Hiya Singing App Review – Scam or Legit? The Truth About This StarMaker Look-Alike

The Hiya app is presented as a singing and social platform where users can join virtual karaoke rooms, connect with others, and—according to its own claims—earn real cash from their activities. However, based on multiple user reports and the way the app is structured, it raises serious doubts about whether it can actually deliver on its income promises.

Many users describe Hiya as a copycat of the more well-known StarMaker singing app. While Hiya is not identical to StarMaker and has no official connection to Smule (another legitimate karaoke app), it closely imitates StarMaker’s design—right down to the purple and pink color theme.

How Hiya Claims to Work

Hiya’s public image suggests you can:

Sing & Perform – Record karaoke performances or sing in live rooms.
Attract Followers – Gain an audience through consistent participation.
Earn Rewards – Receive virtual gifts or in-app currency from other users.
Cash Out Earnings – Withdraw your accumulated balance once you reach the minimum payout threshold.

However, users report that the withdrawal option is missing entirely in some cases, and the minimum payout amount (if it exists) is never clearly disclosed.

Company, CEO, and Transparency Problems

Developer: No verified public company profile is linked to Hiya in app stores. The listed developer name changes across platforms, a common tactic in low-transparency operations.
CEO: No identifiable CEO or executive leadership information is available online.
Business Location: The app gives no clear physical address or legal jurisdiction.
Customer Support: Limited to in-app messages, with slow or no responses reported by users.

This complete lack of transparency is a major red flag for any platform that involves real money transactions.

How Hiya Likely Makes Money

Hiya’s business model appears to be based on:

Virtual Gift Purchases – Users (often encouraged by live hosts) buy in-app currency with real money.
Revenue Sharing (One-Way) – The platform keeps the majority of the purchase value, while only a small portion—if any—is allocated to the performer.
Locked Withdrawals – By making the withdrawal process unclear or impossible, Hiya may retain money that should go to performers.

Red Flags to Watch

Copycat Appearance – Imitating another app’s design can indicate lack of originality and a focus on quick cash grabs.
No Withdrawal Button – Users report the cash-out option is either hidden, removed, or never provided.
No Disclosed Minimum Payout – Legitimate earning platforms always clearly state payout requirements.
No Company Transparency – No verifiable CEO, office address, or corporate registration.
Potential “Engagement Trap” – Users spend significant time trying to build an audience without ever receiving actual payments.

Is Hiya Real or a Scam?

Hiya is a real app in the sense that it can be downloaded and used for karaoke and social interactions. However, when it comes to earning money, it shows multiple scam-like behaviors:

No transparent payout system.
Disappearing withdrawal options.
No public evidence of successful payments to regular users.

For people looking for a fun karaoke experience without expecting income, Hiya may serve as just another free entertainment app. But for anyone hoping to earn real money, the risks are extremely high.

Final Verdict

As a singing app: Functional but unoriginal.
As a way to earn money: Highly questionable and possibly impossible for most users.
Risk Level: Very High if you are expecting cash payouts.

If you want to earn from karaoke or streaming, it’s safer to choose platforms with publicly verifiable payment records, clear terms, and an actual business presence.