At a glance, the streaming music field is saturated with seemingly interchangeable services and similar functions. Open an app, press play, and enjoy sweet tunes. However, a deeper dive reveals that many of the highest-rated streaming music apps have distinguishing features that make them unique. Each service is appealing in its own way, making the task of selecting the best streaming music service more challenging than you might think. We've tested the category's notable names for over a decade to help you narrow your choices with our top picks, which include Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM Internet Radio.
Overview
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![Apple Music]()
Best for Apple Device IntegrationApple Music
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![SiriusXM Internet Radio]()
Best for Satellite RadioSiriusXM Internet Radio
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![Spotify]()
Best for PodcastsSpotify
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![Tidal]()
Best for Music-Related ExtrasTidal
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![Amazon Music Unlimited]()
Best for Amazon Device IntegrationAmazon Music Unlimited
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![LiveOne]()
Best for Curated ChannelsLiveOne
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![Deezer]()
Best for MP3 UploadsDeezer
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![YouTube Music]()
Best for Former Google Play Music SubscribersYouTube Music
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![Qobuz]()
Best for Hi-Res AudioQobuz
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![Idagio]()
Best for Classical MusicIdagio
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit: Apple
![Apple Music]()
Best for Apple Device IntegrationApple Music
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Apple Music offers excellent value for your money, featuring lossless audio, Dolby Atmos support, a 100 million-song catalog, radio stations, Siri compatibility, lyrics, and personalized playlists. Plus, its 24/7 music video channel aims to be a contemporary spin on MTV.
Who It's For
Music fans in Apple's ecosystem: Apple Music is compatible with CarPlay, iPad, iPhone, and Mac, so if you own an Apple device, you can easily zone out to your favorite tracks. And if you're already invested in Apple's other subscription services, such as Apple TV, bundling Apple Music into an Apple One subscription saves money. For $19.95 per month, you get Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV, and 50GB of iCloud+ storage.
Audiophiles: Apple Music offers high-quality listening options, including lossless audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, at no extra cost. This makes it a great choice if you appreciate stellar sound quality—and have the gear to make the most of it.
Specs & Configurations
Hi-Res Audio Live Programming Non-Music Content Song Lyrics Learn More Apple Music Review -
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Credit: SiriusXM
![SiriusXM Internet Radio]()
Best for Satellite RadioSiriusXM Internet Radio
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
By combining live radio, in-studio artist sessions, traditional streaming audio, and the ability to rewind streams, SiriusXM Internet Radio whipped up a recipe for success that few rivals can replicate. A generous three-month trial lets you explore the service's offerings before committing to a subscription.
Who It's For
People seeking diverse content: SiriusXM is the ideal service for radio enthusiasts who want to explore a range of programming, including sports, lifestyle, politics, and news, alongside their favorite music tracks. Sirius XM is unique among streaming music services in that it offers a la carte programming as part of its base music plan, allowing you to further customize your listening experience.
Vehicle owners: SiriusXM evokes the old-school charm of surfing the radio, making it a top choice for people who spend a lot of time on the road. This extends well beyond standard consumer vehicles, including plans for boats, commercial trucks, RVs, and even planes.
Specs & Configurations
Live Programming Non-Music Content Learn More SiriusXM Review -
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![Spotify]()
Best for PodcastsSpotify
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Despite fierce competition from other feature-rich streaming services, Spotify remains the face of streaming music. This comes courtesy of a robust musical catalog, podcasts, collaborative playlists, and a sweet Student plan that includes Hulu.
Who It's For
Podcast listeners: Spotify hits all the right notes for a streaming music service, but its deep podcast selection elevates the service to a true top-shelf product. An Oral History of: The Office, The Bill Simmons Podcast, and How to Save a Planet are just three of the company's cool, exclusive shows.
Specs & Configurations
Free Version Available Non-Music Content Song Lyrics Learn More Spotify Review -
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Credit: Tidal
![Tidal]()
Best for Music-Related ExtrasTidal
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Tidal is a music streaming service that offers excellent, hi-res audio and a stellar music catalog. In a nice touch, Tidal includes many fan-focused extras, such as the ability to purchase concert tickets.
Who It’s For
Audiophiles and hi-fi system owners: Tidal's biggest draw is its excellent audio quality, offering Dolby Atmos and FLAC streams. This makes it an appealing option if you have high-end headphones or robust home stereo systems.
People who want more than just music: Tidal is a great music platform for music enthusiasts, thanks to its many entertaining essays and feature stories. It also has music videos, video outtakes, and backstage concert footage.
