In today’s digital era, music streaming services have revolutionized how we consume music. With an extensive library of songs, playlists, and personalized recommendations, these platforms have become integral to our daily lives.
This blog presents an in-depth analysis of this year’s ten most popular music streaming services; check details about the platform’s music library, user base, and more right away.
10 Most Popular Music Streaming Services
Gone are the days when audiophiles questioned the quality of streamed music, as the best music streaming services now boast cutting-edge features like spatial Dolby Atmos audio and lossless formats, all offered at no additional cost. Moreover, these platforms strive to captivate your attention with various enticing bonus features, ranging from classical music and karaoke to engaging podcasts and audiobooks.
Most popular music streaming services allow seamless experience across multiple devices and offer vast music catalogs containing approximately 100 million tracks. Finding the right one can be overwhelming with many streaming services.
To make the process easier, we have brought the list of most popular music streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and other smaller contenders such as Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, and Pandora Premium, comparing each platform’s features and value for your subscription dollar.
For clarity, this roundup excludes services limited to radio-style music playback, like Essential Pandora and UnRadio, which do not allow song selection. Wondering which are the most popular music streaming services that provide the ideal combination of price, sound quality, and library size? Look no further!
This blog offers an in-depth analysis of each service, complete with a feature comparison and a comprehensive price breakdown in the chart at the bottom. Let’s dive in and discover the perfect soundtrack to your musical journey!
Spotify
As one of the pioneers in the industry, Spotify continues to dominate the music streaming scene. Spotify had 210 million premium subscribers globally during the first quarter of 2023; this number is up from 182 million in the corresponding quarter of 2022.
Source: (Statista)
Spotify had more than 515 million monthly users in the first quarter of 2023, showing a 5% growth from the previous quarter and an almost 22% increase from last year.
Source: (Techcrunch)
Spotify boasts an expansive library of over 70 million songs. Additionally, their personalized playlists, such as Discover Weekly and Daily Mixes, have significantly retained user engagement.
Apple Music
Launched in 2015, Apple Music has steadily gained popularity among music enthusiasts. As of 2023, it reported approximately 935 million paid subscriptions across its services, positioning itself as one of the top competitors in the market.
Apple Music integrates seamlessly with iOS devices and provides exclusive releases and original content through its Beats 1 radio station. Apple Music has made remarkable strides in its music catalog expansion, boasting an impressive collection of over 100 million songs.
The platform’s recent introduction of “Apple Sing,” a captivating karaoke feature, has added more appeal to its services. However, these enhancements come hand-in-hand with a strategic pricing shift, with subscription prices rising by $1 per month for individuals and $2 per month for family plans.
Going beyond music, Apple is exploring new revenue streams by venturing into AI-powered narration for select audiobooks. This bold move exemplifies the company’s determination to expand its service offerings and tap into fresh potential growth areas.
Additionally, with an active device install base of 2 billion, encompassing iPhones, iPads, Macs, HomePods, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches, Apple is well-positioned to convert a significant portion of these users into paid subscribers, solidifying its presence as a critical player in the digital services market.
Amazon Music
Amazon Music has already achieved remarkable success, boasting around 55 million subscribers worldwide. This growth can be attributed to its diverse subscription options, catering to different customer segments, including Amazon Music Unlimited and Amazon Prime Music.
Amazon Music is poised to overtake Pandora and claim the second-highest number of users among music streaming services in the U.S. This estimation accounts for users on both paid and ad-supported plans, placing Amazon Music’s estimated user base at 52.6 million, while Pandora’s is expected to be 49.1 million.
It’s worth noting that Apple Music, with approximately 38.2 million subscribers, has no users on a free, ad-supported plan, although they may be on a free trial. Amazon Music’s growth is anticipated to reach a commendable 5.3% year over year, bolstered by the extensive global reach of Amazon.
With its sustained growth trajectory, Amazon Music is solidifying its position among the most popular music streaming services, benefiting from the global backing and recognition that the Amazon brand provides. As the music streaming landscape continues to evolve, Amazon Music’s strategic approach to subscription plans and expanding user base positions it as a key player in the industry.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music has quickly emerged as a dominant force in the music streaming arena, capitalizing on the immense popularity of YouTube. Its extensive library of official music videos, captivating live performances, soulful covers, and a plethora of engaging user-generated content sets YouTube Music apart, establishing itself as a go-to platform for avid music enthusiasts.
YouTube proudly announced that its YouTube Music and Premium subscribers globally had exceeded a remarkable 80 million, encompassing users on free trial subscriptions. Notably, this impressive year-over-year surge of 30 million subscribers signifies a noteworthy achievement for the company, propelling it firmly on the path to becoming one of the leading streaming music providers.
Just last September 2021, YouTube reported 50 million Music and Premium subscribers, showcasing its remarkable growth within a relatively short span.
With its vast content library and a substantial and continuously expanding subscriber base, YouTube Music is undoubtedly solidifying its position as a prominent player in the competitive music streaming landscape. As the platform continues attracting music enthusiasts worldwide, its journey to the top of the charts appears promising and exciting.
Tencent Music Entertainment (TME)
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME), China’s dominant online music and audio entertainment platform, has garnered a substantial and devoted user base. As of September 2021, this music-streaming giant proudly boasted over 660 million monthly active users, a testament to its popularity and influence in the Chinese market.
Operating through multiple platforms, including QQ Music, Kugou Music, and Kuwo Music, TME has successfully amassed an impressive number of active users. By the end of 2022, Tencent Music Entertainment achieved remarkable growth, with its paying user base reaching an impressive 88.5 million, marking an astonishing 16.1% year-over-year increase.
