You haven’t lived if you’ve never had a karaoke night with friends on a Friday evening after a long week. Karaoke used to be a club-exclusive event, but now, thanks to technology, you can turn your living room into a karaoke floor.
All you need to stage a karaoke in your house is your smart TV, a DVD player, and a good microphone. Using a karaoke app also improves the experience because it has incredible functionalities.
There are many good karaoke apps in the market such as Smule, Lucky Voice, and StarMaker. However the best karaoke app for TV is Karafun because its feature-rich side.
Things to consider before choosing a karaoke app for your TV
When selecting a karaoke app for your smart TV, you must consider some key factors.
First, it must be compatible with your TV OS. Smart TVs use different operating software depending on the brand; some may not support karaoke apps.
If the app can screencast from your portable devices to a compatible smart TV, it will be better for you.
You must also decide whether you want a free or premium app. As much as free karaoke apps get you what you need, some come with limited functionalities, which may force you to switch to a premium one.
The app should also have a huge library of songs; otherwise, you’ll be stuck on a loop repeating the same songs. And most importantly, it should be able to grant users access to song lyrics.
Let’s find out some of the best karaoke apps that meet this criteria.
Also Read: Best Karaoke Speakers
Best Karaoke Apps For Smart TVs
1. Karafun
Karafun is hands down the best all-around karaoke app that works on several platforms, including smart TVs.
To start, the app has a very aesthetic user interface with vibrant colors, which is a good thing considering how fun-themed most karaoke events usually are.
The Karafun app is also home to over 54,000 songs in various genres. Furthermore, the platform adds over 400 songs every month, meaning the catalog stays updated with some of the hottest songs at any time.
The app also provides studio-quality songs created and curated by professional musicians and sound engineers. Combining this with a high-quality sound system will give you a wholesome singing experience.
There’s also an option to create a playlist of your favorite songs that you can access anytime on any device. This level of control isn’t found in most karaoke apps for TVs.
Other notable features include customizable vocals, where you can add backup voices to enhance your singing. You also get a remote control for managing the devices that connect to the app around the house.
Singers can also share photos through the app and have them appear under the lyrics as backgrounds. A mirroring functionality duplicates the screen and projects it to another external screen, which is ideal for large groups of people.
Karafun is compatible with macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon FireTV. You can also use the web version of Karafun directly on your smart TV browser or via screencasting from your smart portable devices.
The app offers a free version with basic features to get you started. But if you want to unlock more, try the Premium or Pro plans, which cost $9.99 and $49 monthly.
Also Read: Best GarageBand Alternatives For Android
2. Smule
Regarding the size of the music library accessible to users, not many karaoke TV apps can outdo Smule. It has over 10 million songs with scrolling lyrics and video animations.
These two combinations are what make Smule a popular app for party people. Users can stage solo or group karaoke performances, sing entire songs, or do acapella.
Like Karafun, Smule has been designed with high-quality sound outputs with options to customize voices with VFX and other subtle effects.
Smule excels pretty well with its Explore feature, which lets you browse through thousands of karaoke performances uploaded by other users. The platform also has official accounts of popular artists like John Legend that send out invites for people to join them in re-creating their songs with them.
Smule also offers singing groups that are grouped by genres and countries. Furthermore, there’s a weekly challenge where users send in their best performances for a chance to appear at the top of the searches.
In a way, Smule also functions as a social media site where karaoke lovers can connect.
In addition to this, there are other interactive apps you can get for a better music experience.
They include Style Studio, which comes with professional studio recording tools to enhance your karaoke performances. There’s also the AutoRap, equipped with pitch-correcting technology that can transform talk into rap.
Finally, there’s the Magic Piano, designed for people who want to compose their songs from scratch.
You can use Smule directly on your smart TV, like Apple or Android TV. However, if your TV doesn’t support the direct installation of the Smule app, you can simply install it on your iOS, iPadOS, or Android device and screencast it on your smart TV.
A VIP version of Smule comes without ads and offers unlimited solos, shared access, and much more.
Explore: Best Chordify Alternatives
3. The Karaoke Channel
LG TVs have some of the most complicated operating software incompatible with most apps. But karaoke enthusiasts will be happy to know that the Karaoke Channel app has native support on LG, Samsung, Sharp Smart, and many other devices.
Also called Stingray Karaoke, this platform is optimized for all TV screens, even the largest ones. So you won’t have to spend much time adjusting the lyrics, animations, or videos to fit onto the screen. All you need to do is just plug and play.
