Neo-trance is a sub-genre of trance music. It is defined by the use of various musical aspects which do not conform or adhere to previous incarnations of trance. Neo-trance music employs deeper and sometimes more meaningful lyrics. Artists involved in the creation of Neo-trance often work with vocalists who’ve previously only recorded outside of the trance vein. The music itself has its roots in minimal and techno music, while generally adding in melodic elements and breakdowns to bring the tracks into the Neo-trance quarter. Minimal techno producers started making melodies (albeit not typical trance strings) and this new branch of minimal techno caught on, and trance, being full of melodies became related to this branch of music. Quite often Neo-Trance has a darker feel to it.

The term ‘Neo-trance’ was first used in the UK’s DJ Magazine by music critic and journalist Tim Stark to describe the work of German producers and DJs Kyau & Albert. It was subsequently adopted by and the group has begun to proliferate throughout the trance scene, however Kyau & Albert are not an example of neo-trance as they mainly produce Progressive Trance. It's also considered by some that a Croatian producer called Damir Pushkar was the first who used the "Neo-trance" by describing his tunes.

Artists associated with the sub-genre include German artists Stephan Bodzin, Dominik Eulberg, Ellen Allien, Gabriel Ananda, Paul Kalkbrenner, Extrawelt, Pantha Du Prince and Gregor Tresher as well as international artists such as James Holden, Deadmau5, Nathan Fake, Oxia, Gui Boratto and Trentemøller. Genre is also related to new electro and electroclash movements.