Spotify is one of the best music streaming applications nowadays. With rich features such as lyrics, creating playlists, and even streaming podcasts, Spotify has become the choice for audio streaming. However, a Spotify alternative app might be your gusto with limited free features and a reasonably high subscription price.
We have compiled some apps similar to Spotify for your convenience. From feature interfaces to hi-res audio streaming services, these apps are good competitors for Spotify. Now, pick your favorite from this list.
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Best Spotify Alternatives You Should Know
Deezer
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
If we want to talk about Deezer, you will find it on top of the list for Spotify apps like Spotify. In terms of the user interface, this app is almost like a twin brother to Spotify. But with a more sleek and “bare” interface, the app is so much easier on the user’s eyes.
For the penniless plan, Deezer has almost the same features as Spotify. But, at $14.99 per month, Deezer also offers Hi-Fi stream quality. It means the quality of the music in the app is the same as CD quality. It also has podcast streaming services for your companion at daily activities.
What is more surprising is that the Deezer app comes with 360 Reality Audio. This feature, however, requires you to download 360 by the Deezer app. But surprisingly, it also offers access to non-360 audio, so you do not have to switch between the apps.
Besides the HiFi plan, the Deezer app offers other methods, such as a family plan at $14.99 per month. With this, one way can be shared up to six profiles. But unfortunately, this plan did not come with the HiFi combo you might be searching for.
But, if you are just a casual audiophile person, the premium plan at $9.99/month might be just right for you. It offers no ads, infinite skip, offline mode, and you will be able to use this app on three devices. Otherwise, if you’re the kind of person who is not bothered by pesky ads, this free app is made for you.
2. Youtube Music
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
Who on earth doesn’t know Youtube? With as many as 2.3 billion people, it sits right when it enters a music streaming competition. With a massive music database, Youtube Music is one of the most impressive free Spotify alternatives globally.
You might be wondering, doesn’t Google have its music service named Google Music? Yes, but no. As of 2020, all of the services on Google Music have stopped and migrated to Youtube Music. So, is it just exclusive in android? Don’t worry. This app is also available in the App Store for you Apple users.
In the mobile version, the free plan has a tad of an inconvenience. Whether you want the money for better experiences, browse your Instagram post while listening to music on Spotify, Youtube Music can’t play in the background. But, with its low price premium plan at $9.99/month, that problem is going to go woosh.
Like many other streaming platforms, it also offers a family plan at a $14.99/month price tag. It will provide you and your family with premium features that can be used together with six accounts. Nothing beats family enjoyment, eh.
3. Soundcloud
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
Soundcloud has captured many music enthusiasts since its release. Either you want to stream music, podcast, or even your crush’s music cover, Soundcloud app is there for you. When it also has a professional side, you as the casual users will be delighted with its streaming services.
Yes, sometimes it will be hard to find the music you want. Because, when you search for a particular title, it doesn’t simply show you the one you searched for. It will also show the covers or even remixes for the song. But, for the official song, the star icon will appear on the side search result.
That was because Soundcloud is a platform for professionals and people who make music on student laptops. It also can be the same if you want to search for specific podcasts. You can search it by the podcast name or program specifically.
All in all, what is the cost?
The free services come with significant advantages unlike its competitors. Soundcloud offers no-limit skip while you listen to its music. Yes, maybe it does seem trivial. But for people who can’t be ad-supported, it will allow them to find other songs with just a tap.
At $4.99/month, you will get Soundcloud Go with no ads and offline listening. But, if you want to upgrade your audio quality, you can buy the subscriptions for Soundcloud Go+ at $9.99/month. You will also get more than 200 million tracks at your device, ready to be streamed.
4. Apple Music
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
So, you have Apple devices. But, you don’t like the audio streaming services you are currently using. Well, we have good news for you who are searching for Spotify alternatives for iOS.
Apple Music is one of the most important streaming services. With more than 75 million songs, you will find a new audio adventure whenever you open this app. With the best noise-canceling headphones, you can hear all of that song with pristine quality.
For Apple ecosystem users, this app works seamlessly with all of its devices. Also, you can add music from your iTunes, which you own. In other words, it is hassle-free for you Apple geeks.
But, what if you are an android user? Worry not, my friends. Apple Music is also available on Google Play, and you can download it for free. So, now you can play your iTunes music even on your android phone.
While the radio services are free, you can’t stream music without a plan. Apple Music offers $9.99/month for a starter plan. It will give you a three-month free trial before you commit to paying for it.
If you and your family want to use it together, it also has a Family Plan. For $14.99/month, up to six people can use its features in this plan. Also, if you are a student, which in so many cases is low of cash, $4.99/month will be the price for four years. Doesn’t seem too bad of a deal right?
