WhoSampled

Overview

WhoSampled makes the connections between songs its organizing idea: identify music playing around you, scan a library, or browse a track’s samples, covers and remixes. The app describes a catalog of over 1,287,000 tracks and 399,000 artists, with daily additions. It also says verified content is built by a community of over 38,000 contributors. That scale offers plenty of paths to follow, though the service is most valuable when a track has connections worth exploring.

Key features

Identification and library scanning

Track identification can lead from a song playing nearby to its samples, covers and remixes, making recognition a starting point rather than the end of the search. Library scanning extends that approach to Spotify and Apple Music collections. Spotify users can also switch to WhoSampled’s Now Playing feature to inspect a track’s connections. These tools suit listeners who want to investigate music they hear or already save; they are less compelling if all you need is a title and artist.

Sample detail and comparison

Sample entries can show timing, sample type and the part sampled, giving listeners useful context for understanding how a source appears in another track. On the site, the Jump button moves between listed sample timings, and side-by-side comparison helps put source and sampled tracks together. The value is in following the musical relationship, not just reading a credit.

Listening and discovery

Full-length listening is supported through YouTube where available, Spotify with Premium, or Apple Music with a subscription. That gives users ways to hear connections, but it does not promise subscription-free playback of every track. Charts for trending, top-rated and all-time influential artists and tracks, plus favorites and contextual recommendations, provide other routes into the catalog.

Pricing

WhoSampled uses a freemium model. The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes text search, Track ID, Spotify and Apple Music library scanning, and an ad-free experience. It is a substantial entry point for listeners who want discovery without a subscription to WhoSampled; the main limitation is that some full-length playback depends on YouTube availability or a separate Spotify Premium or Apple Music subscription.

Platforms

WhoSampled is available on Android, iOS and the web, with cross-platform support. That combination suits people who want to identify music on a phone and continue browsing connections on the site.

Who it's for

WhoSampled is best for curious listeners who want to trace the roots and reinterpretations of music across Hip-Hop, Electronic/Dance, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Soul, Reggae and Classical. Its library scanning and detailed sample entries are especially useful for exploring saved music or understanding a specific track. It is not the right choice for someone seeking only a simple recognition result or guaranteed full-track playback without another service.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Library scanning, identification and connection-focused discovery work together, so users can move from a track they hear or save to related music.
• Pros: Sample timing, type and sampled-part details add context that a basic recognition result would not provide.
• Pros: The free plan includes scanning and Track ID without ads, while the catalog receives daily additions.
• Cons: Full-length playback depends on YouTube availability or subscriptions to Spotify or Apple Music.
• Cons: Its focus on samples, covers and remixes is narrower than general-purpose music discovery.

Alternatives

Music Identification Apps is a useful place to compare services when identifying songs is the main priority. Choose AHA Music if broader platform support matters: it runs on mobile, web, desktop and as an extension, but its free Guest plan caps recognition at five per day and includes ads. SoundHound is a simpler mobile option on Android and iOS, with a free ad-supported plan or a one-time 6.99 USD payment for an ad-free experience. ACRCloud is the alternative for API users who want a 14-day full API trial without a credit card; it has no free plan.

AirScrobble, Annie, AudD, Audile and AudioTag are other options for readers comparing music identification services.

Verdict

Choose WhoSampled if you want identification to open a path into the samples, covers and remixes behind a song, especially across music you already save. Its free scanning and sample-level context make it a distinctive discovery tool. Look elsewhere if you need recognition alone, broader search, or dependable full-length playback without a streaming subscription.