Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Shazam vs nugs

Shazam 4.9★ · Free to download 75
Winner Shazam
nugs 4.8★ · Free + IAP 60

Shazam is the better choice for general song identification due to its core functionality, while nugs caters specifically to live music enthusiasts despite its recurring technical and user experience issues.

Full reviews: Shazam · nugs

Shazam excels at identifying a wide range of songs, though recent updates have introduced accuracy and usability issues. nugs offers a vast library of live music but struggles with app stability, search functionality, and persistent review prompts.

Head to head

Song Identification Accuracy edge: ShazamR1R12R13R16
Shazam Shazam users report a decline in accuracy, with the app frequently identifying the wrong song or artist, especially with lower decibel music or less commercial tracks R1R12R13R16. However, many still find it effective for identifying most songs .
nugs nugs is a platform for live music, not general song identification. Its users are focused on accessing specific live performances R62.
Ease of Use and Navigation tieR4R7R6R33
Shazam Some Shazam users find recent changes have made navigation difficult R4. Issues with Siri integration are reported R7, and the Apple Watch app functionality has been affected by updates R6R33. The app is also criticized for persistent Apple Music prompts R25R27R29R31.
nugs nugs users report poor search functionality, especially on Apple TV . Playlist sorting is cumbersome, requiring manual dragging . CarPlay functionality has worsened, making it difficult to select songs . There are also reports of login issues and blank screens .
Reliability and Performance edge: ShazamR1R16R41R35
Shazam Shazam is described as erratic and buggy, with some users experiencing multiple wrong results for the same song R1R16R41 and issues with playing songs from their library R35. Ads are reported to interfere with the app's function R21.
nugs nugs users frequently report app crashes and drops , buffering issues, and inconsistent gapless playback . Videos skip even when recorded . Login issues are common, especially with SiriusXM integration . Livestreams can be glitchy .
Features and Content edge: nugsR24R18R45R62
Shazam Shazam's core feature is song identification, which it generally performs well, often providing lyrics R24. However, some users miss the ability to sync their Shazam history across devices R18. The app is criticized for only playing short snippets of songs and pushing users to Apple Music for full playback R45.
nugs nugs offers a vast library of live music, including shows from many years ago R62. Users appreciate the sound and video quality . However, there are complaints about a lack of variety in livestreams and some advertised shows not being available . The inability to download purchased shows for offline play is a drawback for some . There's also frustration over the lack of a dedicated video streaming app for smart TVs R116.
Price and Value edge: ShazamR25R27R29R31
Shazam Shazam is free to download, but users report constant pressure to subscribe to Apple Music, which detracts from the experience R25R27R29R31. Some users who paid for it in the past now find it not working .
nugs nugs is a paid subscription service (Free + IAP). Users question the value, especially when compared to free alternatives like Archive.org R72. Prices are seen as rising constantly , and some feel forced into higher-priced tiers for video content R72. There are also reports of difficulty canceling subscriptions after a trial .
Customer Support and User Experience edge: ShazamR21R18R64R70
Shazam Shazam users report a lack of support R21. The app is criticized for not allowing users to log in or sync accounts across devices R18.
nugs nugs users are highly frustrated by persistent, intrusive prompts to review the app, even after rating it multiple times R64R70R73R77. Some users report being ignored when requesting refunds and difficulty contacting customer support .
Pick Shazam if

You need a free, general-purpose app to quickly identify songs playing around you .

Pick nugs if

You are a dedicated fan of live music and want access to a large archive of concert recordings, especially if you prioritize audio quality R62.

Evidence note: nugs has a significant number of recent negative reviews related to persistent review prompts, which heavily skew its recent user experience perception. Shazam's negative reviews are more focused on functionality and integration issues.

