For quite a while, Spotify has been the king of music streaming with over 489 million active users worldwide, a colossal library, and a straightforward interface. Lately, competition from byte-sized subscription price hikes, a staggering Hi-Res audio limitation, and a slew of competitors has forced listeners to investigate alternative services that can meet their diverse tastes or cravings. With the rapid emergence of lossless sound, niche genres, and customized experiences, users are finding generalist platforms or ones with niche features pretty attractive.
It does not matter if you are looking for higher sound quality, focus less on artists, or cheaper plans – many alternatives you should consider. Providers like Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and others have all made themselves major players, with each contributing something unique to the table when you look at exclusive content, improved sound, and personalized recommendations.
In this guide, we will thoroughly at the top 10 Spotify alternatives in 2025, what the important features are, their pricing model, and their unique selling point. So, let’s get started and find the best streaming services for your listening needs! Whether you are an avid music listener or a sound snob, the best streaming service is waiting for you!
Reasons To Find A Spotify Alternatives
While Spotify still reigns as a top music streaming platform, it does come with cons. In the ever-evolving world of consumers’ music preferences, many Spotify users are searching for competitors that meet their personal needs for features, affordability, and audio quality.
Whether for new music discovery, ad-free listening, playlists containing endless autoplay, or podcasts or audiobooks, there are plenty of reasons to explore alternative music streaming platforms to Spotify Premium. Here are some examples:
Subscription prices
As Spotify Premium continues to raise subscription prices, people trying to manage their budgets are looking for cheaper subscription options. Music streaming platforms like Amazon Music and Pandora often advertise competitive pricing and bundled deals with services like Amazon Prime, making them attractive listening options for customers who want to save a little cash.
Audio Quality
Most audio file folders feature higher quality formats, like FLAC or immersive audio formats, like Dolby Atmos. For audiophiles, Spotify leaves few options. Competing platforms are also serving the audiophile category, with platforms that offer an enhancement and better listening experience with lossless audio options to elevate their library of songs and playlists.
Ads Affect Free Plan Users
The constant advertisements on the free tier of Spotify break up and interrupt the listening experience, making users look for alternatives without ads. Services that have minimal or no ads allow users to have uninterrupted playlists, podcasts, or even radio stations for a better listening experience.
Exclusive Content
Some platforms lean towards exclusivity, where they prioritize tracks, or music videos that ONLY feature certain artists, or they feature things like synced lyrics that feel artist-first. They make exploring new music and recommendations feel more personalized and rewarding.
User Interface and Features
Not all users enjoy Spotify’s user interface (for whatever reason). But many of those who have migrated from Spotify to other competitors have found them to have simplicity, curated playlists, and features like skips, lyrics, and audiobooks that all contribute to a complete listening experience.
Important Things To Consider In A Spotify Alternative
When comparing music streaming services, choosing one that suits your habits and preferences requires an evaluation of features. Here are the essential factors to consider while exploring alternatives to Spotify:
Audio Quality: If sound quality is important to you, make sure a service provides HiFi, lossless, or hi-res sound. Services that provide HD or Ultra HD sound all provide a listening experience that is much improved over standard quality streaming sound.
Offline Listening: You want to have the capability to download playlists, albums, and/or individual tracks so that you can listen offline and reduce data usage. This is ideal for business travellers or anyone else who spends long periods away from an area with good connectivity.
Music Discovery & Personalization: Look for a platform with advanced music discovery for new artists and genres, with little work to discover them. You should consider whether there are curated playlists, alternatives based on different moods, and algorithm-based recommendations where you have customized everything based on your listening plan. You should want a customized experience using the platform, as depending on your musical needs, you may want a maximum personalized experience.
Pricing & Subscription Options: Take a look at all the pricing tiers as soon as you jump into a music streaming service. You will find different pricing categories, such as free or ad-supported, but the premium will include additional subscriptions to enhance your experience. You will also want to look for what features you can use in all the tiers of pricing: e.g., family and student plans, or any plans they have to fit your needs & budget.
