The Best CarPlay Lyrics Apps in 2026
Plenty of apps show lyrics on your phone, but very few actually put them on the CarPlay screen. Since Apple doesn't scroll Apple Music or Spotify lyrics on CarPlay itself, a dedicated app is the only way to sing along on the road — and only a couple do it well. Here are the best CarPlay lyrics apps in 2026, what each is best for, and how to make sure you download the right one.
The two CarPlay lyrics apps worth your time in 2026 are Lyricast, the best value with the most places to see lyrics, and Musixmatch, the best pick for on-the-fly translations and Apple Watch. Both show real-time lyrics on CarPlay for Apple Music and Spotify using iOS Live Activities.
How we compared them
A good CarPlay lyrics app has to do three things: show the current line in real time on the CarPlay screen, work with the service you already use (Apple Music or Spotify), and stay in sync without fuss. We also weighed price, the other places each app shows lyrics, and how cleanly it uses iOS 26's new CarPlay widgets. Both apps below clear the bar; they just lean in different directions.
1. Lyricast — best value and most surfaces
Lyricast shows real-time, karaoke-style lyrics on your CarPlay screen for both Apple Music and Spotify, and it doesn't stop at the car. The same subscription puts synced lyrics on your Lock Screen, in the Dynamic Island, and in Home Screen widgets (small, medium, and large). It's free to download, and the annual plan is $19.99 — roughly half the price of the main alternative. You can adjust text size and colour for glanceable reading, auto-launch it with your music, and pre-download lyrics on Wi-Fi for low-signal drives. If you want lyrics everywhere and the best price, this is the one.
- Best for: value, plus lyrics on CarPlay, Lock Screen, Dynamic Island, and Home Screen
- Price: free to download; $19.99/year for unlimited lyrics
- Works with: Apple Music and Spotify
2. Musixmatch — best for translations and Apple Watch
Musixmatch added live CarPlay lyrics in a May 2026 update, also via Live Activities, for Apple Music and Spotify. Its standout strengths are a massive lyrics database with translations in 60+ languages shown as the song plays, and lyrics mirrored to Apple Watch. The trade-off is price: the full CarPlay experience needs Musixmatch Premium, around $35.99 a year at the time of writing. If you listen to a lot of foreign-language music or want lyrics on your wrist, Musixmatch earns its place.
- Best for: real-time translations (60+ languages) and Apple Watch lyrics
- Price: free to download; Premium around $35.99/year for full CarPlay lyrics
- Works with: Apple Music and Spotify
Watch out: several apps are named "Dynamic Lyrics"
Search the App Store for "dynamic lyrics" and you'll find several apps with near-identical names and icons — and Musixmatch is even listed as "Musixmatch Dynamic Lyrics." Lyricast is the distinctly named pick in this guide, but before you download anything, check the developer and the exact title so you get the right app. Read a few recent reviews, confirm it lists CarPlay support, and be wary of copycats that promise the feature but bury it behind an aggressive paywall.
What to look for in a CarPlay lyrics app
- Live Activities support — it's the only way lyrics reach the CarPlay screen
- Your streaming service — confirm Apple Music or Spotify is supported
- iOS 26 CarPlay widget support for glanceable, always-on lyrics
- A clear price — free to try, with a transparent subscription rather than a surprise paywall
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free app for lyrics on CarPlay?
Both Lyricast and Musixmatch are free to download, so you can try either at no cost. Lyricast is the cheaper option to keep long-term at $19.99 a year, and it also adds Lock Screen and Home Screen lyrics.
Do these apps work with both Apple Music and Spotify?
Yes. Both Lyricast and Musixmatch read whatever is currently playing, so they show synced lyrics for Apple Music and Spotify alike.
Why can't I just use Apple Music for lyrics on CarPlay?
Apple Music shows lyrics on your iPhone but not on the standard CarPlay screen while driving. Spotify's lyrics don't appear on CarPlay either. That gap is exactly what these third-party apps fill.
Want the best value pick? Try Lyricast free and get synced lyrics on your CarPlay screen, Lock Screen, and Home Screen.
Once you have picked an app, follow our step-by-step CarPlay lyrics guide.