Build a Music Streaming App
Complete Technical Guide
Learn how to build audio streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or TIDAL. This guide covers audio streaming, critical music licensing requirements, offline playback, DRM, and everything needed for a production-ready music app.
Music Licensing is MANDATORY
⚠️ You CANNOT legally stream music without proper licenses. This is the most expensive and complex part of building a music streaming app.
Unlike video streaming where you can host your own content, music streaming requires you to license music from rights holders. Without proper licensing, you will face immediate legal action, massive fines, and your app will be shut down.
Required Music Licenses
1. Mechanical License (Composition Rights)
Covers the right to reproduce and distribute the musical composition (melody, lyrics). Required for every song you stream.
2. Master Recording License (Sound Recording Rights)
Covers the right to stream the actual recorded version of the song. Negotiated directly with record labels.
3. Performance Rights License
Covers the right to publicly perform the musical composition. Obtained through PROs (Performance Rights Organizations).
Music Licensing Organizations (US)
ASCAP
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. One of the largest PROs representing 900,000+ members.
Get ASCAP License →BMI
Broadcast Music, Inc. Represents over 1 million songwriters and publishers. You need both ASCAP and BMI licenses.
Get BMI License →SESAC
Society of European Stage Authors and Composers. Smaller but represents important catalogs. Three licenses total needed.
Get SESAC License →For Mechanical Licenses
Contact the Harry Fox Agency or use services like Songfile for mechanical licensing. Major labels also offer direct licensing deals.
Harry Fox Agency →Real Licensing Costs (2025)
💰 For a small music streaming app with 100,000 users streaming 1 million songs/month, expect to pay $50,000-$100,000+ annually in licensing fees alone, before any infrastructure or development costs.
Legal Alternatives to Commercial Music
Royalty-Free Music
Use services like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, or Soundstripe that offer pre-cleared music libraries. Much cheaper but limited catalog.
Creative Commons Music
Free music under Creative Commons licenses. Limited selection, verify license terms carefully. Great for MVP testing.
Find CC Music →Independent Artist Platform
Focus on independent artists who own their masters. Direct licensing deals, revenue sharing. Easier than major labels.
User-Generated Content
Let users upload their own music (like SoundCloud). Users responsible for licensing, you need DMCA safe harbor protection.
Audio Streaming Technology
Audio Codecs & Quality
Lossy Codecs
Lossless Codecs
💾 Storage Impact: 1 million songs at 320kbps AAC = ~3TB, at FLAC = ~30TB
| Quality Tier | Bitrate | Codec | Use Case | Data per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Mobile) | 96 kbps | AAC/Opus | Cellular data saving | ~43 MB |
| Normal | 160 kbps | AAC | Standard streaming | ~72 MB |
| High | 320 kbps | AAC/MP3 | Premium quality | ~144 MB |
| Lossless | 1411 kbps | FLAC/ALAC | Audiophile tier | ~635 MB |
Music App Essential Features
Offline Playback
Essential feature - users expect to download songs for offline listening. Requires DRM for protection, local storage management, sync across devices.
Background Playback
Music must play when app is backgrounded or screen is locked. Lock screen controls, notification controls, audio focus handling required.
DRM Protection
Digital Rights Management prevents piracy. Use Widevine (Android), FairPlay (iOS). Required by major labels for licensing agreements.
Gapless Playback
Seamless transition between tracks with no silence. Critical for albums, live recordings. Requires precise audio buffer management.
Audio Normalization
Equalize volume across tracks so users don't adjust constantly. EBU R128 loudness standard, ReplayGain support.
Crossfade
Smooth transition between songs by overlapping the end of one track with the start of next. User-configurable duration (3-12 seconds).
Complete Cost Breakdown
Traditional Development
Build with Natively
Save $120,000+
70% cost reduction
Build Your Music App with Natively
Music licensing is complex, but building the app doesn't have to be. Natively's AI generates the entire music streaming platform - you focus on licensing and content.
What Natively Generates
- Complete React Native music player with background playback
- Audio streaming with offline download capability
- Playlist management and library organization
- Supabase backend for music metadata and user data
- Lock screen controls and now playing interface
You Still Need
- →Music licensing agreements (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
- →Audio file hosting (Cloudflare R2 or AWS S3)
- →Music catalog and metadata
💡 Natively builds the complete app. You handle music licensing (which you'd need regardless of how the app is built).
🎯 Result: Production-ready music streaming app with all features above - built in hours, not months
Ready to Build?
Start with Natively
Let AI build your music streaming app while you focus on licensing and content. Plans start at $5/month.