Table of Contents
Introduction
Today’s music streaming services offer a world of exploration and convenience, giving you access to your favorite artists easily and quickly. While some audiophiles may have scoffed at the quality of streamed music in the past, an increasing number of the best music streaming services include spatial Dolby Atmos audio and lossless for free. Besides that, there are numerous bonus features competing for your attention such as classical music, karaoke, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Luckily, a lot of the services enable you to stream from multiple devices and offer music catalogs with around 100 million tracks. When weighing your options, the main thing to consider is your monthly cost. Until recently, prices were stable at around $10 a month, but Apple Music , Amazon Music Unlimited, YouTube Music and now Spotify have experienced rate hikes.
Comparison of Top Music Streaming Services
So many streaming services, so little time to do all the legwork to find the best one. I’ve checked out the big names, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, as well as smaller ones such as Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, and Pandora Premium, to see how each platform stacks up for your subscription dollar. It’s worth noting that, in this roundup, I’ve purposely left out services that can only play music in a radio format (such as basic Pandora and UnRadio) and that don’t allow you to select your own songs.
So which music streaming services offer the best combination of price, sound quality, and library size? Read on for an in-depth look at each of the services and a feature comparison, along with a full price breakdown in the chart at the bottom of the page.
Top Three Music Streaming Services
- Qobuz – Best for audiophiles: Qobuz is able to offer hi-res audio streams, but unlike main rival Tidal you don’t need a hardware MQA decoder to listen to them. These songs can sound great on an Android phone or a high-end music system, so it’s much more flexible. Qobuz may not offer Dolby Atmos music, but the selection of ‘immersive’ songs on other services isn’t that impressive anyway.
- Amazon Music Unlimited – Best for Prime members: Amazon Prime Music comes “free” as part of a Prime membership, but users can choose to upgrade to Music Unlimited. At $9 for Prime members, or $11 if you don’t have Prime, Unlimited offers an expanded catalog as well as over 1,000 “spatial” remixes. These 360 audio mixes can be played on Dolby Atmos soundbars, Android or iOS devices, and the Amazon Echo Studio. In terms of usability, the Music Unlimited interface is also more powerful than before with playlists, genres, and podcasts all accessible from the main page.
- Spotify – Best overall: Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services, offering a vast catalog of tracks, personalized playlists, and a user-friendly interface. While it recently increased its prices, Spotify still offers a free tier with ads and a premium tier with additional features such as ad-free listening, offline playback, and higher sound quality.
Other Considerations
Apple Music
Apple Music is a strong contender, offering a wide range of music, exclusive releases, and integration with Apple devices. It also provides personalized recommendations based on your listening habits and a curated radio service called Beats 1. However, it lacks a free tier and can be more expensive for families.
Tidal
Tidal is known for its high-fidelity audio quality and exclusive content from popular artists. It offers both standard and hi-fi streaming options, but the hi-fi subscription is more expensive. Tidal also provides music videos and live performances, making it a great choice for music enthusiasts who want a more immersive experience.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a popular choice for those who enjoy music videos and live performances. It offers a vast library of songs, personalized playlists, and the ability to switch between audio and video playback. However, it lacks some of the advanced features of other streaming services, such as lossless audio and exclusive content.
Deezer
Deezer is a lesser-known streaming service, but it offers a large music catalog, personalized recommendations, and a free tier with ads. It also has a unique feature called Flow, which creates a personalized playlist based on your listening habits. However, its premium subscription is slightly more expensive than some of its competitors.
Pandora Premium
Pandora Premium is the paid version of the popular radio service Pandora. It offers on-demand streaming, personalized playlists, and the ability to create your own stations. However, it lacks some of the advanced features and exclusive content of other streaming services.
Music Streaming FAQs
How do you transfer your library between services?
Without contracts, it’s pretty easy to cancel one service and start with another. That said, swapping between music services isn’t as straightforward as swapping between movie locker services using Movies Anywhere, for example. If you don’t want to have to rebuild your playlists and library from scratch when you switch, you have two main options.
- Music Locker Service: Use a music locker service such as YouTube Music, which allows you to upload and store your own music library. This implies that you have a library of ripped or bought MP3s.
- Library Import Tool: Use a library import tool such as Soundiiz. This service lets you import the songs from each of your music services and transfer them. While there’s a monthly charge for Soundiiz, you can always cancel once you’ve converted your library.
Do I need spatial or Atmos audio?
The short answer is “no,” and the long answer is “sort of, maybe.” Stereo music has been around since the ’50s, and its worldwide catalog simply crushes the handful of Atmos audio tracks by comparison. While spatial audio and Dolby Atmos can provide a more immersive experience, it may not be necessary unless you have an expensive Dolby Atmos system.
In our own tests, we’ve found that a well-mixed Atmos track on a dedicated setup can be fun, but it’s not essential. By comparison, using a pair of compatible AirPods, we found the tracking to be laggy when attempting to move our heads around. Stereo music remains the standard for the majority of listeners and will continue to be widely available and compatible with a wide range of devices.
Which music streaming service has the biggest catalog?
At the time of writing, Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited have the largest catalogs with 100 million tracks each, followed by Spotify with 82 million. However, the number of songs offered by a music service is not the only factor to consider. It’s important to prioritize quality over quantity and consider the specific genres and artists you enjoy. Some services may offer a better catalog for under-the-radar, indie, or niche genres, so it’s worth exploring the catalogs of different services to find the best fit for your musical taste.
In conclusion, the best digital music streaming platform ultimately depends on your personal preferences, budget, and desired features. Whether you prioritize sound quality, exclusive content, personalized recommendations, or a user-friendly interface, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs. It’s worth taking advantage of free trials and exploring different platforms to find the one that offers the best combination of features and value for your subscription dollar.
