12 Most Popular Music Streaming Platforms

Digital music streaming platforms have revolutionized the way we listen to music. With a wide range of services available, it can be challenging to navigate the saturated market and choose the best platform for your needs. In this article, we will explore the top digital music streaming platforms, their unique features, and what sets them apart from one another. Whether you’re a music aficionado or a casual listener, this guide will help you make an informed decision when selecting a streaming service.

The Evolution of Streaming Music

Since 1982, PCMag has been testing and rating thousands of products to help consumers make better buying decisions. Over the years, they have witnessed the evolution of streaming music platforms and have tested and reviewed the notable names in the industry. With their expertise, we can delve deeper into the world of streaming music to understand what sets these platforms apart and how they cater to different needs.

The Challenge of Choosing the Best Streaming Music Service

At first glance, the streaming music field may seem saturated with seemingly similar services and interchangeable functions. You may think that all you need to do is fire up an app, press play, and enjoy your favorite tunes. However, a deeper dive reveals that many of the highest-rated streaming music apps include a wide range of features that distinguish them from one another. As a result, selecting the best streaming music service is more challenging than you’d think.

Apple Music: Best for Apple Device Integration

Why We Picked It:
Apple Music stands out as the best streaming music service for Apple device integration. With lossless audio, Dolby Atmos support, a 100-million song catalog, radio stations, Siri compatibility, Hi-Res Audio, lyrics, and playlists, Apple Music offers excellent value for your money. Additionally, its 24/7 music video channel aims to be a contemporary spin on MTV.

Who It’s For:
Apple Music is ideal for music buffs who favor Apple’s ecosystem. If you own an Apple device such as Apple TV, CarPlay, iPad, iPhone, or Mac, you can easily enjoy your favorite tracks on this service.

Pros:
– Features more than 100 million tracks
– Cool video playlists
– 24/7 Apple Music radio stations
– 24/7 Apple Music TV video channel
– Family plan
– Rich Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos sound
– Lyrics and karaoke

Cons:
– No free version
– Limited non-music content
– Lossless audio not available on all platforms

LiveOne: Best for Curated Channels

Why We Picked It:
LiveOne, formerly known as Slacker Radio, offers a unique streaming music experience by combining curated radio listening with shows and live performances. With a deep well of quality listening material, including informative DJs, numerous podcasts, comedy stations, and concert streams, LiveOne caters to hardcore music fans.

Who It’s For:
LiveOne is perfect for music enthusiasts who appreciate the live music experience. Whether you want to purchase tickets to see your favorite band in person or enjoy a live stream of their show, LiveOne has you covered.

Pros:
– Excellently curated channels and playlists
– Lets you purchase tickets for in-person or streamed concerts
– A deep video well
– Informative DJs
– Optional news updates
– Many podcasts

Cons:
– Cumbersome interface
– Lacks Hi-Res Audio
– No family plan
– Lacks lyrics

Spotify: Best for Podcasts

Why We Picked It:
Despite fierce competition, Spotify remains the king of the streaming music hill. With a robust musical catalog, podcasts, collaborative playlists, and a stacked Student plan that includes Hulu and Showtime, Spotify hits all the right notes for a streaming music service. However, its deep podcast selection sets it apart as a top-tier service.

Who It’s For:
If you’re a podcast devourer, Spotify is the streaming service for you. With shows like “An Oral History of: The Office,” “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” and “How to Save a Planet,” Spotify offers a wide range of cool and exclusive shows to keep you entertained.

Pros:
– Cool, AI-powered DJ
– Collaborative playlists and Group Session options
– Optional desktop app that lets you play locally stored audio files
– Premium accounts let you hear select albums before they’re released
– Student plan includes Hulu with ads
– Scrolling lyrics for all versions of the app
– Podcasts
– Free version

Cons:
– Still lacks hi-res audio

SiriusXM Internet Radio: Best for Satellite Radio

Why We Picked It:
SiriusXM Internet Radio stands out as the best streaming music service for satellite radio. By combining live radio, in-studio artist sessions, traditional streaming audio, and the ability to rewind streams, SiriusXM offers a unique listening experience. Additionally, their generous three-month trial allows you to explore the service’s offerings before committing to a subscription.

