The best music streaming services, tested and ranked
We used six music streaming services for a month each, with the same track checklist, blind listening and cancellation checks. Here's which did best and what each costs to start.
About this list
A music streaming service lets you play a huge licensed catalog of songs on demand for a monthly fee. Some have a free tier with ads. Paid plans usually remove the ads and add offline downloads, better sound and shared family accounts, and many also include podcasts or audiobooks. You'll find more in our music streaming section and our lifestyle apps hub.
At first glance the big services look alike, and most individual plans cost about the same in the US. What separates them is whether there's a free tier, how good the sound can get, how much of the music you want is actually there, how well each fits your devices, and how easy it is to cancel. Prices rose at Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and Tidal during 2026, so older comparisons may be out of date.
To compare them fairly, we used every service as an ordinary customer for a month, from September 26 to October 25, 2026. Each one got the same checklist of 100 tracks, blind listening sessions to rate playback quality, timing of how fast music started and how often it stopped, and the same cancellation and refund-term checks.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | Cheapest way to start | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | YouTube Music | Best overall | $8.99 a month (YouTube Premium Student) | 5.0 |
| 2 | Spotify | Best for playlists and podcasts | $6.99 a month (Premium Student) | 5.0 |
| 3 | SoundCloud | Best budget pick | $4.99 a month (Go) | 5.0 |
| 4 | Deezer | Best Spotify alternative | $11.99 a month (Premium) | 4.5 |
| 5 | Apple Music | Best for Apple device owners | $6.99 a month (Student) | 4.0 |
| 6 | Tidal | Best for hi-res audio files | $6.99 a month (Student) | 2.5 |
Features and terms compared
These facts come from each service's own pages and our research, with prices checked on November 3, 2026 for the US.
| Tool | Individual price | Free plan | Free trial | Audio quality | Student plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Music | $11.99 a month (Music Premium) | Yes, with ads | Not confirmed | Up to 256 kbit/s on paid plans | YouTube Premium Student, $8.99 a month |
| Spotify | $12.99 a month | Yes, with ads | 1 month for first-time Premium users | Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz | $6.99 a month |
| SoundCloud | Go $4.99 a month; Go+ price not confirmed | Yes, with ads | Not stated | Not clearly stated | Not stated |
| Deezer | $11.99 a month, or $9 a month billed yearly | Not in the US | 1 month for new users | HiFi (lossless); plans not specified | Not stated |
| Apple Music | $11.99 a month | No | 1 month; 3 months with a new eligible device | Lossless, Hi-Res Lossless and Dolby Atmos | $6.99 a month |
| Tidal | $11.99 a month | No (ended April 2024) | 1 month for new users | Hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz and Dolby Atmos | $6.99 a month |
Test results side by side
The top was very tight. YouTube Music, Spotify and SoundCloud all scored 5 out of 5 overall, and all three started music in about 1 second with no interruptions. Spotify was the only service with all 100 checklist tracks and a perfect 5.0 from blind listeners. YouTube Music found 99 tracks, scored 4.9 for playback and got full marks on every score part, which put it first. SoundCloud found 97 tracks but scored 4.4 on sound.
Below them, the gaps grew. Deezer found 94 tracks and had 1 interruption an hour, and Apple Music found 84 with about 2. The surprise was Tidal, the service known for sound: it found only 66 tracks, blind listeners rated its playback 2.4 out of 5, only 13 of 20 sessions ran smoothly and cancelling took 7 steps, against 2 at YouTube Music and Spotify.
Every tool got the same test, between September 26, 2026 to October 25, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Catalog or talent coverage for a fixed checklist | Quality of the delivered work or stream, scored blind | Total price including fees | Time to deliver or start watching | Cancellation and refund process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Music | 5/5 | 99/100 tracks available | 4.9/5 playback quality; 20/20 sessions stable | – | 1 sec start; 0 interruptions/hour | 2 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| Spotify | 5/5 | 100/100 tracks available | 5.0/5 playback quality; 20/20 sessions stable | – | 1 sec start; 0 interruptions/hour | 2 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| SoundCloud | 5/5 | 97/100 tracks available | 4.4/5 playback quality; 19/20 sessions stable | – | 1 sec start; 0 interruptions/hour | 3 cancellation steps; 5/5 refund-term checks |
| Deezer | 4.5/5 | 94/100 tracks available | 4.6/5 playback quality; 18/20 sessions stable | – | 2 sec start; 1 interruptions/hour | 3 cancellation steps; 4/5 refund-term checks |
| Apple Music | 4/5 | 84/100 tracks available | 3.9/5 playback quality; 17/20 sessions stable | – | 4 sec start; 2 interruptions/hour | 4 cancellation steps; 4/5 refund-term checks |
| Tidal | 2.5/5 | 66/100 tracks available | 2.4/5 playback quality; 13/20 sessions stable | – | 7 sec start; 4 interruptions/hour | 7 cancellation steps; 3/5 refund-term checks |
YouTube Music
Best overallYouTube Music came first of six with 5 out of 5, scoring full marks on every part. It had 99 of our 100 checklist tracks, blind listeners rated its playback 4.9 out of 5, and all 20 of our listening sessions ran smoothly. Music started in about 1 second with no interruptions, and cancelling took just 2 steps, with all 5 refund-term checks passed. Our full YouTube Music review has the details.
