Spotify is no doubt a dominant music streaming app with millions of active users and a large content library. However, lack of some features like limited high-res audio and day by day increasing subscriptions have turned people towards other free music streaming apps.
If you want to listen to exclusive songs, access a large library, and play offline features, Spotify is not the only app there are various other apps like Spotify that offers the same features.
Spotify alternative apps offer both free and premium music listening experiences online with unique features. In this guide, explore the top 10 music apps like Spotify.
Top 10 Music Apps Like Spotify / Spotify Alternatives
Almost we are all enthusiasts of good music and listen quite often while working or traveling. However, as there are many streaming apps like Musi and Spotify, we also prefer to listen to music online instead of downloading on our mobile phones. These apps give easy access to stream online.
Here is a List of the best music apps like Spotify that serve as Spotify alternatives.
Top Music apps like Spotify List
- Apple Music: Best for its extensive library and seamless integration with Apple devices.
- YouTube Music: Best for discovering music through video and audio content.
- SoundCloud: Best for independent artists and discovering emerging music trends.
- Amazon Music: Best for Prime members with its vast music library and integration with Alexa.
- Tidal: Best for high-fidelity audio streaming and exclusive content.
- Pandora: Best for personalized radio stations and discovering new artists based on preferences.
- Deezer: Best for its large global music catalog and curated playlists.
- Qobuz: Best for audiophiles with its high-resolution audio streaming options.
- Bandcamp: Best for supporting independent artists directly through purchases and streaming.
- iHeartRadio: Best for live radio streaming, podcasts, and tailored music stations.
1. Apple Music
Apple Music is one of the most relevant music apps like Spotify to gain access to millions of songs, curated playlists, and your favorite artists’ original content. It features ad-free listening, offline playback, and curated playlists to enjoy streaming on demand.
One of the best things you can users can enjoy is exclusive content and personalized recommendations. Apple Music supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for immersive listening experiences.
Apple Music Key Features
- Streaming Library: Access millions of songs with a subscription.
- Curated Playlists: Enjoy expertly curated playlists tailored to your taste.
- 24/7 Live Radio: Listen to global radio stations like Beats 1, featuring live shows hosted by top DJs.
- Lossless and Hi-Res Audio: Experience high-fidelity audio quality for selected tracks.
- Spatial Audio: Immerse yourself in spatial audio with Dolby Atmos support for an enhanced listening experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extensive music library | No Free Tier |
| High quality audio | Limited Social Features |
| Artists often release exclusive content | |
| Users can create dynamic playlists |
2. YouTube Music
YouTube Music is another best music streaming app like Spotify to listen to songs without ad pop-ups. It has a large active user base just because of its millions of song playlists, remixes, easy-to-use, background play, and original content from artists.
It provides exclusive content that is not available on any other platform, with executive tracks personalized recommendations based on listening habits.
YouTube Music Key Features
- On-demand playback: Listen to songs, music videos, and podcasts anytime, anywhere.
- Ad-free listening: YouTube Music Premium removes ads from music videos and podcasts.
- Background play: Listen to music while using other apps on your device.
- Offline downloads: Download music and podcasts to listen without an internet connection.
- Personalized recommendations: Discover new music based on your listening history and preferences.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large and exclusive content | YouTube Music lacks collaborative playlists |
| Integration with YouTube | No Hi-Res Audio |
| Offline Downloads and Background Play | |
| Music Discovery Tools |
3. SoundCloud
If you are looking for free music listening apps like Spotify, then look no further than SoundCloud. SoundCloud is a popular free music streaming app for listening to music online. Among the other music apps like Spotify, it has a large music library with more than 320 million which is a plus point for music enthusiasts to listen to different genres sof ongs on one platform.
You can join a community of artists, bands, DJs, and audio creators to discover new music and connect with creators. However, its free version is ad-supported. If you want an ad-free experience, you can buy its premium subscriptions, like SoundCloud Go and SoundCloud Go+, for ad-free listening.