Who It’s For:
SiriusXM is perfect for radio lovers who want to enjoy a variety of content, including sports, lifestyles, politics, and news shows, alongside their favorite musical tracks. It brings the old-school charm of surfing channels on the radio to your vehicle or mobile device.

Pros:
– Massive content encompassing live and curated channels
– Large buffer lets you pause and rewind content
– High-profile exclusive broadcasts
– Video shows
– Generous three-month free trial
– Useful TuneStart and alert systems

Cons:
– Lacks a free tier
– Content is segregated depending on hardware
– No true family plan
– Lacks hi-res audio

Tidal: Best for Music-Related Extras

Why We Picked It:
Tidal is a music streaming service that offers excellent Hi-Res Audio and a stellar music catalog. In addition to music, Tidal includes thoughtful music essays, music videos, and the ability to purchase concert tickets. These music-related extras make Tidal a great choice for passionate music listeners.

Who It’s For:
If you’re a music enthusiast who enjoys reading fun music writing, watching music videos, and exploring backstage content, Tidal is the streaming service for you.

Pros:
– Excellent sound quality
– Optional hi-res audio tier
– Long-form editorial pieces
– Music-focused podcasts
– Exclusive backstage content, live streams, and concerts
– Lyrics

Cons:
– Free tier lacks Tidal’s defining perks
– Relatively expensive

Amazon Music Unlimited: Best for Amazon Device Integration

Why We Picked It:
As an online giant in both e-commerce and digital streaming, Amazon offers a feature-packed listening experience with Amazon Music Unlimited. With a large music and video library, cool scrolling lyrics, tight integration with Amazon devices, support for hi-res audio, and a podcast library, Amazon Music Unlimited has earned its place among the best in the field.

Who It’s For:
If you’re part of the Amazon ecosystem and own Amazon devices such as the Echo and Fire TV, Amazon Music Unlimited is the perfect streaming service for you. You can stream crisp audio via a smartphone app, web browser, or numerous Amazon devices.

Pros:
– Large music and video library
– Cool, scrolling lyrics
– Tight integration with Amazon device family
– Supports hi-res audio
– Podcasts
– Free tier
– Lengthy 90-day free trial

Cons:
– Lacks live radio
– Trifling discount for Prime subscribers

Deezer: Best for MP3 Uploads

Why We Picked It:
Deezer entered the streaming music scene in 2016 and has since become a well-rounded package. It offers music, live radio, and podcasts, as well as the ability to import MP3 files. While you can’t upload MP3 files on mobile devices, Deezer allows you to upload them via their website and stream them from anywhere.

Who It’s For:
If you buy music and have your favorite music files saved on a computer, Deezer is an excellent choice. You can upload your MP3 files and stream them alongside the songs in Deezer’s catalog.

Pros:
– Useful free tier on mobile
– Good crop of original content, including video
– Live radio
– Lyrics
– Podcasts
– Lets you upload MP3 files on the desktop

Cons:
– Free tier on PC is limited to 30-second snippets
– Mobile apps lack MP3-upload compatibility
– Can’t rewind live radio streams
– Lacks Hi-Res Audio

Qobuz: Best for Hi-Res Audio

Why We Picked It:
Qobuz stands out by offering high-quality lossless and studio-quality audio streaming. In addition to its huge catalog with new releases and old favorites, Qobuz allows users to stream and purchase music. The service also includes liner notes in PDF form, interviews, guest playlists, and background articles.

Who It’s For:
For audiophiles who value sound quality, Qobuz is the perfect streaming music service. With Hi-Res Audio that complements expensive, high-fidelity headphones, Qobuz provides an immersive listening experience.