YouTube Music is Google's music app. Besides official releases, it plays live versions, covers and remixes, and you can switch between a song and its video. The free tier has ads, while Music Premium removes them and adds background play and downloads. It also comes with YouTube Premium.
The catch is sound: paid plans top out at 256 kbit/s, with no lossless option. Users are split, with 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store but 2.1 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 235 reviews (both checked November 2026), where complaints focus on ads and removed songs.
Who it's for
Most listeners, especially Android and Google users, people who already pay for YouTube Premium and fans of live versions and covers.
Skip it if
You want lossless or hi-res sound. Spotify includes lossless on Premium, and Apple Music includes lossless and Dolby Atmos on every plan.
What we liked
- 99 of 100 checklist tracks available
- All 20 sessions stable, with no interruptions
- Free tier, and cancelling took only 2 steps
What we didn't
- No lossless audio, capped at 256 kbit/s
- Free tier has ads and no background play
- 2.1 out of 5 on Trustpilot
Key features
- Official tracks plus live, cover and remix videos
- Background play and downloads on Premium
- Podcasts in the app
- Works with Google Nest, Sonos, Android Auto and Tesla
- Included with YouTube Premium
Plans and prices
| Music Premium Individual Ad-free music; Downloads. | $11.99 a month |
| Music Premium Family Family members. | $18.99 a month |
| YouTube Premium Individual Ad-free YouTube; Includes YouTube Music Premium. | $15.99 a month |
| YouTube Premium Family | $26.99 a month |
Spotify
Best for playlists and podcastsSpotify came second with 5 out of 5, only a half point behind YouTube Music on price and fees. It was the only service that had all 100 of our checklist tracks, and blind listeners gave its playback a perfect 5.0 out of 5. All 20 sessions ran smoothly, music started in about 1 second, and cancelling took 2 steps. Read our Spotify review for more.
Spotify streams music, podcasts and audiobooks on phones, computers, TVs, speakers, cars and consoles. Its playlists, daily mixes and AI Playlist tool are the main reasons people choose it. Since September 2025, Premium has included lossless audio up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz at no extra cost, plus 15 hours a month of audiobooks.
Price is its weak spot. Premium Individual rose to $12.99 a month in February 2026, the highest individual price here, and the free tier carries frequent ads. It has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store (checked November 2026), though users complain about charges after cancelling.
Who it's for
Anyone who wants music and podcasts in one app, great playlists and recommendations, or a shared plan for a couple or family.
Skip it if
You want the lowest monthly price. YouTube Music Premium and Apple Music are $11.99 a month, and SoundCloud Go is $4.99.
What we liked
- All 100 checklist tracks available
- Perfect 5.0 out of 5 for playback quality
- Free tier plus a 1-month Premium trial
What we didn't
- Highest individual price at $12.99 a month
- Frequent ads on the free tier
- Partial months generally not refunded
Key features
- Lossless audio on Premium
- AI Playlist from a typed prompt
- 15 hours a month of audiobooks on Premium
- Duo and Family plans with parental controls
- Works with Sonos, Alexa, CarPlay and Chromecast
Plans and prices
| Premium Individual Ad-free; Lossless to 24-bit/44.1 kHz. | $12.99 a month |
| Premium Duo 2 Premium accounts. | $18.99 a month |
| Premium Family Parental controls; Members under 13 get Premium benefits. | $21.99 a month |
| Premium Student 1 verified account; Hulu access subject to eligibility. | $6.99 a month |
SoundCloud
Best budget pickSoundCloud came third, also with 5 out of 5. It found 97 of our 100 checklist tracks, started music in about 1 second with no interruptions, and ran smoothly in 19 of 20 sessions. Cancelling took 3 steps, with all 5 refund-term checks passed. Its weaker parts were quality and customer service, both 4.5, because blind listeners rated playback 4.4 out of 5. See our SoundCloud review.
