Top 8 Best Online Music Streaming Services
It's now fairly easy for you to listen music from online music streaming service without going to a music store, or downloading songs to your computer. Today's online music streaming services offer up a ton of music in their catalogs with personalized playlists, and feature exclusive internet radio shows or podcasts. But which one should you pick?
The world of online music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple, Soundcloud and Tidal are all vying for your attention. Whichever service you choose, you're bound to find more music than you could possibly know what to do with. Now let's run down what you need to know about the best 8 online music streaming services.
1. Spotify
Spotify is the most well-known music discovery platform. It equips the user with every feature to enhance their music online listening experience.
Who it's best for: Streaming newcomers, new-musical explorers, and just about everyone else who want to hear plenty of music that can be accessed on a variety of devices. Especially for people who love to create and share playlists.
# The Good:
Free version offered for testing indefinitely.
Combines a large library of popular songs with a series of playlists.
Providing a high streaming quality.
Allows you to follow individual artists or albums and even creating your own playlist.
Podcasts and other original programming are also available.
It has access from all major platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
# The Bad:
Advertisements in the free version can be intrusive.
Some features work only if you pay.
2. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform and music sharing website that enables you to upload, promote, and share audio.
Who it's best for: if you're a big fan of music and want to share your music creation to the world apart from enjoying someone else's creations, this is the stuff for you.
# The Good:
Lets you listen to any song on demand.
It has such a vast and exciting variety of music as well as podcasts.
The sound quality is excellent.
You can share songs on all the biggest websites, with email, URL.
# The Bad:
Some features may be a bit difficult to figure out.
Difficult to edit.
3. Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon Music Unlimited is an on-demand music streaming service that offers access to over 50 million songs through the Amazon Music app and Amazon Music for Web.
Who it's best for: Amazon Prime or Amazon Echo members who want to save a few bucks on a decent music catalog.
# The Good:
The site has loads of music to choose from.
Supports a big catalog, curated playlists, personalized stations and so on.
It can be used on up to 10 devices with one account.
Works on its homegrown Echo and Dot wireless speakers.
Discounted monthly subscription pricing and an annual renewal options for Amazon Prime member.
# The Bad:
Officially advertised as tens of millions of songs, it's unclear to show the music number.
4. Google Play Music
Google Play Musicis a music and podcast streaming service and online music locker operated by Google. It helps you to upload your own music collection online so that you can stream it from wherever you are.
Who it's best for: Heavy Google users, particularly those who spend a lot of time on YouTube and YouTube Red.
# The Good:
Cool design and intuitive interface.
Can store up to 50,000 songs.
Stable, consistent performance with quick bug fixes.
Up to 10 devices can be connected to your account.
Subscriptions are available for more features.
# The Bad:
No lyrics.
Can't stream music on multiple devices simultaneously.
5. Apple Music
Apple Music is a music and video streaming service developed by Apple Inc. Users select music to stream to their device on-demand, or they can listen to existing, curated playlists.
Who it's best for: Apple users who have large iTunes libraries.
# The Good:
Everyone gets a three-month free trial to give Apple Music a shot.
Huge music catalog yet easy music discovering on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Paid Apple Music users will have access to download albums and songs they like for offline listening.
The service also works seamlessly with HomePod, Apple’s connected speaker, letting users play music via voice commands.
# The Bad:
Cluttered and confusing interface.
Unlike Spotify, which offers limited free ad-supported tier, Apple Music is lack of ad-supported tier.
Apple Music has locked all your downloaded songs with Apple FariPlay DRM, which makes it inconvenient to enjoy these songs.
6. Deezer
Deezer is an Internet-based music streaming service. It allows users to listen to music content from record labels including Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group on various devices online or offline.
Who it's best for: The people who are looking for a free Hi-Fi experience for casual listening.
# The Good:
The Deezer music streaming service has more than 40 million songs.
Deezer comes with a lyrics feature where users can see the lyrics when the selected track is playing.
Offers a radio-like service called Flow which plays random music based on your favorites. Available on a large number of platforms.
Outstanding CD quality.
# The Bad:
Shows ads.
Doesn't pay artists enough.
Sometimes skipped songs occurred.
A lot of songs are cut at the end.
7. Tidal
Tidal is a subscription-based music streaming service that combines lossless audio and high-definition music videos with exclusive content and special features on music.
Who it's best for: Audiophiles who pursue high-quality music (including hi-res audio) and offline listening, serious Jay Z fans.
# The Good:
Offers CD-quality and hi-res audio.
Exclusive songs and playlists from big names such as Beyonce, Kanye West and Jay Z.
The very large library has 46 million songs.
# The Bad:
Lacks lyrics.
The catalog isn't as extensive as other competing services.
No free version.
8. Slacker Radio
Slacker Radio is a free internet radio service, light years away from the one-dimensional playlists that you're used to. Personalize hundreds of music stations, as well as news, sports and comedy options.
Who it's best for: The people who pay little attention on the next song.
# The Good:
Curated music streaming service.
Offers a large library.
Works on a large number of platforms.
Allows downloading stations locally.
# The Bad:
Lacks lyrics.
Rather intrusive ads.
UI is too focused on social media.
So what is your favorite online music streaming services?