SoundCloud Key Features
- Music Upload and Sharing: Artists can upload their tracks and share them with a global audience.
- Discovering New Music: SoundCloud features a discovery platform where You can find new artists and music.
- Interaction and Feedback: You can comment, like, and repost tracks, fostering a community-focused space.
- Fan Engagement: Features like “Fan Recognition” highlight top fans and encourage interaction.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free access | No lyrics |
| Different genres of music are available | Limited Integration Features |
| Offline listening | |
| User friendly |
4. Amazon Music
Amazon Music serves as Spotify alternative to listen to free music online. With this music streaming app, you can stream over 100 million songs and podcasts ad-free. You will give access to curated playlists, new releases, and popular podcasts for free.
However, if you want an ad-free experience, then you can get its premium subscription to enjoy listening to music without ads, + the background play feature.
Amazon Music Key Features
- Extensive Music Catalog: Access to over 100 million songs, available ad-free for Prime members.
- Amazon Music Unlimited: A premium subscription service providing an expanded library of 100 million songs, curated playlists, and stations.
- Offline Listening: Allows you to download music and podcasts for offline listening, providing flexibility and convenience.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers high-resolution audio streaming for an enhanced listening experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| Seamless integration | No Custom Playlist Covers |
| High quality audio | Free tier and some subscription plans have limitations |
| Free listening tier | |
| Users can control music playback |
5. Tidal
Tidal is a similar app to Spotify, which is known for high-fidelity sound and large library of songs from different genres. However, Spotify is more popular and superior among music fans, but Tidal’s curated playlists and original content distinguish itself with superior audio compared.
Further, it also supports offline listening and allows users to download tracks & albums, which gives a seamless playback experience without an internet connection.
Tidal Key Features
- High-quality audio: Tidal’s sound quality is a key selling point, offering lossless audio (FLAC) and HiRes FLAC streams, along with Dolby Atmos.
- Exclusive content: Tidal has exclusive content from popular and emerging artists.
- Tidal for Artists: This platform provides data and analytics tracking, real-time earning reports, promotion opportunities, and a direct messaging system for artists.
- Curated playlists and recommendations: Tidal offers personalized mixes, editorial playlists, and Live sessions.
| Pros | Cons |
| High-fidelity audio | Tidal’s HiFi tier is more expensive |
| Library of 110 million tracks | |
| Offers exclusive content like artist-curated playlists |
6. Pandora
Pandora is your go-to source for listening to music online. It is popular music and podcast streaming app that gives you access to large music library for free.
The app is ideal for music fans who want on-demand listening, but you have to purchase its subscription for on-demand music. You can create stations from favorite songs, artists, or genres.
Pandora Key Features
- Personalized Music and Podcasts:Pandora learns your preferences and provides tailored recommendations, ensuring you discover new artists and songs that align with your taste.
- Custom Stations: You can create custom stations based on your favorite artists, songs, or genres, allowing for a more personalized listening experience.
- Voice Control: The service offers voice control, allowing you to search, play, pause, and skip music using simple voice commands.
- Wide Music and Podcast Library: Pandora boasts a vast library of music and podcasts, offering a wide range of genres and content.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to navigate and user-friendly | Pandora doesn’t offer a family plan |
| Ad-Free Listening (Premium) | Lacks Lyrics |
| Pandora includes podcasts and optional news updates | |
| Excellent Curated Channels and Playlists |
7. Deezer
Deezer is also considered among Spotify alternatives due to its similar features and a large library of music content from worldwide artists. It is the best choice for people who love to download and play songs while on the go or working because it allows downloading and offline playback.
The app has music catalogues from well-known labels like Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music. Additionally, it is a free app but ad-supported.
Deezer Key Features
- Personalized Music and Podcasts: Deezer offers tailored music and podcasts based on user preferences.
- Flow: This feature provides a personalized, endless mix of music based on listening habits.
- Lyrics and Sing Along: You can view lyrics and sing along to their favorite songs.
