13 Best Music Streaming Services for Uninterrupted Grooving

| Updated on 16 September 2024
Music Streaming Apps

Are you on the hunt for the best music streaming service?

It’s time to give it a halt as we bring to you the list of the best music streaming platforms.

In 2024, we have had plenty of music streaming services that are easy to access with a minimal subscription cost. They offer a wide range of genres and provide users the ability to listen to their favorite tunes anytime, anywhere. 

With the convenience of streaming, you can discover new music, create playlists, and enjoy a vast library of songs at your fingertips. Read here to see how you can access these streaming platforms at the minimum cost with maximum benefits.

Apple Music

Apple Music rocks with its Beats 1 and Global 24/7 radio stations, delivering live shows and providing a unique listening experience. Here, the artists can connect with fans and share exclusive content on the platform by creating a hotspot for music enthusiasts. Plus, it offers discounts on student IDs, family plans, Apple One bundles, and carrier promos. 

Apple Music is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a premium music streaming experience with a vast selection of songs and smooth Apple device sync.

Positives
  • Vast Library
  • Free trial period
  • Integrates easily with other Apple products
  • Often provides discounts
  • High-quality audio
  • Live radio
  • Offline access
  • Exclusive content by artists
  • Supports Dolby atoms
Negative
  • Occasional Glitches
  • Slightly Expensive
  • Only streamed by Apple users
  • No free tier
  • Does not recommend songs
  • Limit on offline song downloads
  • High data usage

Apple Music subscription packs:

  • Individual Plan: Access to the entire library, download music for offline listening, lossless audio quality, personalized playlists, and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos for $10.99/month. 
  • Family Plan: All features available of the individual plan, plus 6 family members, can share one subscription with their own account for $16.99/month. 
  • Student Plan: Costs only $5.99/month; it provides all individual plan features and includes Apple TV+ for free. 
Specs & Configurations
Extensive Music Library ✔️
High-Resolution Audio  ✔️
Lossless Audio ✔️
Dolby Atmos  ✔️
Lyric Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlist ❌
Spotify

Spotify is another popular music streaming platform that serves personalized playlists, featuring songs according to your taste. This app is available for both Android and iOS devices. On this platform, you can collaborate, invite friends, and create playlists, which makes it more interactive and user-friendly. 

They hook you up on sweet deals like student ID discounts, family plans, the Duo deal, and even an annual subscription discount. If you enjoy discovering new music, creating playlists, and listening to podcasts all in one place, Spotify is a fantastic go-to music streamer for you.

Positives
  • Personalized playlists
  • User-friendly interface
  • Vast collection of songs and podcasts
  • Accessible by both Android and iOS users
  • Free version available
  • Collaborative playlists
Negative
  • Too many ads on the free version
  • Limitations on skips
  • No lyric’s visibility on the free version
  • Can’t download songs
  • Average audio quality

Spotify subscription packs:

  • Individual Plan: Ad-free listening, unlimited skips, offline listening. High-quality audio and on-demand playbacks for $10.99/month.  
  • Family Plan: All premium individual features, up to 6 accounts for family members, and parental controls for $16.99/month. 
  • Student Plan: All premium features and includes access to Hulu at $5.99/month.
Specs & Configurations
Extensive Music ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ❌
Dolby Atmos ✔️
Lyrics Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ✔️
Music Videos ❌
Amazon Music

Amazon Music displays lyrics in real-time and includes information about artists and their songs, which promotes a deeper connection with music. They throw discounts on prime membership, student ID discounts, family plans, and even an annual subscription discount. 

This music app is the way to go if you’re looking for a music streaming service that integrates seamlessly with Amazon devices and offers a diverse music selection. 

Positives
  • Long free trial
  • Works well with Amazon Echo
  • Huge library
  • Available with an Amazon Prime subscription
  • Karaoke-style lyrics
  • High-resolution audio
  • Download songs and albums offline.
Negative
  • Complex interface
  • Lacks features compared to other streaming services
  • Lacks live-streaming services
  • Complex pricing structure

Amazon Music subscription packs:

  • Amazon Music Unlimited: Access to a vast library, ad-free listening, offline playbacks, high-quality audio, exclusive content, and Dolby Atoms support under different price ranges. 
  • Amazon Music Unlimited Family: All features of Amazon Music Unlimited, up to 6 accounts for family members, and personalized recommendations at $16.99/month. 
Specs & Configurations
Extensive Song Library ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ✔️
Lyrics Display ✔️
Music Videos ❌ 
Collaborative Playlists ❌ 
Offline Listening ✔️
YouTube Music

YouTube music rocks with its massive library, live performances, music videos, and covers. You can groove to music videos in the background and can enjoy uninterrupted music while using other apps. They offer student discounts on ID, family plan discounts, and bundle it with YouTube Premium. 

