Claritune vs YouTube lo-fi streams

Lo-fi livestreams have helped millions of people study. They're free, they never end, and the steady, mellow beats are genuinely good background sound. So when is something else worth trying?

The short version

• Stick with lo-fi streams if they work for you and ads or the video don't bother you.
• Try Claritune if you want lyric-free sound without ads in the way of your focus (with Premium), audio that keeps playing with your screen off, or sound for moods beyond study, such as sleep, calm and motivation.

Where lo-fi streams can get in the way

• Ads can interrupt a stream unless you pay for YouTube Premium.
• Background play on phones also needs YouTube Premium, so on the free tier the stream stops when you lock your screen or switch apps.
• Vocal samples appear in some lo-fi tracks, which can distract during reading and writing.
• The video sits in a browser tab next to everything else YouTube wants you to watch.

What Claritune does differently

Claritune is audio-only and made for background listening. Every soundscape is instrumental, with no vocal samples and no hooks. The app plays in the background with your screen off. And it isn't only for studying: there are moods for sleep, calm, energy, love, melancholy and more.

Side by side

• Price: YouTube is free with ads, or a subscription for no ads and background play. Claritune is free with ads; Premium removes ads and unlocks every mood and offline downloads.
• Sound: Lo-fi uses beats and samples. Claritune uses ambient, electronic and cinematic soundscapes.
• Platforms: YouTube is everywhere. Claritune is Android-only for now, plus this website.

Try it now

Data Stream, Binary Flow and The Cocoon from Focus play in full above, with no ads.

Frequently asked questions

Is lo-fi music good for studying?

For many people, yes. It's steady and mellow. If vocal samples or ads distract you, lyric-free soundscapes are worth trying.

Can Claritune play with my screen off?

Yes. The Claritune Android app supports background playback.

Does Claritune have lo-fi?

Some soundscapes have lo-fi textures, like Sepia and The Hearth, but most are ambient rather than beat-driven.