The world of online music streaming services began around 2005 offering limited access and options for users.
That has now changed, and music lovers can find almost anything that suits their musical needs for around $10 per month.
There is a lot of competition in the music marketplace in an attempt to gain consumers’ attention and buy-in.
You can get mainstream music services from Spotify and Apple with Google and Amazon now offering them as well to accompany their smart speakers.
SiriusXM offers a world of offerings too.
There is something for everyone and every budget in the music streaming world.
All these products who will show that the state of music streaming services is complex and varied.
There is something for everyone and every budget.
The state of this online world is good and only getting better as costs come down, content expands, and technology improves.
It’s the perfect world for music lovers of all kinds.
The State of Music Streaming Services
The state of the online world of music streaming services is crowded and busy.
You can find anything and everything to meet your taste and budget.
Here are some of these services to help you choose the one that is best for you.
Amazon Prime
Many online shoppers already have an Amazon Prime account and their music streaming service is included.
If you want to upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited, then you need to add on about $8 per month and $15 if you want Amazon music HD (better quality sound).
It is cheaper if you have an Echo, but it can only then be used with that particular device.
The paid service is free of ads and you can access over 50 million songs, playlists and stations.
Prime which is free with your account has 2 million songs which still isn’t bad as you are not paying anything additional.
Apple Music
Apple is another streaming service that is great for people that are already using that particular system.
There are no free options and after a free trial period, you pay about $10 per month.
They do have a discounted rate for students.
Apple allows access to 50 million songs that are available to macOS, Windows and iOS plus Android.
It is only usable on Apple HomePod but with some tips and tricks, you may be able to get it on Google Home through Bluetooth and your phone.
The cool thing about Apple Music is that it lets you search for different music by using lyrics, not just song titles.
Google Play Music
Google is never far behind when it comes to an online presence.
Its Google Play Music has both a free level where you will get ads as well as one offered at $10 per month offering full ad-free access.
You can also get a Family plan for a little more.
Also included in this Google product is YouTube Music Premium.
You get access to over 40 million songs which is on par with the other top music streaming services.
Idagio
This particular app is aimed at those who love classical music.
It costs $10 per month and while other streaming services offer classical options, Idagio organizes its music in great detail into categories such as conductor, orchestra, particular movements of a piece, instruments and more.
It is a wonderful option for those who love classical.
You can also stream high-quality audio for no extra charge.
LiveXLive/Slacker
This app is free if you don’t mind ads or you can pay $4 each month ad-free.
For $10 you can have access to the music library that in on-demand.
It is great for those who are just looking for some laid back music and can let the playlist just run.
It streams live events allowing users to listen to concerts where the service is working with the event itself.
It allows access to many stations including ABC an ESPN if you want to keep up on the news and sports along with the music genres you prefer.
Pandora
This free with ads app has various levels.
$5 ad-free and $10 radio and on-demand music library access.
You can also get a family plan for a little more.
They offer discounts for students and military personnel which is a nice bonus.
Pandora allows the user to stream certain tracks but also offers tailored playlists.
Users can let Pandora know what they are looking for and then it makes a channel that revolves around that request.
Sirius XM Essential & Sirius XM Premier
Sirius goes beyond music streaming and adds in hundreds of other audio options for $8 per month.
The upgrade to Premier simply adds more channels.
It allows you to stream at home as well as in the car.
It offers exclusive access to some content like Howard Stern and has upped the game for in-car access.
Tidal
At $10 per month, you get regular quality audio but have the option of high res at $20.
There are lots of different plans for family, student, military and more.
It allows for offline listening and has a great R&B and hip hop section.
With 60 million songs and 240,000 videos, you will never be bored.
Spotify
This particular streaming service offers a bit of everything for everyone.
It falls in line with other services when it comes to cost but ranks up at the top of the services with its offerings.
It not only has a huge library of music but offers podcasts, audiobooks, comedy, concerts and more.
You can build your own playlists or use one created by other users and Spotify for almost any venue you can think of.
Playlists are designated by genre along with places you may want to use them like the gym, gaming or commuting.
You can download and use offline as well.
While syncing music can be a little tricky it is fairly simple to figure out with some online help.
Spotify is a music streaming service that you won’t be disappointed in and can find lots of variety and flexibility.
A great service that meets almost every need a music lover is trying to fulfill.
Deezer
Deezer is a huge French streaming service that is not as well known in North America but is picking up speed in is in almost every country in the world other than the Vatican, Kosovo and japan.
It has a large, diverse library of music that tops either Apple or others.
While it is a little more clunky than most services, it is certainly workable and has more than you can imagine for content.
The biggest pitfall with Deezer is that it is not available on every device, especially in North America.
However, it has now partnered with Sonos making it more accessible and it has a big range of HD songs if you are looking for some high end listening.
While the apps aren’t the best you can certainly do some serious musical cultivating with this app.
It has depth where others are missing it.
YouTube
Everyone thinks YouTube is all about videos and while that is obviously a big selling point, it offers lots of music as well.
You can get lots of songs in various formats.
Lyrics, music, music videos, lyrics written on screen for karaoke with music.
So many options.
YouTube users can upload, watch, share, create playlists all on a free with ads ability.
Its depth of videos tops any other music streaming app.
YouTube offers the worst and the best of the music industry along with much more.
Users can purchase a YouTube music subscription which will link into Google Play Music as well.
So, while you may be interested in the do-it-yourself part of YouTube don’t forget the music.
It carries content from not only established musicians but those hoping to break into the industry as well.
You can see personal uploads of those who are great unknown musicians along with those who aren’t so great.
YouTube offers a lot for a great price.
