Anghami: Play Music & Podcasts

What it does

Anghami is a music and podcast streaming service with a strong catalog of both Arabic and international content. The app allows users to stream millions of tracks, create and share playlists, and discover new music through personalized recommendations. It also includes a significant social layer, with features like Live Radio, user profiles, and in-app chat to connect listeners.

Where it shines

Anghami shines brightest in its blend of robust music features and deep social integration. The onboarding process is a prime example, using an extensive artist selection quiz (00:38) and a Spotify import option (01:14) to create a highly personalized library from day one. The in-app player is another strength, offering not just standard controls but also synchronized lyrics (04:31) and a fully customizable equalizer (05:25), catering to both casual listeners and audiophiles. The "AI MIX" feature for playlists (12:43) is a clever touch, intelligently expanding user-created collections with a single tap.

UX highlights

Personalized Onboarding: The app invests heavily in understanding user taste upfront with a detailed artist selection flow to ensure the initial recommendations are relevant.
Customizable Player: The graphic equalizer (05:25) is a standout feature, allowing users to fine-tune the audio with presets or custom curves, a level of control not always found in mobile streaming apps.
Interactive Lyrics: Lyrics scroll in time with the music (04:31), turning passive listening into a more engaging, karaoke-like experience.
Social Discovery: Users can browse the followers of public playlists (06:41) and explore their profiles, creating a powerful social discovery loop.
Integrated Chat: The ability to start a chat and share songs directly with other users (06:49) builds a community within the app itself.
Music Identification: The 'Radar' feature (08:17) functions like Shazam, identifying music playing nearby, which is a useful utility integrated directly into the discover tab.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is centered around an 'Anghami Plus' subscription, which removes ads and unlocks premium features like downloads. The primary paywall is presented after onboarding as a banner on the home screen (01:36) and offers a one-month free trial. The presentation is clear, highlighting key benefits like no ads and unlimited downloads. The app also features a family plan, providing multiple options for different user needs. Growth is clearly a focus, as seen by the prominent Spotify import tool during onboarding, designed to lower the barrier for users to switch from the market leader.

Who it’s for

Anghami is primarily for music listeners in the Middle East and North Africa, or anyone with a strong interest in Arabic music, given its deep catalog in that genre. However, its extensive international library makes it a viable option for a global audience. It particularly appeals to users who see music as a social activity, enjoy curating playlists, and want to connect with others who share their taste. The Live Radio feature also targets users who enjoy a shared, real-time listening experience.

Notes & opportunities

The app is feature-rich, but this can sometimes lead to a busy interface. The main Explore feed (02:24) is packed with numerous carousels, which could be overwhelming for new users. While the social features are powerful, making them more discoverable from the main player screen could increase their usage. For instance, seeing what friends or popular users are listening to in real-time could be a valuable addition to the home screen.