We talk a lot about Spotify on this website. That's true. To be fair, it's for good reason, as it is our favorite music streaming service.
However, while Spotify may be the biggest player in the game, there are several other streaming services that offer some pretty spectacular features and benefits.
In this blog, we will explore nine of Spotify's competitors and why music enthusiasts should consider checking them out.
From personalized recommendations to exclusive content, there are many reasons why these streaming services are worth a look. Let’s dive into it!
Table of Contents:
Arguably the biggest competitor to Spotify is Apple Music. When it comes to music streaming, the comparison is similar to the rivalry between Coke vs. Pepsi, Nike vs. Reebok, or McDonald’s vs. Burger King; yeah, you get the point.
While Apple Music may not have the same level of market share, it offers many of the same features, including a vast library of songs, personalized recommendations, and the ability to create and share playlists.
Apple Music vs. Spotify Differences
Apple Music has a slightly larger selection of exclusive content, such as live performances and original content, while Spotify has a wider range of subscription options. While Apple Music does not offer a free version, Spotify offers users a free version with ads.
Also, while Apple Music integrates seamlessly with other Apple products, like iPhones and iPads, Spotify is available on a wider range of mobile and desktop devices.
Importantly, unlike Spotify, Apple Music does not allow users to find other users playlists via various search queries.
Another key benefit is the integration with other Apple products, allowing for seamless listening across devices.
Innovation with Apple Music
Most recently, Apple Music announced a new karaoke mode, which of course, allows listeners to sing along to their favorite songs. By turning on karaoke mode, a listener can enjoy the song they are listening to without hearing the singer’s vocals. (Yeah, that’s on you in this mode, lol)
The feature also allows users to view the lyrics of a song in real-time, making it easier to follow along and sing along. This feature is sure to be a hit with karaoke enthusiasts and party-goers alike, and adds a fun and unique element to the streaming experience.
There is surely even more innovation in store as Apple rivals the powerful music streaming titan that is Spotify.
YouTube Music is a music streaming service that allows users to listen to a wide range of songs and albums, as well as watch music videos, live performances, and other original content.
The platform offers personalized recommendations based on users' listening habits, as well as the ability to create and share playlists.
In addition, YouTube Music integrates seamlessly with YouTube, allowing users to easily switch between listening to music and watching videos. Since YouTube is the home of the vast majority of music video content, their platform is an excellent choice for music video lovers who want to watch their favorite artists in action.
The service also offers a premium subscription option, which provides ad-free listening, offline playback, and access to exclusive content.
Another up-and-coming streaming service is Amazon Music Unlimited. This service is available to Amazon Prime members, and offers a vast library of songs, personalized recommendations, and the ability to create and share playlists.
Amazon Music Unlimited also offers the ability to access music offline, making it a great option for those who want to listen to their favorite tunes on the go without using data. Additionally, Amazon Music Unlimited integrates seamlessly with Amazon Echo devices, allowing for easy hands-free listening.
Another popular streaming service is Tidal, which is known for its high-quality audio and exclusive content. Tidal offers two different subscription options - one with standard sound quality and one with Hi-Fi sound quality, which is perfect for audiophiles who want the best possible listening experience.
In general, music streaming services will offer high-quality audio, typically in the range of 320kbps. However, Tidal, offers Hi-Fi lossless audio quality, which can result in even better sound quality than any other popular music streaming service.
Tidal also offers a plethora of exclusive content, including concerts, music videos, and behind-the-scenes footage. This makes it a great option for fans who want to dive deeper into their favorite artists' work.
One of the most well-known streaming services is Pandora, which offers personalized radio stations based on your favorite songs and artists. This service uses algorithms to create a unique listening experience, and offers the ability to "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" songs to further tailor your stations. Like most music streaming services, Pandora also offers a premium subscription, allowing for ad-free listening, offline access, and the ability to skip an unlimited number of songs.
SoundCloud is another popular streaming service, known for its focus on independent and emerging artists. This platform allows anyone to upload and share their music, and offers a wide range of genres and styles. SoundCloud also offers an upgrade, which allows for ad-free listening and offline access. Additionally, SoundCloud has a vibrant community of users who can comment and interact with each other, making it a great option for discovering new music and connecting with other fans.
