In 2025, Instagram Reels continue to dominate the short-form content space. Whether you’re a digital marketer, influencer, or casual creator, using trending Reels audio can dramatically increase your chances of going viral. The Instagram algorithm favors Reels with rising or popular audio tracks—making the right music not just a creative choice, but a strategic one.
In this detailed blog, you’ll discover the best free and paid tools to find trending Instagram Reels songs, including AI-powered platforms and trend discovery hacks to give you an edge.
Why Finding Trending Instagram Songs Matters
Instagram’s Reels algorithm boosts videos that align with active engagement signals—including the use of trending music. By identifying and using the right audio early, you can:
- Appear more frequently on the Explore and Reels feed
- Reach a broader audience
- Get more likes, shares, and saves
- Accelerate follower growth
- Improve watch time and completion rate
Trend timing is everything. If you’re among the first to use a rising track, your content stands a better chance of taking off.
Top Free & Paid Tools to Discover Insta Trending Audio
1. Instagram Reels (In-App) – Free
Best for: Beginners and quick research
The most immediate way to find trending audio is within the Instagram app itself.
Features:
- Look for the upward arrow on audio tracks—it signals a trend
- Tap on trending sounds to view usage statistics
- Save and use directly in your Reels editor
Tip: Spend 10 minutes daily browsing Reels to spot recurring music patterns.
2. Tokboard – Paid
Best for: Influencers and data-driven marketers
Originally a TikTok tool, Tokboard now supports Instagram Reels trend tracking.
Features:
- Daily trending music charts with viral score metrics
- Predictive analytics for future trending audio
- Search filters by genre and performance trends
Ideal for content calendars and creators who want data-first decision-making.
3. Trendpop – Paid
Best for: Brands and agencies managing multiple accounts
Trendpop is widely used by social media teams for high-level trend monitoring.
Features:
- Track trending Reels audio by niche, region, and engagement rate
- Analyze performance across thousands of creators
- Access historical trend data to spot patterns
Great for building localized and niche-specific Reels strategies.
4. Shazam – Free
Best for: Identifying unknown music in Reels or Stories
When you hear a catchy song but don’t know its name, Shazam helps instantly.
Features:
- Detects music from any video or environment
- Shows real-time music popularity trends
- Connects directly to Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Great for discovering under-the-radar sounds with viral potential.
5. TikTok Creative Center – Free
Best for: Getting ahead of Instagram trends
Since many audio trends start on TikTok, the Creative Center is a goldmine for early signals.
Features:
- Explore trending songs by country, category, or industry
- Real-time sound rankings and usage trends
- Insights into hashtag performance
Use this tool to spot audio before it crosses over to Instagram.
Best AI Tools for Predicting Insta Music Trends
6. Sound.me – Free & Paid
Best for: Trend-aware creators and music marketers
Sound.me uses AI to analyze and predict music trends across platforms.
Features:
- Early alerts on artist-backed or viral songs
- Recommends sounds based on platform-specific behavior
- Helps automate song discovery for Instagram, TikTok, and more
Excellent for cross-platform trend tracking.
7. Chartmetric – Freemium
Best for: Industry analysts and advanced influencers
Chartmetric is a data-rich analytics suite for music and influencer marketing.
Features:
- Tracks song popularity on Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, and YouTube
- Offers AI-powered forecasting
- Supports artist tracking, playlist placements, and virality scores
8. Soundcharts – Paid
Best for: Labels and advanced marketers
Soundcharts provides real-time music intelligence across digital channels.
Features:
- Monitors social performance of songs across Reels, TikTok, and more
- Analyzes the impact of influencer content on music trends
- Alerts for fast-rising audio
Ideal for professionals who need comprehensive market oversight.
9. ReelTrends App – Free & Paid
Best for: Mobile-first influencers and creators
Designed for both TikTok and Instagram, the ReelTrends app offers up-to-the-minute trend insights.
Features:
- Filter trending sounds by genre, region, or engagement
- Daily updates to keep you ahead
- Personalized trend recommendations
A must-have for creators who prefer on-the-go content planning.
10. InVideo / Pictory.ai – Free & Paid
Best for: Automated video editing with smart audio pairing
These AI video editors help creators combine trending music with high-performing visuals.
Features:
- Recommends music based on video style or topic
- Syncs visuals to trending sounds automatically
- Exports videos formatted for Instagram Reels and other platforms
Perfect for creators who want to streamline content production with AI.
11. Spotify Viral Charts – Free
Where to find: Spotify → Browse → Charts → Viral 50
Why it’s powerful: Many songs that hit the Spotify Viral 50 eventually show up on Reels and TikTok. These charts help you identify songs gaining momentum globally.
Pro Tip: Scan Spotify’s charts daily to stay one step ahead of Instagram trends.
12. Reels Trend Trackers & Newsletters – Free
Where to follow:
- @reeltrendsapp
- @creatorhub
- TrendTok Analytics (email newsletter)
Why it’s useful:
These accounts and newsletters post daily/weekly audio trend updates, including insights into hashtags, video styles, and creator tips.Ideal for creators who want curated trend reports without spending hours researching.
Final Thoughts
In the fast-paced world of Instagram Reels, music can be the difference between visibility and virality. Whether you’re a solo content creator or managing multiple client accounts, using trending audio strategically will keep your content competitive and engaging.
To recap:
- Use free tools like Instagram’s in-app audio browser, TikTok Creative Center, and Spotify Viral Charts for fast inspiration.
- Invest in premium platforms like Tokboard, Trendpop, and Chartmetric for deeper insights and forecasts.
- Stay updated with trend newsletters and social tracker accounts to react quickly to new trends.
Start small, test consistently, and keep optimizing your audio choices—and your Reels will start working harder for you.
Also Read: How to Make Instagram Reels Go Viral in 2025: Real Strategies That Work
