Listening to music online has never been easier, thanks to the rise of music streaming platforms. With just one account, you can access millions of songs anytime and anywhere. Among the most popular options is Spotify, which boasts over 696 million monthly active users and holds a 31.7% share of the global music streaming market, according to data intelligence firm Demandsage. That makes it the largest music streaming service by monthly active users.
However, Spotify isn’t the only great choice. If you’ve used Spotify before but want to explore something different—maybe with better audio quality or a more affordable plan—there are several excellent alternatives worth considering. The following services each have their own unique features that might suit your preferences even better.
Apple Music
Apple Music offers an impressive library of over 100 million songs, just like Spotify. It also supports lossless streaming but goes a step further, allowing playback at up to 24-bit/192 kHz—higher than Spotify’s 24-bit/44.1 kHz. This means you can enjoy studio-quality sound that preserves even the finest details of a recording. Apple Music also supports Dolby Atmos, bringing spatial audio into the mix for an even richer experience.
The app uses algorithmic recommendations to suggest new music based on your listening habits and includes features such as music videos, an AI DJ, and cross-platform support on Android, PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. It also offers karaoke, exclusive performances, radio stations, and a separate app for classical music lovers.
There’s no free plan, but new users get a one-month trial. Subscription plans start at $10.99 per month for individuals, $5.99 for students, and $16.99 for families. Apple Music is available on the App Store, Google Play Store, and other device app stores.
Tidal
Tidal is another top-tier choice for music lovers. With a catalog of over 110 million songs, it stands out for its exceptional audio quality, streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz. It also supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio for those with compatible devices. Tidal includes both music and exclusive video content, though it doesn’t offer audiobooks.
Music discovery on Tidal is powered by search tools and algorithms, though some users find its recommendations inconsistent. The service works across major platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows.
Pricing starts at $10.99 per month for individuals, $16.99 for families, and $5.99 for students. A one-month trial is available, but there’s no free version. You can find Tidal on the App Store and Google Play Store.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a popular Spotify alternative, praised for its extensive catalog that includes remixes, live performances, and rare tracks unavailable elsewhere. However, its audio quality peaks at 256 kbps—significantly lower than Spotify’s 24-bit/44.1 kHz. Platform compatibility is also somewhat limited.
One big advantage is value: if you subscribe to YouTube Premium, you get YouTube Music Premium for free. The platform includes personalized recommendations, playlists, podcasts, and both free and paid tiers.
Plans are priced at $10.99 per month (or $109.99 annually) for individuals, $16.99 for families, and $5.49 for students. Alternatively, YouTube Premium bundles music access and ad-free video streaming with its own pricing tiers. YouTube Music is downloadable on the Google Play Store and App Store.
Qobuz
Qobuz is a strong contender for audiophiles, offering ultra-high-resolution streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz. It features over 100 million tracks and is known for paying creators more fairly. While it lacks features like lyrics, podcasts, or videos, Qobuz stands out for its editorial “Magazine” section, which shares stories about music and artists, and its inclusion of digital liner notes akin to physical album inserts.
Its discovery algorithm isn’t as sharp as Spotify’s, according to users, but its focus on sound quality and transparency makes it a favorite among purists. Qobuz offers two plans: Studio and Sublime. The Studio plan starts at $4.99/month for students and $12.99/month for individuals, while Sublime tiers offer discounted music purchases. The app is available on both the Google Play Store and App Store.
Deezer
Deezer is another well-loved alternative, featuring over 120 million songs and support for major platforms like Android, iOS, Windows, Apple TV, and Android TV. With playback quality up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz, its sound is more than adequate for casual listeners. Deezer also provides a free plan with limited features.
Users appreciate its strong recommendation system, personalized playlists, podcasts, lyrics, and collaborative features. Unique additions like SongCatcher, which identifies music playing near you, and Flow, an AI-powered infinite playlist, help it stand out.
Premium plans start at $11.99/month, while the Family plan costs $19.99/month. Deezer can be downloaded from both the Google Play Store and App Store.
How We Chose These Spotify Alternatives
To curate this list, we analyzed multiple Reddit threads where users discussed their experiences with Spotify and its competitors. These conversations highlighted key factors such as catalog size, audio quality, pricing, user experience, recommendations, and platform support. The five options featured here emerged as the most frequently recommended by real listeners looking for alternatives to Spotify.
