How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Spotify leads on discovery and playlists, but it now costs more than most rivals for an individual plan.
- Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited include high-quality audio without a separate premium tier.
- YouTube Music is unique for videos, covers, and live recordings that other services often lack.
- Deezer and iHeart offer strong free options, while Qobuz suits listeners who prioritise sound quality.
- Try two free trials on your own headphones and speakers before paying for a full year.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Spotify | Music discovery and playlists | $12.99 per month | Yes |
 Apple Music | Apple device owners and spatial audio | See website | Free trial (1 month) |
 YouTube Music | Music videos, covers, and live recordings | $11.99 per month | Yes |
 Amazon Music Unlimited | Prime members and Alexa homes | $11.99 per month (Prime members) | Yes |
 Deezer | Free listening with lossless options | $11.99 per month | Yes |
 Qobuz | Hi-Res audio and album downloads | $12.99 per month | Free trial |
 iHeart | Free radio stations and podcasts | See website | Yes |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Starting price$12.99 per month
Free planYes
Spotify remains the default pick for readers who value discovery above all else. Daily mixes, weekly discovery playlists, and shared playlists make it easy to find new music, and podcasts and audiobooks sit in the same app. It is built around music discovery and playlists, and that focus shows in how the main screens are arranged, with the most used actions close at hand and less used settings kept out of the way. For a new user, the first week usually settles the question of fit, because the core routine either feels natural or it starts to feel like extra work.
In daily use, Spotify works best when it holds one clear job at first. Move only the lists or schedules you already use, and check the tool on a phone as well as on a computer, because a tool that is awkward on the device you carry will be skipped on busy days.
On price, compare the free plan or trial against the features you use every week, not against the full feature list. Spotify fits readers who want music discovery and playlists. If the limits below look like daily friction, choose a different option from this list instead of forcing a fit.
What we like- Strong personalised playlists
- Huge catalog and podcasts
- Works on almost every device
Watch out for- Highest individual price among major services
- Lossless audio arrived later than rivals
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial (1 month)
Apple Music is the natural pick for readers who already use iPhones, iPads, or Macs. Lossless audio and Dolby Atmos tracks are included at no extra tier cost, and the library, playlists, and downloads sync across Apple devices. It is built around apple device owners and spatial audio, and that focus shows in how the main screens are arranged, with the most used actions close at hand and less used settings kept out of the way. For a new user, the first week usually settles the question of fit, because the core routine either feels natural or it starts to feel like extra work.
In daily use, Apple Music works best when it holds one clear job at first. Move only the lists or schedules you already use, and check the tool on a phone as well as on a computer, because a tool that is awkward on the device you carry will be skipped on busy days.
On price, compare the free plan or trial against the features you use every week, not against the full feature list. Apple Music fits readers who want apple device owners and spatial audio. If the limits below look like daily friction, choose a different option from this list instead of forcing a fit.
What we like- Lossless audio and spatial audio included
- Deep integration with iPhone and HomePod
- Large catalog with no free tier ads
Watch out for- No free ad-supported tier
- Less strong on social playlists than Spotify
Starting price$11.99 per month
Free planYes
YouTube Music suits readers who listen to videos, covers, and live sets as much as studio tracks. Official albums sit beside music videos, live performances, and user uploads, so a search often finds versions that other services do not carry. It is built around music videos, covers, and live recordings, and that focus shows in how the main screens are arranged, with the most used actions close at hand and less used settings kept out of the way. For a new user, the first week usually settles the question of fit, because the core routine either feels natural or it starts to feel like extra work.
In daily use, YouTube Music works best when it holds one clear job at first. Move only the lists or schedules you already use, and check the tool on a phone as well as on a computer, because a tool that is awkward on the device you carry will be skipped on busy days.
On price, compare the free plan or trial against the features you use every week, not against the full feature list. YouTube Music fits readers who want music videos, covers, and live recordings. If the limits below look like daily friction, choose a different option from this list instead of forcing a fit.
What we like- Huge range of videos and live sets
- Free tier with ads
- Good for rare and cover versions
Watch out for- Audio quality caps below lossless rivals
- App can feel busy with video content
Starting price$11.99 per month (Prime members)
Free planYes
Amazon Music Unlimited makes most sense for readers who already pay for Prime and use Alexa speakers. Prime members get a lower individual rate, and Alexa voice commands, Echo speakers, and Fire devices work well with the service. It is built around prime members and alexa homes, and that focus shows in how the main screens are arranged, with the most used actions close at hand and less used settings kept out of the way. For a new user, the first week usually settles the question of fit, because the core routine either feels natural or it starts to feel like extra work.
In daily use, Amazon Music Unlimited works best when it holds one clear job at first. Move only the lists or schedules you already use, and check the tool on a phone as well as on a computer, because a tool that is awkward on the device you carry will be skipped on busy days.
On price, compare the free plan or trial against the features you use every week, not against the full feature list. Amazon Music Unlimited fits readers who want prime members and alexa homes. If the limits below look like daily friction, choose a different option from this list instead of forcing a fit.
What we like- Discount for Prime members
- HD and Ultra HD audio included
- Strong Alexa voice control
Watch out for- Full Unlimited plan costs extra over Prime
- Interface is less focused than rivals
Starting price$11.99 per month
Free planYes
Deezer is a strong alternative for readers who want a free tier and lossless audio in one service. The free tier offers a large catalog with ads, while paid plans add offline listening, lossless audio, and lyrics with translation. It is built around free listening with lossless options, and that focus shows in how the main screens are arranged, with the most used actions close at hand and less used settings kept out of the way. For a new user, the first week usually settles the question of fit, because the core routine either feels natural or it starts to feel like extra work.
