The main music streaming platforms worldwide are Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, and SoundCloud. Regional services such as Boomplay, Anghami, JioSaavn, Melon and QQ Music can be a better fit for local music.
No single service suits everyone. The right choice depends on what you listen to, the devices you use, how much audio quality matters, and which plans are sold in your country.
Quick answer
- For general listening: start with Spotify or YouTube Music. Both have a free, ad-supported tier.
- For Apple devices: look at Apple Music.
- For high-resolution audio: compare Qobuz, Tidal, and Apple Music.
- For music videos: choose YouTube Music.
- For independent artists and creators: try SoundCloud or Audiomack.
- For regional music: check the local services in your market first.
Key takeaways
- Prices vary by country, so check your local plan before you compare.
- A low first price may be a trial. Check the regular price too.
- Family and duo plans can have address rules.
- Student plans usually need verification.
- If you pay through an app store, you usually manage the subscription there.
How we compared these platforms
We based this comparison on public plan pages and help pages checked on 4 November 2026. We didn’t run hands-on listening tests, so read the audio details as published specifications, not test results.
We used the same criteria for each service: price, free plan, audio quality, catalog, offline listening, devices, family and student plans, availability and billing. Where we couldn’t confirm a detail, we say so.
We included on-demand services and major hybrid services with reliable public information. We left out radio-only apps and closed services, including TuneIn, Radio Garden and Google Play Music.
The main music streaming platforms at a glance
Streaming made up 69.6% of global recorded music revenue in 2025, and paid subscription accounts reached 837 million by year-end, according to IFPI. Spotify reported 306 million subscribers in Q3 2026, the largest count we found among these services.
This table shows what sets each global service apart, based on details published or checked by 4 November 2026.
| Platform | Known for | Free plan | Top published audio | Stated catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Discovery and playlists | Yes, with ads | Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz | Not checked |
| Apple Music | Apple devices and Hi-Res Lossless | No | Hi-Res Lossless up to 192 kHz | 100M+ songs |
| YouTube Music | Music videos | Yes, with ads | Check in the app | Check in the app |
| Amazon Music | Prime and Alexa links | Yes, with limits | HD, Ultra HD and Spatial Audio on Unlimited | 100M songs |
| Tidal | HiRes FLAC and DJ tools | None listed on US page | HiRes FLAC and Dolby Atmos | Not checked |
| Deezer | Plan variety | Yes, with limits | High Fidelity, no bitrate shown | 120M+ tracks |
| Qobuz | Hi-Res streaming and purchases | No | FLAC 24-bit up to 192 kHz | 100M+ tracks |
| SoundCloud | Independent creators | Yes | Check in the app | 135M+ tracks on Go+ |
Free-plan status for YouTube Music and SoundCloud comes from our earlier research, so confirm it in your market.
How much do music streaming platforms cost?
In the US, individual plans on the services below ran from $11.99 to $14.99 a month on 4 November 2026. Your price may differ because music streaming platforms set plans and prices by market.
Prices are monthly unless noted. Taxes may be added.
| Platform | Market | Individual | Student | Duo | Family | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | US | $12.99 | $6.99 | $18.99 | $21.99 | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Spotify | Germany | €12.99 | €6.99 | €17.99 | €21.99 | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Apple Music | UK | £11.99 | £5.99 | Not listed | £19.99 | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Apple Music | Singapore | S$11.98 | S$6.48 | Not listed | S$20.98 | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Amazon Music Unlimited | US | $12.99, or $11.99 with Prime | Check | Check | $21.99 | Reported Feb 2026 |
| Amazon Music Unlimited | UK | £12.99, or £11.99 with Prime | Check | Check | £21.99 | Reported Feb 2026 |
| Tidal | US | $11.99 | $6.99 | Not listed | $19.99 | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Deezer | US | $11.99 | $5.99 | $15.99 | $19.99 | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Qobuz | US | $14.99, paid yearly | Check | $22.49, paid yearly | $29.16, paid yearly | 4 Nov 2026 |
We couldn’t confirm current prices for YouTube Music or SoundCloud. SoundCloud says its prices are changing, so check both in the app before you subscribe.
What the prices mean in practice
- Family plans: at the US prices above, a full six-person plan works out to about $3.33 a person on Deezer or Tidal, and $3.67 on Spotify.