- Offline Listening: You can download music for offline playback.
| Pros | Cons |
| Vast library of 120 million tracks | Free version limits audio quality |
| High-Quality Audio | No Hi-Res Audio |
| Music quizzes and personalized playlists | |
| Music catalogues with major labels |
8. Qobuz
Qobuz music streaming app is ideal for audiophiles who loves high fidelity audio due to its superior sound quality. It is a competitor of Spotify because it offers a music catalog including high resolution audio downloads.
However, it may lack some advanced features compared to other streaming services. But its user-friendly interface and features make it bthe est choice to stream music online.
Qobuz Key Features
- Hi-Res Audio Streaming: Qobuz offers over 100 million tracks available for streaming in high-resolution FLAC format, providing superior sound quality.
- Digital Booklets and Liner Notes: It includes additional features like digital booklets and liner notes, enhancing the album listening experience with supplementary content.
- Wide Music Selection: The platform boasts a vast catalog covering various genres and artists, appealing to diverse musical tastes.
- Radio Feature: You can enjoy unlimited music with personalized radio stations based on favorite artists, tracks, and albums.
| Pros | Cons |
| Boasts a large catalog | No Free Tier |
| Digital Liner Notes | Limited Smart Speaker Support |
| Hi-Res Downloads |
9. Bandcamp
Do you want to listen your favorite artist exclusive music? Bandcamp is music streaming application that allows you to listen and interact with your favorite artists or singers. It is bit different from other apps like Spotify, as Fans can discover new music, stream tracks, and directly support artists by purchasing their work.
Bandcamp Key Features
- Direct Artist Support: Allows you to directly support artists by purchasing digital music, physical albums, and merchandise.
- Flexible Pricing: Artists can set their own pricing for music and merchandise, including free downloads and pay-what-you-want options.
- Bandcamp Discover: You can explore a wide range of music genres and discover independent artists through personalized recommendations.
- Bandcamp Live: Provides a platform for live streaming concerts and events, enhancing accessibility for fans to enjoy performances remotely.
| Pros | Cons |
| Exclusive content for fans | Lack of customization |
| Direct selling and buying between artists and fans | |
| Worldwide access |
10. iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio is a music streaming app similar to Spotify, which gives free access to music, podcasts, and radio stations. You can listen to your favorite songs, podcasts, and live radio programs through this app.
It offers similar features to Spotify, like music categories, different genres, worldwide artist songs and track record. The service also hosts events like the iHeartRadio Music Festival to engage with artists and enjoy free concerts online.
iHeartRadio Key Features
- Skip Limit: You can skip up to 6 songs per hour per station, with a maximum of 15 skips per day across all artist stations and playlists.
- Personalization: The app offers a dynamic homepage tailored to individual listening habits.
- Improved Search: Enhanced search options make it easier to find specific content within the app.
- Lyrics: iHeartRadio is the only digital radio app providing lyrics for songs, enhancing the listening experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large content library | Limited Hi-Res Audio |
| Free access | The free version includes advertisements |
| Users can create custom radio stations | |
| Offline Listening |
Summary
These are music streaming apps like Spotify. However, each of the apps has its own features, functionality, music collections, and artists from around the world. You can listen to music with free and premium tiers, but free tiers are ad-supported while the premium subscription comes with an ad-free experience and unique features. So, you can pick the one app that fits your needs.
People Also Ask
Q1. What is the best Spotify alternative app?
SoundCloud is one of the prominent Spotify alternatives with the most similar features for listening to songs online.
Q2. Are these apps free to use?
Most offer a free tier with ads (e.g., YouTube Music, Deezer), while others like Apple Music may require a subscription after a free trial.
Q3. Which music streaming app offers the best sound quality?
Tidal HiFi Plus and Amazon Music HD offer lossless and high-resolution audio, ideal for audiophiles.
Q4. Can I listen to music offline with these apps?
Yes. Apps like Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music Premium, and Amazon Music Unlimited allow offline downloads for paid subscribers.