Additional Features: You may only have wanted to stream music, but it may be worth thinking outside the music streaming features of each platform with their tags on the app, such as podcast access feature, artist interview, and other editorial features. Additionally, some platforms offer you all their basic or state features, such as music playlists and the ability to create playlists that you can share with others, or how they offer song lyrics that can modify the experience for you.
Device Compatibility: Ensure that their service can be used with devices you will regularly listen through, for example, a smartphone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or voice-enabled speakers. When you have a price and subscription plan compatible with your devices, it may increase your listening experience by letting you listen without boundaries, so you to access the music you want.
10 Best Spotify Alternatives
1. Apple Music
Apple Music, as you might know, is a music streaming service, but it offers a rich, deep listening experience for both mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike. It is immensely popular for its lossless sound and spatial audio, as it is the go-to for anyone wanting the best in audio quality. Furthermore, Apple Music naturally fits into the Apple world, which is its benefit as it easily fits with other Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, etc.
When you mix in a beastly catalogue of 90 million songs with exclusive content and playlists carefully curated by other users, Apple Music truly has something for everyone. In other respects, its new additions, such as live radio stations and Apple Music Sing, provide it with a distinct edge over the majority of music streaming services available.
Apple Music offers all of its prices on different plans to accommodate a wide range of uses, whether for students or families. The service also makes available exclusive features such as Apple Music Replay, allowing listeners to keep track of how much listening they have done over an entire year.
Key Features
- Superior Sound Quality & 3D Sound
- Huge Music Library
- Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration
- Live Radio & Replay
- Exclusive Features & Content
Pros
- Excellent lossless and spatial audio quality
- 11/10 compatibility with Apple devices
- Year-round Replay stats
- Curated playlists and music library
- Live radio and exclusive content
Cons
- No free ad-supported tier option
- Little to no appeal for Android users
- No yearly payment/subscription tier option
Pricing
- Voice Plan: $4.99 per month
- Student Plan: $5.99 per month
- Individual Plan: $10.99 per month
- Family Plan: $16.99 per month
- Apple One Bundle: $19.95 per month
2. Amazon Music
Amazon Music is a low-cost music streaming service that has a greater level of service than most, especially for those who are wedged into its Amazon ecosystem. It provides audiophiles with quality sound with HD and Ultra HD lossless audio, equal to the best platforms in the industry. Music lovers can use it on Alexa devices for hands-free music control and enjoy more than 100 million songs and streaming curated playlists, podcasts, and even spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, so it is a formidable contender among music lovers in terms of choice and audio quality.
For existing Prime subscribers, using Amazon Music is worth it for cross-platform use with Alexa-enabled devices and pricing. If mobile listeners want to listen to offline music, that is another advantage. While the service has plenty of content, the user interface isn’t always slick, and Amazon Music’s recommendations underwhelmed me. Nevertheless, it’s a reasonable choice for anyone searching for a comprehensive streaming service.
Key Features:
- Large and Unlimited Music Library
- HD and Ultra HD Lossless Audio
- Easy Alexa Integration
- Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio
- Offline Listening
Pros
- Affordable pricing for Prime members
- HD and Ultra HD lossless audio quality
- Easy integration with Alexa
- Ad-supported free tier
- Access to podcasts and lyrics
Cons
- Limited exclusive content
- The user interface can seem clunky
- The recommendation algorithm could be better
Pricing
- Prime Music: Free with Amazon Prime
- Individual Plan: $9.99/month
- Single Device Plan: $5.99/month
- Student Plan: $5.99/month
- Family Plan: $16.99/month
Suggested read: AI Music Generators
3. YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a music streaming service that offers both audio and video. YouTube Music is for people who want more than simply audio listening, with over 100 million songs, music videos, and live concerts available for listening. YouTube Music and YouTube Premium work nicely together for background listening, offline listening, and ad-free viewing. This enables users to stream music—including live performances, remixes, and music videos—in addition to listening to it, which has led to a significant following among people who enjoy visual elements in addition to music.
