Table of Contents
It is now possible to access over 120 million songs using nothing but the phone in your pocket. But with a number of companies competing to deliver them, it’s important to find the best music streaming service for you. Each offers something unique, whether that’s lossless audio or quirky music recommendations.
“More than 60 per cent of our customers pay for more than one music streaming service,” explains Michelangelo Guarise, founder of Volumio, which consolidates multiple streaming services into one location. “Many are suffering from a sort of decision paralysis.”
To help you choose, I’ve tried the eight most popular subscriptions and you can read my reviews below, followed by answers to some frequently asked questions. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
Which are the best music streaming services in 2024? At a glance
What is the difference between music streaming services?
“Each is trying to offer something different, despite largely costing the same and having nearly identical monthly subscription models,” Guarise says. “We often see Spotify used as a benchmark. They’re the Netflix of the audio world.”
Spotfiy recently expanded to offer podcasts, such as the popular Joe Rogan Experience, Supernatural and Fantasy Footballers. It also dabbles in audiobooks and even self-learning courses.
The likes of Deezer and Amazon Music Unlimited are rapidly playing catch up, while at the other end of the spectrum, Qobuz, Apple Music and Tidal are all raising the bar by offering a library of content in a sonically unparalleled hi-res lossless format.
Bitrate
Bitrate refers to the amount of data that is processed over time. It’s typically calculated in kbps (kilobytes per second). Streaming services compress data in order to stream it faster. The more the data is compressed, the more detail is lost. The less it is compressed, the better quality is the audio.
Volumio’s Guarise likens hi-res audio to watching 4K or ultra high-definition television. One of the leaders in lossless audio is Tidal. Whereas Spotify streams at a max speed of 320 kbps, Tidal streams at a massive 9,216 kbps. Granted, this will hoover up mobile data, but the resulting audio will have unrivalled clarity.
Recommendation engines
These are the programmes that suggest songs for you based on your previous listening. “They mainly work by assigning each track characteristics such as tone and tempo,” says Guarise. “The algorithm can then suggest other songs with similar characteristics.”
However, Guarise feels that it is also “feeding mediocrity”, where users are continuously suggested the same tracks and artists. Some streaming services, such as Tidal and Qobuz, like to counteract this by featuring playlists curated by musicologists.
Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended
Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product at the best price. No manufacturer ever sees copy before publication and we do not accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more.
How we chose the best music streaming services
After taking advice from music industry experts Michaelangelo Guarise and Steve Sells, I spent a month listening to each of the UK’s leading subscription services. I was looking for a wide library of tracks, streamed in high-quality audio with well-calibrated recommendations and valuable extra features such as podcasts and audiobooks.
I also took into account value for money, including student discounts, family plans and free-with-ads plans. Here’s what I found, starting with the best…
1. Spotify
Best overall, 9/10
We like: fantastically deep library and cool AI DJ feature
We don’t like: plans are getting expensive, yet it lacks hi-res audio