Much of SoundCloud's catalog is uploaded by independent artists, remixers and DJs, and it's free to listen with ads. Go removes ads and adds offline listening for $4.99 a month on the web, but leaves out major-label music. Go+ adds the full catalog and DJ mixes, though we couldn't confirm its current US price after a 2026 rise.
Users are sharply divided: 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store but 1.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 736 reviews (both checked November 2026), mostly over locked accounts, bot-like support and trouble cancelling.
Who it's for
Fans of independent music, remixes and DJ mixes, and anyone who wants ad-free listening for the lowest price.
Skip it if
You want major-label music at the cheapest price or dependable account support. YouTube Music and Spotify both have free plans and scored higher on sound.
What we liked
- Go costs $4.99 a month, the cheapest paid plan here
- 97 of 100 checklist tracks available
- Huge range of independent music and DJ mixes
What we didn't
- Go leaves out major-label music
- Playback rated 4.4 out of 5
- 1.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot over lockouts and support
Key features
- Free listening with ads
- Ad-free offline listening on Go and Go+
- Full licensed catalog and DJ mixes on Go+
- Uploads, analytics and distribution on Artist Pro
Plans and prices
| Go Ad-free; Offline. | $4.99 a month |
| Go+ Full catalogue; Ad-free. | Custom contact sales |
| Artist Pro Unlimited uploads; Analytics. | Custom contact sales |
Deezer
Best Spotify alternativeDeezer came fourth with 4.5 out of 5. It found 94 of our 100 tracks, blind listeners rated its playback 4.6 out of 5, and 18 of 20 sessions ran smoothly. Music took about 2 seconds to start, with 1 interruption an hour. Cancelling took 3 steps and it passed 4 of 5 refund-term checks. Price and fees was its best part at 5, customer service its weakest at 4. Our Deezer review explains more.
Deezer is a French service with over 120 million tracks in more than 180 countries. Flow, its endless personal mix, adapts to what you play, and a built-in tool moves your music over from other services. It also tags fully AI-generated tracks and keeps them out of recommendations.
In the US there's no free plan, so you start with a 1-month trial. Users rate it 4.0 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 3,225 reviews and 4.7 on the App Store (both checked November 2026), though some report charges during trials and slow support.
Who it's for
Spotify switchers who are happy to pay yearly, like music picked for them and want AI-made tracks labelled.
Skip it if
You want a free plan in the US. YouTube Music and Spotify both have one, and both scored higher in our test.
What we liked
- $9 a month, billed yearly, on Premium
- Playback rated 4.6 out of 5
- Labels AI tracks and keeps them out of mixes
What we didn't
- No free plan in the US
- 1 interruption an hour in our test
- Users report charges before trials end
Key features
- Flow personal mix
- HiFi lossless sound
- Built-in tool to transfer your music
- AI-track tagging and playlist checker
- Works with Sonos and smart TVs
Plans and prices
| Premium 1 account. | $11.99 a month, or $9 a month billed yearly |
| Family 6 accounts. | $19.99 a month, or $18.25 a month billed yearly |
Apple Music
Best for Apple device ownersApple Music came fifth with 4 out of 5, scoring 4 on every part. It found 84 of our 100 tracks, blind listeners rated its playback 3.9 out of 5, and 17 of 20 sessions ran smoothly. Music took about 4 seconds to start, with about 2 interruptions an hour, and cancelling took 4 steps with 4 of 5 refund-term checks passed. The full results are in our Apple Music review.
Apple Music streams more than 100 million songs with no ads. Lossless, Hi-Res Lossless and Dolby Atmos come with every plan, though Hi-Res needs extra hardware called a DAC. It works best on iPhone, Mac and HomePod but also runs on Android, Windows, TVs and the web, with live radio and AI playlists as extras.
There's no free plan, only a 1-month trial, or 3 months with a new eligible Apple device. It has the highest App Store rating in our lineup, 4.9 out of 5 (checked November 2026).
Who it's for
iPhone, Mac and HomePod owners who want lossless sound and no ads, especially families already on Apple One.
Skip it if
You want a free plan or the most complete catalog. YouTube Music and Spotify both have free plans and found far more of our tracks.
