No karaoke machine or bar microphone needed: your phone does the job. Karaoke apps show the lyrics in time with the music, play the instrumental backing track and record your voice over it, with effects that hide off-key singing. But almost all of them mix a free part with a subscription. We compared four options and show, plainly, what each one gives you for free.
Prices and availability checked on Google Play and the App Store in Brazil in November 2026.
In a few words
- Smule: duets and a huge community; the full catalogue is behind the subscription.
- StarMaker: live party rooms and a voice editor, with ads and a Pro plan.
- KaraFun: the one most designed for home parties, with a free selection and a Premium plan.
- YouTube: free karaoke videos, with ads and no recording.
How a karaoke app works
The logic is the same as party karaoke: the song plays without the main vocal, and the lyrics appear on screen, highlighting each line as you sing it. The difference is what comes after. The apps record your performance, apply effects like echo and pitch correction, let you sing a duet with someone at a distance and, in some cases, give your voice a score.
That is also why there is a paid part. Every song has copyright, and the apps need a licence to use the backing tracks and lyrics. The most common model is to offer a few tracks for free, show ads and charge a subscription for the whole catalogue. Knowing this beforehand avoids the frustration of picking the party song and finding it locked.
The 4 apps for singing on your phone
1. Smule: to sing together with other people
The Smule is a social network for singing. According to the app's page, the catalogue exceeds 10 million songs, including sertanejo, funk, MPB, pop and rock. You record alone, in a duet or in a group, with or without video, and can add your voice to other singers in the community, anywhere in the world. There are also duets recorded by artists, and the store cites names such as Melim, Pabllo Vittar and Wesley Safadão.
For those who are shy, the App Store description says you can record in private mode and only share when you're ready. Point of attention: the download is free, but unlimited access to the full catalogue depends on a weekly, monthly or annual subscription, with automatic renewal. Google Play also warns that the app has ads and in-app purchases.
2. StarMaker: live party and voice editor
The StarMaker follows the same community idea, with more focus on live play. Besides recording solo or in a duet, you can join party rooms open all day to sing and listen to other people in real time, and take part in groups called Families. The audio editor lets you adjust the key to your vocal range, reduce noise and choose effects. According to the app's page, you can also download your own recording.
Point of attention: the store warns that there are ads and purchases in the app, and the App Store description details a Pro subscription, with weekly, monthly and annual plans, which gives "exclusive privileges". The page does not say which songs are locked behind it, so check inside the app before paying. The developer appears as SKYWORK AI PTE. LTD. on both stores.
3. KaraFun: the karaoke of the living room
The KaraFun, from Recisio, is less social network and more karaoke machine. It builds a queue of songs for the party and turns the phone into a remote control. It also has Battle mode, which awards points for each person's voice, and music quizzes, but both appear in full only on the paid plan. On the iPhone, the description mentions streaming to the TV via AirPlay or by HDMI or USB-C cable.
The split is clear in the store. Free: a selection of songs, previews of the paid tracks and a quiz. In Premium: the full catalogue, Battle, the quizzes, the playlists, offline mode and the adjustments of key, tempo and guide voice volume. The Pro plan is aimed at bars and companies, with a commercial licence. Point of attention: the free part serves for testing; for a whole party, expect to need Premium.
4. YouTube: karaoke at no cost
It is not a karaoke app, but it is the simplest way to sing without paying. Search for the song name followed by "karaoke" and videos appear with the instrumental backing and the lyrics on screen. For a party, it's worth making a playlist beforehand, so nobody ends up typing while the music stands still.
Point of attention: there is no recording, voice effect or score; you just sing along. The quality of the backing varies a lot from one video to another, and videos uploaded without authorisation can disappear. In the free version, ads appear between songs; the YouTube Premium, paid, removes the ads.
What's free and what's paid
| App | What's free | What's paid | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smule | Download the app and sing part of the catalogue | Weekly, monthly or annual subscription for the full catalogue | Yes |
| StarMaker | Download, record and download your own recording | Pro subscription and in-app purchases | Yes |
| KaraFun | Selection of songs, previews and a quiz | Premium (full catalogue, Battle and offline mode) and Pro | Google Play does not indicate ads |
| YouTube | Karaoke videos | YouTube Premium, only to remove ads | Yes |
How to install safely
Use only the official store. A search for "karaoke" brings up several apps with names and icons similar to the most famous ones, and some belong to companies unrelated to them. Also do not install "unlocked" or "free premium" versions downloaded from websites: they are piracy and a common way of spreading viruses.
On Android
- Open Google Play and search for the app by name.
- Check the developer below the title: Smule, SKYWORK AI PTE. LTD., Recisio or Google LLC, depending on the app.
- Tap Install.
- The first time, the app asks for microphone access, which is essential. The camera is only needed if you want to record video.
On iPhone
- On the App Store, tap Search and type the app's name.
- Check the seller on the app's page; on StarMaker, it appears as SKYWORK AI PTE LTD.
- Tap Get; the App Store asks for Face ID, Touch ID or your Apple ID password to confirm.
- If a subscription screen with a free trial appears, close it or look for the option to continue without subscribing, unless you really want to test the paid plan.
Tips for sounding better on your phone
- Use headphones. With sound coming from the speaker, the microphone picks up the music along with your voice and the recording gets tangled. Headphones with a microphone solve much of this.
- Choose a small room full of things. A bedroom with curtains and a bed echoes less than a bathroom or an empty living room.
- Adjust the pitch. If the music is too loud or too soft for you, use the pitch adjustment when the app offers it, instead of straining your voice.
- Test before publishing. When there is a private mode, record once, listen, and only then share.
- Take it to the TV at the party. Large lyrics on the TV help everyone sing along, and the phone becomes the remote.
- Prefer Wi-Fi. Songs with video and live rooms use a lot of data on 4G.
Precautions before subscribing and publishing
Subscriptions to these apps renew automatically. In the descriptions on the Smule and of the StarMaker on the App Store, renewal only stops if you turn it off at least 24 hours in advance. If you accept a free trial, note the date on your calendar. Google Play warns that the three karaoke apps on the list have in-app purchases: set the store to require a password for every purchase, especially if the phone is handled by children.
On public singing networks, a public recording can be seen and commented on by strangers, and live rooms put you in contact with anyone. Review your profile privacy before publishing and do not share personal data in conversations. On the App Store, the age rating of the Smule is 12+, that of the StarMaker is 9+, and that of the KaraFun is 4+.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a completely free karaoke app?
Among those we checked, the closest to that is the YouTube, which is free with ads, but does not record or give scores. The Smule, the StarMaker and the KaraFun are free to download and have a part at no cost, with the rest in paid plans.
Can I sing without internet?
The KaraFun has an offline mode, but it is part of Premium: you sync the songs beforehand and sing later, even without signal. In the others, you need the connection on.
Do I need to buy a microphone?
No. The phone's microphone works to get started. Headphones with a microphone already improve the recording a lot, because they separate your voice from the music.
How do I cancel a subscription?
If you subscribed through the store, cancel through it. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile picture and go to Payments and subscriptions. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name and then Subscriptions. Deleting the app from the phone does not cancel the charge.
Enjoyed it? In the Apps category you will find other everyday app guides, and in Curiosities there is more material to liven up the next party.
