Best Music Streaming Service of 2023 - CNET
What is the best music streaming service overall?
When choosing a music streaming service, it’s a close race between Spotify Premium and Apple Music. Both cost around $11 a month and boast extensive catalogs, so competition is tough. But there is a clear winner. Spotify is the best streaming service. It offers the best mix of features, including deep community integration, plus the excellent Spotify Connect for streaming to all your devices. Spotify also offers the best free tier: Without paying a dime or providing a credit card number, you can listen to millions of tunes and even stream to numerous Wi-Fi devices.
For Apple device users, the excellent Apple Music is hot on Spotify’s tail with the potential for better sound due to the inclusion of lossless music. Though the company has made strides in recent years, a few bricks of the walled garden remain, and it’s not as recommendable to Android or PC users. Spotify is still a better choice for users of both iOS and Android. And lastly, if you’re an audiophile — or simply love music — then Qobuz offers excellent sound quality at a realistic price. Plus, it also includes a hi-res download store.
Read more: Apple Music vs. Spotify: Comparing the Top Music Streaming Services
Today’s music streaming services offer a world of exploration and convenience, giving you access to your favorite artists easily and quickly. Sound quality is even better than ever, too, with some of the best services including spatial Dolby Atmos audio and lossless for free. I’ve tested all the major services and compared all the relevant features, along with a full price breakdown.
Best music streaming services of 2023
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Spotify is a pioneer in music streaming and is arguably the best-known service. It offers a number of curated music discovery services, including its Discover Weekly playlist, and is constantly implementing new ones, such as Stations and an AI DJ and podcasts,
While it may not have lossless (yet), Spotify is great if you’re seeking a solid all-around service, especially one which lets you make, browse and share playlists for any occasion.
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Best music streaming service overall
Spotify
Spotify is a pioneer in music streaming and is arguably the best-known service. It offers a number of curated music discovery services, including its Discover Weekly playlist, and is constantly implementing new ones, such as Stations and an AI DJ and podcasts,
- Free version is robust
- Spotify Connect simplifies connection to devices
- Great playlist features including live “Jam”
- Artist bios and alerts
- Free service ads can be intrusive
- No lossless option (yet)
- Podcast integration is awkward
Spotify is a pioneer in music streaming and is arguably the best-known service. It offers a number of curated music discovery services, including its Discover Weekly playlist, and is constantly implementing new ones, such as Stations and an AI DJ and podcasts,
While it may not have lossless (yet), Spotify is great if you’re seeking a solid all-around service, especially one which lets you make, browse and share playlists for any occasion.
Best music streaming service overall
Spotify
- Free version is robust
- Spotify Connect simplifies connection to devices
- Great playlist features including live “Jam”
- Artist bios and alerts
- Free service ads can be intrusive
- No lossless option (yet)
- Podcast integration is awkward
Spotify is a pioneer in music streaming and is arguably the best-known service. It offers a number of curated music discovery services, including its Discover Weekly playlist, and is constantly implementing new ones, such as Stations and an AI DJ and podcasts,
While it may not have lossless (yet), Spotify is great if you’re seeking a solid all-around service, especially one which lets you make, browse and share playlists for any occasion.
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Despite a small price increase in 2022, Apple Music is still able to offer a lot for the money, including 100 million tracks and both iOS and Android compatibility. The service runs second to Spotify in terms of subscribers, but surpasses its rival in one key respect. Yes, it has hi-res lossless, spatial audio albums, plus a new classical music app at no extra charge.
While it makes the most sense if you’re an Apple user, Music is an option if you’re listening on a PC, or have invested in smart speakers, including those from Google. If you own an Apple HomePod, Mini or Nest device you can summon Apple Music tracks with your voice. There are also a ton of curated playlists, many handcrafted by musicians and tastemakers, though it lacks the robust sharing options (or some of the cool add-ons) available to Spotify.
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Best alternative to Spotify
Apple Music
Despite a small price increase in 2022, Apple Music is still able to offer a lot for the money, including 100 million tracks and both iOS and Android compatibility. The service runs second to Spotify in terms of subscribers, but surpasses its rival in one key respect. Yes, it has hi-res lossless, spatial audio albums, plus a new classical music app at no extra charge.
- Spatial and hi-res music included
- Combines your iTunes library with music you don’t own, with a choice of music lockers
- Human music experts and algorithms help find music you’ll want to hear based on what you play
- Tight integration with Apple HomePod and iOS devices
- Not as fun for Android or PC users
Despite a small price increase in 2022, Apple Music is still able to offer a lot for the money, including 100 million tracks and both iOS and Android compatibility. The service runs second to Spotify in terms of subscribers, but surpasses its rival in one key respect. Yes, it has hi-res lossless, spatial audio albums, plus a new classical music app at no extra charge.
While it makes the most sense if you’re an Apple user, Music is an option if you’re listening on a PC, or have invested in smart speakers, including those from Google. If you own an Apple HomePod, Mini or Nest device you can summon Apple Music tracks with your voice. There are also a ton of curated playlists, many handcrafted by musicians and tastemakers, though it lacks the robust sharing options (or some of the cool add-ons) available to Spotify.
Best alternative to Spotify
Apple Music
- Spatial and hi-res music included
- Combines your iTunes library with music you don’t own, with a choice of music lockers
- Human music experts and algorithms help find music you’ll want to hear based on what you play
- Tight integration with Apple HomePod and iOS devices
- Not as fun for Android or PC users
Despite a small price increase in 2022, Apple Music is still able to offer a lot for the money, including 100 million tracks and both iOS and Android compatibility. The service runs second to Spotify in terms of subscribers, but surpasses its rival in one key respect. Yes, it has hi-res lossless, spatial audio albums, plus a new classical music app at no extra charge.
While it makes the most sense if you’re an Apple user, Music is an option if you’re listening on a PC, or have invested in smart speakers, including those from Google. If you own an Apple HomePod, Mini or Nest device you can summon Apple Music tracks with your voice. There are also a ton of curated playlists, many handcrafted by musicians and tastemakers, though it lacks the robust sharing options (or some of the cool add-ons) available to Spotify.