Pros:
– High-quality lossless and studio-quality audio streaming
– Huge catalog with new releases and old favorites
– Both streaming and purchasing available
– Includes liner notes in PDF form
– Interviews, guest playlists, and background articles
– Well-designed apps for all platforms

Cons:
– No free account level
– Lacks social components
– No live stations or podcasts
– Lacks smart speaker support

YouTube Music: Best for Former Google Play Music Subscribers

Why We Picked It:
With the demise of Google Play Music, YouTube Music has risen as its replacement. YouTube Music offers a fantastic blend of customized playlists, search-by-lyrics functionality, and official studio releases. Additionally, as an extension of YouTube’s massive entertainment branch, YouTube Music features an eclectic selection of unique music, including community uploads and video game soundtracks.

Who It’s For:
YouTube Music is a great choice for users who are already familiar with YouTube and want to enjoy music seamlessly on the platform. Former Google Play Music subscribers will find many similarities and features to love in YouTube Music.

Pros:
– Lets you easily switch between audio and music videos
– Cool location- and time-based playlists
– Can search for songs by lyrics
– Collaborative playlists
– Family and student plans
– Free version
– Podcast support

Cons:
– Lacks hi-res audio

Idagio: Best for Live Classical Music Concerts

Why We Picked It:
Idagio is a streaming music service that caters specifically to classical music fans. With a large catalog of high-quality classical music, live-streamed concerts, and interviews, Idagio offers a unique experience for classical music enthusiasts.

Who It’s For:
If you’re a classical music fan who appreciates fine sound quality and wants genre-specific tools to find the music you want, Idagio is the perfect streaming service for you.

Pros:
– Fine sound quality
– Large music selection, with recent releases
– Useful categorization and search tools
– Live concert options
– Exclusive recording content

Cons:
– Lacks background info on performers
– No podcasts
– Doesn’t include Hi-Res Audio streams
– No similar music auto-play feature for desktop

iHeartRadio: Best for Terrestrial Radio

Why We Picked It:
iHeartRadio is a streaming music service that blends terrestrial radio, curated artist channels, and podcasts to create a music destination with mass appeal. The service also features informative news articles and event listings.

Who It’s For:
If you have an affinity for terrestrial radio and enjoy accessing music, talk, and sports content from cities across the country, iHeartRadio is the perfect streaming service for you.

Pros:
– Many live and curated artist streams
– Podcasts
– Informative news articles and event listings
– Lyrics
– Free plan
– Optional family plan

Cons:
– iHeartRadio Plus plan lacks a web version
– Limited listening options for free users
– Unable to rewind live radio
– Lacks video and Hi-Res Audio tracks

Pandora: Best for Free Listening

Why We Picked It:
Pandora may no longer be the face of the streaming music industry, but it still offers several cool features that make it a worthwhile service. With playlists, album commentary, artist tour info, and apps for nearly every popular platform, Pandora remains relevant in the streaming music landscape.

Who It’s For:
If you’re looking for a free streaming music service with entertaining features, Pandora is an excellent choice. Their free tier offers an enjoyable listening experience and is perfect for casual listeners.

Pros:
– Free plan
– Podcasts
– Lyrics
– Pandora Stories offers insightful album commentary
– Displays artist tour and ticket information
– Optional student, military, and family plans

Cons:
– Intrusive listening requirement with free tier
– Playlist creation walled behind Premium tier
– Website occasionally slow to load
– Interface lacks visual cohesiveness
– Lacks Hi-Res Audio tracks

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is a wide range of digital music streaming platforms available to cater to every listener’s needs. Whether you prioritize sound quality, curated channels, podcasts, or free listening, there is a streaming service that will meet your requirements. By exploring the features and offerings of each platform, you can make an informed decision and find the best streaming music service for your preferences. Happy streaming!