Best Music Streaming Services
Top music streaming services ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Spotify Premium
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Best music discovery algorithm
- Best music discovery algorithm
- Largest podcast library integrated
Cons
- No lossless audio quality option yet
- No lossless audio quality option yet
- Lyrics feature can be inconsistent
Don't buy this if…
- Spotify has gradually increased prices and may continue to do so; current pricing may not be locked in.
- Spotify has gradually increased prices and may continue to do so; current pricing may not be locked in.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Lossless and Spatial Audio included free
- Lossless and Spatial Audio included free
- Deep Apple ecosystem integration
Cons
- Music discovery algorithm inferior to Spotify
- Music discovery algorithm inferior to Spotify
- No free ad-supported tier
Don't buy this if…
- Lossless audio requires wired headphones or compatible speakers; Bluetooth does not support lossless transmission.
- Lossless audio requires wired headphones or compatible speakers; Bluetooth does not support lossless transmission.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Includes ad-free YouTube video
- Includes ad-free YouTube video
- Music videos and live performances included
Cons
- Music-specific features lag behind Spotify
- Music-specific features lag behind Spotify
- Algorithm less refined for music discovery
Don't buy this if…
- YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium are separate subscriptions; the combined premium is more expensive.
- YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium are separate subscriptions; the combined premium is more expensive.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Discounted rate for Prime members
- Discounted rate for Prime members
- HD and Ultra HD quality included
Cons
- Music discovery less sophisticated
- Music discovery less sophisticated
- Podcast selection smaller than Spotify
Don't buy this if…
- The discounted Prime member rate is only for individual plans; family plans are the same price for everyone.
- The discounted Prime member rate is only for individual plans; family plans are the same price for everyone.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Highest audio quality with MQA masters
- Highest audio quality with MQA masters
- Best artist royalty payouts
Cons
- Smaller user base means fewer social features
- Smaller user base means fewer social features
- Higher price for HiFi Plus tier
Don't buy this if…
- MQA and Dolby Atmos content requires compatible DACs and speakers to hear the quality difference.
- MQA and Dolby Atmos content requires compatible DACs and speakers to hear the quality difference.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- SongCatcher music identification built in
- SongCatcher music identification built in
- Flow personalized radio feature
Cons
- Smaller market share in the US
- Smaller market share in the US
- App design less polished than competitors
Don't buy this if…
- Deezer's market share outside of France and certain markets is small, which may affect community features.
- Deezer's market share outside of France and certain markets is small, which may affect community features.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Music Genome Project recommendations
- Music Genome Project recommendations
- Best lean-back radio experience
Cons
- Smaller on-demand catalog than competitors
- Smaller on-demand catalog than competitors
- US-only availability
Don't buy this if…
- Pandora is only available in the United States and does not work abroad.
- Pandora is only available in the United States and does not work abroad.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Largest independent artist library
- Largest independent artist library
- Unique remixes and DJ sets
Cons
- Audio quality lower than audiophile services
- Audio quality lower than audiophile services
- Major label catalog has gaps
Don't buy this if…
- SoundCloud's content is largely user-uploaded and audio quality varies significantly between tracks.
- SoundCloud's content is largely user-uploaded and audio quality varies significantly between tracks.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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