Table of ContentsTable of ContentsSpotifyApple MusicTidalQobuzAmazon MusicDeezerYouTube MusicWho could ever have imagined that, one day, all of our favorite music, artists, and albums would have entire discographies that you could access on your smartphone or tablet from pretty much anywhere in the world.Thats the beauty of music streaming services, and the modern age is jam-packed with these audio platforms. While some are better than others, the end goal for these streamers, whether it's Spotify or Tidal or Apple Music, is to beam your favorite tracks, podcasts, comedy specials, and other soundbites to your ears.But with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to find the diamond in the rough. Not to worry though, weve had the opportunity to test out all of the best music streaming services (we look at all the best free music download sites as well), and have compiled and consolidated our favorites into this roundup.SpotifyThe best for most peopleJump to detailsApple MusicPerfect for Apple users who want hi-res audioJump to detailsTidalAudiophile quality with wide device supportJump to detailsQobuzAudiophile quality for a little lessJump to detailsAmazon MusicExcellent value, hi-res audio, great for Prime customersJump to detailsDeezerSomewhere in the Goldilocks zoneJump to detailsYouTube MusicThe best of music and YouTube is all hereJump to detailsDerek Malcolm / Digital TrendsThe best for most peopleSpotifyProsExcellent UIBest-in-class discoveryMore than 100 million songsThe biggest podcast networkFun special featuresConsNo lossless or hi-res option ... yetGlitchy performance at timesSpecsPlans (monthly):Free / Basic: $11 / Individual: $12 / Duo: $17 / Student: $6 / Family: $20Library Size:More than 100 million tracksQuality:160kbps to 320kbpsWhen it comes to music streaming, Spotify is definitely one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. Launched in 2006, the platform is available across the globe, and is home to more than 100 million songs and growing. Spotify is also the world's biggest podcast platform. And late last year, Spotify also became the home to an immense trove of audiobooks too. Whether youre rocking an iPhone, a Google Pixel, a laptop, or you're in your car, theres a good chance that Spotify is going to be compatible with your hardware.Beyond the music archive, Spotify offers several different subscription options, including Basic, Individual, Family, and Student plans, as well as a free version with ads. Spotify Premium users also receive unlimited track skips, 320kbps audio quality, offline downloads for up to 10,000 songs across five devices, and up to 15 hours of audiobook access per month. And if you dont care about audiobooks, the Basic subscription is essentially a Spotify Premium plan, sans audiobooks. On the flip-side, if all you want are audiobooks, theres now even a $10 per month Audiobooks Access plan that gives you 15 hours of audiobook-listening and ad-supported music.Spotify is also great for sharing. Thanks to integrations with social platforms like Facebook and Instagram, your circle of pals will get to see what youve been jamming out to lately. Youll even have the option of sharing songs with others and even creating collaborative playlists you can all add to. Additionally, no one is quite as good as Spotify at always adding and experimenting with new and fun features, like its AI-driven DJ and, most recently, its beta AI Playlist that lets you type Chat GPT-style text prompts to get it to curate playlists for you.So, where does the service struggle? Track quality, for one. Unlike platforms like Tidal and Qobuz that place a big emphasis on hi-res audio, Spotifys tracks are capped at 320kbps, which only the most critical of audiophiles will notice. Spotify's long-awaited Hi-Fi tier may still see the light of day, though, so if it's not a deal breaker, you could just wait it out. But if you just want a music streamer that offers tons of genres, playlists, and fun social features, Spotify is going to be your best bet.SpotifyThe best for most peopleAndy Boxall / Digital TrendsPerfect for Apple users who want hi-res audioApple MusicProsMore than 100 million songsExcellent hi-res options and Dolby AtmosGreat interfaceCompetitive pricingConsNo free tierCant keep downloaded songs if you cancelNo plan for couplesSpecsPlans (monthly):Individual: $11 / Student: $6 / Family: $17Library Size:More than 100 million tracksQuality:256kbps AAC, 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/48kHz, 24-bit/192kHzSome folks will remember Apples original foray into digitized music from a little