- Yearly billing: Deezer Premium costs $107.99 a year in the US, about $36 less than paying $11.99 for 12 months.
- Student plans: the US price was $5.99 on Deezer and $6.99 on Spotify and Tidal.
- Offers: trials usually apply to new customers only, so budget for the regular price.
Why prices differ by country
Prices differ because each service sets local plans, currencies, and offers. A plan can also cost more through one billing channel. SoundCloud says buying through the Apple App Store costs about 30% more than buying directly.
Don’t use a VPN, false address, or false location to get a lower price. You could lose access, and some services check location. Spotify, for example, requires a family address in the country where the payment method was issued.
Best music streaming platforms by listener type
The best music streaming platforms depend on your listening habits. These picks are based on published features, not hands-on tests.
| If you want | Look at | Why it fits | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| General listening | Spotify, YouTube Music | Free tiers and a focus on discovery or video | Limits on the free tier |
| Apple device integration | Apple Music | Built for Apple’s ecosystem, with 100M+ songs | No free plan |
| High-resolution audio | Qobuz, Tidal, Apple Music | Published Hi-Res or HiRes FLAC formats | Your headphones, DAC and country |
| Music videos | YouTube Music | Access to YouTube’s music video catalog | Plan price in your country |
| Independent music | SoundCloud, Audiomack | Creator and upload focus | Paid-plan availability |
| A family plan | Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Apple Music | Published family plans | Household and address rules |
| Local music | Anghami, JioSaavn, Melon, Boomplay | Regional catalog focus | Current plans and payment options |
If you want Spotify alternatives, choose by the reason you want to leave. Compare Qobuz or Tidal for audio, YouTube Music for video, and regional services for local catalogs.
Global music streaming platforms
These eight global music streaming platforms cover most listening needs. Details below were checked on 4 November 2026 unless a date is given.
Spotify
Spotify is included because it reported 306 million subscribers in Q3 2026. It stands out for discovery, and its Premium page lists lossless audio up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.
- Good for: everyday listening, shared playlists, and people who want a free option.
- Plans: US Individual, Student, Duo and Family. Family covers up to six people at one address.
- Limit: the page doesn’t say which plans include lossless, so check before you pay.
Apple Music
Apple Music is included for its scale and audio formats. Apple lists over 100 million songs, Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless up to 192 kHz, plus Spatial Audio on supported content.
- Good for: iPhone, iPad and Mac users.
- Plans: Individual, Student and Family. Apple’s UK page offers new subscribers the first month free.
- Limit: there’s no free plan, and Hi-Res Lossless needs external equipment such as a USB DAC.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music is included because it connects songs with YouTube’s music video catalog. YouTube offers individual, student, two-person, and family options.
- Good for: listeners who want videos alongside audio.
- Plans: family plans cover up to six people in one household. Pre-paid plans don’t renew automatically.
- Limit: student eligibility is checked each year and lasts up to four years.
Amazon Music
Amazon Music is included for its ties to Prime and Alexa. It has a free tier, a shuffle-based Prime option, and Unlimited with on-demand listening.
- Good for: Prime members and Alexa users.
- Plans: Amazon says Unlimited includes HD, Ultra HD, and Spatial Audio. Its Family plan covers up to six people.
- Limit: Amazon’s official price page was last modified in February 2025, so check your current price.
Tidal
Tidal is included for its audio and DJ options. Its US plans include lossless, HiRes FLAC, and Dolby Atmos, and there’s a separate DJ plan.
- Good for: audio-focused listeners and DJs.
- Plans: Individual, Student, Family for up to six members, and DJ. New customers get a 30-day trial.
- Limit: The US pricing page doesn’t list a free plan, and the DJ plan needs compatible software.
Deezer
Deezer is included for its range of plans. It lists over 120 million tracks and offers Premium, Student, Duo, and Family, with yearly options on some plans.
- Good for: people who want plan choice or a lower yearly cost.
- Plans: all US paid plans shown had a one-month free trial for new users.
- Limit: the free tier has ads and doesn’t let you choose any track or listen offline.
Qobuz
Qobuz is included for Hi-Res streaming and music purchases. It lists FLAC 24-bit up to 192 kHz, over 100 million tracks, and discounts on Hi-Res purchases.