Furthermore, the karaoke app offers thousands of generic and popular karaoke songs that can be accessed through the TV via streaming. For those that would like to access more song catalogs, Karaoke Channel offers a premium plan that extends the library by thousands of songs.
As for the videos and animation, you don’t have to worry about the quality because this karaoke app supports HD-quality videos. Ensure you have fast internet to avoid unnecessary buffering while singing your favorite songs.
Music genres available on this platform range from Rock, Country, Pop, HipHop, R&B, and much more. All these also come with ready-to-sing playlists that you can customize to your liking on the premium version.
The user interface may not be as clean as Karafun or Smule, but Karaoke Channel doesn’t disappoint on the functionality end. The search function is smooth; you can find any song you want within seconds.
Like most karaoke TV apps, Karaoke Channel provides scrolling lyrics and corresponding animated videos to enhance the experience. Lead vocal tracks also help you sing along, which is perfect for first-time karaoke singers.
You can also install and run the Karaoke Channel app on iOS and Android, making it easy to cast onto any compatible TV screen through AirPlay or Google Cast.
Also Read: Best Sound Boosters For PC
4. Lucky Voice
This premium karaoke app works on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS devices, which means you can AirPlay your karaoke performance directly to your Apple TV or screencast it on your smart Android TV.
Besides support for multiple devices, Lucky Voice has a remote control feature that lets your buddies and family members choose the songs they want while you’re still singing. This creates seamless switching from one person to another without interruptions in between.
Furthermore, the app supports full-screen mode, which works well on large screens. This makes it easy to see the lyrics without the need to be too close to the screen. After all, singing karaoke is more fun when you have enough legroom for dancing.
The app also comes with ready-made playlists encompassing all types of music genres like Rock, Rap, Blues, Jazz, Pop, and Reggae, among many others. Plus, new songs are added every week, giving users access to all the latest popular songs.
However, unlike most apps, to get the best out of Lucky Voice, you may have to buy the Lucky Voice Karaoke kit, which comes bundled with a microphone, a mixer, cables, headphones, and an instruction sheet.
The kit is compatible with standard devices like PCs, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs. All you’ll need is a good internet connection to set things rolling. You can also buy extra microphones if you want to have duet karaoke showdowns.
Lucky Voice offers a 14-day trial that you can cancel anytime if it’s not for you. Just ensure you cancel before the 14 days are up.
5. StarMaker
StarMaker is another great karaoke app for TV, smartphones, and tablets with a fantastic user interface just as colorful as Karafun and Smule.
The highly interactive app has a huge music catalog ranging from Folk, Rock, Pop, HipHop, R&B, and many others, providing something for everyone. The millions of songs available on StarMaker also come with high-quality rolling lyrics for that visual impact when displayed on any screen.
Unlike most apps, StarMaker allows you to record and edit your records with a wide selection of video and audio filters that enhance the quality of your singing. You can then share everything on your social media sites with a click of a button.
There’s also a duet option you can use if you have friends and family over for a get-together or a party. Another interesting feature is the Send StarClip, a fairly new addition that allows you to join other people’s karaoke recordings if they invite you and vice versa.
Other notable features added to the latest StarMaker update include the ability to record your karaoke songs with new voice effects like Vinyl, Distant, Party, etc. The video section has also received a significant upgrade with fun filters that make you look as good as you sound.
A pitch correction feature has also been added to turn your ordinary karaoke songs into professional-level production, and you can even add your hooks. Like Smule, this platform allows people to comment, like, and even gift each other through the music they make.
The app’s premium version costs $79.99 for six months, with discounts offered occasionally.
6. Karaoke Anywhere
Currently, the only functioning official app for Karaoke Anywhere is Android, which is a little limiting compared to other alternatives. So you can download it directly on your Android TV or connect it to your smart TV through Chromecast or other methods like Bluetooth.
However, don’t let that make you think it’s incapable of giving you an unforgettable karaoke experience. The app claims to be the first fully featured Android karaoke application with a library of over 5,000 songs.
Compared to Karafun or Starmaker, this is a little underwhelming, but it more than makes up for the lack of quantity with quality. Among these songs, users have access to free ones that they can use for daily karaoke performances without any limitations.
Furthermore, this is one of the few karaoke apps allowing users to import their MP3 files straight from their devices. It even comes with an in-built lyrics search function in case the imported songs lack the lyrics.
