Spotify is a Swedish audio streaming and media business that has grown to become one of the largest music streaming service providers, with over 406 million monthly active users as of December 2021, including 180 million paid members.
The infamous music streaming services seem to be in some hot water due to its latest controversy. Numerous artists have left the platform in protest due to its latest contract with podcaster Joe Rogan. While Spotify is easily one of the best services for streaming music there are plenty of other options that you may want to try out.
Apple Music
Apple Music, with its 90 million songs, is an excellent alternative, particularly for people who have already invested in the Apple ecosystem. It boasts better audio quality, including “immersive sound with dynamic head tracking” for AirPod users. You may also use your Apple Watch to download and stream songs. Another feature is a lyrics display, which allows you to follow along with the music, as well as curated lists and live radio stations.
There is no free version; you must use different software to listen to podcasts. Users, on the other hand, have a variety of subscription alternatives. Moreover, like Spotify, you can add or remove contacts on the platform.
Pandora
Pandora is one of the first music services to provide playlists based on a listener’s tastes, and it was one of the first to do so. It was launched as a consumer music service in 2005 and has gone through a number of adjustments since then. It is currently owned by Sirius XM Holdings (for example, users of the free service were originally limited to 40 hours of streaming per month). It now offers one free and two premium services, as well as music and podcasts.
Surprisingly, Pandora’s Free service allows you to play certain songs and albums as long as you first watch an advertisement; you may also watch an advertisement for unlimited skips. There are other subscription choices.
Deezer
Deezer isn’t as well-known in the United States as Apple Music or Spotify, but it offers similar content and services. It has a huge selection of over 73 million songs, playlists, podcasts, and radio stations. Its browser version or one of its applications may be used on nearly any device, including PCs, phones, and watches. It also has lyrics shown on the screen. It, like the others, provides a variety of plans.
The free edition allows you to listen to playlists instead of single songs and includes advertisements. While the Premium version ($9.99) removes commercials, allows you to listen to select tracks, improves audio quality, and allows you to download your music. You may use your account to connect up to three devices. If you pay for the year in advance, you will receive a 25% discount, making the total cost $89.91.
YouTube Music
For its own reasons, Google decided to merge its autonomous Google Play Music service with its YouTube video business, resulting in YouTube Music. This may cause some confusion between your music and video collections. On the bright side, the free service allows you to download individual songs and albums; at the time, YouTube Music featured “almost 50 million tracks, albums, and high-quality audio,” according to a May 2020 blog article. Podcasts are accessed using a different app.
Individual songs and albums are available for free, as well as advertisements. Music Premium ($9.99/month) removes the advertising and interruptions and allows you to download your music. More subscription options are available.