- Good for: listeners who care about audio quality and buying albums.
- Plans: Solo, Duo, and Family. The US plans we checked were paid yearly, with a one-month trial.
- Limit: its country list, dated June 2024, had 26 countries and none in Africa.
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is included for independent artists and creator uploads. Its Go+ plan offers ad-free listening, offline access, and over 135 million tracks.
- Good for: new artists, DJ culture and independent music.
- Plans: availability varies by country, so check that Go+ is sold where you live.
- Limit: website purchases need a card issued in a launch country.
Regional music streaming platforms
Regional music streaming platforms matter when local music or payment options affect your choice. Availability changes, so confirm plans and prices on each official site or in the app. Where noted, country details come from third-party comparison data checked on 4 November 2026.
US
- Pandora: focuses on personalized radio, with Premium at $11.99 and Plus at $5.99 a month from 22 September 2026. It’s a hybrid service, not a pure on-demand one.
- SiriusXM: offers curated channels and talk. The US All Access app plan was $11.99 a month after a promotional term on 4 November 2026.
- iHeartRadio: focuses on radio and podcasts. Third-party data lists the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Check current plan prices in the app.
Africa
- Boomplay: focuses on African music. It launched in Lagos in 2015, according to Wikipedia. Check plans and carrier billing in your country.
- Audiomack: suits independent and African music fans. In August 2026, it announced a Night Plan that lets Audiomack Plus users schedule late-night downloads on supported carriers.
MENA
Anghami focuses on Arabic music. Its App Store listing describes free and Plus plans, plus a family plan with up to six accounts. In 2021, it announced telecom partnerships to make payment easier, so check whether your carrier offers it.
India
JioSaavn and Gaana focus on Indian music. Third-party data lists both as global services with free tiers, but we couldn’t confirm their current plans. Check prices in the app.
China
Tencent Music runs QQ Music, Kugou, and Kuwo, and it reported 127.4 million paying users in Q4 2025. NetEase Cloud Music is known for its community and playlists. We’ve included these services for market context. Check whether they’re available to you before you plan around them.
Korea and Japan
Melon focuses on Korean music and charts. LINE Music is listed for Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand in third-party data. Both are mainly regional choices, so check current availability.
Russian-speaking markets
Yandex Music focuses on Russian-speaking markets and recommendations. We couldn’t verify its current plans or availability, so check its official app listing in your country.
How to choose a music streaming platform
Choose a music streaming platform by what you’ll use every week, not by the longest feature list. Check these points in order:
- Availability: confirm the service and plan are sold in your country.
- Catalog: search for the artists and languages you play most.
- Devices: check your phone, speaker, car, and headphones.
- Audio: pay for Hi-Res only if your equipment can use it.
- Plan type: compare individual, student, duo, and family plans.
- Total cost: look at the regular price, taxes, and yearly billing.
- Payment: confirm your payment method at checkout.
You can use a free tier or trial to test the catalog and app before you pay.
Free vs paid music streaming platforms
Free music streaming platforms suit casual listening. Paid plans suit people who want control, offline access, and no ads. The exact limits vary by service and country.
| Feature | Free tiers | Paid plans |
|---|---|---|
| Ads | Usually included | Usually removed |
| Song choice | Often limited | Usually on demand |
| Offline listening | Often unavailable | Often included |
| Audio quality | May be lower | May include lossless |
| Sharing | One account | Duo or family options on some services |
Deezer’s free tier, for example, has ads and no offline listening. If you listen daily or travel often, a paid plan may be worth the cost.
How to manage music subscriptions
Manage each subscription from the place where you bought it. A plan bought through Apple is usually managed in your Apple Account, while a plan bought on the web is managed on the service’s account page.
Payment methods and billing rules vary by country and platform. Spotify, for example, says options depend on your location.
Avoid missed renewals
- List each music subscription, its price, and renewal date.
- Check where you pay for it: the service, an app store, or a phone carrier.
- Set a reminder a few days before each renewal.
- Keep enough money on your payment method.
- Review your plan after any price-increase notice.
- Cancel plans you no longer use before the renewal date.
What to do if a payment fails
Update your payment method quickly. If a Spotify payment fails, Spotify retries over the next few days before Premium is affected.