If you love streaming music videos, live performances, and personalized music recommendations, YouTube Music is a good spot for you. 

Positives
  • Variety of music content available
  • Ad-free listening
  • Collaborative playlists
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Family plans
  • Diverse platform compatibility
  • Seamless transition between music videos and audio-only tracks
Negative
  • Low audio quality
  • Sync lyrics not available
  • Limited offline playback
  • Ads for free users
  • High data usage

YouTube Music subscription packs:

  • YouTube Music Premium: Ad-free listening, offline listening, background play, and access to both audio and video content at $10.99/month. 
  • YouTube Premium Family: Includes all the features of YouTube Music Premium with up to 6 accounts for family members and personalized recommendations at $16.99/month.
Specs & Configurations
Extensive Music Library ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ❌ 
Lyrics Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌ 
Music Videos ✔️
SoundCloud

SoundCloud is the place for audiophiles! The epic music library allows artists to share their soundtracks directly and users can leave comments on specific parts of a track, promoting interaction among each other. You can get student discounts, family plans, and a free trial from them. SoundCloud is an excellent platform for music enthusiasts looking to explore new artists and genres while supporting independent musicians. 

Positives
  • Diverse music selection
  • Direct artist interaction through comments, likes, and reposts
  • Allows users to upload their music
  • Remixes and collaborations available
  • Accessible worldwide
  • Also has a free version
Negative
  • Mediocre sound quality
  • Ads on the free version
  • Limited offline listening
  • Challenging for new artists to gain visibility
  • No lossless audio

SoundCloud subscription packs:

  • SoundCloud Go: Ad-free listening, offline playback, and access to more tracks at $4.99/month. 
  • SoundCloud Go+: All the features of SoundCloud Go with the addition of high-quality audio streaming at $9.99/month. 
Specs & Configurations 
Extensive Music Library ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ❌
Lyrics Display ❌
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ❌
iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio provides a vast array of live radio, podcasts, and talk shows, allowing users to generate interest in diverse audio content. They have family plans, student discounts, a free trial, and bundle deals on the table. 

While iHeartRadio is a versatile music streaming platform that lets users explore and enjoy, it might not be a great fit for hardcore streamers.

Positives
  • Variety of radio stations like live stations, customs stations, and podcasts
  • Live radio access
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Also has a free version
Negative
  • Ads on the free version
  • Limited options for customized playlists
  • Offline music listening restrictions
  • Limitation on skipping songs
  • Lower audio quality

iHeartRadio subscription packs:

  • iHeartRadio Plus: Ad-free listening, unlimited skips, replay songs, and offline listening at $9.99/month. 
  • iHeartRadio All Access: All the features of iHeartRadio Plus, with the ability to create playlists, play any song on-demand, and access millions of tracks at $14.99/month. 
Specs & Configurations 
Extensive Music Library ❌
High-Resolution Audio ❌
Lyrics Display ❌
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ❌
Napster

Napster is a worthwhile recommendation for users seeking a full-on music streaming service with a vast song collection and cool features. With a wide collection of listening options, offline downloads, and hi-fi audio, Napster remains to be relevant in 2024, even with cutting throat competition. This app offers family plans, student discounts, and a free trial.

Positives
  • A vast catalog of songs and albums
  • Allows users to download music for offline listening
  • High-quality audio streaming
  • Features exclusive content from artists
  • Personalized playlists
  • Ad-free listening
Negative
  • No free trial
  • High subscription fees
  • Limited social features
  • Complex interface

Napster subscription packs:

  • Napster Premier: Unlimited streaming access to the entire music catalog with offline listening capabilities at $10.99/month.
  • Napster Family: Allows multiple users to create personalized accounts under one subscription, ideal for families or households at $14.99/month. 
Specs & Configurations 
Extensive Music Library ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ✔️
Lyrics Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ❌
Pandora

Pandora uses a unique algorithm to suggest songs and helps users discover new music. Users can also give songs a thumbs-up or down according to their taste.  It offers 50% off on student IDs, military discounts, family plans, and annual subscription discounts.

If you enjoy personalized radio stations and want a seamless listening experience tailored to your music preferences, Pandora is a great choice to roll with. 

Positives
  • Custom radio stations.
  • Can explore new music.
  • Free version also available.
  • Download music for offline listening.
Negative
  • The free version includes ads.
  • Limit on skip and replay.
  • Average music library size.

Pandora subscription packs:

  • Pandora Plus: Ad-free listening, unlimited skips, and offline listening at $4.99/month. 
  • Pandora Premium: All the features of Pandora Plus with on-demand listening, custom playlists, and downloading music for offline playback at $10.99/month. 
Specs & Configurations 
Extensive Music Library ❌
High-Resolution Audio ❌
Lyrics Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ❌
LiveOne

LiveOne provides a unique and engaging music streaming experience for those who appreciate the magic of live performances. They have family plans, student discounts, and a free trial up for grabs. 

