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The way we consume music today is nothing like it was back in the days of our parents or grandparents. If you’re old enough, you might remember the sound of the turntable stylus dropping onto a spinning black vinyl record, or the sound of a cassette tape rewinding in your portable walkman. The music industry has evolved from sheet music, megaphones, and vinyl, to cassette tapes, CDs, MP3s, and now digital files, readily available for streaming with just a few taps on a smartphone screen or clicks on a desktop.
As the music industry has become increasingly digitized, online music streaming platforms have been gaining massive traction, competing for the attention of global listeners. These platforms have evolved rapidly over the years, adding on to the list of features they offer to both artists and users. If, in the beginning, there was only YouTube, nowadays, there are various options for music fans and independent artists to enjoy, and it can be hard to keep track of all of them. Luckily, we’re here to help, and give you a rundown of the best streaming platforms available on the digital market today. These are the cream of the crop, the best-in-class, and the most popular channels for music listeners at the moment, and we’re about to find out why.
Spotify
The reigning king of digital music streaming, Spotify is the platform to be, not only for avid music fans, but for aspiring artists, as well. The platform is a haven for independent artists looking to get their music heard by millions of listeners, regardless of genre, location, or background. Landing a song on a popular Spotify playlist is a huge milestone for any aspiring artist, songwriter, or producer, because that will propel their work to new heights and gain much-needed exposure for the artist’s brand.
With over 80 million songs in its catalog, Spotify is the hottest music streaming platform at the moment, even if other platforms on the list boast an even larger library. The variety of genres, the clean design and intuitive UX, the great Spotify for Artist service, and excellent curated playlists - these are just some of the great features that Spotify has to offer, and its number of subscribers is increasing on a daily basis.
Apple Music
Spotify’s main competitor, at least in terms of popularity, is Apple Music. Although the algorithms, per-stream payment systems, and other details are not as transparent, because that’s just the way Apple operates, the platform is the place to be if you’re looking to catch the attention of the ‘Apple ecosystem of fans.’ With over 90 million songs in its library, Apple Music’s basically a no-brainer if you use an Apple device. It also features lossless and spatial audio options, providing excellent sound quality and an immersive listening experience. The only downside is that there’s no free version of Apple Music; you only get a one-month free trial if you want to experiment with it.
Amazon Music
Given that Amazon is one of the biggest corporations in the world, it’s no wonder that they also built a music streaming platform of their own, one that’s been gradually growing in popularity among Prime members in recent years. It’s grown so much in popularity that it’s managed to build an over-90-million-song library in a relatively short time, competing with music titans like Spotify and Apple Music. If you’re part of the Amazon ecosystem, again, it’s a no brainer, because you can stream your favorite music at high quality on various Amazon devices, including Echo or Fire TV. For artists, getting your music heard by millions of Amazon users can be a major plus, and the good news is that the platform is constantly being updated to compete with the best in the business.
Tidal
Initially founded by a group of high-profile artists, including Jay-Z, Tidal has come a long way over the years, and it’s now one of the most popular music streaming platforms, competing with the likes of Spotify. Why is it so popular? It’s committed to providing high-fidelity audio quality and is focused on showcasing the artists and their work and ensuring they are fairly compensated. It’s a popular choice for audiophiles and listeners who prioritize sound quality. At the same time, Tidal places great importance on exclusive content, often featuring early releases, exclusive music videos or launches, behind-the-scenes footage, remixes, instrumentals, and a lot more. The platform also stands out for paying higher royalties to artists compared to other similar platforms, which is why many musicians choose the platform for exclusive content releases.
YouTube Music
Launched in 2015 as a spinoff, if you will, of the video streaming platform YouTube, Youtube Music has gradually managed to climb to the top of the list of most popular music streaming platforms. Offering everything from music videos, official tracks, exclusive content, live streams, and user-generated content, YouTube Music is the top choice for anyone who’s a big fan of the YouTube platform in general. The integration between the two platforms is seamless, and users can switch from music videos to audio-only content with ease, which allows for an immersive listening experience. Of course, YouTube Music also relies heavily on recommendations, promoting similar artists to help audiences discover new music. This, in turn, helps artists boost their exposure and be featured in recommended playlists on the platform. What’s more, the premium version of YouTube is a worthy upgrade, offering ad-free listening, offline music and video downloads, background playback, and more.
Pandora
Believe it or not, Pandora has been around since 2000. That’s right, it’s one of the first music streaming platforms that really caught on, and a pioneering launch in the digital age of the music industry. It provided a new approach to music streaming by allowing users to create personalized radio stations featuring their favorite artists, genres, or songs. The Pandora algorithm would then pick up where they left off, and create playlists featuring similar artists or songs that match the user’s preferences. This enabled users to discover new artists and genres they might not have known before, at the same time creating opportunities for artists to have their music heard. It’s definitely evolved and improved over the years, now featuring both a free version and a premium subscription option. Its Music Genome Project helps independent and emerging artists get their music heard by Pandora users through algorithm-curated recommendation playlists.
Deezer
Another blast from the past, Deezer was launched a bit later than Pandora, in 2007, and it’s still alive and kicking today. In fact, it boasts a huge library featuring over 70 million songs, and offers both free, ad-supported streaming, and premium subscription options, such as Deezer Premium and Deezer Family. It also features a personalized playlist called Flow, which is curated to match what a user enjoys listening to, and suggest recommendations based on their previous activities, genres, moods, or artists. The platform also offers high quality sound through their HiFi subscription tier, and allows users to enjoy offline playback, as well. For artists, Deezer provides various analytics features that provide insight about the number of listens, most popular songs, and a lot, lot more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best music streaming platforms?
Determining the "best" music streaming platform depends on individual preferences and priorities. Spotify stands out for its extensive music library, personalized playlists, and user-friendly interface. Apple Music is renowned for its seamless integration with Apple devices and curated playlists. YouTube Music offers a unique blend of official tracks, music videos, and user-generated content, appealing to those who enjoy visual components. Tidal attracts audiophiles with its commitment to high-fidelity audio and exclusive content. Pandora remains popular for its personalized radio stations and discovery features, while Deezer provides a diverse catalog and options for both free and premium users. Ultimately, the best platform depends on factors like content preferences, user interface preferences, and desired features.
Why are music streaming platforms so popular?
Music streaming platforms have become immensely popular due to their convenience, accessibility, and extensive libraries. These platforms allow users to instantly access a vast array of music from various genres at their fingertips, eliminating the need for physical music collections. The ability to create personalized playlists, discover new artists through algorithms, and enjoy music on-the-go through mobile devices has significantly transformed the way people consume music. Subscription models offering ad-free listening, offline playback, and exclusive content have further enhanced the user experience, making music streaming an integral part of modern entertainment and contributing to the decline of traditional music ownership models like CDs and digital downloads.
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