Online music goes far beyond YouTube, Spotify, and iTunes (that is, Apple Music). In the past we've talked about SoundCloud, and the Soundnode app to use the service directly on the desktop, but there are also alternatives in the vein of SongFlip, which essentially works like the iOS app SpinTunes. SongFlip prioritizes streaming of "royalty-free" material, although that doesn't prevent you from creating your own playlists with millions of songs.
Tired of the musical "mainstream"? Does everything sound the same? The same names as always? Don't worry, you're not the only one who feels this way. J-Pop, K-Pop, soundtracks... we've explored all the "escape routes". Streaming helps us discover new bands in seconds, but at the end of the day everyone wants to sound like "someone". To this we must add the fact that the main services fall into the inevitable temptation of placing the same artists above all others time and again. It's the so-called "best-seller syndrome" applied to music. Perhaps part of the problem lies in these services, and as users we must explore other options. One that has been very well received on Android and iOS is SongFlip.
From a technical standpoint, SongFlip is the equivalent of SpinTunes, meaning if you're a user of that app, you already know the basics of SongFlip. Its built-in search lets you locate specific singers or groups, and obviously discover new ones, but it's also possible to filter by categories, or follow the path of "most listened" among those who use the service. Creating playlists is a very simple process, and although the app focuses on "royalty-free" material, most of its users say they found everything they were looking for in it, which represents a potential catalog with millions of songs.
Now, SongFlip doesn't offer any kind of offline mode. Its main function is streaming, so no one should expect to get MP3 files or standalone downloads. This also means SongFlip requires a constant and stable connection, whether via WiFi or your data plan (which I personally never recommend). Finally, don't forget that access to SongFlip is completely free.
