Marcelo Chagas: But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t good options out there for music streaming. Whether you want more bells and whistles, a lower price tag, a better user interface, or more robust personalization, here are 10 worthy competitors to Spotify.
10 Best Spotify Alternatives
1. Tidal
Tidal founded by Jay-Z and recently partly acquired by Block buster, offers two tiers of streaming quality: HiFi and Premium. The former gives you access to lossless, high fidelity audio files and is specifically aimed at audiophiles. The latter offers the same service as Spotify Premium. Tidal also has a large range of exclusive content that you can’t find on other streaming services, such as artist interviews, playlists, and videos.
2. Apple Music
Apple Music is one of Spotify’s biggest competitors. It offers a very similar service to Spotify, with a few key differences. Firstly, Apple Music integrates heavily with Apple’s other products and services, such as iTunes and the iPhone. Secondly, it offers exclusive content that you can’t find anywhere else, such as Beats 1 Radio. Lastly, many would argue that it has a more user-friendly interface than Spotify (although this is somewhat subjective obviously).
3. YouTube Premium
Google abandoned “Google Play Music” and have merged it with Youtube to create “Youtube Premium.” For $9.99/month, you can get an ad-free experience on Youtube, as well as access to premium content that you can’t find anywhere else, such as exclusive videos and live concerts. You can also download videos to watch offline and use Youtube Music without ever having to open the main Youtube app.
5. Pandora
Pandora is one of the oldest and most well-known streaming services. It offers a unique experience that is based on “stations.” You start by choosing a song or artist that you like and Pandora will create a station based on that, playing similar songs and artists. It’s a great way to discover new music that you might not have otherwise found. Pandora also has a paid tier, called Pandora Plus, which gives you ad-free listening, higher quality audio, and the ability to skip more songs. Only being available in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, however, makes this service somewhat restricted.
6. iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio is another streaming service with a unique twist. In addition to offering on-demand music, it also has live radio stations that you can listen to from all over the world. So, if you want to hear the latest hits or your favorite talk radio station, iHeartRadio has you covered. It’s available in the US, Canada, and Australia.
7. Deezer
Deezer is a Spotify competitor that is available in over 180 countries. It offers two tiers of service: Deezer Free and Deezer Premium. Deezer Free is ad-supported and gives you access to a limited selection of songs. Deezer Premium is the full-fledged music streaming service and gives you ad-free listening, higher quality audio, and the ability to download songs for offline listening.
8. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a bit different from other streaming services. It’s more focused on giving unsigned and independent artists a platform to share their music. As such, it has a very diverse range of music that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s also free to use, with a paid tier, called SoundCloud Go, that gives you ad-free listening, higher quality audio, and the ability to download songs for offline listening.
9. LastFm
LastFm is a music streaming service with a very different focus. Its main selling point is the ability to track the music you listen to and give you tailored recommendations based on that. So, if you’re looking for a service that can help you discover new music based on your user profile, LastFm is worth checking out. It’s available in over 200 countries and offers a free ad-supported tier and a paid premium tier.
10. NoteFlight
What we really like about NoteFlight is that it’s designed specifically for musicians. It offers a wide range of features that are tailored to help you compose, practice, and perform music. It’s available in over 180 countries and offers a free ad-supported tier and a paid premium tier.
What’s the Best Spotify Competitor?
The best Spotify competitor depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a service with a diverse range of music, SoundCloud is a good option. If you’re looking for a service that can help you discover new music, LastFm is worth checking out. And if you’re a musician, NoteFlight is a great choice. That said from personal experience, I find Apple Music to be the best Spotify competitor. It has a similar interface and features, but it also integrates tightly with other Apple products, like the iPhone and iPad. Plus, it’s available in over 100 countries.
Should You Try Out a Different Service?
Spotify is a great streaming service, but it’s not the only option out there. If you’re looking for something different, one of the Spotify competitors listed above might be a better fit for you. Once you have built a few playlists on Spotify, it does make it incredibly sticky to move to a different provider. The best way to try out a new service is to take advantage of any free trials that are offered. That way, you can test out the service and see if it’s right for you before you commit to anything. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2022 Ritchie Hughie
