Shazam is the world’s most popular song identification app — you hold your phone up to a song playing anywhere and it tells you the song name, artist, album, and lyrics within seconds. But what if you want to use Shazam on your PC or laptop? Good news: Shazam now has a fully functional web version that works right in your browser, plus there are several ways to use Shazam on Windows and Mac.
How to Use Shazam Online (Web Version) on PC
The easiest way to use Shazam on PC is through the official Shazam web app. Here’s how:
- Open your browser and go to shazam.com
- Click the large Shazam button in the center of the page
- Allow microphone access when prompted by your browser
- Play or let the music play near your microphone
- Shazam will identify the song within a few seconds
That’s it. No download, no signup required. The Shazam web version works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari on both Windows and Mac.
How to Use Shazam on Windows 10 and 11
Windows users have multiple options to get Shazam on their PC:
Method 1: Shazam Web App (Recommended)
Visit shazam.com and use it directly in your browser. Works for songs playing out loud near your PC or through speakers. This is the fastest method with no installation required.
Method 2: Shazam Chrome Extension
Shazam offers an official Chrome extension that lets you identify music playing in your browser tabs — perfect for Shazaming a YouTube video or a website’s background music:
- Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for “Shazam”
- Install the official Shazam extension
- Click the Shazam icon in your Chrome toolbar when a song is playing in any tab
- Shazam will identify it without using your microphone
Method 3: Shazam for Windows App (Microsoft Store)
Shazam has an official Windows app available in the Microsoft Store:
- Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 10/11 PC
- Search for “Shazam”
- Download and install the free app
- Open it and tap the Shazam button to identify any song playing
How to Use Shazam on Mac
Mac users have the best Shazam experience on desktop because Shazam is built into macOS:
Method 1: Shazam in the Menu Bar (macOS Monterey and later)
Since macOS Monterey, Shazam is built directly into macOS. You can add a Shazam button to your Control Center and identify songs playing around you or in any app with one click — no browser, no installation needed.
Method 2: Shazam Mac App
Download Shazam from the Mac App Store for a dedicated app experience. It sits in your menu bar and can identify songs playing on your Mac or through your speakers with a single click.
Can Shazam Identify Songs Playing Through Headphones?
The standard Shazam microphone method only picks up audio playing out loud. However, the Chrome extension can identify songs playing in any browser tab — so if you’re watching a YouTube video with headphones on, the extension will still work perfectly.
Shazam Alternatives for PC
If Shazam doesn’t identify a song, try these alternatives:
- SoundHound — Available at soundhound.com, works similarly to Shazam and is often better at identifying hummed or sung melodies
- Google Search — Click the microphone in Google Search and hum a tune. Google will try to identify it.
- Midomi — A web-based song identifier that works entirely in your browser, no download needed
- AHA Music — A Chrome extension that identifies songs playing in any browser tab
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shazam free to use on PC?
Yes, Shazam is completely free on PC — whether you use the web version, Chrome extension, or Windows/Mac app. There is no paid tier for Shazam’s core song identification feature.
Does Shazam work with Spotify or Apple Music?
Yes. When Shazam identifies a song, it shows you links to open the song directly in Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or other streaming services.
How accurate is Shazam?
Shazam has a massive database of over 11 million tracks and is extremely accurate for popular music. It can identify songs in under 5 seconds even with background noise. Less common tracks or very old recordings may sometimes not be in its database.