Spotify was in trouble because a bunch of artists were jumping ship. They were pretty ticked off about the whole Joe Rogan podcast situation, and some subscribers decided to follow suit and ditch the platform too.

Fast forward to today, and there are some new issues that have users feeling a bit miffed. For one, Spotify still hasn’t delivered on that highly-anticipated HiFi feature, and recent layoffs have made discovering new music on the platform even more of a headache.

Don’t get me wrong, Spotify is still the big kahuna when it comes to music streaming. But let’s be real, there are plenty of other options out there for all you music lovers. If you’ve been thinking about exploring what else is out there, I’ve got you covered. We’re about to dive into a quick rundown of some of the top contenders in the music streaming game.

But first, let’s give Spotify its due. Even with all the drama, it’s still a major player and deserves a mention. So buckle up, grab your headphones, and let’s take a closer look at what Spotify and its rivals have to offer. Who knows? You might just find your new go-to music app!

The Top 6 Spotify Alternatives for Music Streaming

1. Apple Music

If you’re deep into the Apple universe, Apple Music might be the right choice for your music streaming needs. One of the big selling points is the higher-quality audio. If you’ve got a pair of AirPods, you can even get that fancy “immersive sound with dynamic head tracking” feature. Plus, you can download and stream your tunes right to your Apple Watch, which is pretty cool.

Apple Music has some other nifty features, too. You can follow along with lyrics, check out curated playlists, and even tune into live radio stations. The only downside? There’s no free version, so you’ll have to shell out some cash. Oh, and if you’re into podcasts, you’ll need to use a separate app for that.

Now, let’s talk prices. The Apple Music Individual plan will cost you $10.99 per month. That gets you access to Apple’s massive music library, all sorts of playlists, and high-quality audio (we’re talking lossless and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos). You can even ask Siri to play specific songs or albums, download music for offline listening, and see lyrics. If you’ve got a big family, the family plan might be more up your alley. For $16.99 per month, up to six people can enjoy all those individual plan perks.

But what if you’re on a budget? No worries; Apple’s got you covered. If you’re a college student, you can snag the student plan for just $5.99 per month and get all the same goodies as the individual plan. Or, if you want to bundle Apple Music with some other Apple services, check out the Apple One plan.

2. Amazon Music

Have you considered Amazon Music in addition to Apple Music and Google’s YouTube Music? It’s right up there with the big dogs. The cool thing about Amazon Music is that it’s got three different tiers, and as you level up, you get access to more songs and better audio quality.

Let’s start with the basics of Amazon Music Free. This one lets you jam out to the service’s playlists, radio stations, and podcasts without spending a dime. The catch? The audio quality is limited to SD; there are ads; and you can’t pick specific songs or albums.

Now, if you’re already an Amazon Prime member (you know, for all that sweet shopping, video, and other perks), you get Amazon Music Prime for free. Remember, unlike most Prime features, you cannot share it with your family members. It’s still SD quality, but you can say goodbye to ads and hello to picking your favorite tunes.

For the ultimate experience, there’s Amazon Music Unlimited. This is where you get ad-free access to songs in SD, HD, Ultra HD, and even spatial audio. The Individual Plan will set you back $9.99 per month, but you can only listen on one device at a time. If you’ve got a music-loving family, the Family Plan might be the way to go at $16.99 per month. With this, you can have up to six accounts rocking out on multiple devices.

But what if you’re on a budget or just want to keep things simple? Amazon’s got you covered. The Single Device Plan is just $5.99 per month and lets you use the service on a specific Echo or Fire device. And if you’re a student, you can also snag the Student Plan for $5.99 per month, which comes with HD access and a bunch of Unlimited’s features.

3. Bandcamp

You gotta include Bandcamp!” And honestly, they were spot on. Bandcamp is a unique “online record store and music community” where fans directly pay independent musicians and podcasters. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Get this: According to Bandcamp, artists typically pocket 80 to 85 percent of each sale. And on Bandcamp Fridays (that’s the first Friday of every month), the company straight up waives its cut of the profits. They started doing this in March 2020 to help artists out during the pandemic, when live shows were a no-go.

The best part? Bandcamp itself is totally free to use. You simply browse through featured tracks by artists, and when you find something you like, you can buy the digital or physical album directly from them. The artists set their own prices, so it’s all about supporting the music you love.

They’ve got these live “listening party” events too, which are pretty rad. It’s like a virtual hangout where you can vibe with other music lovers and discover new tunes.

4. Deezer

It might not be as well-known as Apple Music or Spotify here in the US, but trust me, it’s got some serious chops. Deezer’s got a massive collection of songs, playlists, podcasts, and radio channels that’ll keep you jamming for days.

The cool thing about Deezer is that it’s super flexible. You can use the web version or snag one of their apps for pretty much any device you can think of—desktops, phones, even watches. And if you’re into karaoke (no judgment here), Deezer’s got you covered with on-screen lyrics.

Just like the other big players, Deezer’s got a few different plans to choose from. The free version lets you listen to playlists, but you can’t pick specific songs, and you’ll have to deal with some ads.

