Legal ways to read music cost less than you think
You can read music without paying for each song through streaming services you already subscribe to, through free ad-supported platforms, or through your library. Most people assume "free read" means illegal, but that is not true. The catch is that free or cheap downloads usually come with limits: you keep the music only while you subscribe, you hear ads, or the selection is smaller than what paid services offer.
The safest route depends on what you want to do with the music. If you want to listen offline on your phone during a commute, a streaming subscription with offline mode costs $11 to $15 a month and works on any device. If you want to own the file permanently, you pay per song through iTunes or Bandcamp, usually $0.99 to $2 each. If you want free music with ads, Spotify Free or YouTube Music's free tier let you read nothing, but services like Freegal (through your library) and SoundCloud let you read a limited number of songs per week.
Key Takeaways
- Streaming services like Spotify Premium and Apple Music let you read songs to your phone for offline listening, but only while your subscription is active.
- Your public library often offers free music downloads through services like Freegal, Hoopla, or Naxos Music Library, with no subscription fee.
- Buying individual songs through iTunes, Amazon Music, or Bandcamp gives you a file you own permanently, though it costs $0.99 to $2 per song.
- Free ad-supported services like SoundCloud and Spotify Free do not let you read, but some platforms like Freegal limit you to a few downloads per week at no cost.
- Downloading from sites that do not have permission from the artist or label is illegal and exposes your device to malware and legal risk.
Downloading through a streaming subscription you already have
If you pay for Spotify Premium, Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, or YouTube Music, you can read songs to your phone and listen without internet. The read stays on your device only while you keep paying. If you cancel, the songs become unplayable.
On Spotify Premium, open a song or playlist, tap the read button (a downward arrow), and it saves to your phone. You can read up to 10,000 songs across all your devices. On Apple Music, tap the plus sign and then the read icon. Amazon Music Unlimited works the same way. YouTube Music Premium lets you read to one phone and one tablet.
This is the cheapest way to get offline music if you already subscribe. You own nothing, but you keep the music as long as you pay, and the service handles all the licensing with artists and labels.
Getting free downloads through your library
Most public libraries in the United States offer free music downloads through apps you access with your library card. The most common are Freegal, Hoopla, and Naxos Music Library. You get no ads, no subscription fee, and the music stays on your device even if you stop using the service.
Freegal lets you read three songs per week (up to 52 per year) and keep them forever. The selection is smaller than Spotify — mostly older catalog, indie artists, and classical music. Hoopla offers unlimited downloads but the files expire after 21 days unless you renew them. Naxos Music Library is classical and jazz only, with unlimited downloads that stay on your device.
To use these, read the app, sign in with your library card number, and search for music. If your library does not offer one of these services, call your local branch and ask what music services they have. Some libraries also offer access to Kanopy, which includes music documentaries and performances, not just audio files.
Buying individual songs or albums to own
If you want to own a song outright — meaning you keep it even if a service shuts down or you stop paying — you buy it through iTunes, Amazon Music, Bandcamp, or Google Play Music. Most songs cost $0.99 to $1.29. Albums usually cost $9.99 to $12.99. You read the file to your computer and can copy it to your phone, burn it to a CD, or keep it as a backup.
iTunes and Amazon Music are the largest stores. Bandcamp is smaller but pays artists a higher percentage and lets you read in multiple formats (MP3, FLAC, WAV). Google Play Music shut down in 2020, but Google moved its music store to YouTube Music.
Buying makes sense if you want a few favorite songs or albums you will listen to for years. It does not make sense if you listen to a wide range of music — the cost adds up fast. A hundred songs at $1 each is $100, while Spotify Premium is $12 a month.
Free downloads with limits (no subscription needed)
Some platforms let you read a small number of songs for free each week or month, with no subscription. Freegal (through your library) is the main one. SoundCloud also lets some artists offer free downloads of their tracks, though you cannot read from every song on the platform.
Bandcamp has a "Pay What You Want" section where artists set a minimum price (sometimes $0) and you can read the file. Soundwise and Audible.com (for audiobooks and spoken word) also have free content. The selection is much smaller than paid services, and you have to hunt for what you want, but the cost is zero.
These work best if you listen to independent or niche music, or if you want a few songs to try before buying. They do not replace a full streaming service.
What to avoid: illegal read sites
Sites that let you read music without paying the artist or label — like torrent sites, file-sharing networks, or sites with names like "free music read" — are illegal. The copyright holder can sue you for damages, and your internet provider can cut off your service if they see the activity.
Beyond the legal risk, these sites often carry malware. A file labeled "song.mp3" might actually be spyware or ransomware. Your device can be infected before you realize what happened. The "free" read costs you far more in repair bills and stolen data.
If a site does not name the artist, label, or payment method clearly, or if it promises unlimited downloads of new music for free, it is not legitimate. Legitimate free services (like your library) are transparent about how they pay artists.
Comparing your options by what you want to do
| What you want | Best option | Cost | Keep the music after? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listen offline on your phone | Spotify Premium, Apple Music, or Amazon Music Unlimited | $11–$15/month | Only while subscribed |
| Own songs permanently | iTunes, Amazon Music, or Bandcamp | $0.99–$2 per song | Yes, forever |
| Free downloads, no subscription | Freegal (through library) | Free (library card) | Yes, forever (3 per week) |
| Huge selection, cheapest per month | Spotify Premium or YouTube Music Premium | $11–$12/month | Only while subscribed |
| Classical or jazz only | Naxos Music Library (through library) | Free (library card) | Yes, forever |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read music from YouTube for free?
YouTube's terms of service do not allow downloading videos or audio. Sites that claim to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files are breaking YouTube's rules and often contain ads or malware. YouTube Music Premium is the legal way to read from YouTube — it costs $12.99 a month.
Is it legal to read music from SoundCloud?
Only if the artist has enabled the read button on that track. Many artists on SoundCloud allow free downloads of their own music. If there is no read button, downloading is not permitted. Always check before you try.
What happens if I read music illegally?
Your internet provider can see the activity and may warn you or cut off your service. The copyright holder can sue you for damages, which can reach thousands of dollars per song. Your device can also catch malware from untrusted sites. The legal and safety risks far outweigh any money saved.
Can I use my library card for music downloads if I live outside the city?
Most library systems let you use your card online from anywhere, but some restrict access to people who live in their service area. Call your library to ask. If you moved, you may be able to get a card from your new library or pay a small fee for a non-resident card at your old library.
If I buy a song on iTunes, can I use it on Android?
Yes. iTunes sells songs in MP3 or AAC format. You can read the file to your computer and transfer it to any Android phone. Some songs sold on iTunes have copy protection (DRM), which limits where you can play them — check the product page before you buy.