platform called iTunes that launched back in 2000. Paving the way for Apples streamlined interface and big music library, iTunes eventually evolved into Apple Music in 2015. A fierce competitor to rivals like Spotify and Tidal, Apple Music is simple to use, boasts a library of more than 100 million tracks, is available across multiple platforms, and even offers hi-res listening options.Apple Music also lets you test the waters before enrolling in one of its many subscription options. With a one-month free trial, youll have plenty of time to get a good lay of the land, at which point youll need to shell out for a monthly subscription, which runs $5 for students, $11 for an Individual plan, and $17 for the Family plan. And if you purchase a new pair of AirPods, Beats, or an Apple HomePod, Apple will give you six months of Apple Music on the house!Every tier gives you access to full playback controls, recommended music based on your listening habits, and some nice visual treats for your phone, tablet, and computer screens. Were talking immersive album artwork, line-by-line lyrics, and intuitive search tools that make finding songs and artists a breeze. And when iOS 18 finally rolls out, Apple Music will get a few UI tweaks and new features, including Music Haptics and the ability for multiple users to control SharePlay listening.As far as track quality is concerned, Apples audio far exceeds Spotifys 320kbps cap, with lossless ALAC tracks that can get as high as 24-bit/192kHz. Apple Music also uses the smaller AAC format with resolution up to 256kbps and offers many tracks and albums in Dolby Atmos, which Apple brands as Spatial Audio. And while youll be able to share tracks with friends and family, Apple Music doesnt offer the same social integrations as Spotify.If youre familiar with the design and UI of devices like the iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple TV, youre going to feel right at home using Apple Music. Both desktop and mobile interfaces are clean, simple, and easy to navigate, with just about everything you could need right at your fingertips. Plus, there are all kinds of smart speakers (such as Sonos and Apple's HomePod) and smart displays that offer native Apple Music support.Apple MusicPerfect for Apple users who want hi-res audioRelatedDerek Malcolm / Digital TrendsAudiophile quality with wide device supportTidalProsMore than 110 million tracksSome of the best hi-res tracks in the gameIncludes offline listeningWorks with many different types of devicesAwesome playlist curationsConsWeak podcast libraryMusic discovery tools are not as good as othersUI could be improved and more streamlinedSpecsPlans (monthly):Individual: $11 / Family: $17 / Student: $5 / DJ Extension add-on: $9Library Size:More than 110 million tracksQuality:320kbps, 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/192kHzRegarding top-notch music streaming quality, Tidal is one of the best names in the business, bar none.Renowned for its focus on excellent sound quality (along with its main rival, Qobuz), Tidal gives you access to an immense library of songs inCD quality 16-bit/44.1kHz up to 24-bit/192kHz in various formats, including FLAC, HiRes FLAC, and Dolby Atmos. Not all of Tidal's artists and albums are in hi-res, but there's a good chance that several artists you enjoy have at least some hi-res offerings in the archive. Up until summer 2024, subscribers also had access to Sony 360 Reality Audio and MQA tracks, but unfortunately Tidal nixed support for both formats.Diehard fans will also enjoy Tidal's dedication to additional content, including videos and real-time streams, creating a more immersive musical experience. We're also big fans of its artist-generated playlists.In terms of cross-platform compatibility, Tidal is also available on a range of popular devices, from iOS and Android hardware to smart speakers, smart displays, streaming devices, and even native AV support from audio brands like Sonos and Harman Kardon through Tidal Connect. But what sets Tidal apart is its user-friendly interface. While not as user friendly as Spotify, from apps to desktop versions, Tidals UI is designed to be clean, ultra-navigable, and tethered to your preferences, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience.Beginning in April 2024, Tidal removed its expensive HiFi plans, while still keeping its high-quality library. The best part? Its new plans are cheaper and more in line with what Apple Music, Spotify, and others are charging. This means you can enjoy premium music streaming without breaking the bank. And for an extra $9 per