Spotify also says your payment method should be registered in the same country as your account and enabled for foreign, online, and recurring payments. Ask your bank or card provider if the failure continues.
Family and student rules
- Family plans: Spotify can ask members to verify their address. A failed check can block them from another Family or Duo plan for 12 months.
- Student plans: Apple limits student pricing to four years, and YouTube checks eligibility each year.
- Moving country: Apple may require you to cancel subscriptions and add a new payment method before you change region.
- Cancellation: SiriusXM asks you to cancel at least 24 hours before renewal.
Need payment help for Spotify? Read our guides for Nigeria, Asia and Africa, the Middle East and South America. For Deezer, see our gift card guide.
Track renewals with EverTry
EverTry publishes this guide, so keep that in mind when you read this recommendation. Its in-app subscription manager can list your subscriptions and set reminders. You can create, edit, pause, resume, or delete entries.
Reminders don’t renew or pay subscriptions. You still need to make sure each payment goes through.
You can try the EverTry virtual card where a merchant accepts it, but acceptance isn’t guaranteed. Some services require a card from your account’s country, so check the rules first. Creating a card costs $3.
FAQs
What are the main music streaming platforms?
The main global music streaming platforms are Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz and SoundCloud. Regional services include Boomplay and Audiomack in Africa, Anghami in the Middle East and North Africa, JioSaavn and Gaana in India, QQ Music in China, and Melon in South Korea.
Which music streaming service is best?
There’s no single best service for everyone. Spotify and YouTube Music suit general listening, Apple Music suits Apple users, and Qobuz or Tidal suit high-resolution audio. For local music, check regional services first. Compare availability, price, and catalog in your own country before you choose.
Which platforms offer lossless audio?
On 4 November 2026, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Qobuz listed lossless audio on their official pages. Apple Music and Qobuz listed audio up to 192 kHz, while Spotify listed up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz. Check your plan, market, and equipment, because you may not hear the full quality.
What are the best Spotify alternatives?
The right alternative depends on why you want to leave Spotify. Qobuz and Tidal suit audio-focused listeners, YouTube Music suits video fans, and Apple Music suits Apple users. SoundCloud and Audiomack suit independent music, while Boomplay, Anghami and JioSaavn may suit regional catalogs.
Is there a free music streaming service?
Yes. Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer and SoundCloud have free tiers, though availability can vary by country. Free plans usually include ads and other limits. Deezer’s free tier, for example, doesn’t let you choose any track or listen offline, so check the limits before you rely on one.
Which music streaming service is cheapest?
It depends on your market, plan, and current offers. On 4 November 2026, Tidal and Deezer each listed US Individual plans at $11.99 a month, and Deezer listed a US Student plan at $5.99. Regional services may cost less locally, so compare the regular price in your own country.
Why do music streaming prices differ by country?
Music streaming platforms set local plans, currencies, and offers, so prices can change from one country to another. Billing channels can matter too, since SoundCloud says buying through Apple’s App Store costs about 30% more. Don’t use a VPN or false location to get a lower price, because it can put your access at risk.
How do I manage my music subscriptions?
Start where you bought the plan: the service’s account page, an app store, or your phone carrier. Note each price and renewal date, then set reminders a few days early. Update your payment method quickly if a charge fails, and cancel unused plans before they renew.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. It isn’t financial, legal or professional advice. We compared services using public information and didn’t test them hands-on.
Prices, plans, features, availability, payment methods, card acceptance, taxes and terms can change without notice and vary by country. Check the provider’s official site or app before you buy, renew or cancel. We can’t guarantee that a service, plan or payment method will be available to you or that a payment will succeed.
You’re responsible for following each provider’s terms and the laws that apply to you. Don’t use false information, a VPN or another method to get around location, payment or eligibility rules.
All product names, logos and trademarks belong to their owners. Their use here is for identification only and doesn’t imply endorsement, sponsorship or affiliation. Links to other websites are provided for convenience, and we aren’t responsible for their content or services.
To the extent the law allows, we aren’t liable for any loss that results from relying on this guide. If you spot an error, contact our team so we can review it.
The EverTry Editorial Team covers personal finance, fintech, payments, and cross-border money transfers. Drawing on our experience building payment products for a global audience, we work to make complex financial topics clear, practical, and accessible, helping individuals and businesses make informed decisions about managing and moving money.