Frequently asked

Does Shazam work with Apple Music?
Yes, Shazam integrates with Apple Music, allowing users to find identified songs on the platform and create playlists, though some users find the constant prompts to subscribe to Apple Music annoying R25R27R29R31.
Can nugs stream video of concerts?
Yes, nugs offers video streaming of concerts, but some users express frustration that certain shows are video-only, effectively forcing an upgrade to a higher-priced subscription tier R72R108. There are also complaints about the lack of a dedicated app for smart TVs for video streaming R116.
Why does nugs keep asking for reviews?
Many nugs users report being persistently prompted to review the app every time they open it, even after leaving multiple ratings, which significantly detracts from their user experience R64R70R73R77.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Shazam 2/5 · US What happened to Shazam: Shazam used to be great at identifying songs 90-95% of the time. If it didn’t know the answer it would tell me it couldn’t identify the song but something changed. I’m guessing it can identify songs correctly maybe 50-60% of the time. What’s really frustrating is when Shazam says it identified the songs by and it’s completely wrong. I knew the artist but wanted to find the
  2. [R12] Shazam 3/5 · US wrong song: More and more wrong songs!
  3. [R13] Shazam 1/5 · US CANT PICK UP ANY TUNES: I try to pick up tunes in a cafe and it seems SoundHound outperforms when music is a played at a lower decibel…I’m also impressed with another app that is able to pick up tunes at a low decibel. Apple, maybe implement Ai into Shazam to help with improving/enhancing the experience.
  4. [R16] Shazam 2/5 · US Poor: Just did a song 3 times 3 different results
  5. [R4] Shazam 1/5 · US What did you do!?!?: Made awful changes can’t navigate. Complete fail from what it was the last 5 years. Deleted!
  6. [R7] Shazam 1/5 · US Erratic and inadequate Siri integration: When triggered from Siri Gives out the diff song titles and I cannot look back later in the library :(
  7. [R6] Shazam 3/5 · US iWatch?: Where did the iWatch app go??? · translated
  8. [R33] Shazam 2/5 · GB Annoying Apple Watch update: Set up a button shortcut on Apple Watch for recognition. After the latest update I had to tap on a welcome message and lost a few songs because I usually Shazam while I dance without looking at the watch. I don’t want to deal with welcome messages for an app I used for years, I just want to find the songs I’m dancing to while I’m dancing
  9. [R41] Shazam 1/5 · GB Not shazaming: Returned 3 different titles for the same song. None of them were the one.
  10. [R35] Shazam 1/5 · GB Doesn’t work: When I try to play the songs in my library it just keeps loading and doesn’t play, Please fix this.
  11. [R24] Shazam 5/5 · US I like it.: It gets most of the songs I put in to identify. Giving me the lyrics is a big plus too. I recommend this app.
  12. [R18] Shazam 3/5 · GB You Can no longer log in to my account via the app or other platforms: It is dumb that I can no longer sign in to my account via the app. I used Shazam on my iPad, Personal mobile phone as well as my work mobile phone. I also use Shazam on my smart watch. I used to be able to sync my Shazam songs using my account, this is no longer the case. How am I supposed to keep track of my music on other
  13. [R45] Shazam 1/5 · GB Lame funtionality: how come that shazan has all titles but it’ll never ever allow you to play the entire song you just detected but rather just some stupidly disappointing few seconds of it ??? music should always be free to listen to but oh no…. it is not possible because we (the Shazan) want you to subscribe as a monthly payer for services such as Apple music etc therefore to always pay for it!
  14. [R62] nugs 5/5 · US Can’t live without it: Love me some nugs! Keep the live music flowing!
  15. [R25] Shazam 2/5 · US Good but annoying: Works great but very annoying if you don't have Apple music. The constant nagging and begging to sign up for Apple Music makes me want to use something else. If I've already declined the offer for the 49th time.. F off🤷🏿
  16. [R27] Shazam 1/5 · US Sidebar: Always trying to make me buy Apple Music I don’t want it, don’t even try to tempt me.
  17. [R29] Shazam 1/5 · GB Problematic: Always a problem with it!! Not helped by Apple forcing Apple Music options when you prefer and use Spotify over Apple Music!
  18. [R31] Shazam 1/5 · GB stupid app: show so many music wrong, also just wants to make money from users by push u to use apple music , if u didnt , they show u wrong all the songs or guide u by wrong singer names , wrong dj, or wrong title, i dont prefer this app
  19. [R21] Shazam 1/5 · US Doesn’t work and has no support: For awhile, this app worked as advertised. Lately I’ve gotten interference from the advertising. I hear a song that I want information on, open Shazam and automatically an ad pops up that insists I respond to it before the app does anything else. Once I respond to the app, it drops me into the last identified song on hold. Now I have to close that window to get the
  20. [R64] nugs 1/5 · US Stop making me review you every day it's obnoxious: Good
  21. [R70] nugs 1/5 · US Stop asking me for a review: Stop pestering me for a review
  22. [R72] nugs 3/5 · US Video Only Shows?: $14.99 a month is similar to Netflix, Disney+, etc streaming services that provide video… The fact that there are shows that are only video is unacceptable. Makes me wonder why I pay what I do when I can get most of the same shows on archive for free. Yes Nugs has better sound, but come on! This is a forced upgrade to an unreasonable price range. I am such a fan of the service a
  23. [R108] nugs 1/5 · US No video: Wasted my money. Can’t get any video only audio and BS graphics.
  24. [R116] nugs 1/5 · US Can we finally get an app for streaming video?: Crazy to think they can’t be bothered to provide an app for Roku or smart tv’s. The only real option is to airplay or hook a computer up to your tv. AirPlay always glitches and for the amount they charge I shouldn’t have to drag my laptop into my living room to watch a D&c livestream I paid close to $30 dollars for on top of my subscription fee. Gr
  25. [R73] nugs 1/5 · US Should’ve been 5 stars: Great great app. Cant believe all of the great music on this app. Definitely would’ve been a 5 star review but Nugs keeps asking me to rate it and apparently rating it 50 times is not enough to stop the never ending prompt.
  26. [R77] nugs 5/5 · US Quit asking for reviews!: Looks like they fixed the issue so I’m updating my rating

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store