For those who crave the electric energy of live shows, LiveOne is an excellent choice, but if you’re after a vast music library and high-quality audio, you might want to explore other platforms. 

Positives
  • Interactive real-time experience through chats and polls.
  • Wide range of content.
  • Community-building platform.
  • Opportunity to monetize.
  • Provide access to live music recordings, concerts, and events.
Negative
  • Has connectivity issues.
  • Limited content available
  • Monetization challenges

LiveOne subscription packs:

  • LiveOne Plus: Add free listening, unlimited skips, high-quality audio, but no offline listening at $3.99/month. 
  • LiveOne Premium: All LiveOne Plus features, offline listening, custom playlists, and on-demand playbacks at $10.99/month.
Specs & Configurations 
Extensive Music Library ❌
High-Resolution Audio ❌
Lyrics Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ✔️
Qobuz

Qobuz is a go-to destination for music lovers who seek uncompromising sound quality and a vast selection of high-resolution audio tracks. They offer annual subscription discounts, family plans, and sublime plans. Their main focus is on quality over quantity, which contributes to its popularity. 

Positives
  • Provides high-quality audio.
  • Equipped with vast music library.
  • Editorial content, like reviews and articles is also available.
  • Offline listening option available.
  • Add free for premium listeners.
  • Classical and jazz-focused music.
  • Purchase and download options available.
  • Compatible with various devices
Negative
  • Expensive subscription fee.
  • Not available in all regions.
  • Doesn’t have a beginner-friendly interface.
  • No free tier.

Qobuz subscription packs:

  • Qobuz Studio: High-resolution streaming with access to the full catalog of music, an ad-free experience, and unlimited streaming at $10.83/month.
  • Qobuz Sublime+: Includes all the features of Qobuz Studio with the addition of discounted prices on high-resolution music purchases at $179.99/year. 
Specs & Configurations
Extensive Music Library ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ✔️
Lyrics Display ❌
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ❌
SiriusXM

SiriusXM is a top choice for people looking for a wide variety of radio shows and exclusive content across different genres and interests. They provide you with a free trial, annual subscription discounts, and bundle deals. With a diverse range of programs and content that isn’t available on other streaming platforms, SiriusXM brings to you a broad range of live content. 

Positives
  • Exclusive content by artists available.
  • High-quality audio.
  • Ad-free music.
  • Live radio and shows.
Negative
  • High subscription cost.
  • Depends on satellite signals for transmission.
  • Compatibility issues with older devices.

SiriusXM subscription packs:

  • SiriusXM Essential: Access to over 140 channels, including music, sports, and talk shows, at $9.99/month. 
  • SiriusXM All Access: Includes all the channels available on SiriusXM Select plus additional premium channels and the ability to listen online and on the app at $19.99/month. 
Specs & Configurations
Extensive Music Library ❌
High-Resolution Audio ✔️
Lyrics Display ❌
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ❌
Deezer

Deezer creates a personalized playlist based on your jams and preferences. Plus, it also allows users to view lyrics while grooving to the music. They have got deals like free trials, student discounts, and family plans. Deezer is a solid choice for music enthusiasts looking for a diverse music library and personalized recommendations to level up their musical experience. 

Positives
  • Extensive music library.
  • Personalized music recommendation.
  • Allows users to download music for offline streaming.
  • Podcasts and radio shows are available.
  • High audio quality.
  • Facilitates offline listening.
Negative
  • Complex interface.
  • Not accessible in all countries.
  • Ad interruption in the free version.

Deezer subscription packs:

  • Deezer Premium: Ad-free listening, unlimited skips, and offline listening at $11.99/month.
  • Deezer Family: Allows multiple users to have their own accounts under one subscription at $19.99/month.
Specs & Configurations
Extensive Music Library ✔️
Lossless Audio ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ✔️
Lyrics Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️
Collaborative Playlists ✔️
Music Videos ❌
Tidal

Tidal is the spot for audiophiles who enjoy high audio quality and exclusive content offered by artists like albums, music videos, and live concert streams. They provide you with a free trial, student discounts, and family plans to keep you engaged. Tidal is the real deal for users who prioritize high-quality audio and want to show direct support to independent artists through subscription. 

Positives
  • High-quality audio.
  • Exclusive content available.
  • Artist friendly.
  • Recommended new music.
  • Lossless audio.
  • Provides offline listening.
  • No ads on paid tiers.
Negative
  • High subscription cost.
  • Limited offline downloads.
  • Not available in all regions.
  • Complex interface.