month, you can now add a DJ Extension to an Individual Tidal subscription. This is a cool service for professional DJs who want to extract and re-mix audio stems from over 110 million Spotify tracks.If youre looking for supreme audio quality and talented curation, you should give Tidal a try. Plus, youll be hard-pressed to find many of these high-resolution tracks elsewhere.TidalAudiophile quality with wide device supportBryan M. Wolfe / Digital TrendsAudiophile quality for a little lessQobuzProsBig hi-res music libraryInspired editorial contentCan purchase songs and albums without a subscriptionFree trial for Studio planConsLacks social listening featuresNo podcastsSpecsPlans (monthly):Studio: from $11 / Sublime: from $180 per yearLibrary Size:More than 100 million tracksQuality:16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/192kHzA close competitor to Tidal, Qobuz is another music streaming platform that goes all in on the hi-res catalog. It is home to over 100 million tracks in lossless CD quality, and more than 240,000 albums in hi-res audio. Qobuz streams audio using high-quality FLAC files ranging from 16-bit/44kHz to 24-bit/192kHz, translating to some seriously good sound. Whether you're listening through a pair of speakers or a pair of headphones, Qobuz tracks are going to sound about as good as they can get.Qobuz offers two subscription plans, namely Studio and Sublime. Each plan has three levels to choose from. The Studio plan provides offline listening and a visually appealing desktop and mobile interface enriched with additional content such as artist bios, reviews, feature op-eds, and how-to guides. The Solo Studio level costs $13 per month, Duo costs $18 per month, and the Family plan (for up to six accounts) costs $22 per month. You can get discounts on these plans by opting for a yearly payment.The Sublime subscription offers the same benefits as the Studio plan and up to 60% off many hi-res download purchases. However, you need to purchase a yearly subscription to get these benefits. The Solo Sublime plan costs $180/year, Duo costs $270/year, and the Family plan costs $350/year. Note that the Sublime subscription can only be purchased through a yearly payment, not monthly.Oh, and we can't forget this gem: You can pay to download Qobuz hi-res tracks and albums without a monthly subscription.On the downside, Qobuz does not have Dolby Atmos tracks like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music, and there are no podcasts or video content.QobuzAudiophile quality for a little lessAmazonExcellent value, hi-res audio, great for Prime customersAmazon MusicProsHuge music libraryLots of hi-res tracks and albums90-day free trialDiscounted plans for Amazon Prime membersDiscount for owning an Echo deviceNow offers a student planConsComplicated subscription optionsAmazon Music only has shuffle modeSpecsPlans (monthly):With Prime: $10 / w/o Prime: $11 / Family: $17 / Single Device Owner: $6 / Student: $6Library Size:More than 100 million tracksQuality:320kbps, 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/192kHzAmazon Music is a unique streaming option, especially for those of us who are already paying for Amazon's $139 annual Prime membership (or $15 per month). Like many platforms we've covered up to this point, Amazon Music offers both CD quality and lossless audio formats, Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio tracks, a large music library, and some awesome smart home integrations (especially for Alexa-powered devices). The "unique" descriptor is mainly aimed at Amazon Music's pricing, though, which is complex, to say the least.Are you an Amazon Prime member? Great! That means you'll be able to get the ad-free Amazon Music Unlimited (AMU) for $10 per month, as opposed to the non-Prime member subscription tier, which costs $11 per month. If you're interested in nabbing Amazon Music Unlimited and just so happen to own an Echo speaker, you can sign up for the Single Device Owner plan. It only costs $6 per month, but you'll only be able to use AMU on that one device. Oh, and there's also an AMU Family Plan for $17 per month ($169 per year) that covers up to six users.The pricing isn't impossible to understand, but figuring out which option makes the most sense for you and yours can be confusing. Plus, Amazon technically has two different music streaming options: Amazon Music Unlimited and Amazon Music Prime. The latter is built into your Amazon Prime membership and gives you access to Amazon's entire music library, but playback is limited to shuffle mode, and you won't be able to listen to