While Shazam excels at identifying songs on mobile devices, its performance on PCs can be less satisfactory. Many song recognition tools are designed for mobile, leaving desktop users in search of effective alternatives. In a test of five alternatives across 100 tracks, including studio cuts, live bootlegs, remixes, and hummed lines, the goal was to determine which options offer the best speed and accuracy for desktop song identification.
ACRCloud stands out for its fast and accurate file-based recognition, especially for developers integrating song identification into desktop applications. SoundHound excels in recognizing hummed or sung melodies, though it requires an emulator to run on a PC. AudioTag offers a straightforward web-based solution for uploading audio files, though it struggles with short clips and live recordings. Musixmatch provides synchronized lyrics alongside song identification, making it suitable for users interested in lyrics. AHA Music remains a reliable choice for those who prefer humming tunes into their microphone.
Despite their capabilities, these tools face challenges in noisy environments, with live recordings, and identifying covers or remixes. Classical pieces and non-English songs also test the limits of their databases. Ultimately, a combination of these tools—each with its strengths—provides a more comprehensive solution for song identification on a PC.