If you want to ditch the ads and have more control over your tunes, the premium plan is the way to go. For $11.99 a month (or $107.99 a year if you’re feeling committed), you can say goodbye to ads, listen to whatever tracks you want, and even download your music for offline listening. Plus, you get that sweet, high-fidelity sound. You can connect up to three devices to your account, which is pretty handy.

Check out the Duo Plan. For $15.99 a month (or $174.99 a year), you and your boo can each have your own Premium account, and you can connect up to five devices. It’s like a musical couples’ retreat!

If you’ve got a whole family of music enthusiasts, the Family Plan might be your jam. At $19.99 a month (or $218.99 a year), you get six individual Premium accounts and can connect up to 13 different devices. The best part? You can set up kid profiles to make sure your little ones are listening to age-appropriate tunes.

And if you’re a student on a budget, don’t worry—Deezer’s got your back with a student discount on the Premium plan for just $5.99 a month.

5. Pandora

Take a trip down memory lane and talk about Pandora. This service is like the grandparent of music streaming; it’s been around forever and was one of the first to create playlists based on what you actually like listening to. Pandora’s been through a lot of changes since it first hit the scene as a consumer music service back in 2005. Fun fact: the free service used to limit users to just 40 hours of streaming per month.

SiriusXM now owns Pandora, which provides one free and two paid services that cover both music and podcasts. And get this: even with the free service, you can play specific songs and albums. The catch? You have to watch an ad first. However, you can earn unlimited skips by viewing an advertisement, so that’s something.

If you want to ditch the ads and get unlimited skips, Pandora Plus is the way to go for just $4.99 a month. You can even listen offline, which is pretty sweet. The only downside is that you still have to watch an ad to pick specific tracks.

Now, if you really want the VIP treatment, Pandora Premium is where it’s at. For $9.99 a month, you get all the perks of Plus, but without any ads at all. Plus, you can make and share your own playlists, which is perfect for showing off your impeccable music taste.

But what if you’re on a budget or have a big family of music lovers? Don’t worry, Pandora’s got you covered. The Family Plan hooks you up with six accounts for just $14.99 a month. And if you’re a student or in the military, you can score the same features as the regular Premium account for just $4.99 or $7.99 a month, respectively.

6. Tidal

If you’re a hardcore music fan who’s all about high-quality audio, then you need to check out Tidal. This music service consistently innovates and delivers exceptional sound quality.

First off, Tidal’s got a massive library—we’re talking over 100 million tracks and more than 650,000 videos. Plus, they’ve got interviews and documentaries about your favorite artists, so you can really dive deep into the music you love.

The audio quality. Tidal offers three levels of audio awesomeness, depending on your plan and device. You’ve got Max (up to 24-bit, 192 kHz), High (up to 16-bit, 44.1 kHz), and Low (up to 320 kbps). And get this: Tidal even supports specific device manufacturers to ensure you’re getting the best possible sound.

Tidal doesn’t mess around with ads or free plans. They’re all about that premium experience.

The HiFi plan will set you back $10.99 a month, but you get that sweet HiFi audio quality, no ads, and the ability to listen offline. It’s like having your own personal concert wherever you go.

But if you really want to take things to the next level, the HiFi Plus plan is where it’s at. For $19.99 a month, you get all the perks of HiFi, plus high-res FLAC, Dolby Atmos, and Sony 360 Reality Audio. It’s like having a full-blown music studio in your ears.

Don’t worry, Tidal’s got your back. They offer discounted plans for families (up to six users), students, first responders, and military personnel. So, whether you’re jamming out with your crew or studying for exams, there’s a plan that’ll work for you.

The Family Plan connects you with HiFi for $16.99 or HiFi Plus for $29.99. Students can score HiFi for just $4.99 or HiFi Plus for $9.99. If you’re a first responder or in the military, you can get HiFi for $5.99 or HiFi Plus for $11.99. It’s Tidal’s way of saying “thank you” for all you do.

7. Qobuz

If you enjoy high-quality music as much as the folks at Apple Music and Tidal, you should definitely check out Qobuz. Just like Tidal, Qobuz is laser-focused on delivering the best possible audio experience with high-res tunes that’ll make your ears sing. They’ve even teamed up with some seriously cool equipment manufacturers like Bang & Olufsen, Sonos, and Thiel, so you know they mean business.

Qobuz doesn’t mess around with free services. They’re all about that premium life. But don’t worry, they’ve got a couple of plans to choose from, and each one comes in solo (one account), duo (two accounts living at the same address), and family (six accounts per household) versions. It’s like a choose-your-own adventure for music lovers.

First up, we’ve got the studio plan. This bad boy gives you access to downloadable music and some seriously cool original editorial content, like playlists and articles that’ll keep you in the loop. If you’re flying solo, it’ll cost you $10.83 a month. Got a music-loving roommate or partner? At $14.99 a month, the Duo plan is perfect for you. And if you’ve got a whole family of audiophiles, the Family Plan has got you covered for just $17.99 a month.