any hi-res tracks either.Whether you're listening with Amazon Music Unlimited or Amazon Music Prime, Amazon Music looks great on mobile and desktop platforms. Unlimited subscribers also benefit from video content, offline downloads, and a fun scrolling lyrics feature.Amazon MusicExcellent value, hi-res audio, great for Prime customersSomewhere in the Goldilocks zoneDeezerProsRobust music libraryOffline downloadsIncludes video content and podcastsCD-level qualityCan upload your own MP3s on desktopDuo plan is now availableConsNo hi-resCant upload MP3s using mobile devicesSpecsPlans (monthly):Free / Premium: $12 / Family: $20 / Duo: $16 / Student: $6Library Size:More than 120 million tracksQuality:128kbps, 320kbps, 16-bit/44.1kHzDeezer lives in the Goldilocks zone of music streaming options. It offers a bigger library than competitors like Spotify and Apple Music and has CD-quality music, but it doesnt touch the top-shelf hi-res content youll find on platforms like Tidal and Qobuz. Price-wise, though, its weirdly more expensive than everyone except Tidal, but Tidal gives you hi-res. Its individual plan is $12 per month, and for that, you get access to unlimited listening, lyrics, video content, offline listening, and a few other features.Deezer is also one of the only streaming platforms that lets you upload your own tracks. While the quality is limited to MP3, and you wont be able to do any uploading with a mobile device, its nice to have the ability to spread your own library across multiple gadgets.Deezer used to have a HiFi plan that was $15 per month, but now its 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC tracks are built into its Premium and Family plans. As mentioned, this is lower quality than top-tier plans from the likes of Tidal and Qobuz, but it still packs quite a punch. Deezer free tier customers can only access MP3 files up to 128kbps, though. On a positive note, like Spotify, there's now a duo package available through Deezer for $16/month.As for Deezers UI across desktop and mobile platforms, both versions are geared toward easy navigation through playlists, genre labels, and similar search criteria. There are also several recommended categories and an excellent podcast library to check out.Deezer does a nice job at checking several of the most important boxes for what makes up a solid music streaming service. Hi-res devotees may want to look elsewhere, but we definitely think Deezer is worth trying out, so make the best of that 30-day free trial!DeezerSomewhere in the Goldilocks zoneDerek Malcolm / Digital TrendsThe best of music and YouTube is all hereYouTube MusicProsTerrific music librarySimple pricing modelIntuitive user interfaceCool community upload featuresConsNo hi-res tracksNo editorial contentSpecsPlans (monthly):Free / Premium Individual: $11 / Family: $17 / Student: $5.50Library Size:More than 100 million tracksQuality:256kbpsLast but not least, we have YouTube Music. A rebranding and consolidation of multiple Google/YouTube paid services that came before it (including Google Play and YouTube Red), YouTube Music is your one-stop-shop for everything ... music-related. Subscribers will have access to over 100 million tracks, podcasts, an intuitive lyrics tool, excellent playlists, and much more. Right off the bat, though, we'd like to let our hi-res fans know that YouTube Music caps its track quality at 256kbps.That doesn't mean you should look away, though. In fact, we think YouTube Music has a lot going for it when it comes to overall desktop and mobile interfaces. Navigating from one panel to the next is fast and easy, with most of what you'll want to be listening to housed under the "Home" and "Library" tabs. The former is a hub for recommended content based on your listening habits, while the latter is the storage site for all your personal playlists, favorited songs and albums, and other user-specific features.It's also a thrill to watch YouTube Music sync up to your local time of day and weather conditions. These factors affect the type of music that the platform will recommend.Regarding pricing, there's only one paid subscription plan: YouTube Music Premium. This paid tier removes ads for desktop and mobile listening, grants you offline downloads, and gives you a sweet feature called Smart Downloads. When enabled, this lets YouTube Music automatically download your favorite songs, artists, and albums for offline listening and even adds in recommended tracks and albums.And, of course, YouTube Music is packed with video content. When you search for a song or artist, you will get officially licensed media