Review · Learning
Smule review
A social karaoke app with 15 million+ songs, duets with other singers and artists, pitch guidance and key shifting.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 9, 2026
- Performance (40%)
- 6.4
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.8
- Value (35%)
- 7.4
Smule is a karaoke and social singing app, not a vocal course, so it ranks last for beginners whose goal is pitch accuracy. It still has a place. You can sing any of 15 million+ songs with scrolling lyrics and a pitch guide, shift a song's key to suit your range, and join duets recorded by other singers or by artists for free. Singing with others is a low-pressure way for shy beginners to start, and the community spans more than 190 countries. A VIP subscription unlocks solo recording and lets you start your own duets, with Weekly VIP Access listed at $7.99 on the US App Store among other VIP tiers. The voice effects, including pitch shift, reverb and 50+ filters, make recordings sound polished, but they can also mask the problems a beginner needs to hear. There are no structured lessons or exercises, so use Smule for practice and confidence alongside a training app.
Who it is for
Beginners who want to practice songs and build confidence by singing with others.
Price
Free duets; VIP for solo recording, from $7.99 per week for Weekly VIP Access as an App Store in-app purchase.
Weekly VIP Access $7.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.
Key features
- 15 million+ songs with scrolling lyrics and a pitch guide
- Join existing duets for free
- Shift any song up or down to fit your range
- Voice effects including pitch shift, reverb and 50+ filters
- Duets with official tracks from well-known artists
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Joining duets costs nothing
- Strength: Huge song library across many genres
- Strength: Singing with others builds confidence for shy beginners
- Weakness: No structured lessons or technique exercises
- Weakness: Voice effects can hide pitch problems instead of fixing them
- Weakness: Solo recording needs a VIP subscription
Key facts
- Song library: 15 million+ songs
- Free use: Join existing duets
- VIP: Solo recording and starting your own duets
- Platforms: iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
- Community: Singers in more than 190 countries
Where it ranks
Smule is No. 10 in our Best Singing Apps verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit smule.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@hearsmart.org