Online streaming services have changed the way we engage with music. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have increased active listening, and streaming music while driving, working out, or running errands is standard.
Most of us are just familiar with Spotify, and a casual glance makes all music streaming platforms look similar with interchangeable features. However, a deeper dive reveals that different music streaming apps offer a world of exploration and convenience.
They have a diverse range of features to differentiate themselves from their competitors. With so much competition in the space, selecting the right platform can be difficult. Therefore, we have compiled this list of the best music streaming services and their pros and cons.
Contents
Top 9 Best Music Streaming Services(Free and Paid)
Spotify: Overall Best
Spotify is the best-known music streaming service and a pioneer in this space. Its library has a robust music catalog and thousands of artists, and it works hard to give every user a personalized experience.
The platform offers several curated music discovery services, such as Discover Weekly playlist(s), Daily Mix playlists, radio stations, and an AI DJ. Spotify also has a deep podcast and audiobook selection that elevates it above other platforms.
It has artist bios and lets you follow certain artists to get updates and alerts about their new releases. You can also create collaborative playlists and group sessions on Spotify. With the Premium subscription, you can even listen to specific albums before they’re released.
Pros and Cons
✅Excellent catalog ❌Intrusive ads on the free version
✅Collaborative playlists and blends ❌Basic features missing on the free
✅Artist bios and release alerts version
✅AI-powered DJ ❌No lossless streaming
✅Spotify Connect to simplify
connection to devices
Apple Music: Best for iOS Users
Apple Music is nearly the same price as Spotify and a definite bang for the buck. The music streaming service’s catalog has over 100 million songs, spatial audio albums, and lossless audio. It even has a 24/7 music video channel, which is a contemporary spin on the ‘90s king MTV.
With Apple Music, add tracks to playlists, download them for offline listening, and explore curated playlists handcrafted by the musicians. It combines your iTunes library with other music and also offers music lockers. Apple Music is, therefore, the best music streaming platform for those preferring Apple’s ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
✅Massive music library ❌No free tier
✅Inludes Hi-res audio and ❌Limited options on Android
Dolby Atmos sound devices
✅Video playlists
✅Lyrics and karaoke available
✅Integration with Apple HomePod
And iOS devices
YouTube Music: Best for Android Users
YouTube Music, the successor to Google Play Music, comes free with a YouTube Premium subscription. It is certainly the most cost-effective choice, especially if you’re really into YouTube, as a subscription removes ads from the video site and enables background playback.
YouTube Music is a largely impressive music streaming service with a clean interface and a vast library of 100 million tracks. It further has well-curated radio stations that are regularly updated. You can also make playlists out of music clips here.
YouTube Music’s integration with the main video platform means that you can find tracks here that are not available on standard music streaming apps. If you want to stream obscure soundtracks, rare live performances, or video game soundtracks, YouTube Music is your best bet.
Pros and Cons
✅Has many rare and obscure ❌Does not support lossless streaming
tracks
✅Can switch between audio and ❌Real-time lyrics missing for some
music videos tracks
✅Included with YouTube Premium ❌Messy podcast integration
✅Great music discovery tools
✅Offers family and student plans
Qobuz: Top Choice for Audiophiles
Qobuz is, hands down, the best music streaming app for audiophiles. It boasts a library of 100 million tracks, all of which are available in high-res. An upcoming rival to giants like Spotify and Apple Music, Quboz is worth a look for those who want a more curated music streaming experience.
You can even listen to 24-bit music here without needing any special hardware decoder. Many records on it also come with notes-like reviews. Unlike its competitors, Quboz lays more emphasis on albums rather than playlists, as it wants you to engage with an artist’s work at total capacity.
You also get lossless streaming here at no extra cost. Quboz essentially functions like a record store where you can download and buy music.
Pros and Cons
✅Lossless and studio-quality ❌No spatial audio
audio
✅Clean user interface ❌No free tier
✅No decoder needed
✅Streaming and purchasing ❌No podcasts or live radio available
options
Amazon Prime Music: Best for Prime Members
Prime Music is part of the Amazon Prime membership, so you don’t have to spend anything extra to use it. You can, however, upgrade to Music Unlimited tier for an expanded catalog. The unlimited tier offers about 1,000 spatial remixes along with a better library.
Amazon Prime Music also has hi-res and spatial audio that you can play on Dolby Atmos soundbars, iOS and Android devices, and Amazon Echo Studio. You can access all the playlists, genres, and podcasts on the home page. Further, it is configured to work with Alexa-compatible devices, and third-party platform integration is also in progress.
Pros and Cons
✅Included with Amazon Prime ❌No biographies on artist profiles
membership
✅Scrolling lyrics available ❌UI could be better
✅Integration with Amazon devices ❌Music locker not available
✅Supports hi-res audio
Tidal: Best for High-Quality Streams and Extras
Tidal is undoubtedly an excellent music streaming platform for people who are passionate about music. It offers high-fidelity streams with Dolby Atmos surround mixes and a fantastic music catalog. Further, Tidal has essays to read and music videos available; you can also buy concert tickets on it.
You can also watch video outtakes, backstage footage, and concert livestreams here. In addition, Tidal has great music-focused podcasts that make it worth checking for audiophiles, particularly if they’re rock or urban music fans.
Pros and Cons
✅Best sound quality and high-fidelity ❌Mobile app and web player are
streams not the best
✅Video content available ❌Limited catalog
✅Long-form editorial pieces ❌Relatively expensive subscription
✅Spotlight for up-and-coming
artists
Deezer: Best for Importing MP3
The French stalwart Deezer has much to offer to music nerds, including a free mobile-only tier. It provides a well-rounded package that includes music, live radio, podcasts, and other perks. You can import your favorite MP3 files here and stream them from anywhere.
Deezer even enables users to transfer their music library from other streaming services effortlessly.
Pros and Cons
✅Offers a free tier ❌Free tier limited on desktop
✅Original content available ❌Cannot upload MP3 files from mobile
✅Live radio service
✅Upload MP3 files from
desktop
Pandora: Top Choice for Free Listening
Pandora is relatively more flexible than its competitors with an a la carte $10/month Premium plan and a $5/month no-ads Plus plan. There are plenty of playlists, album commentary, information about artist tours, and optional student, military, and family plans to keep it relevant.
Pandora, however, does not have hi-res audio, and there is little incentive to upgrade to its paid tiers.
Pros and Cons
✅Free tier available ❌Premium plan needed for playlist
✅Offers lyrics for tracks creation
✅Album commentary with ❌Website can be slow to load
Pandora Stories
✅Artist tour and ticket info ❌UI is not good
available
Idagio: Best for Classical Music Enthusiasts
Idagio is a music streaming service specifically for classical music. This platform offers a vast catalog of high-quality classical music, including perks such as live-streamed concerts and interviews. It has better categorization and even genre-specific tools to help you find the music you are searching for.
Pros and Cons
✅Vast music selection ❌No background info about performers
✅Decent sound quality ❌Hi-res audio not available
✅Genre-specific search tools ❌Does not have podcasts
✅Exclusive content
Also Read: How to download music for free
