Table of Contents 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 distinctive features that set them apart. Each service is appealing in its own way, making it harder than you might think to choose the best streaming music service. I've tested the category's notable names for more than a decade to help you narrow your choices with our top picks, which include Apple Music and Spotify. Our Top Tested Picks Apple Music’s rich radio stations, curated playlists, lossless playback, Dolby Atmos support, and excellent music-related content make it one of the best services in the streaming audio space. Features more than 100 million tracks Cool video playlists 24/7 Apple Music radio stations and video channel Rich hi-res audio and Dolby Atmos sound Supports lyrics and karaoke Lacks a free version Lossless audio not available on all platforms Spotify leads the streaming music pack with its vast music catalog, countless podcasts, early album access, collaborative playlists, and richer audio quality than ever. Terrific audio quality Cool AI-powered DJ Collaborative playlists and Group Session options Optional desktop app lets you play locally stored audio files Premium accounts let you hear select albums before they're released Student plan includes ad-supported Hulu Slightly pricier than many competing services Only a premium subscriber can start a Jam session Amazon Music Unlimited Amazon Music Unlimited's feature-rich music and podcast selection makes the streaming service a worthy premium upgrade from the limited jukebox bundled with a Prime subscription. Features more than 100 million tracks Cool AI-generated playlists Karaoke-style lyrics Rich hi-res audio and Dolby Atmos support Tight integration with the Amazon device family Includes one free Audible audiobook stream per month Lacks a free, ad-supported tier Paltry discount for Prime members No longer supports music videos By scaling back its custom channels and Pandora features, SiriusXM shifts from a streaming music competitor to a live broadcast powerhouse for phone, smart devices, and vehicles. Many live and curated channels Large buffer to pause and rewind content High-profile exclusive broadcasts Useful TuneStart and alert systems Deep podcast catalog No true family plan Lacks hi-res audio Greatly reduced music customization options Tidal is a premium, artist-focused platform built for audiophiles with high-end headphones who want peerless sound quality and a massive music catalog. Excellent sound quality Long-form editorial pieces Music-focused podcasts Exclusive backstage content, live streams, and concerts Robust support for indie artists Lacks a free listening tier Dropped integrations for some home theater setups DJ tools no longer part of the base subscription YouTube Music is a robust streaming service that's loaded with official tunes, fan uploads, podcasts, and videos. Lets you easily switch between audio and music videos Many music discovery tools Cool location- and time-based playlists Can search for songs by lyrics Collaborative playlists Family and student plans Podcast support Lacks hi-res audio Real-time lyrics not available for every song Featuring numerous playlists, original videos, and useful AI tools, Deezer is a satisfying middle ground between traditional, on-demand music and live radio. Good crop of original content, including video Many fun social features Free tier is virtually useless via browser Doesn't let you rewind live music Idagio lets you stream classical music from a large, up-to-date catalog complemented by the tools you need to find exactly the works and performances you want to hear. Large music selection with recent releases Useful categorization and search tools Concert streaming on demand Exclusive recording content Doesn’t support hi-res audio streams or surround sound Qobuz impresses with a large, hi-res music catalog for streaming or purchase across sleek, cross-platform apps with valuable extras such as album liner notes and editorial content. High-quality lossless and studio-quality audio streaming Streaming and purchasing options Includes album liner notes in PDF form Background articles, guest playlists, and Interviews Well-designed apps for all platforms with Qobuz Connect multi-device control No free account level Lacks social components Missing live stations and podcasts Doesn't support smart speakers LiveOne shines as one of the more well-rounded streaming music services on the market, featuring live music streams, highly entertaining channels, and numerous podcasts. Excellent curated channels and playlists Deep video well Informative DJs Lets you purchase tickets for in-person or streamed concerts Entry-level paid tier doesn't let you stream on demand Cumbersome interface Lacks hi-res audio Best Hi-Res Audio Streaming Services Best Streaming Music Services for Video Game Soundtracks Aug. 11, 2026: With this update, our lineup of recommended streaming music services remains unchanged. The existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability. Best for Apple Device Integration Features more than 100 million tracks Cool video playlists 24/7 Apple Music radio stations and video channel Rich hi-res audio and Dolby Atmos sound Supports lyrics and karaoke Lacks a free version Lossless audio not available on all platforms 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 . 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 Best for Podcasts Terrific audio quality Cool AI-powered DJ Collaborative playlists and Group Session options Optional desktop app lets you play locally stored audio files Premium accounts let you hear select albums before they're released Student plan includes ad-supported Hulu Slightly pricier than many competing services Only a premium subscriber can start a Jam session 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 . 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 Best for Amazon Device Integration Amazon Music Unlimited Features more than 100 million tracks Cool AI-generated playlists Karaoke-style lyrics Rich hi-res audio and Dolby Atmos support Tight integration with the Amazon device family Includes one free Audible audiobook stream per month Lacks a free, ad-supported tier Paltry discount for Prime members No longer supports music videos