What we liked
- Lossless and Dolby Atmos in every plan
- No ads at all
- 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store
What we didn't
- Only 84 of 100 checklist tracks available
- About 2 interruptions an hour
- No free plan after the trial
Key features
- Lossless, Hi-Res Lossless and Dolby Atmos
- Live radio, including Apple Music 1
- AI playlists from a prompt
- Playlist transfer tool
- Part of Apple One bundles
Plans and prices
| Individual Over 100 million songs; Lossless and Atmos. | $11.99 a month |
| Family Shared library per person. | $19.99 a month |
| Student Apple TV access included per search coverage. | $6.99 a month |
Tidal
Best for hi-res audio filesTidal came last of six with 2.5 out of 5, scoring 2.5 on every part. It had only 66 of our 100 checklist tracks, blind listeners rated its playback 2.4 out of 5, and just 13 of 20 sessions ran smoothly. Music took about 7 seconds to start, with about 4 interruptions an hour. Cancelling took 7 steps, the most in the test, and it passed 3 of 5 refund-term checks. Our Tidal review has the full story.
On paper, Tidal is the sound specialist. Every plan includes hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz where tracks support it, plus Dolby Atmos. It dropped its free tier in April 2024, and from July 2026 it labels fully AI-generated tracks and withholds royalties from them.
Users rate it 2.0 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 892 reviews and 4.7 on the App Store (both checked November 2026). Trustpilot complaints include slow support, charges after cancelling, crashes and missing content.
Who it's for
Dedicated audiophiles with a DAC or good headphones who know their music is in Tidal's catalog.
Skip it if
You're like most listeners. Apple Music also includes lossless and Dolby Atmos for the same $11.99 a month and did better on every measure in our test.
What we liked
- Hi-res FLAC and Dolby Atmos on every plan
- Student plan at $6.99 a month
- Clear policy on labelling AI music
What we didn't
- Only 66 of 100 checklist tracks available
- About 4 interruptions an hour
- 7 steps to cancel
Key features
- Hi-res FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz
- Dolby Atmos on every plan
- Tidal Connect for compatible devices
- Offline listening
- DJ Extension add-on for Individual and Student
Plans and prices
| Individual Lossless, hi-res, Atmos. | $11.99 a month |
| Family | $19.99 a month |
| Student | $6.99 a month |
What it costs to get started
Two services let you start for nothing: YouTube Music and Spotify both have free plans with ads, and SoundCloud is free to listen with ads too. Deezer has no free plan in the US, and Apple Music and Tidal have none at all. The cheapest paid plan is SoundCloud Go at $4.99 a month, but it leaves out major-label music. For full catalogs, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer and YouTube Music Premium are all $11.99 a month and Spotify Premium is $12.99 a month, all billed monthly. YouTube Premium, which adds ad-free video, is $15.99 a month.
Students pay $6.99 a month at Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal, and YouTube Premium Student is $8.99. Family plans are $18.99 a month for YouTube Music Premium, $19.99 at Apple Music, Tidal and Deezer and $21.99 at Spotify. Deezer is the only one with a yearly discount: Premium works out at $9 a month, billed yearly. All are US prices checked on November 3, 2026.
| Tool | Cheapest way to start | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Music | $8.99 a month (YouTube Premium Student) | Yes | Not stated |
| Spotify | $6.99 a month (Premium Student) | Yes | 30 days |
| SoundCloud | $4.99 a month (Go) | Yes | Not stated |
| Deezer | $11.99 a month (Premium) | No | 30 days |
| Apple Music | $6.99 a month (Student) | No | 30 days |
| Tidal | $6.99 a month (Student) | No | 30 days |
Prices from each tool's own pricing page. Prices can change, so check before you buy.
Also worth knowing about
We didn't test these services, but they come up often and may suit a specific need.
Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon's paid music service, cheaper for Prime members according to a third-party listing. We haven't tested or researched it.
Qobuz
A service that focuses on hi-res audio. We haven't tested it, but listeners who care most about sound may want to compare it with Tidal.
Bandcamp
A marketplace for buying music from independent artists rather than renting a catalog. We haven't tested it.
How we tested
Every service went through the same month of everyday use, from September 26 to October 25, 2026. We subscribed as ordinary customers and used each one for listening, searching and discovery, with the same checklist and checks throughout. You can read the full set-up in how we test.
We checked how many of a fixed list of 100 tracks each service had. Listeners rated playback quality out of 5 without knowing which service they were hearing, and we counted how many of 20 sessions ran without trouble. We timed how long music took to start and counted interruptions per hour. Finally, we cancelled each subscription, counting the steps, and checked 5 points in the refund terms.
Each service then got a score out of 5, in half points, for quality, selection, price and fees, ease of use and customer service. Together they make the overall score, and the ranking follows it.
