect both newly heard and saved music to samples, covers and remixes.
• Pro: Sample timing, type and source-part details make connections more informative than a bare match.
• Pro: The Free plan includes ad-free discovery, identification and library scanning.
• Con: Full-length listening relies on YouTube availability or Spotify Premium or an Apple Music subscription.
• Con: Its connection-focused approach offers less reason to use it when all you need is a song title.

Alternatives

AHA Music is a better fit for readers who want a recognition-focused option across more platforms, including desktop operating systems and a browser extension; its Guest plan allows five recognitions per day total and includes BPM and key detection, but is ad-supported and has no recognition history or playlists.

Annie suits readers looking for a free Android or iOS music-identification app with universal links and no subscription required.

SongRec is the straightforward choice for Linux-focused desktop recognition, with free, open-source Shazam-client software also available for macOS and Windows.

SoundHound may suit mobile listeners who prefer a dedicated recognition app: its free plan is ad-supported, while SoundHound∞ costs $6.99, paid once for an ad-free experience with no monthly fees.

Audile is an Android-only free option; using AudD or ACRCloud may require a separate API account or token.

Kooha is a free Linux desktop app.

Snag is a free iPhone option on the App Store.

Audible Magic is a paid option spanning Android, iOS, desktop platforms and API use.

Browse more options in Music Identification Apps.

Verdict

WhoSampled is the right pick for music fans who want identification to open into a deeper trail of samples, covers and remixes. Its free, ad-free plan and library scanning make that exploration accessible; look elsewhere if reliable full-length playback or recognition alone matters more than musical context.