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. 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 Best for Satellite Radio Many live and curated channels Large buffer to pause and rewind content High-profile exclusive broadcasts Useful TuneStart and alert systems Deep podcast catalog No true family plan Lacks hi-res audio Greatly reduced music customization options Why We Picked It By combining live radio, in-studio artist sessions, and the ability to rewind streams, SiriusXM whipped up a recipe for success that few rivals can replicate. Additionally, SiriusXM offers a no-cost plan for vehicles: Free Access. It gives you dozens of ad-supported channels, as long as you listen from an eligible vehicle (one that features a SiriusXM 360L hybrid radio) and use it at least once every 60 days. 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. SiriusXM is unique among streaming music services in that it offers à 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 Best for Music-Related Extras Excellent sound quality Long-form editorial pieces Music-focused podcasts Exclusive backstage content, live streams, and concerts Robust support for indie artists Lacks a free listening tier Dropped integrations for some home theater setups DJ tools no longer part of the base subscription 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. 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 Best for Music Videos Lets you easily switch between audio and music videos Many music discovery tools Cool location- and time-based playlists Can search for songs by lyrics Collaborative playlists Family and student plans Podcast support Lacks hi-res audio Real-time lyrics not available for every song 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 . 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 Best for MP3 Uploads Good crop of original content, including video Many fun social features Free tier is virtually useless via browser Doesn't let you rewind live music 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. 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 Best for Classical Music Large music selection with recent releases Useful categorization and search tools Concert streaming on demand Exclusive recording content Doesn’t support hi-res audio streams or surround sound 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. 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 Best for Hi-Res Audio High-quality lossless and studio-quality audio streaming Streaming and purchasing options Includes album liner notes in PDF form Background articles, guest playlists, and Interviews Well-designed apps for all platforms with Qobuz Connect multi-device control No free account level Lacks social components Missing live stations and podcasts Doesn't support smart speakers 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. 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 Best for Curated Channels Excellent curated channels and playlists Deep video well Informative DJs Lets you purchase tickets for in-person or streamed concerts Entry-level paid tier doesn't let you stream on demand Cumbersome interface Lacks hi-res audio 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. 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 The Best Online Music Streaming Services for 2026 Compare Specs The Best Music Streaming Quality Most streaming music services share common features, such as the ability to 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 with uncompressed tracks that surpass 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, offer free options that let you 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 casual listeners or those who don't find it worthwhile to pay for 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 diversity in streaming audio if you dig deeper into the space. LiveOne, for example, differentiates itself with Stories, a hosted program featuring 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 songs in its 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. 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 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. Recommended by Our Editors 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. I 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 VPN server's location, may allow you to access music licensed in other regions. Using a VPN to circumvent licensing restrictions may violate a platform's terms of service, so proceed with caution. About Our Expert In 2014, I began my career at PCMag as a freelancer. That blossomed into a full-time position in 2021, and I now review email marketing apps, mobile operating systems, web hosting services, streaming music platforms, and video games as a senior writer. I'm a graduate of Hunter College, a hard-core gamer, and an Apple enthusiast. Streaming Music Services Email Marketing Mobile Payment Apps Final Fantasy Resonance: How Square Enix Turned a Dead Gacha Game Into a Must-Play Console RPG The Best Web Hosting Services for 2026 Silver Palace Is a Compelling Palate Cleanser for Stale Gacha Game Tropes With the Dark Arisen DLC, Dragon's Dogma 2 Is Now the RPG I Wanted at Launch Hackers Are Targeting Your Website. Here's How to Stop Them More from Gabriel Zamora Weekend Project Further Reading What's the best graphics card for 4K gaming? Should I get the iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Pro? Show me some good VPNs under $10 a month.