The service is popular for independent, up-and-coming musicians. However, Soundcloud is one of the music services that has seen very limited monetary success. Furthermore, their more relaxed copyright system makes the platform a hub for songs that are pirated, leaked, and infringing on copyright. This has caused legal issues for the company, but honestly, it offers a unique advantage for listeners that enjoy remixes or unreleased content.
Musi is a unique streaming app that offers a simple and user-friendly interface. The mobile-only app allows you to search for and listen to any song you want, without the need to create an account or sign up for a subscription. Musi works by playing songs directly from YouTube, making it a great option for those who want access to a wider range of content. Additionally, Musi offers the ability to create and share playlists, and even allows for offline listening.
With an unlimited number of skips, Musi offers free users arguably the most benefits. Additionally, with only a $4.99 one-time fee to remove ads forever, it's pricing structure seems far more reasonable than a monthly subscription model. With a 4.8/5 star average based on over 3 million reviews and ratings, it's safe to say Musi is an underrated app to stream music, without breaking the bank.
When the music industry began to trend towards music streaming, iHeartRadio was the initial way to digitalize the traditional radio stations and provide a way to listen, via an internet connection. However, with time, iHeartRadio has grown and improved its platform.
This popular aggregator of radio stations and ad-supported streaming music services offers its users an all-in-one listening experience. With iHeartRadio, users can create personalized radio stations based on their favorite songs, artists, or genres. The service also offers access to live radio stations from around the country, as well as podcasts and other audio content.
You can even join live events like virtual concerts to listen in with your friends or save tracks as you hear them for easy access when you’re away from the app. Plus, its easy-to-use interface makes it perfect for any user – from beginner listeners to seasoned veterans!
Deezer is a streaming service that offers a wide range of features, including personalized recommendations, the ability to create and share playlists, and offline access. Deezer also offers a feature called "Flow," which creates a personalized radio station based on your listening habits and preferences. This service also offers a large selection of podcasts and audiobooks, making it a great option for those who want more than just music in their streaming experience.
Pros & Cons of Spotify
Now that we have discussed the Spotify's alternatives of music streaming services, let's turn our attention back to Spotify. As the industry standard when it comes to a music streaming platform, there are plenty of great features for both Spotify free users and Spotify premium subscribers.
Let's review some of Spotify's biggest pros and cons, before diving into our final rankings of music streaming services.
Spotify Pros:
Large music library with millions of songs and albums
Easy to use interface
Easily download music for offline listening
Yearly Spotify wrapped data & playlist of your personal top 100 tracks
User-friendly features such as playlists and recommendations
Option for free listening with ads or premium subscription for ad-free listening
Available on multiple devices and platforms, including the Spotify web app* (*No-download required, learn more about the web-based option here)
Spotify Cons:
Disrupted ads & limited control over song selection for free users
Some users have reported issues with customer support and account management.
Some users may find the monthly subscription cost to be expensive
Some artists may not be available on the platform due to licensing issues
Some users have reported issues with playback quality and glitches
Ranking Music Streaming Services
Ok, now the juicy stuff. Which music streaming service is best for various needs and priorities?
Largest Content Selection
Winners: Amazon Music & Apple Music
Note: As of the start of 2023 Amazon Music and Apple Music both offer over 100 million songs, with Spotify close behind at 80 million songs.
Usability & User Experience
Winner: Spotify
Honorable Mentions: YouTube Music & Pandora
Best Free Option
Winner: Musi
Honorable Mentions: SoundCloud & Spotify
Best Curated Suggestions
Winner: Pandora
Honorable Mentions: iHeartRadio, Deezer, Spotify
Exclusive Content
Winner: Tidal
Honorable Mention: Apple Music
Unreleased Music, Remixes, & Mashups
Winner: SoundCloud
Honorable Mention: YouTube Music
Usage on Multiple Devices
Winner: Spotify
Honorable Mentions: YouTube Music & SoundCloud
In Conclusion
Whew, that was a lot of information.
In conclusion, the best music streaming service for you will depend on your specific needs and priorities.
Nowadays, every music streaming service seems to incorporates features from their competitors, so don't feel dismayed to look at other music streaming services than Spotify.
However, if you do decide to choose Spotify as your music service, we recommend you check out our collection of Spotify playlists, amassing various genres and moods.
Furthermore, if you are looking for more tips when listening to music, check out our three suggested blogs below!
Lastly, create an account on our website today to stay up-to-date with all we cover on our blog!
I shall leave you with this Apple Music vs Spotify meme. Enjoy.
