Pulse

What it does

Pulse is a browser-based service for streaming audio in real-time to friends. A host broadcasts from their browser tab or system audio, and listeners join via an anonymous code to hear the same stream simultaneously. The platform automatically identifies tracks using music recognition and includes a chat interface with emote support. No account or login is required to participate.

Who it is for

The service targets people who want to listen to music together across distances—a synchronous listening experience rather than asynchronous video sharing. It appeals to music fans who value real-time discovery and social interaction around audio, whether sharing personal music libraries or tuning into broadcast streams together.

Pricing

The site does not show prices.

How it stands out

Most existing social music tools focus on playlist sharing, recommendations, or watch-together video platforms. Pulse specifically targets real-time audio streaming with automatic track identification, which is a narrower use case. The no-login, anonymous code model lowers friction for casual listeners. The platform runs demo rooms streaming independent radio stations like NTS Radio and SomaFM to showcase the experience without requiring users to host.

What a founder should check

A rival builder should verify: (1) what music-sharing friction actually exists and how large that audience is—incumbent services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Discord already handle group listening and chat, so the question is whether the specific synchronous-streaming use case justifies a standalone product; (2) the licensing and rights landscape for hosting and distributing audio streams in real-time, which is more legally complex than playlist sharing and directly affects unit economics; and (3) whether the anonymous, no-account model creates sustainable retention and monetization challenges—free, anonymous access makes tracking users difficult and limits upsell opportunities compared to account-based platforms.