As the leading online music service provider in China, the company’s QQ Music, Kugou, and Kuwo platforms have successfully captivated millions of users, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the music streaming industry.
TME’s ongoing success is a testament to its unwavering commitment to providing quality content and a seamless user experience, positioning it as a frontrunner in the competitive landscape of music streaming services. With its dedicated following and continued growth, Tencent Music Entertainment remains a force to be reckoned with in online music and audio entertainment.
Deezer
Deezer boasts an impressive user count of over 16 million monthly active users. On a global scale, the service has secured 9.4 million subscribers, which is a significant achievement. However, it’s essential to note that compared to the industry giants like Spotify, which has a staggering 195 million subscribers and an additional 273 million free (ad-supported) users, and Tencent Music Entertainment (TME), with 82.7 million paying subscribers, Deezer’s subscriber count is relatively more minor.
Deezer has cultivated a dedicated user base as a French-based music streaming platform, primarily concentrated in Europe and South America. While the precise number of subscribers is not readily available, Deezer’s popularity can be attributed to its consistently competitive features, such as the personalized playlist known as “Flow” and exclusive live performances through “Deezer Sessions.”
Despite fierce competition from industry giants, Deezer has maintained its relevance and continues catering to its loyal user base by providing unique features and exclusive content. Its foothold in Europe and South America has enabled the platform to carve out a distinctive space in the music-streaming landscape.
Pandora
Pandora Internet Radio, a vital component of the groundbreaking Music Genome Project, offers music streaming services and personalized music recommendations. The Music Genome Project employs a remarkable 450 attributes to describe each song intricately and utilizes a sophisticated algorithm to curate an extensive range of music.
Pandora’s services are available exclusively to users in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. As of the first quarter of 2023, Pandora has accumulated nearly 46.7 million monthly active users in the United States. However, the platform has been grappling with a gradual decline in its user base over time, experiencing a significant loss of more than ten million U.S. users in the past two years.
Source: (Statista)
Pandora’s revenue generation primarily revolves around advertising, subscriptions, and guiding users toward purchasing music through platforms like Apple and Amazon. Remarkably, in 2022, the company’s advertising revenue surpassed an impressive 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.
Despite its challenges, Pandora, now under the ownership of SiriusXM, continues to be a popular choice for internet radio and personalized streaming. The foundation of its success lies in the innovative Music Genome Project, which classifies songs based on a multitude of attributes, ensuring that users receive a tailored and engaging music experience.
SoundCloud
In 2023, SoundCloud boasted an impressive count of 175 million monthly listeners, signifying its widespread appeal among music enthusiasts. Out of these, 76 million users have opted for a paid SoundCloud account, demonstrating the platform’s ability to attract a loyal and paying user base. An astounding 86% of SoundCloud’s users actively engage with music on the platform, underlining its pivotal role in music consumption.
SoundCloud has undoubtedly emerged as a haven for independent musicians, providing them with an exceptional opportunity to showcase and promote their music to a vast and diverse audience. The platform’s inclusivity is reflected in its free and premium subscription plans, catering to various user preferences and needs. Whether you’re an aspiring artist looking to share your creativity or a dedicated music enthusiast seeking fresh and diverse content, SoundCloud’s diverse subscription options have something to offer everyone.
Tidal
Tidal has made a significant announcement, affirming the rollout of hi-res FLAC (free lossless audio codec) streaming throughout its platform. This move solidifies Tidal’s unique position in the market, as it stands out from its competitors by providing exceptional high-fidelity audio quality and exclusive content. Notably, Tidal’s co-owner, Jay-Z, has played a pivotal role in garnering substantial attention for the platform.
As of September 2021, Tidal had approximately 3 million subscribers, indicating a smaller user base than some of its rivals. However, Tidal’s dedication to maintaining top-notch audio quality and offering exclusive releases has resulted in a devoted following.
With this emphasis on quality and exclusivity, Tidal has successfully carved out a distinctive niche in the music streaming landscape. With the introduction of hi-res FLAC streaming, Tidal’s commitment to delivering a superior audio experience is further reinforced, cementing its position as a sought-after platform among audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike.
iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio is a hybrid platform and one of the most popular music streaming services that combine traditional radio stations with personalized streaming. As of September 2021, it had over 41 million registered users. iHeartRadio’s seamless integration with terrestrial radio stations and live events has contributed to its popularity.
Is There More to Cover in the Most Popular Music Streaming Services List?
Yes, the list of most popular music streaming services has many more names to cover. We have highlighted the top 10 in this blog. The music streaming industry continually evolves, with platforms vying for the top position by offering unique features and exclusive content.
While Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music lead the pack regarding user base and subscribers, YouTube Music and Tencent Music Entertainment are close contenders, showcasing impressive numbers in their own right. As the music streaming market evolves, we can expect newer services to emerge, adding fresh perspectives and reshaping the landscape.
With such a diverse array of music streaming platforms, music enthusiasts get confused. Each service caters to different preferences and needs, making it possible for users to find the perfect match for their musical journey. Whether it’s access to exclusive content, high-fidelity audio quality, or personalized playlists, these platforms aim to provide an exceptional music streaming experience.
If you’re inspired by these popular music streaming services and wish to create your platform to attract a significant user base, know that the possibilities are endless. Building a successful music streaming software requires a combination of innovative features, top-notch content, and user-centric design.
With the right approach and dedicated effort, you can also develop a music streaming platform that captures the hearts of music enthusiasts and gains a thriving user base. So, let your passion for music guide you, and embark on your journey to create a remarkable music streaming service that resonates with millions of users worldwide!