Technology has made it easier to have access to music any time and any place, the days of physically going to a store to purchase an album long gone for most folks. In 2018 over 900 billion songs were streamed by Americans alone by 186 million digital music consumers.
Most people have a smartphone, tablet, or internet-enabled mobile device, which makes it easier to download and save your favorite tunes than ever before. Whether you prefer free, pay per view, or subscriptions, in this list we’ll cover all the top streaming apps and services so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Spotify
When it comes to choosing a free music streaming app, the sound quality and easy access to content are the top factors. According to Statista, 80% of costumers in the United States cite the cost as a top criterion in selecting a music streaming service. One of the apps that is free yet still has impressive music streaming features is Spotify. Some of the advantages of Spotify include:
- The free version allows users to download songs locally to their device
- It has a built-in private mode for listening anonymously
- The app is well-designed, compatible with various devices, and offers a cross-device experience
- Apart from accessing millions of tunes in so many languages and genres as well as having the capability to create playlists, users have the option to also listen to podcasts.
Spotify has a library of more than 40 million tracks, and the mobile app is compatible with both iOS and Android. If you don’t have unlimited data on your mobile plan, and if you’re streaming when you aren’t on WiFi, then the data that Spotify will use depends on the quality of stream you chose.
Amazon Music
If you prefer to pay for quality things like a custom essay or good music, then Amazon Music can help quench your thirst. With a great sound quality of 320kbps and a family plan option that covers six listeners, most people will be satisfied with the standard option. But if you prefer the highest definition sound, then Amazon also offers even better quality through the HD music option.
Depending on an individual’s preference, a user can choose between Amazon Music Unlimited and Amazon Price. The former gives users over 50 million music tracks while the latter has around 2 million. However, both of these options are ad-free and work to further enhances the listening experience.
Apple Music
Smartphone users who prefer iPhones find Apple Music a great place to stream their favorite tunes. Android users can also access the diverse music catalog, while those using cellular connections on any platform can get data-friendly streaming options. If you are still unsure about paying for Apple Music, which also offers a family plan, use the three-month free trial to help you decide whether this music streaming platform is right for you.
Tidal
This streaming platform — whose owners include Alicia Keys, Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Regine Chassagne, Beyoncé, Calvin Harris, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Daft Punk, Damian Marley, deadmau5, Indochine, J. Cole, Jack White, Jason Aldean, Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, T.I. and Usher — provides users with podcasts and original videos in addition to music. The social feature is an added advantage that allows people to share music and videos to their social media pages. With this app, a catalog of 60 million songs, including from unknown or upcoming artists as well as international musicians, will be within your reach. Furthermore, the master quality authenticated format gives 1400kbps sound quality rather than the standard 320kbps.
Pandora
This popular music streaming app offers uninterrupted radio station service for listening to your favorite tracks or skipping the ones you don’t like. The mobile app also comes with new music and podcasts that allow personalization to suit your mood or activity. The premium option removes advertising.
YouTube Music
Compatible with both iOS and Android, this music streaming app offers access to over 30 million music videos. However, its uniqueness is that it allows subscribers to get ad-free music, background listening, offline access and the ability to skip videos so that you only hear audio formats.
Google Play Music
Listeners that prefer to upload their own music or stream from a playlist containing a vast selection of different tracks may find the Google Play Music app a great choice. The official music streaming service for Google is expected to be phased out soon, but as long as it continues to allow users to access tunes, this music streaming option is worth considering.
The availability of several unique music streaming apps gives costumers the power of choice. As song streaming continues to gain popularity, the number of companies hoping to meet the demand will only increase. Pick one or a few of the different services listed above to enhance your music streaming experience!