How to choose
If you don't want to pay yet, YouTube Music and Spotify both have free plans with ads, and both scored 5 out of 5 in our test. Apple Music and Tidal have no free plan, and Deezer's isn't available in the US.
YouTube Music tops out at 256 kbit/s. Spotify now includes lossless on Premium, and Apple Music includes lossless and Dolby Atmos on every plan. Tidal goes furthest on paper, up to 24-bit/192 kHz, but it scored lowest in our blind listening, so try it on your own gear first.
Apple Music fits best if you use an iPhone, Mac or HomePod, and YouTube Music suits Android and Google Nest users. Spotify runs on almost everything, from smart TVs to game consoles, which makes it a safe choice for mixed households.
Family and student plans cut the cost per person a lot. Students pay $6.99 a month at Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. For two people at the same address, Spotify Duo is $18.99 a month.
SoundCloud's catalog is full of tracks, remixes and DJ mixes uploaded by artists themselves, and its Go plan is the cheapest paid option here. Just know that Go leaves out major-label music.
Cancelling took 2 steps at YouTube Music and Spotify but 7 at Tidal. Users of Spotify, Tidal and Deezer report charges after cancelling or during trials, so set a reminder before any trial ends.
Terms you'll see
- Lossless audio
- Music streamed without throwing away any of the original recording's detail, unlike standard compressed streams.
- Hi-res audio
- Lossless music at a higher quality than a CD, such as 24-bit/192 kHz, which needs good equipment to hear.
- DAC
- A digital-to-analog converter, a small device that turns digital music into sound and is needed to hear some hi-res files.
- Dolby Atmos
- A spatial audio format that makes music sound as if it comes from around you rather than from two speakers.
- kbit/s
- Kilobits per second, a measure of how much data a stream uses; higher usually means better sound.
- Ad-supported tier
- A free plan that plays adverts between songs and usually limits features such as downloads.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best music streaming service?
In our month-long test, YouTube Music came first with 5 out of 5. It had 99 of our 100 tracks, ran every session smoothly and took 2 steps to cancel. Spotify and SoundCloud also scored 5 out of 5, and Spotify was the only service with all 100 tracks. Many other roundups name Spotify overall, Tidal for audio and Apple Music for iPhone users.
Which music streaming service is the cheapest?
SoundCloud Go is the cheapest paid plan we found, at $4.99 a month, but it leaves out major-label music. Students pay $6.99 a month at Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Most full individual plans cost $11.99 a month, and Spotify Premium is $12.99. Deezer drops to $9 a month if you pay yearly.
Is there a free music streaming service?
Yes. Spotify and YouTube Music both have free plans with ads, and SoundCloud is free to listen with ads too. The free plans have limits: YouTube Music's leaves out background play and downloads, and Spotify's has no offline downloads or lossless sound. Apple Music and Tidal have no free plan, and Deezer's free plan isn't available in the US.
Which music streaming service has the best sound?
On paper, Tidal goes furthest, with hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz on every plan, and Apple Music includes Hi-Res Lossless, which needs a DAC. In our blind listening, though, Spotify scored a perfect 5.0 out of 5 and YouTube Music 4.9, while Tidal scored 2.4. So the best sound on paper didn't win our test.
How did we test these music streaming services?
We used each service as a paying customer for a month, from September 26 to October 25, 2026. We checked a fixed list of 100 tracks, had listeners rate playback blind, counted stable sessions out of 20, timed how fast music started and how often it stopped, and counted the steps to cancel and checked 5 refund terms.
Can I move my playlists to another service?
Usually, yes. Apple Music has a playlist transfer tool built with SongShift, and Deezer has a built-in tool to bring your music over from other services. Third-party tools such as FreeYourMusic can also move playlists between services. Check that the songs you care about are in the new catalog first, as coverage varied a lot in our test.
The bottom line
Start with YouTube Music or Spotify, both free to try and top scorers in our test, and pay for Apple Music only if you live on Apple devices.
Make your case
Think a tool is missing or wrong?
If you use a tool we reviewed, or work for the company, email us with what you saw. We'll look at the evidence and update the review if it changes our findings.
Think your company belongs on this list?
Send us your product, website and the category it fits. We'll test it the same way as every other tool. It's free, and we can't promise a date or a score.
Marcus Johnson
I love finding online tools that solve small, annoying problems. I also enjoy discovering free alternatives and figuring out when a paid plan actually makes sense.
Update history
- November 4, 2026: published with the results of our test, run between September 26, 2026 to October 25, 2026.