5 Alternatives to Spotify for Music Lovers & Audiophiles

These are the apps you are looking for!

Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash

Spotify has become a household name in the music streaming industry, with over 400 million monthly active users and over 100 million tracks available.

However, not everyone loves Spotify. And that’s not a huge problem because there are several alternatives that offer unique features that will appeal to music aficionados. Here are five such alternatives:

1. Apple Music

Apple Music is perhaps the most popular alternative to Spotify. It offers a large music library, exclusive content, and seamless integration with other Apple products like the iPhone, HomePod, Apple Watch, and Mac.

However, you don’t need to use an Apple device to use Apple Music. You can access Apple Music on the web, or via the Android mobile app. You can also find it on a host of other devices like Samsung TVs, smart speakers, and even game consoles.

Apple Music supports lossless, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for a 360 degree sound stage that adds depth and presence to your music. The new Apple Music Sing functionality adds karaoke style lyrics to your music, so you can sing along with your favorite tunes.

Apple Music starts at $4.99 a month for the Voice plan, while individual and family accounts can be bought for $10.99 and $16.99 respectively. Apple Music is also available as part of an Apple One subscription.

➡️ Listen now: apple.com/apple-music

Apple Music Sing: Courtesy of Apple

2. Tidal

Tidal is a high-fidelity music streaming service that offers lossless audio quality, making it a popular choice for audiophiles. It has had a checkered history over the years but is now owned and operated by Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc, a company that also owns Square and Weebly.

The platform offers over 90 million songs and 450,000 music videos, and features exclusive content from major artists. Tidal also offers users the ability to watch live concerts and events in high-definition.

Tidal is known for offering some of the highest quality audio that is available on any streaming service. It has partnered with manufacturers of the best hi-fi equipment you can buy from the likes of Sonos, Denon, Cambridge Audio, Onkyo, and more.

The free plan gives you unlimited access to the full Tidal library, but includes “limited interruptions” via their ad-supported program. Paid plans start at $9.99 and there are substantial discounts for students, military personnel, and first responders.

➡️ Listen now: tidal.com

Image courtesy of Tidal

3. Deezer

Deezer is a French music streaming service that is used in over 180 countries worldwide. It offers a large library of songs, podcasts, and access to over 30,000 live radio stations.

Deezer has a variety of music discovery features, such as Flow, which creates a personalized playlist based on a user’s listening habits, and the ability to browse by mood and genre.

Deezer offers high-quality audio streaming, offline listening, and even music quizzes based on themes or playlists. You can also transfer all your playlists from Spotify or Apple Music in just a few clicks.

The free plan is ad-supported, while the individual plan starts at $10.99 a month. A 25% discount is available for annual plans, and a 50% discount is applied for students aged 18–25 years old at a college or university.

➡️ Listen now: deezer.com

Image courtesy of Deezer

4. YouTube Music

Most people associate YouTube as a place you go to watch videos, but a huge number of people go there for the music. They don’t necessarily watch the music videos, they just put them on in the background. YouTube was quick to notice this, and it led to the creation of YouTube Music.

YouTube Music is a music streaming service that offers access to millions of songs and music videos. The platform integrates with Google Assistant and offers a range of personalized features, such as customized playlists and recommendations based on a user’s listening habits.

There are two versions of YouTube Music. An ad-supported version, and a premium, ad-free listening offering with the ability to download songs and videos for offline playback. The premium plan starts at $9.99 a month, but you can save money with annual, family, or student plans.

➡️ Listen now: music.youtube.com

Screenshot of music.youtube.com by Jonathan Wylie

5. Amazon Music

Amazon Music is a music streaming service that offers access to over 100 million songs and live radio stations. It offers personalized playlists, exclusive content, and the ability to stream music on multiple devices.

If you are a Prime member, the free account lets you listen to an ad-free stream of anything in Amazon’s music catalog. However, it isn’t an on-demand service. You have to shuffle an artist, album, or playlist to find the music you want to listen to.

If you upgrade to the Amazon Music Unlimited Plan, you get ad-free, on-demand listening and the ability to download songs and albums for offline playback. There are plans for individuals, students, families, and even single Echo devices. Prime members get discounts on some plans.

➡️ Learn more here: Amazon Prime Music

Screenshot of music.amazon.com by Jonathan Wylie

Conclusion

While Spotify is a popular choice for music streaming, it’s worth remembering that there are several alternatives that just as much.

Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all offer large music libraries, personalized features, and high-quality streaming options. By exploring these alternatives, music lovers can find a platform that best meets their individual needs and preferences.

Disclaimer: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

https://jonathanwylie.com/list/f37a793be57c


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