YouTube Music offers smart and individual recommendations so you are always listening to new music that perfectly suits your desired mood. It’s all in one app, whether you’re looking to discover new artists or just want a playlist of all your favorite music. The offline capability and ability to listen without interruption in the background make YouTube Music an exceptional all-around streaming option. You may listen to your favorite music and its visual elements engagingly with YouTube Music, which is also a great substitute for Spotify for people who want a little bit of both.
Key Features:
- Extensive music catalogue
- Both audio and video
- Ad-free experience with Premium
- Recommended tracks
- Listen offline and in the background
Pros:
- Music and video on a single platform
- Large library of remixes, covers, and videos
- Perfect for existing YouTube Premium users
- Offline and background play are available
Cons:
- Audio quality below Tidal
- The free version has ads
- Limited, exclusive artist content
Pricing:
- Individual: $10.99/month; $109.99/year
- Family: $16.99/month
- Student: $5.49/month
4. Audiomack
Audiomack is a free music streaming service that has achieved considerable popularity for offering an extensive collection of hip-hop, rap, and pop music genres. It is well-known for having easy access to mainstream artists as well as developing artists who often have fresh music for streamers.
Audiomack has the simplest framework for providing users access to its library of music for free, either without a subscription or ads. Audiomack’s current model allows for ad revenue on the free version and unlimited uploads of music for artists, which is an interesting dynamic on the site. Its best features are playlists, uploads for artists offline, and ad-free listening for premium users.
Audiomack is also good for people who enjoy hip-hop and hip-hop culture, as it is expansive and even more so for niche or exclusive tracks from up-and-coming stars. Whether you are looking for up-and-coming artists, discovering new singles, or listening to an older artist’s greatest hits, Audiomack offers a music-oriented experience that matches a plethora of tastes.
Key Features:
- Free access to music
- Discovery music with curated playlists
- Listen offline
- The ability for artists to upload and promote
- Ability to choose music preferences
Pros:
- Free access to a huge catalogue
- Focus on hip-hop and growing artists
- No ads in the plan
- Listen offline
Cons:
- Ads in the free plan
- Restrictions on features when not a premium subscriber
- Focus on hip-hop may not be of interest to everyone
Pricing:
- Free Plan: ad-supported with full library access
- Premium: $4.99/month
Suggested read: YouTube Alternatives
5. Tidal
Tidal provides a high-fidelity listening experience of music with an emphasis on high-fidelity sound. Tidal provides lossless audio codecs like HiFi FLAC and support for Dolby Atmos, making it great for people who truly care about audio fidelity. Tidal’s library contains more than 110 million songs, meaning that there is a massive pool of music for listeners, including popular songs and under-the-radar genres. Tidal is a great option for anyone who wants to pay musicians while still enjoying high-quality sound because of their artist payment programs and Tidal Rising, a platform for aspiring musicians that helps them become noticed.
The offline listening section and ability to listen to custom mixes and curated playlists the site has created is the adhesion that truly makes Tidal worthwhile. Tidal’s premium pricing arrangements are certainly a detractor, but there is better audio quality and artist regard, which makes it appropriate for audiophiles alone. If you’re a more serious listener, Tidal is one of the more credible Spotify alternatives you can consider, an app solely dedicated to delivering the highest quality audio possible.