5. Tidal App
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
In the Hi-Res audio streaming services community, Tidal App is the first giant out there. Of course now it’s not the only one, but still, it is one of the best if not the best one in the market. Especially with the lossless audio quality, their streaming experiences will make you appreciate your headphones more.
From casual music listener to audiophile enthusiast, you can decide which audio quality you want to hear. The HiFi plan will give you FLAC audio format. It means no data is lost when transmitting audio to your ears.
While it doesn’t give you a free plan, the basic premium plan is just $9.99/month, which is not more expensive than other platforms. But, for lossless audio quality, Tidal HiFi is the plan you wanted at $19.99/month. Ofcourse, for the best audio experiences, the price was worth it.
It also offers a family plan with up to five members with a single account at $14.99/month for premium plan, and $29.99/month for Tidal HiFi. For the student plan, you just need to pay $4.88/month for Premium, and $9.99/month for Tidal HiFi. All of the above you can enjoy either on mobile or desktop app.
6. Amazon Music
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
Maybe you’ve heard some version of this Amazon Music thing, such as Music Prime or Music Unlimited. Yeah, Amazon has some identity crisis for its music streaming platform. But, worry not. We will give you the free version or the cheaper spotify alternative, which is Amazon Music Unlimited.
The free version will give you unlimited access to ads-supported music. But, for $9.99/month, you can experience ads-free music with thousands of radio stations and podcasts. However, for you, Amazon Prime subscribers will get a discount, and it costs a $7.99/month subscription.
While talking about Amazon services, we couldn’t leave behind the sweet sound of its assistant, Alexa. With Alexa, you can play so many songs easily and integrate with other devices such as Echo or even Fire TV. Nothing beats when you cry from the other room, ”Alexa, play Despacito,” right?
7. Pandora Music
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
While the app itself is not too popular, Pandora Music still claims its existence with more than 50 million users. With a nice interface and good features such as creating stations based on what genre you enjoy the most.
While the feature is not so much different than Spotify, the library itself is full of quality music. Not just licensing agreements with the big labels, which provide mainstream popular songs, it also deals with independent licensing companies that broaden your exploring experience.
Different from Pandora, an excellent one has three other plans for the subscription. The basic free plan will give you access to all music and podcasts, but with ad-supported content and limited skip track with no track replays.
With just $4.99/month, Pandora Plus will give you ad-free content and unlimited track skips. But, with just one minor drawback, which is you have limited offline playback.
The final plan is the Premium plan. This plan will eliminate all of the drawbacks from the above plans in the price range at $9.99/month. And the feature also could be shared with up to five family members with a $14.99/month subscription.
8. iHeartRadio
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
For the lack of Hi-res audio services, iHeartRadio gives you many live and curated streams. The app itself is so much lighter and eye-friendly than any other app you might have right now. So, it is one of the best Spotify alternatives in 2021.
With numerous playlists that match your needs, iHeartRadio might be just suitable for all your activities. It also has a good podcast show that will give you entertainment and joy.
It also has news articles that will give you new information about your favorite artist and radio shows. All that you can enjoy with a free plan with just intrusive ads here and there.
In the Plus plan, however, you could get rid of all of those ads, unlimited skips, and the ability to replay the last song you played. The downside is this plan is only available on mobile apps.
If you want the premium feature in the web version, you can pay $9.99/month for its complete services.
9. Mixcloud
Website Download on Google Play Download on the App Store
Sounded like the counterpart of Soundcloud right? Well, you’re not wrong. This app is exactly that.
With more than 2 million users, Mixcloud is an audio streaming service with good features and a broad library. Why? Because as a Soundcloud counterpart, it also provides official music and cover and mixes that other best Spotify alternatives might not offer.
For you casual listeners, it might confuse you while you find many choices when you search for a particular song. But, with time, you will likely use it with ease for the friendly interface.
Yes, in the free plan, it will insert ads. But the ads weren’t very intrusive like other streaming services. Unfortunately, certain shows can only be played three times in 14 days.
But, with much lower prices at $3.99/month, you can get free ads experience, seek forward and backward, and unlimited replay for public shows. Not bad, huh?
Conclusions
Browsing music is much more convenient than rummaging through the CD aisle in downtown music stores in the digital era. With a simple search and tap from your smart devices, listening to music is as easy as flicking your finger, literally.
Free services might have their merit, but ads can be annoying too. Sometimes, it is better to just pay a little bit of money for better experiences. But if you are the kind of person not bothered by ads, then free plan it is.
Which app you might like for spotify alternatives might depend on what you seek in the platform. Either its lighter size or higher audio quality, or even specific reason you only know, this list will give you the option.
