- Spotify alternatives side by side
- Ten music streaming apps to try instead of Spotify
- What matters when choosing a music streaming app
- Questions to ask before you leave Spotify
- Which type of music service suits your working day
- Switching music apps without losing your playlists
- Music streaming mistakes to avoid
- Why a smaller music streaming service can be worth a look
- Settling on your next music app
- Frequently asked questions
The right music streaming app depends on how you listen: playlists, albums, DJ mixes, live radio or high-quality audio. Check the catalogue, the devices it plays on, offline listening and whether there's a free tier. This page lists ten options in no particular order, then covers how to choose and how to switch without losing playlists.
Spotify is the music app most people open first, but it's far from the only way to listen. Maybe you want better sound quality, more live radio, a closer link to the artists you love, or simply a change of scene for your working day's soundtrack.
Here are ten Spotify alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. I've mixed smaller and independent services with a few well-known names, and every description comes from each service's own website and directory listings rather than guesswork. If you're making content as well as listening, my guide on where to get free background music for YouTube and Instagram covers the music you're allowed to use in videos.
Spotify alternatives side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the service's own site says you can listen with a permanent free tier or a free account. Trial only means there's a free trial but no ongoing free way to listen. Free tiers often carry ads or limits, and they can vary by country, so check the service in your own region.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | Streaming service | Listening across Apple devices and big catalogues | Trial only |
| Audiomack | Streaming and discovery app | Finding new and independent artists on mobile | Yes |
| Bandcamp | Music store and community | Supporting artists directly and owning the music | Yes |
| Deezer | Streaming service | A full streaming app with a free tier | Yes |
| Mixcloud | Mixes and radio shows | DJ mixes, radio shows and long sets | Yes |
| Qobuz | Hi-res streaming and downloads | High-quality audio plus a download store | Trial only |
| Radio Garden | Live world radio | Live stations from around the globe | Yes |
| SoundCloud | Audio sharing platform | Emerging artists, remixes and creator uploads | Yes |
| TIDAL | Hi-fi streaming service | Lossless listening and artist-led features | Trial only |
| YouTube Music | Streaming app | Songs, live versions and music videos together | Yes |
Ten music streaming apps to try instead of Spotify
Apple Music
Best for: People already settled on Apple devices who want their music, phone and speakers to work together.
Audiomack
Best for: Listeners who like discovering rising artists, mixtapes and new releases before they hit the mainstream.
Bandcamp
Best for: Fans who'd rather buy albums from artists and labels and stream what they own through a free app.
Deezer
Best for: Listeners who want a familiar on-demand streaming app, with a free ad-supported option in many countries.
Mixcloud
Best for: People who work to long DJ sets and radio shows rather than single tracks and short playlists.
Qobuz
Best for: Listeners who care about sound quality and like reading reviews and album notes alongside the music.
Radio Garden
Best for: Anyone who wants live radio from other countries for background listening, picked by spinning a globe.
SoundCloud
Best for: Creators and curious listeners who want remixes, demos and uploads from artists of every size.
TIDAL
Best for: Listeners who want high-fidelity sound and are happy to start with a free trial before deciding.
YouTube Music
Best for: People who already watch music on YouTube and want official tracks, covers and live versions in one app.
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What matters when choosing a music streaming app
Every streaming app plays songs, so the differences sit in the details. These are the points that'll shape how happy you are with a new music service a month from now.
- Catalogue fit. Search for the artists, genres and albums you play most. Big services carry most mainstream music, while niche services shine for DJ mixes, independent releases or world radio.
- Sound quality. If you listen on good headphones or speakers, look for lossless or high-resolution audio. On a laptop speaker, you won't hear much difference.
- Devices. Check the app works on your phone, computer, smart speaker, car and TV. A service that won't play in the car gets frustrating fast.
- Discovery. Some apps lean on editors and curated playlists, others on algorithms, others on live radio and community uploads.
- Offline listening. If you travel or work somewhere with patchy signal, downloads matter more than any other feature.
- How artists are supported. Some services are built around buying music directly from artists, which appeals if that matters to you.
Questions to ask before you leave Spotify
- Which of my playlists do I need to keep, and can the new app import them, or will I rebuild them by hand?
- Do I mainly listen to albums, playlists, podcasts, mixes or live radio?
- Does anyone else in my household or team share the account with me?
- Will a free tier with ads be fine for background listening while I work?
- Do I want to own some music outright rather than rent access to everything?
- Am I happy to run two apps, such as one for everyday listening and one for discovery?
Which type of music service suits your working day
- Full streaming apps suit people who want one place for almost everything, with playlists ready for focus, workouts and the school run.
- Hi-res services suit listeners with decent headphones or a home studio who want to hear every detail.
- Mix and radio platforms suit anyone who works best with long, uninterrupted sets and no need to pick the next track.
- Artist-first stores suit fans who want their listening to put money straight into artists' pockets and want to keep the files.
- Creator platforms suit podcasters and musicians who want to upload their own audio and find a community around it.
If you host a show yourself, you might also like my notes on writing great podcast show notes, because good notes help listeners find you on whichever app they use.
Switching music apps without losing your playlists
- Export or note down your key playlists before you cancel anything. Third-party transfer tools exist, but check what access they ask for.
- Start with a free tier or free trial and use it for a normal working week, not just an afternoon.
- Follow the artists you love straight away so the new app's recommendations learn your taste faster.
- Check the audio quality setting, because many apps default to a lower setting on mobile data.
- Keep your old account running for a short overlap so nothing important goes missing.
Music streaming mistakes to avoid
- Choosing on catalogue size alone, when the mixes, radio or discovery tools are what you'll use daily.
- Assuming a free tier works the same everywhere. Many services change features by country.
- Forgetting about music rights. A streaming account lets you listen; it doesn't let you use songs in your videos, adverts or live streams.
- Signing up for several trials at once and losing track of which ones end when.
Why a smaller music streaming service can be worth a look
Smaller and independent services often focus on one thing and do it with care, whether that's DJ culture, world radio, high-quality audio or direct artist support. You'll often find music there that never surfaces in the big apps' algorithms.
Before you rely on one, check it's still being updated, that it plays on the devices you use, and that its free tier or trial terms are clear on its own site. If you're curious about making tracks rather than streaming them, my guide on where to create AI music for free is a fun place to start.
Do you make a music streaming or audio app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
Settling on your next music app
Pick two services that match how you listen, whether that's playlists, mixes, radio or albums you own. Use each one for a few working days with the music you play most, check it works in every room and in the car, and keep whichever one you reach for without thinking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest thing to Spotify?
A full on-demand streaming app with a large catalogue, curated playlists and podcasts is the closest match. If you mainly want discovery or live radio, a smaller specialist service may suit you better.
Is there a free alternative to Spotify?
Yes. Several services on this list let you listen with a free account or an ad-supported free tier. Features and availability vary by country, so check each service's own site.
Can I move my playlists from Spotify to another app?
Often, yes. Some apps can import playlists and there are third-party transfer tools, but check what account access they ask for before connecting anything.
Which music streaming services have the best sound quality?
Look for services that offer lossless or high-resolution audio, and listen on decent headphones or speakers. You won't hear much difference through a phone or laptop speaker.
Can I use music from a streaming app in my videos?
No. A listening account doesn't give you the right to use songs in your own videos, adverts or live streams. Use music that's licensed for that purpose instead.