Tidal subscription packs:

  • Tidal Premium: Standard sound quality, ad-free, and offline listening at $9.99/month.
  • Tidal Hi-fi: Lossless high-fidelity audio streaming for audiophiles and all features of premium at $19.99/month.
  • Tidal Family: Allows multiple users to have their own accounts under one subscription at $14.99/month.
Specs & Configuration
Extensive Music Library ✔️
Lossless Audio ✔️
High-Resolution Audio ✔️
Lyrics Display ✔️
Offline Listening ✔️ 
Collaborative Playlists ❌
Music Videos ✔️

So these were the best music streaming platforms currently trending globally. To simplify things for you, here’s a detailed table comparing the streaming services we have!

Streaming AppIndividual PlanFamily PlanStudent Plan
Apple Music$10.99/month$16.99/month$5.99/month
Spotify$10.99/month$16.99/month$5.99/month
Amazon Music$10.99/month$16.99/month$5.99/month
YouTube Music$10.99/month$16.99/month$5.99/month
SoundCloud$4.99/month$10.99/month
iHeartRadio$9.99/month$14.99/month$4.99/month
Napster$10.99/month$14.99/month— 
Pandora$4.99/month(Pandora Plus)
$10.99/month(Pandora Premium)
$17.99/month$5.99/month and $8.99/ month for military
LiveOne$3.99/month (Plus Plan)$10.99/month(Premium Plan)
Qobuz$10.83 /month (Qobuz Studio)$14.99/month(Qobuz Sublime)
SiriusXM$9.99/monthSiriusXM Essential$19.99/monthSiriusXM All Access
Deezer$11.99/month$19.99/month and $15.99/month for duo
Tidal$9.99/month$14.99/month

What to Consider While Selecting the Best Music Streaming Service?

Selecting the best music streaming service can be quite overwhelming. To make a decision, you should consider your needs, preferences, and understanding of how each platform is unique from one another. Let’s take a look at some essential factors that you should consider while opting for the best music streamer.

  • Music Library: Look for services that have a large music library of different genres and different mood playlists. With the availability of as many artists’ masterpieces as possible. 
  • Personalization: Opt for a streaming service that allows you to make your own playlists, customize them, and suggest music based on your streaming preferences. 
  • Cost Efficient: A music streaming service that provides you with value-for-money packages and discounts is the ideal pick for listening to music. 
  • Dolby Atoms: Go for streaming services that provide Dolby Atoms options to enhance your overall music experience. Dolby Atoms enhances the music quality, making the audio three-dimensional for a heavenly soundtrack. 
  • User Experience: While choosing a streaming platform, pay attention to the user experience. How easy it is to navigate through the app and access music, podcasts, your library, albums, artists, and your profile.
  • Features: Look at the availability of features on the streaming service. The most crucial features in today’s time are:
    • Registration and login authentication
    • User profile
    • Music searching
    • Recommendation feature for users
    • Curated playlist collection
    • Profile availability of various artists
    • Dolby Atoms
    • Download and offline access
    • Feature to upload new content
    • Sharing option
    • Viewing of lyrics
    • Ability to stream on smart home devices

Methods To Evaluate Music Streaming Platforms

There are many ways to find the perfect music platform. Let’s look at some different methods you can use to evaluate music streaming services. 

  1. Free Trials: Streaming services offer free trials; take advantage of these and explore the platform, checking the audio quality, user interface, music library, and other necessary features. 
  2. Audio Quality: This is the most important aspect of a streaming service; listen to the same track on different platforms to verify which one has the best listening experience. 
  3. Music Library: Search for your favorite songs, artists, albums, and genres on every platform and pick the one that offers a vast variety of them. 
  4. Offline Listening: Test the availability of the offline download feature, how long they stay accessible, and how easy it is to manage content. 
  5. Customer Support: For any further questions or issues, connect with customer care provided by each streaming service and also evaluate their responsiveness. 

Final Note

Music streaming services are highly utilized by youth. To have access to the best music streamers and the most optimal music experience, it is necessary to watch out for services that can deliver you all essential features without burning a hole in your pocket. However, the choice of the best music streaming service depends on your needs and preferences. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Which streaming service has the highest quality music?

Tidal has the highest quality music of all the popular music streamers, but Tidal is also one of the most expensive streaming services available in the market.

What is the #1 music app?

The most famous and worldwide used app is Spotify, with 600 (approx.) million monthly active users.

Can I use a music streaming service offline?

Yes, many paid services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Deezer offer offline listening services, allowing you to download songs and playlists.

Vaibhav Krishna

Follow Me:

Comments Leave a Reply
Leave A Reply

Thanks for choosing to leave a comment. Please keep in mind that all comments are moderated according to our comment Policy.

Related Posts