If 5,000 songs are too few for you, you can purchase individual tracks from a vast library of over 40,000 songs. These can be accessed directly from the Karaoke Anywhere for Android download store.
There’s a community of Karaoke Anywhere listeners and users that you can interact with and even comment on each other’s karaoke performances.
Karaoke Anywhere for Android phones, tablets, and smart TVs has a premium version that costs $9.99 per month, with the money billed automatically from your Google Play account.
The premium version comes with unlimited access to songs. You only need to ensure your devices are connected to a fast and reliable internet. Karaoke Anywhere works on Android 2.3.3 and above.
7. The Voice
This karaoke app is designed to work on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Android. So it can be installed on most Android TVs, and you can AirPlay your karaoke songs straight to your Apple TV screen from your iPhone or iPad.
The Voice has a beautiful user interface that makes finding songs and enhancement features to get the most out of your music experience.
And speaking of music, The Voice offers a library of over 50,000 popular songs spanning genres like Pop, Rock, R&B, HipHop, and many more. Additionally, you can find songs from different regions of the world, from English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, etc.
Regarding functionalities, this app allows you to pick your favorite songs and curate your playlist for easy access anytime you want to sing, no matter the device you’re using. The Voice lets users record and edit their karaoke songs with audio and video effects.
Like most alternatives on this list, this app has a strong presence on social media, and you can quickly share your content throughout the internet to gain fans and create a community for yourself.
There’s also an option to invite and get invited to duets with other uses, and sometimes if you’re lucky, with celebrities whose songs are part of The Voice’s library.
The Voice has a premium subscription that grants you access to an unlimited VIP song catalog, with the payment billed monthly or yearly, depending on your chosen plan.
8. Yokee
This is one of the most diverse karaoke apps for TVs and portable devices you’ll ever come across.
It has an attractive user interface across all its apps, including the web version, and provides more than just tools for karaoke performances.
The app is compatible with iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Android devices. Since the app isn’t compatible with Apple TVs, you can simply AirPlay your Karaoke content to your TV screen, perfect for party people who love hosting friends and family members.
Fortunately, for people who own Android TVs, you can install the app directly from Google Play and control everything directly.
There’s full-screen support for more clarity when dealing with scrolling lyrics and video animations. Yokee also houses an extensive music catalog derived from many music genres worldwide. So you’re guaranteed to find something that works for you.
Yokee allows for the live recording of karaoke songs with amazing editing functionalities you can use to enhance your recordings. These include audio and video filters that are not only easy to use but are mostly free.
There’s a premium version that gives you access to unlimited song selections.
9. Karaoke One
Not to be confused with Karaoke Anywhere, this is a trendy karaoke app that works on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Xbox One. To use it on your smart TV, ensure it has a compatible OS or supports features like AirPlay or Chromecast.
All the music available on Karaoke One is in HD with high-quality sound well-engineered for an immersive karaoke experience. Users can choose from different music genres worldwide, including the latest hits topping charts from other countries.
The app is compatible with Android 8.0 and above, so it can work on most common brands like Samsung and TCL without issues. But you’ll need a fast internet connection to handle HD streaming without buffering.
Like other options, you get scrolling lyrics, fun animations, and a lot of voice and video effects that you can use to enhance your musical experience. There’s also an option for recording your karaoke performances anytime, complete with cloud storage that can be accessed from anywhere through any device.
You can browse the songbook for all types of songs, complete with a search function. Once you find your song, click the “sing” button and begin singing your heart away to your satisfaction.
The premium version offers zero ads, high-quality audio, and a community of other premium users.
10. SingSnap
Wrapping up our best karaoke apps for TVs is SingSnap, another simple but feature-laden with thousands of songs to choose from.
The app takes advantage of some of the most advanced audio technology that takes the sound quality to another level. Professional audio engineers have designed this technology, and the improvements keep coming with every update.
Users can record videos and audio with access to fantastic visual and audio effects that can turn your ordinary voice into a professional one. SingSnap also allows users to create duets with other users online, no matter how far apart they may be. You can also curate and modify your playlists to suit your singing style.
The app is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, and iPadOS. So you can install it directly on an Android TV or use Chromecast and AirPlay to blast your music without interruptions on your large smart TV screen.
Wrapping It Up
Karaoke is a fun way to pass or spend time with friends or family. But to get the best experience, you need the right tools; top on that list are karaoke apps.
Karafun is my top recommendation because it looks the part and has impressive features to boot. So, find the app that works best for you and enjoy your karaoke singing.
