With new technology coming out all the time, it’s almost easier than ever to create your desired sound. Music artists have access to tools that can take their music to the next level.
Technology has made it easier than ever to create, practice, and share music. Whether you’re a songwriter, producer, or performer, the right apps can level up your skills and save you time. Here’s a list of must-have apps for musicians in 2025 that will help with everything from writing lyrics to managing your career.
1. GarageBand (iOS)
- What it’s for: Music production and recording.
- Why you’ll love it: GarageBand turns your iPhone or iPad into a mini recording studio. It’s packed with virtual instruments, loops, and editing tools, making it perfect for creating demos or full tracks on the go.
- Cost: Free.
2. BandLab (iOS & Android)
- What it’s for: Recording and collaboration.
- Why you’ll love it: BandLab is like a social network for musicians. You can record, mix, and master songs, then collaborate with others around the world—all in one app.
- Cost: Free.
3. Ultimate Guitar: Chords & Tabs (iOS & Android)
- What it’s for: Learning songs and chords.
- Why you’ll love it: This app has a massive library of chords, tabs, and lyrics for thousands of songs. It’s perfect for practising or learning new material, whether you play guitar, ukulele, or bass.
- Cost: Free, with in-app purchases for premium features.
4. Ableton Note (iOS)
- What it’s for: Capturing musical ideas.
- Why you’ll love it: Ableton Note is a companion app for Ableton Live. It’s designed for sketching beats, melodies, and harmonies wherever inspiration strikes, making it easy to develop ideas later in the studio.
- Cost: Paid.
5. Notion (iOS & Android)
- What it’s for: Music notation and sheet music.
- Why you’ll love it: Notion makes it simple to write, edit, and play sheet music. You can compose on the go and hear your music played back with high-quality instrument samples.
- Cost: Paid.
6. Anytune (iOS)
- What it’s for: Practising songs.
- Why you’ll love it: Anytune lets you slow down music, change pitch, or loop sections to practice tricky parts of a song. It’s great for learning fast solos or complicated riffs.
- Cost: Free, with premium features available.
7. Koala Sampler (iOS & Android)
- What it’s for: Beatmaking and sampling.
- Why you’ll love it: This app lets you record sounds, chop them up, and turn them into beats quickly. It’s fun, easy to use, and powerful enough for serious producers.
- Cost: Paid.
8. Tunable (iOS & Android)
- What it’s for: Tuning and metronome.
- Why you’ll love it: Tunable combines a precise tuner, metronome, and recording features in one app. It’s a handy tool for rehearsals or performances.
- Cost: Paid.
9. Splice (iOS & Android)
- What it’s for: Sound samples and project backup.
- Why you’ll love it: Splice gives you access to a vast library of royalty-free samples and loops for music production. Plus, you can back up and share your projects across devices.
- Cost: Subscription-based.
10. SoundCloud (iOS & Android)
- What it’s for: Sharing and discovering music.
- Why you’ll love it: SoundCloud is a great platform to share your music and build an audience. You can also discover new artists and find inspiration for your own work.
- Cost: Free, with premium plans for more features.
11. Songwriting Apps: Lyric Notepad & Songwriter’s Pad (iOS & Android)
- What they’re for: Writing lyrics.
- Why you’ll love them: These apps help you organise your ideas, find rhymes, and keep your lyrics structured. Perfect for staying productive while songwriting on the go.
- Cost: Free or paid, depending on the app.
12. Artist Growth (iOS & Android)
- What It’s For: Managing your music career.
- Why You’ll Love It: This app helps you organise tour schedules, track finances, and manage your gigs. It’s like a personal assistant for musicians.
- Cost: Subscription-based.
Why these apps are worth it
These apps cover everything a musician might need—from practising and creating, to sharing and managing your career. Many are free or have budget-friendly options, so you don’t have to break the bank to take your music to the next level.
Try a few of these apps and see which ones work best for you. With the right tools, you’ll be more creative, efficient, and ready to hit your musical goals in 2025! Or, hopefully, even before the year is out. Don’t leave it any longer, get started now.