But wait, there’s more! If you really want to take your music game to the next level, the Sublime plan is where it’s at. With Sublime, you can pick specific albums and score a sweet 60 percent discount on purchases. Talk about a deal! The Solo version will set you back $14.99 a month, while the Duo plan is $17.99 a month or $179.88 a year (because who doesn’t love saving a little cash?). And just like the studio plan, the family version of Sublime costs $17.99 per month.

8. YouTube Music

Google decided to shake things up and combine its Google Play Music service with its YouTube video platform, creating the one and only YouTube Music. And guess what? They’re taking it a step further as of April 2nd, saying goodbye to the Google Podcasts app and making YouTube Music the go-to spot for all your podcast needs too.

What can you expect from YouTube music? First up, there’s the free service. This lets you pick any song or album you want, but you’ll have to deal with some ads here and there. However, if you’re enjoying your music on your phone, be aware that the music will abruptly stop if your screen goes dark or if you switch to another app.

If you want to kick things up a notch, check out the Music Premium plan. For just $10.99 a month, you can say goodbye to ads and those annoying pauses. Plus, you can download all your favorite songs and take them with you wherever you go. And if you’re really feeling committed, there’s even a $109.99 annual plan.

If you’ve already paid $13.99 a month for YouTube Premium, surprise! The deal includes YouTube music. It’s like getting two awesome services for the price of one!

You may be thinking, “That sounds fantastic, but I have an entire family of music enthusiasts to consider!” With their family plan, YouTube Music has got you covered. For just $16.99 a month, you can add up to five other household family members aged 13 and up. It’s like having your own personal family music festival!

And if you’re a student, you’re in luck! With the student plan, you can score the premium service for a cool $5.49 a month. All you need to do is verify your eligibility, and you’ll be rocking out to ad-free tunes in no time.

9. SoundCloud

The SoundCloud platform has been around since way back in 2007, and it’s got a pretty unique vibe going on. SoundCloud is all about encouraging its users to get involved—upload your own tracks, create some sick playlists, and don’t be shy about dropping comments. And let me tell you, the SoundCloud community is all about that life. They’re like a bunch of music-loving enthusiasts who just can’t help but share their thoughts and feelings on every beat.

Rumors suggest that SoundCloud could be a potential acquisition target. Apparently, this is not the first time this has happened. Rumor has it that both Spotify and Twitter were once eyeing up the platform, but for whatever reason, those deals never quite made it to the finish line. So, who knows what’s going to happen this time around? However, one thing is certain: SoundCloud’s devoted followers are eagerly anticipating the outcome of this situation.

Don’t get too caught up in the drama. What does SoundCloud have to offer? First up, there’s the free service. This lets you access a ton of tracks and playlists, but you’ll have to put up with some ads along the way. It’s not ideal, but it’s a small price to pay for all that musical goodness.

If you want to take your SoundCloud game to the next level, you might want to check out SoundCloud Go. For just $4.99 a month, you can say goodbye to those pesky ads and even listen offline. It’s like having your own personal SoundCloud party wherever you go!

But wait, there’s more! If you really want to go all-in, SoundCloud Go Plus is where it’s at. For $9.99 a month, you’ll get access to SoundCloud’s entire catalog and some seriously high-quality audio. It’s like having a front-row seat to the world’s biggest music festival, right in your own ears.

You may be thinking, “That sounds fantastic, but I’m an impoverished college student!” Don’t worry; SoundCloud’s got your back. With the SoundCloud Go Plus student plan, you can get all those premium perks for just $4.99 a month, after a sweet 30-day trial. It’s akin to obtaining VIP entry to the club without incurring significant costs.

Speaking of trials, SoundCloud is pretty generous in that department. You can test drive SoundCloud Go for a full week and SoundCloud Go Plus for a whole month.

10. Napster

Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker founded Napster back in 1999. At first, it was this crazy popular peer-to-peer file-sharing service that everyone was talking about. It was kind of notorious, to be honest. But over time, Napster cleaned up its act and turned into a legit music streaming platform.

Napster might not be as massive as it was in its early days, when it had around 80 million users, but it’s still going strong, with over 5 million people using it today. And let me tell you, the platform is super user-friendly. It’s got this huge music library, and the interface is so intuitive that even your grandma could figure it out.

But what really sets Napster apart is how much they focus on helping you discover new music and curating playlists just for you. They’ve got these personalized recommendations that are scary accurate, and they’re always putting together exclusive content to help you find emerging artists and explore tunes you might not have heard before.

Another cool thing about Napster is that you can use it on pretty much any device. Whether you’re on your phone, browsing the web, or chilling at home with your fancy audio system, Napster’s got you covered. It’s like having your own personal DJ in your pocket!

If you really want to step up your music game, Napster’s got a couple of subscription options. There’s Napster Premier, which gets rid of all the ads and lets you listen offline. And then there’s Napster Hi-Fi, which is perfect for audiophiles who want that extra crisp, high-quality sound.

Sure, Napster has come a long way since its wild early days, but it’s still a pretty big deal in the music streaming world. It was like the original trailblazer, paving the way for all the other streaming services we have now. And with its focus on curated content and music discovery, Napster definitely stands out from the crowd.