Best Christian Music Apps for Smartphones and Tablets

If you're anything like most people, you listen to music all of the time—en at home, in the car, and on the go. Nothing makes waiting for appointments, walking, working out or doing house or yard work go smoother than music that you love, and your smartphone or tablet provides it anywhere you go.

While there are over 400 apps found when searching "Christian Music" in the Google Play store, not all apps are created equal. These radio apps are the best we've found. The record label apps give you a little more variety while keeping the music in the same genre.

Air1

This app comes straight from the not-for-profit, listener-supported Christian music radio network, Air1.

• Listen to artists like Capital Kings, Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Newsboys, Switchfoot, and tobyMac.
• Cost: free
• User rating: 4.4 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 1.5 and up
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 4.0 or later
  (App Store)

HisRadio

The app from Liquid Air Lab GmbH plays the latest in CCM, worship and Christian Pop.

• Listen to artists like Newworldson, Selah and David Crowder Band.
• Cost: free
• User rating: 4.7 stars
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 3.0 or later
  (App Store)

K-LOVE

The app from jacAPPS offers a commercial-free line-up anytime, anywhere.

• Listen to artists like Andy Cherry, MercyMe, and Jeremy Camp.
• Cost: free
• User rating: 4.5 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 1.6 and up
  (Download from Google Play Store) K-LOVE for Tablets
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 3.0 or later
  (App Store)

The Overflow

The first family-friendly and faith-based music subscription streaming service give subscribers the ability to listen to Christian and Gospel music on demand for $4.99 a month. A partnership with the Bible App provides over 200 days of exclusive devotional content and stories about the biblical inspiration behind the songs.

• Listen to artists from every style and genre of Christian music
• Cost: free 
• User rating: 4.5 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 4.0 and up
  (Download from Google Play Store)
• Sign up on the official website

Spotify

The app from Spotify Ltd. offers three levels of membership: Free, Unlimited ($4.99/mo) and Premium ($9.99/mo).

• Listen to artists from every style and genre.
• Cost: free
• User rating: 4 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 2.1 and up
  (Download from Google Play Store)
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 5.0 or later
  (App Store)

spotifyforLife is a free service that shares Christian playlists and artists found on Spotify. No separate app required - just sign up and start sharing.

TheBlast.FM: Christian Rock Radio

The app from jacAPPS is all Christian Rock, alternative, and metal, or, as they say, "always aggressive, always progressive."

• Listen to artists like Brian Head Welch, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Disciple.
• Cost: free
• User rating: 4.4 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 1.6 and up
  (Download from Google Play Store)
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 3.0 or later
  (App Store)

The Gospel Station

The app from Jacobs Media offers up the best in Southern Gospel 24/7.

• Listen to artists like Brian Free and Assurance, Homecoming Friends, and Southern Sonlight.
• Cost: free
• User rating: 4 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 1.6 and up
  (Download from Google Play Store)
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 3.0 or later
  (App Store)

Today's Christian Music

The app from Salem Communications lets you listen to the same music that is heard on over 100 radio stations around the US. Today's Christian Music doesn't just stream music to your phone, though. This handy little app also gives you the lyrics to the song you're listening to, the video for the song (if it's available), the ability to add the song to your playlist and/or purchase it.

• Listen to artists like Jeremy Camp, Petra, Steven Curtis Chapman and Casting Crowns.
• Cost: free
• User rating: 4 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 1.6 and up, supports App2SD
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 3.0 or later
  (App Store)

Christian Record Label Apps

Cross Movement Records

Cross Movement Records' official app. features music, photos, tour info for each of the artists, an artist-driven reality video series, news and twitter feed.

• Cost: free
• User rating: 4.6 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 2.1 and up
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 4.0 or later (App Store)

Reach Records

Reach Records' official app. features videos, music, tour dates for the Reach artists and more.

• Cost: $0.99
• User rating: 4.8 stars
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 4.0 or later
  (App Store)

Tooth & Nail Records

Tooth & Nail's official app features videos, music, photos, the ability to add/invite your friends from Facebook and Twitter and the option to direct message other users.

• Cost: free
• User rating: 4.6 stars
• DROID spec: Requires OS 2.1 and up
• iPhone spec: Requires iOS 3.1.2 or later (App Store)