In daily use, Deezer works best when it holds one clear job at first. Move only the lists or schedules you already use, and check the tool on a phone as well as on a computer, because a tool that is awkward on the device you carry will be skipped on busy days.
On price, compare the free plan or trial against the features you use every week, not against the full feature list. Deezer fits readers who want free listening with lossless options. If the limits below look like daily friction, choose a different option from this list instead of forcing a fit.
What we like- Free tier with a large catalog
- Lossless FLAC audio on paid plans
- Lyrics with translation
Watch out for- Smaller US presence than Spotify or Apple
- Discovery feels less personal for some users
Starting price$12.99 per month
Free planFree trial
Qobuz is built for careful listeners who want the best sound quality and a store for downloads. Streaming in Hi-Res quality sits beside a download store, so an album can be streamed first and bought in lossless quality for keeps. It is built around hi-res audio and album downloads, and that focus shows in how the main screens are arranged, with the most used actions close at hand and less used settings kept out of the way. For a new user, the first week usually settles the question of fit, because the core routine either feels natural or it starts to feel like extra work.
In daily use, Qobuz works best when it holds one clear job at first. Move only the lists or schedules you already use, and check the tool on a phone as well as on a computer, because a tool that is awkward on the device you carry will be skipped on busy days.
On price, compare the free plan or trial against the features you use every week, not against the full feature list. Qobuz fits readers who want hi-res audio and album downloads. If the limits below look like daily friction, choose a different option from this list instead of forcing a fit.
What we like- Hi-Res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Permanent album downloads for sale
- Editorial reviews and interviews
Watch out for- No free ad-supported tier
- Smaller playlist and social features
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
iHeart is the pick for readers who mainly want live radio, news, and podcasts for free. Live radio stations, local stations, and podcasts are free to stream, and the app works on phones, speakers, cars, and smart TVs. It is built around free radio stations and podcasts, and that focus shows in how the main screens are arranged, with the most used actions close at hand and less used settings kept out of the way. For a new user, the first week usually settles the question of fit, because the core routine either feels natural or it starts to feel like extra work.
In daily use, iHeart works best when it holds one clear job at first. Move only the lists or schedules you already use, and check the tool on a phone as well as on a computer, because a tool that is awkward on the device you carry will be skipped on busy days.
On price, compare the free plan or trial against the features you use every week, not against the full feature list. iHeart fits readers who want free radio stations and podcasts. If the limits below look like daily friction, choose a different option from this list instead of forcing a fit.
What we like- Free live radio stations
- Large podcast catalog
- Works on many devices and cars
Watch out for- On-demand music is limited on free tier
- Paid tiers are needed for full control
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public feature descriptions for tools that are available in the United States in 2026, and we kept only tools that fit the category without stretching the definition. Price, free plan terms, platform support, and the limits that affect daily use carried more weight than marketing claims, because a tool that looks strong in a demo can still fail on a normal Tuesday. We also checked that each official homepage loads and belongs to the named product, and we left out tools that could not be verified. Where a price could not be confirmed from the vendor page at the time of writing, the entry says See website rather than guessing a figure.
How to pick a streaming service for your setup
Start with your devices
An iPhone and HomePod household will get more from Apple Music. An Alexa household will get more from Amazon Music Unlimited. A household with many different devices should pick Spotify or YouTube Music, which run almost everywhere.
Decide how much sound quality matters
If you listen mainly on phone speakers or in a car, standard quality is fine, and discovery matters more. If you listen on good headphones or a home system, check lossless and Hi-Res support, and test it with music you know well before paying extra.
Use the free tier or trial properly
Listen to your usual playlists, not just new releases, during a trial. Check offline downloads, car playback, and family or student pricing, because those costs matter more over a year than a one-month discount. Cancel the trial you like less before it renews.
Frequently asked questions
Which streaming service is best overall?
Spotify is the best overall pick for most listeners, because of discovery, playlists, and device support. Apple Music is a close second for Apple users and for sound quality. The best service still depends on your devices and whether you value discovery or audio quality more.
Which streaming service is cheapest?
Deezer, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited for Prime members are among the cheapest individual plans, while iHeart and Spotify and Deezer offer free tiers. Student and family plans can cut the cost further, so check those before paying the full individual rate.
Is lossless audio worth paying for?
Lossless audio is worth paying for if you use good headphones or speakers and listen closely. On phone speakers or in a noisy car, the difference is hard to hear. Try a lossless trial with familiar tracks and decide with your own ears.
Can I move my playlists to a new service?
Yes, playlist transfer tools can move most playlists between major services, although some tracks may not match exactly. Check the transferred playlists before cancelling the old service, especially for rare tracks and local files.
Do I need a paid plan to listen for free?
No, Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, and iHeart offer free tiers with ads and limits. Paid plans remove ads, add offline listening, and improve audio quality. A free tier is a good way to test discovery before paying.
What is the best service for families?
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all offer family plans with separate accounts for each member. Compare the family price, the number of members included, and parental controls, because those details differ more than the individual price.
Sources we checked (7)
- https://open.spotify.com/premium
- https://music.apple.com
- https://music.youtube.com
- https://music.amazon.com
- https://www.deezer.com/us/offers
- https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/offer
- https://www.iheart.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.