Key Features:
- 110+ million songs
- Tidal Rising for rising artists
- Personalized live sessions & playlists
- Offline mode
Pros
- Premium Dolby Atmos and HiRes FLAC audio
- Artist-first royalty model
- 110+ tracks and curated playlists
- Personalized mixes and discovery tools
Cons
- Higher monthly subscription costs
- Requires stable internet for HiFi
- Smaller music library than Spotify in niche categories
- No year-end listening statistics like Spotify Wrapped
Pricing
- Individual: $10.99/month
- Family: $16.99/month
- Student: $5.49/month
- DJ Extension: $9/month
6. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is recognized as the go-to platform for discovering new music and new artists. With over 400 million songs, including user-generated content, covers, live shows, and recordings from budding artists, that means really SO much selection. SoundCloud shines as it is community-driven; fans are enabled to interact with songs and even relate them to their artist.
As for music discovery, SoundCloud’s playlists and suggestions offer a fantastic way to get access to new and upcoming music. Whether it is mainstream tracks or indie tracks, there are millions of choices and identification to cater to every single need. For users looking for Spotify alternatives that are community-based and can directly associate music sharing and discovering through interactive means, SoundCloud offers a unique discovery method.
Key Features:
- Artist-owned independent platform
- Community engagement
- Artist-based recommendations and playlists
- Fan-supported royalties for artists
- Offline listening is available with a premium subscription
Pros
- Best platform to discover indie and user-generated music
- Community-based platform with community features of Fan Engagement
- Empowers independent artists by paying them immediately through royalties
Cons
- The free version has ads
- Sound quality may vary
- Smaller selection of mainstream tracks
Pricing
- Free Plan: 0/month with ads
- SoundCloud Go: $4.99/month
- SoundCloud Go+: $10.99/month
Suggested read: Shopify Alternatives
7. iHeartRadio
Personalized music stations, podcasts, and live radio may all be streamed using iHeartRadio. It offers a massive library of AM and FM stations, playlists, and best-selling podcasts. The real pull of the service is the combination of live radio, personalized stations, and podcasts, making it very appealing to several user types, from someone who turns it on, to an every single day radio fan.
The paid versions, iHeartRadio Plus and All Access, help to enhance the experience with ad-free listening, no skips, and offline listening. Overall, iHeartRadio is an amazing audio service and a workaround for Spotify, specifically for listeners who enjoy the brew of live radio, podcasts, and personalized music.
Key Features
- Thousands of live radio stations
- Massive selection of podcasts
- Personalized stations and playlists with expertly curated selections
- Premium options for on-demand listening
Pros
- Access to free live and local radio
- Large library of podcasts
- Personalized stations and curated playlists
- Inexpensive premium options
Cons
- Premium features locked behind a paywall
- Less access to exclusive music tracks
Pricing
- Free Plan: $0/month
- iHeart Radio Plus: $4.99/month
- iHeart Radio All Access: $9.99/month
- Family Plan: $14.99/month
8. Qobuz
For music enthusiasts and audiophiles alike, Qobuz is arguably the ultimate music experience thanks to its enormous Hi-Res audio library. With the ability to offer over 100 million tracks, there are recordings in every category from jazz to classical to underground; Qobuz is where you go to listen to music. Hi-Res FLAC 24-bit/192 kHz streaming lets you experience music (and every song) with the full range of the original studio sound, while the ability to listen offline makes Qobuz an ideal companion while on the move for audiophiles.
Not only is Qobuz a streaming platform, but it’s also a record store where you can buy your favorite tracks in high-res; this makes it perfect for people who value sound quality. Qobuz’s editorial content, too, reviews, biographies, articles about musical heritage, backgrounds, etc., make it a better service than any competing platform. Simply put, Qobuz is a high-end Spotify alternative for sound-quality-first listeners and serious music journalism.