Specs & Configurations
Hi-Res Audio Non-Music Content Learn More Tidal Review -
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![Amazon Music Unlimited]()
Best for Amazon Device IntegrationAmazon Music Unlimited
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Amazon is an e-commerce and digital streaming giant, so it's no surprise that Amazon Music Unlimited offers a feature-packed listening experience that has earned the company a spot among the best in the field. With it, you can listen to a 100 million-song catalog, enjoy hi-res audio, and explore an extensive podcast library.
Who It's For
Amazon hardware owners: As with other music services, you can stream crisp audio via a smartphone app or web browser. That said, if you have one of Amazon's many devices, including the Echo or Fire TV, you can cast music from a mobile device or issue voice commands to control playback.
Audiophiles: Amazon Music Unlimited includes HD (CD-quality lossless), Ultra HD (better than CD quality), and a growing selection of Spatial Audio tracks (Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio) at no extra cost.
Specs & Configurations
Free Version Available Hi-Res Audio Song Lyrics Learn More Amazon Music Unlimited Review -
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Credit: LiveOne
![LiveOne]()
Best for Curated ChannelsLiveOne
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The late, great Slacker Radio was absorbed by LiveOne, a streaming music service that combines the former's curated radio listening with the latter's shows and live performances. As a result, LiveOne features a deep well of high-quality listening material, including informative DJs, numerous podcasts, comedy stations, and concert streams.
Who It's For
Concert-goers: Unlike its many streaming music rivals, LiveOne focuses on the live music experience. So, if your favorite band is coming to town, you can purchase tickets to see it in person or enjoy the show via a live stream.
Music fans who miss DJs: LiveOne emphasizes its expertly curated stations, hosted by real DJs who share their expertise and personality. This appeals to listeners who miss the charm of traditional radio and want a less algorithm-driven experience.
Specs & Configurations
Free Version Available Live Programming Non-Music Content Learn More LiveOne Review -
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![Deezer]()
Best for MP3 UploadsDeezer
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The music streaming industry is a particularly competitive field, so Deezer, which entered the scene in 2016, has stiff competition. Still, Deezer is a well-rounded package that offers music, live radio, and podcasts, as well as a few interesting perks that make the service worthwhile.
Who It's For
People who own downloaded music: One of Deezer's most impressive features is its ability to import MP3 files. You can't do it on mobile devices, but if you have your favorite music files saved on a computer, you can upload them to your account via Deezer's website. Then you can stream those MP3 files from anywhere.
Specs & Configurations
Live Programming Non-Music Content Song Lyrics Learn More Deezer Review -
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![YouTube Music]()
Best for Former Google Play Music SubscribersYouTube Music
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
From Google Play Music’s ashes rose YouTube Music, a service with a fantastic blend of customized playlists, search-by-lyrics functionality, and official studio releases. What’s more, as an extension of YouTube’s massive entertainment branch, there is an eclectic selection of unique music, including community uploads and video game soundtracks.
Who It's For
Budget-conscious music fans: The vast and diverse YouTube Music library is available to all, for free. You must contend with ads, and cannot play music in the background on mobile devices. However, you can enjoy all the audio the service has to offer, with on-demand playback (a very cool bonus not available in other services' free tiers).
Specs & Configurations
Free Version Available Song Lyrics Learn More YouTube Music Review -
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Credit: Qobuz
![Qobuz]()
Best for Hi-Res AudioQobuz
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
It’s natural to expect expansive streaming listening catalogs from the services mentioned here, but Qobuz shakes things up by letting you buy music, too. In addition, you get a huge music library at the highest resolution available, curated playlists, and an attractive user interface.
Who It's For
People who want to own music: Qobuz has a store where you can purchase digital tracks and albums in their original, high-quality format.
Audiophiles: A massive catalog isn’t always enough. For audiophiles, sound quality can make or break a service. Qobuz offers its subscribers high-res audio that complement their expensive, high-fidelity headphones.
Specs & Configurations
Hi-Res Audio Non-Music Content Learn More Qobuz Review -
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![Idagio]()
Best for Classical MusicIdagio
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
There's no shortage of streaming music services that highlight trending music and popular tracks. When it comes to classical music, however, many services fall short, particularly in their categorization and sorting of classical music. Idagio, a notable exception, offers a large catalog of high-quality classical music, as well as live-streamed concerts and interviews.
Who It's For
Classical music fans: Plenty of music streaming services have classical compositions in their catalogs, but Idagio has the genre-specific tools you need to find the music you want. Specialized search and filtering functionality enable you to search by composer, conductor, performer, orchestra, work, movement, key, opus number, or period.
