Music streaming services
We put 6 music streaming services through the same test. YouTube Music came out on top with 5 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
Music streaming services we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
YouTube Music
5/5Read our review →
Spotify
5/5Read our review →
SoundCloud
5/5Read our review →
Deezer
4.5/5Read our review →
Apple Music
4/5Read our review →
Tidal
2.5/5Read our review →Test results compared
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 |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What music streaming services do
Music streaming services let you play a licensed catalog of tens of millions of tracks on demand for a monthly fee, with ad-supported free tiers at some. Plans add offline downloads, higher audio quality and shared family accounts; podcasts and audiobooks are often included.
Who uses them: Everyday listeners, Families and couples sharing a plan, Students, Audiophiles, Android and Apple device owners.
Price range: Individual plans in the US cost 11.99 (Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music Premium) to 12.99 USD (Spotify) a month; YouTube Premium with video is 15.99. Family is 18.99 to 21.99 USD, student 6.99 USD at Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Free tiers exist at Spotify and YouTube Music. SoundCloud Go is 4.99 USD. Most prices rose in 2026.
What to check before you buy
Price and plan type. US individual plans now span about 11.99 to 15.99 USD; family and student plans cut the per-person cost.
Free tier. Spotify and YouTube Music have ad-supported tiers; Apple Music and Tidal have none; Deezer's US page says free is not available.
Audio quality. Tidal offers hi-res to 24-bit/192 kHz; Apple Music has lossless and Atmos; Spotify has lossless to 24-bit/44.1 kHz; YouTube Music is 256 kbit/s paid.
Catalog and discovery. Spotify's playlists and recommendations lead the reviews; YouTube Music adds video and live versions.
Device and ecosystem fit. Apple Music suits Apple devices, YouTube Music Android and Google, Spotify nearly everything.
How we test music streaming services
The test for this category: Use each service for a month; catalog check of 100 tracks, audio quality, discovery, family price.
Testers use each service as a customer: subscribe for a month, or for marketplaces and writing services, place the same small paid job (for example a 500-word article or a logo) with three providers each.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for consumer services and marketplaces tools.
What we measure
- 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
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is the best music streaming service?
Search-ranked lists most often name Spotify overall, Tidal for audio, Apple Music for iPhone users.
Which is the cheapest?
SoundCloud Go at 4.99 USD; student plans 6.99 at Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal.
Which has the best sound?
Tidal reaches 24-bit/192 kHz; Apple Music Hi-Res needs a DAC.
Is there a free option?
Spotify Free and YouTube Music free with ads.
Can I move playlists?
Apple and Deezer have transfer tools.
More in lifestyle apps
Page updated November 4, 2026.
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.
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