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Apple Music alternatives

Top Music Streaming like Apple Music

The most popular alternative to Apple Music is Spotify, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Apple Music are YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, and Deezer.

Most alternatives to Apple Music are in the Music Streaming category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Apple Music alternatives
AllFree
9 apps

All Apple Music alternatives

  1. Spotify

    4.8(42.5M) · App Store

    Spotify is a streaming service for music, podcasts and audiobooks, known for personalized playlists such as Discover Weekly and its recommendation features. The free tier is ad-supported with some playback limits, while Premium removes ads, allows offline downloads and includes lossless audio. Spotify Connect lets you move playback between phones, computers, speakers, TVs and cars.

    9 Spotify alternatives

    Pros

    • Strong personalized playlists and recommendations, like Discover Weekly
    • Spotify Connect hands playback between phones, speakers, TVs and cars
    • Free ad-supported tier and apps on nearly every platform

    Cons

    • Free tier has ads and playback limits, especially on mobile
    • Podcasts and audiobooks crowd the interface for music-only listeners
    • Offline downloads require a Premium subscription
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Cross-device syncLossless audioLyricsOffline listeningPodcasts
    Visit websiteMore about Spotify

  2. YouTube Music

    4.8(1.5M) · App Store

    YouTube Music is Google's music streaming service, combining official albums and singles with music videos, live performances, remixes and covers from YouTube. It builds personalized mixes from your listening and lets you upload your own tracks to your library. The free version is ad-supported and does not play in the background on mobile, while Premium adds background play, downloads and no ads.

    9 YouTube Music alternatives

    Pros

    • Huge catalog that adds remixes, covers and live versions from YouTube
    • Music videos and audio tracks live in the same app
    • Lets you upload your own tracks to your library

    Cons

    • Free version has ads and no background play on mobile
    • No dedicated desktop app, only the web player on computers
    • User videos mix with official tracks and can clutter search results
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    LyricsOffline listeningPodcasts
    Visit websiteMore about YouTube Music

  3. Amazon Music

    Amazon Music is Amazon's streaming service for music and podcasts. Prime members can listen to a large catalog in shuffle mode along with some on-demand playlists, while Amazon Music Unlimited is a separate subscription with full on-demand listening, HD and Ultra HD lossless audio and spatial audio. A free ad-supported tier is offered in some countries, and the service integrates closely with Alexa and Echo devices.

    8 Amazon Music alternatives

    Pros

    • Included with Prime for shuffle-based listening
    • Unlimited plan offers HD and Ultra HD lossless plus spatial audio
    • Tight integration with Alexa and Echo devices

    Cons

    • The Prime tier is mostly shuffle play with limited on-demand control
    • Full on-demand listening needs a separate Unlimited subscription
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Lossless audioLyricsOffline listeningPodcasts
    Visit websiteMore about Amazon Music

  4. TIDAL

    4.7(247.9K) · App Store

    TIDAL is a music streaming service focused on sound quality, streaming in lossless and hi-res FLAC as well as Dolby Atmos. It offers curated playlists, music videos and detailed artist credits, and integrates with many hi-fi systems and network streamers. TIDAL no longer has a free tier: a single paid plan includes every audio quality level, and new users can start with a free trial.

    9 TIDAL alternatives

    Pros

    • Lossless and hi-res FLAC streaming included in a single plan
    • Detailed artist credits and curated playlists for music fans
    • Works with many hi-fi systems and network streamers

    Cons

    • No free tier, only a trial before the paid plan
    • Music discovery features are less developed than on Spotify
    • No official desktop app for Linux
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Ad-freeLossless audioLyricsOffline listening
    Visit websiteMore about TIDAL

  5. Deezer

    4.7(36.8K) · App Store

    Deezer is a French music streaming service with a large catalog, podcasts and Flow, an endless personalized mix that adapts to your taste. Premium plans remove ads, unlock offline listening and stream in lossless FLAC quality, and the apps include synced lyrics and song recognition. A free ad-supported tier is also available, with features that vary by country.