Key Features
- Hi-Res music streaming in FLAC 24-bit/192 kHz
- Specific catalog for classical and jazz
- Songs downloadable for offline play
- Periodic music journalism and album reviews
Pros
- Amazing Hi-Res sound quality
- Excellent selection of recently released jazz and classical music
- Original journalism and reviews
- Discounts on Hi-Res downloads (Sublime Plan)
Cons
- More expensive subscription plans
- Limited amount of mainstream music
- No free tier
Pricing
- Studio Plan: $10.83/month
- Sublime Plan: $14.99/month
9. Musicful
Musicful is a free and unique music streaming service that you don’t need to install. It’s great for YouTubers, streamers, and creators looking for license-compliant, royalty-free music and background music, without the headache of managing licenses. The user interface is comfortable and makes it easy to jump through tracks and playlists, allowing you to have a tidy listening experience right from your browser.
This site is most known for providing quality, royalty-free music, which is the most used choice among creators looking for background music for their projects. Whether it’s a video, live stream, or podcast, Musicful has a huge library of tracks that can be used with absolutely no hassle or hassle of trying to figure out licenses. Musicful is one of the best and easiest Spotify alternatives for creators looking for free, royalty-free tracks.
Key Features
- 100% Free Usage
- Royalty-free copyright-safe music
- Browser-based
- Great for content creators, vloggers, and streamers
Pros
- Completely free to use
- Copyright-safe music for creators
- Easy to use, no installation
Cons
- No access to current or very popular songs
- Limited music catalogue compared to other sites.
Pricing: Free
10. Napster
Napster is a trailblazer in music streaming with millions of songs to ears, not just popular musicians but also lesser-known indie musicians. Napster has more than just a vast library and simple interface; it offers tailored playlists and smart recommendations so you can find new music suited to your preferences. Napster is focused on quality and ease of use by providing high-quality audio, and you can also download for offline listening.
Napster has traits such as curated playlists, podcasts, and exclusive content for subscribers. It is the perfect Spotify alternative for music listeners who want an easy experience without hidden fees. Napster makes it easy for you to listen on every device, whether you are travelling or relaxing at home, and you can enjoy your music on the go or anywhere you want.
Key Features
- Custom playlists and recommendations
- Offline listening
- Audio quality
- Handpicked playlists or podcasts
Pros
- A large variety of music
- Personalized recommendations
- Audio quality choices
- Offline listening available
Cons
- The free plan only lasts a trial
- Less exclusive content than some platforms
- No free ad-supported plan
Pricing
- Free: 30-day free trial
- Premium: $9.99/month
- Family: $14.99/month
- Student: $4.99/month
Conclusion
That’s all for this list! All of the Spotify alternatives presented are good options in their own way, and it comes down to finding what works for your tastes and preferences. I enjoy Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music for a good value and being affordable, but again, it’s a personal choice!
Every Spotify alternative offers you something different, which is why I think it’s important to consider your preferences before switching. Music streaming is always changing, so new features and new services will always be coming out. You are sure to find something that you love and that fits your use case if you are an audiophile, enjoy podcasts, or are hoping to become a professional musician.
FAQs
1. What’s a really good alternative to Spotify?
The best alternatives for Spotify would be Tidal and Qobuz for higher-than-CD-quality audio, YouTube Music for its vast library, and SoundCloud for indie music from little-known artists. If you are looking for cheaper alternatives, you might want to check out Deezer or Musicful.
2. Is there anything better than Spotify?
Sure! Apple Music has an exceptionally large library, and performance curated playlists, YouTube Music has videos, and Tidal has high-definition audio.
3. Who’s Spotify’s biggest competitor?
Apple Music is Spotify’s biggest competitor, and serves as a clear alternative due to its massive catalog and features, and Amazon Music is the other option since it is available on other Amazon devices too.
4. Are there ad-free Spotify Alternatives?
Yes, and some of them are Tidal, Qobuz, and Apple Music, which allow their listeners ad-free music for their subscribers only. For the non-subscribers, Musicful offers royalty-free music with very few ads, if any, which would be beneficial for creators.
5. Can I make my music instead of Spotify?
Yes, and with AI programs like Musicful, you can create original songs pretty easily from lyrics or text inputs. It’s a fun way to create music as well, especially when you are not musical, and the best part, it is free.