Specs & Configurations
Free Version Available Hi-Res Audio Non-Music Content Learn More Idagio Review -
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Best For | Best for Apple Device Integration | Best for Satellite Radio | Best for Podcasts | Best for Music-Related Extras | Best for Amazon Device Integration | Best for Curated Channels | Best for MP3 Uploads | Best for Former Google Play Music Subscribers | Best for Hi-Res Audio | Best for Classical Music | Best for Apple Device Integration | Best for Satellite Radio | Best for Podcasts |
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Buying Guide: The Best Online Music Streaming Services for 2026
(Credit: PCMag)The Best Music Streaming Quality
Most streaming music services have some base-level commonality, such as letting you create customizable channels. However, a handful stand out from the very crowded pack due to their unique feature sets. For example, Amazon Music Unlimited, Qobuz, and Tidal pride themselves on sound quality, delivering premium hi-res audio that features uncompressed tunes surpassing your typical music stream. Considering that most online music services' streams are in the compressed 128Kbps to 320Kbps range, this trend is impressive. You'll need audiophile-quality headphones or top-notch speakers to truly appreciate the musical richness.
The Best Free Music Streaming Services
Some services, such as LiveOne and Spotify, have free options that allow you to try them before subscribing. Still, others, like Apple Music, are strictly premium experiences (typically starting at the $10-per-month mark). Many services have lyrics, too, so you can sing along, word-for-word, with your favorite song. In addition, family plans, a relatively recent industry feature, allow up to six household members to sign up for a shared premium account for approximately $14.99 per month, depending on the service.
There are several differences between the free and paid streaming music tiers offered by most services. Free accounts typically limit your ability to skip songs to just six per hour, and they feed you ads in either audio or video form. The free tiers are designed for more casual listeners or those who don't find it worthwhile to spend money on music. Premium accounts, however, provide unlimited song skips, on-demand playback, and other goodies. The premium service tiers are designed for customers who truly want to explore the full capabilities of a streaming music service.
In addition, each of the reviewed services has mobile apps, so you don't need to be tied to your PC to enjoy music. A valuable feature that you'll find in these services' mobile apps is the ability to cache music for offline playback, a feature generally reserved for premium subscribers. This is a technological godsend for commuters or anyone who frequently visits locations with spotty signal coverage.
You'll find even greater streaming audio diversity should you dig deeper into the space. LiveOne, for example, differentiates itself with Stories, a hosted program that features interesting tales, ranging from love to horror. Tidal sells concert and sports tickets and has an expert editorial staff that produces feature-length articles. Deezer lets you upload your own audio files and stream them alongside the songs in the company's catalog. Most services have a robust selection of comedy albums. Video game music is yet another audio avenue to explore, and many of these services feature an extensive collection of game soundtracks to add to your playlist. There's a lot of content to explore beyond simple music.
(Credit: PCMag)Which Streaming Service Has the Best Music?
That's not an easy answer. Thanks to—you guessed it—money, some platforms have either gained or lost content. Taylor Swift, Prince, and other artists have seen their catalogs vanish from streaming platforms (and later reappear) due to low royalties. The issue of artist compensation has always dogged the recording industry, and it hasn't disappeared with the advent of streaming music—quite the contrary, in fact.
In some cases, you may be unable to play certain songs on demand; these tracks are only available within the scope of a themed channel. Content restrictions and missing artists and tracks are still a problem in the space, though—Swift notwithstanding—the situation has improved markedly in recent years.
Trying to figure out where things live and how you're able to access them can prove quite vexing to the uninitiated. It's one of the entertainment challenges that we face in the digital age.
The Right Music Streaming Service for You
Thankfully, you don't need to wade through the numerous services to find the one that best suits your listening needs. PCMag has reviewed both popular and niche streaming music services to separate the musical wheat from the auditory chaff. Whether you’re curious about a particular service or just want to know how Spotify stacks up to Tidal, take a look at the reviews above to discover what streaming music services are best suited to your listening tastes.
Curious about why certain streaming music services aren't featured in this story? They've likely been surpassed by the 10 superior services highlighted here, absorbed by a rival, or gone out of business. For example, AOL Radio is no more, and Rdio sold its tech to Pandora. We expect to see more shakeouts in the space over the next few years, as numerous players offer broadly similar services.
If you're concerned about streaming your favorite tunes over, say, a Starbucks Wi-Fi signal, you need to get yourself a VPN. A virtual private network safeguards your mobile devices from snoopers and, depending on the location of the VPN server, may let you access music licensed for other regions. Using a VPN to circumvent licensing restrictions may violate a platform's terms of service, so proceed with caution.
Jeffrey L. Wilson contributed to this article.