    9 Deezer alternatives

    Pros

    • Flow builds an endless mix tuned to your taste
    • Lossless FLAC streaming on Premium plans
    • Synced lyrics and built-in song recognition

    Cons

    • Free tier has ads and limits that vary by country
    • Offline listening requires a paid plan
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Lossless audioLyricsOffline listeningPodcasts
    Visit websiteMore about Deezer

  6. Qobuz

    4.6(19.4K) · App Store

    Qobuz is a French music service focused on high-resolution audio, streaming in lossless and hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Alongside streaming it runs a store for buying hi-res album downloads, and adds editorial content such as reviews, liner notes and digital booklets, with a catalog known for its classical and jazz coverage. There is no free tier, but paid plans can be tried for free first.

    8 Qobuz alternatives

    Pros

    • Lossless and hi-res FLAC streaming aimed at audiophiles
    • Store for buying hi-res album downloads
    • Reviews, digital booklets and a strong classical and jazz catalog

    Cons

    • No free tier, only a trial
    • Personalized recommendations are less developed than on bigger services
    • No podcasts, unlike most mainstream rivals
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Ad-freeLossless audioOffline listening
    Visit websiteMore about Qobuz

  7. Pandora

    4.8(11.3M) · App Store

    Pandora is a US music streaming service built around personalized radio stations, based on the Music Genome Project's analysis of songs. Listeners shape stations with thumbs up and thumbs down, and can also play podcasts. The free tier is ad-supported, Pandora Plus adds offline stations and fewer limits, and Premium adds on-demand listening. Owned by SiriusXM, it is available only in the United States.

    8 Pandora alternatives

    Pros

    • Music Genome Project powers well-tuned personalized stations
    • Thumbs up and down make each station easy to shape
    • Free ad-supported tier to get started

    Cons

    • Available only in the United States
    • On-demand listening requires the top Premium tier
    • Free tier plays ads and limits skips
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    LyricsOffline listeningPodcasts
    Visit websiteMore about Pandora

  8. SoundCloud

    4.8(2M) · App Store

    SoundCloud is an audio streaming platform where independent artists, producers and DJs upload original tracks, remixes, mixes and podcasts alongside major-label catalog. Listeners can comment at specific moments in a track, follow creators and build playlists. Listening is free with ads; SoundCloud Go plans add offline listening and remove ads, and Artist plans give creators more uploads, statistics and distribution.

    9 SoundCloud alternatives

    Pros

    • Home to independent artists, remixes and DJ mixes found nowhere else
    • Timed comments let listeners react at precise moments in a track
    • Free listening, plus Artist plans with stats and distribution

    Cons

    • Free listening comes with ads and no offline mode
    • Audio quality is uneven since tracks are uploaded by users
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Music Streaming
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AnalyticsOffline listeningPodcasts
    Visit websiteMore about SoundCloud

  9. Bandcamp

    4.8(38K) · App Store

    Bandcamp is an online music store and community where independent artists and labels sell digital albums, vinyl, CDs and merch directly to fans, who can often choose to pay more than the minimum price. Most music can be streamed before buying, and purchases can be played in the app or downloaded in formats including FLAC, ALAC and MP3. The service is free to use and has no ads.

    7 Bandcamp alternatives

    Pros

    • Fans buy directly from artists and labels, often paying more than asked
    • Downloads in FLAC, ALAC or MP3 that you keep
    • Vinyl, CDs and merch sold alongside digital releases

    Cons

    • Not a subscription catalog: you buy music release by release
    • Mostly independent music, with little major-label catalog
    • Successive ownership changes raise questions about its future
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Music StreamingE-commerce Platforms
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Ad-freeDigital productsLossless audioOffline listening
    Visit websiteMore about Bandcamp

Apple Music vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Apple Music, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Apple Music vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAd-freeCross-device syncLossless audioLyricsOffline listening
Apple MusicFree trialWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
SpotifyFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
YouTube MusicFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
Amazon MusicFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
TIDALFree trialWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
DeezerFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android

Apple Music alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Apple Music?

The most popular alternative to Apple Music is Spotify: Music, podcast and audiobook streaming with personalized playlists. Other great alternatives are YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, and Deezer.

Is there a free alternative to Apple Music?

Yes, 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer.

Is there an open source alternative to Apple Music?

No open source alternative to Apple Music is listed yet.

Is Apple Music free?

Apple Music is a paid app that offers a free trial.

Compare Apple Music with its alternatives

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