and see video results for YouTubers covering the song, lyric videos, and more.YouTube MusicThe best of music and YouTube is all hereEditors RecommendationsTopics Michael BizzacoAV ContributorMichael Bizzaco has been selling, installing, and talking about TVs, soundbars, streaming devices, and all things smart home for the better part of 15 years. He even knows a thing or two about how to fix this stuff when it starts misbehaving (because no tech is perfect!).Mike has been writing for Digital Trends and several other publications since 2020. Fortunately, hes still able to write after he got his index finger stuck in a vending machine at the Ramada Inn the summer before fourth grade! From hands-on reviews to best-of roundups, Mike does his best to share his expertise in a friendly and informative way with all readers, and loves staying on top of the latest AV and smart home trends.When hes not thanking his father for dislodging his finger from that vile vending machine in New Jersey, Mike enjoys playing guitar, reading, and indulging in horror films with his girlfriend. Derek MalcolmContributing Editor, A/VDerek Malcolm is a contributing editor and evergreen lead for the A/V and Home Theater section of Digital Trends. Derek joined the DT team in 2020, spending his days wrangling the movie and TV streaming guides before getting the chance to nurture his obsession with the latest audio/video gear. A former musician and practicing vinyl nerd, his passion for sound can be found in his writing, whether its a guide to the best speakersand turntables, or a review of a party speaker thatll blow your roof off.Derek studied journalism at Torontos Humber College, graduating in 1999. He started his career writing about music, movies, and TV, back when people still read things on paper, working at such magazines as TV Guide and celebrity mag Hello! Canada. Derek counts Matt Damon, Britney Spears, and Coldplay among his favorite interviews.From 2006 to 2018 Derek was the editor-in-chief of Canadian tech and entertainment magazine Connected, where he steered the publication through the invention of the iPhone and the rise of streaming to the demise of BlackBerry and the print industry.One of two Canucks on the Digital Trends A/V team, Derek is based in Toronto where he lives with his wife, daughter, two cats, and his prized vintage Marantz stereo receivers.When Derek isnt cussing at the labyrinthine setup menus of the latest projectors, he can be found at home listening to records or counting the days to ski season.You can find Derek on Threads and sharing his vinyl exploits on Instagram. Since Apple added spatial audio to the Apple Music streaming service and the AirPods family of wireless earbuds and headphones in 2021, it feels like you cant read about new audio products or services without running into that term. And just a few short years later, its seemingly everywhere.This has led to a lot of misconceptions about what spatial audio is, how it works, and why you need to hear it for yourself. People often ask, If Apple created spatial audio, why are other companies claiming they do it, too? The answer is that Apple didnt create it, and you certainly dont need to own its products to experience spatial audio. Read more If youre a huge music fan, youve probably combed through the many playlists, artists, and albums of your Spotify or Apple Music subscription. But what about all the indie artists of the world? Some music-streaming platforms are better than others at celebrating theunsung gem acts, but one of the most reliable forums for new, off-the-grid tunes is SoundCloud.Founded in 2007, SoundCloud has always prioritized music thats a bit under the radar. With over 320 million tracks in its library, the platform will even let you download a majority of its songs and albums. Read more Kid-friendly consumer tech is all the rage these days, so its no surprise that theres an entire market of headphones designed exclusively for young ones. But when we think kid-friendly, sometimes we imagine products that are built to be a bit more throwaway than their adult counterparts. Thats not the case with the products on our list of the best headphones for kids, though.We want our child-tailored headphones to include parental-controlled volume limiters, to ensure our children arent harming their eardrums. Pretty much every entry on our list checks this vital box, but we also wanted to point you and yours toward products that offer exceptional noise-canceling, built-in mics for phone and video calls, and long-lasting batteries for schooldays or a long flight. Read more