Bugs vs Melon comparison

The starting price is the same for both. Compare the conditions below.

Bugs and Melon compared side by side in Music streaming.

CurrencyUSD KRW EUR

What is different

Best quality

BugsFLAC streaming (Premium), up to 24bit/96kHz when buying downloads

MelonFLAC 16bit/44.1kHz streaming (Hi-Fi pass), AAC 320kbps

Korean music

BugsAverage. Has a TOP100 and a user-vote chart, but chart influence is small. Strength is the music PD playlists

MelonVery strong. The TOP100 and HOT100 charts are used as a benchmark by K-pop fandoms and the industry. Linked with Kakao

Number of tracks

BugsAbout 17.85 million tracks playable (2017 outside source, no latest figure)

MelonMore than 40 million tracks (Kakao official announcement, as of 2018. No latest figure)

Bugs

NHN Bugs' music app. The only Korean app with Hi-Res certification and a FLAC offline pass

What is good

Only Korean app with Hi-Res certification, FLAC and offline in a single pass
Mood-based playlists made by music PDs (curators)
FLAC and 24bit tracks can be bought individually

What could be better

Small user base and little influence on charts
Weak telecom bundle benefits

Bugs official site

Melon

Kakao Entertainment's leading Korean music app. Biggest influence on K-pop charts

What is good

No. 1 influence on K-pop charts
FLAC high-quality pass available
Many bundle products such as SKT T Universe and Wavve

What could be better

The FLAC pass (₩13,200) and the offline pass (₩11,990) are separate, so no single pass does both
No family plan

Melon official site

At a glance

Item	BugsVisit site	MelonVisit site
Starting price	₩8,690+External source	₩8,690+External source
Free tier	Paid only	Paid only
Lossless audio	Supported	Supported
Best quality	FLAC streaming (Premium), up to 24bit/96kHz when buying downloads	FLAC 16bit/44.1kHz streaming (Hi-Fi pass), AAC 320kbps
Offline playback	Some plans only	Some plans only
Family plan	None	None
Family plan details	No family plan (not confirmed officially)	No family plan (not confirmed officially)
Korean music	Average. Has a TOP100 and a user-vote chart, but chart influence is small. Strength is the music PD playlists	Very strong. The TOP100 and HOT100 charts are used as a benchmark by K-pop fandoms and the industry. Linked with Kakao
Number of tracks	About 17.85 million tracks playable (2017 outside source, no latest figure)	More than 40 million tracks (Kakao official announcement, as of 2018. No latest figure)
Good for	Audio enthusiasts who value sound quality People who want to listen to FLAC offline People who buy and collect music files	Fans who follow K-pop charts and new releases People who get Kakao or SKT bundle benefits
Type	Music streaming	Music streaming
Company	NHN Bugs, South Korea	Kakao Entertainment, South Korea
Plans	Mobile Unlimited Listening ₩7,590 Unlimited Listening ₩8,690 Unlimited Listening + offline ₩11,990 Premium Unlimited Listening (FLAC) ₩13,200 Premium Unlimited Listening + offline ₩17,600 (outside sources, whether VAT is included needs checking)	Mobile Streaming Club ₩7,590 Streaming Club ₩8,690 Streaming Plus (offline) ₩11,990 Hi-Fi Streaming Club (FLAC) ₩13,200 MP3 10 Plus ₩15,950 (incl. VAT, outside sources)
Pros	Only Korean app with Hi-Res certification, FLAC and offline in a single pass Mood-based playlists made by music PDs (curators) FLAC and 24bit tracks can be bought individually	No. 1 influence on K-pop charts FLAC high-quality pass available Many bundle products such as SKT T Universe and Wavve
Cons	Small user base and little influence on charts Weak telecom bundle benefits Uncertainty such as attempts to sell the operator's shares	The FLAC pass (₩13,200) and the offline pass (₩11,990) are separate, so no single pass does both No family plan No free tier with ads (in preparation)

Prices and benefits may change. Check the official site before you pay.

Prices converted at 1 USD = ₩1,327.84 (2026-10-20). Original price shown in brackets. Taxes as listed by each provider.

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