Top Music Streaming Services 2025

Rachel Kim

Rachel Kim

Music Industry Analyst | Last Updated: August 2025

📊 Comprehensive research • Multiple expert perspectives • Data-driven analysis • Updated monthly

Our Top Recommendations

Rank Company Rating Superlative Learn More
1
Tidal logo
Tidal
Tidal
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.8
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best best for smbs, mid-market businesses, retail and hospitality merchants, nonprofits, and individual users seeking reliable, predictable, and well-supported payment and pos solutions.
2
Qobuz logo
Qobuz
Qobuz
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.8
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best audiophiles, classical/jazz fans, families, students, premium hi-fi owners, and small boutique businesses seeking top-quality music streaming and discovery.
3
SiriusXM logo
SiriusXM
SiriusXM
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.7
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best ideal for north american vehicle owners, businesses seeking licensed commercial music, and individual users who value exclusive audio content, personalized recommendations, and robust device integration.
4
Spotify logo
Spotify
Spotify
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.6
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best spotify is best for individual music lovers seeking personalized listening and artists or labels wanting seamless audience engagement and direct merch sales.
5
Amazon Music Unlimited logo
Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon Music Unlimited
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.6
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best audiophiles, families, prime members, and businesses with deep amazon hardware integration or professional djs seeking high-fidelity streaming and broad catalog access.
6
Deezer logo
Deezer
Deezer
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.6
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best individual audiophiles and music enthusiasts, as well as b2b platforms in retail, hospitality, and telecom/media seeking a customizable, high-quality streaming solution.
7
Pandora logo
Pandora
Pandora
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.6
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best ideal for businesses needing scalable music licensing and messaging as well as individuals seeking personalized streaming or accessible luxury jewelry.
8
Apple Music logo
Apple Music
Apple Music
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★★☆
4.0
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best best suited for apple hardware users, families, students, and music professionals seeking premium audio and integrated business tools.
9
YouTube Music logo
YouTube Music
YouTube Music
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★☆☆
3.9
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best best for creators, merchants, and personal users who seek integrated music, video, and commerce experiences within the google/youtube ecosystem, and those looking to monetize branded content or access exclusive music genres and events.
10
SoundCloud logo
SoundCloud
SoundCloud
RESEARCH TEAM
★★★☆☆
3.8
Rating is calculated based on weighted average of scores across all evaluation dimensions
Best independent artists, tech-integrated music creators, and listeners seeking a platform for direct fan engagement and social discovery.
#1
Tidal logo
Tidal
★★★★☆ 4.8
Best best for smbs, mid-market businesses, retail and hospitality merchants, nonprofits, and individual users seeking reliable, predictable, and well-supported payment and pos solutions.
Visit Site
#2
Qobuz logo
Qobuz
★★★★☆ 4.8
Best audiophiles, classical/jazz fans, families, students, premium hi-fi owners, and small boutique businesses seeking top-quality music streaming and discovery.
Visit Site
#3
SiriusXM logo
SiriusXM
★★★★☆ 4.7
Best ideal for north american vehicle owners, businesses seeking licensed commercial music, and individual users who value exclusive audio content, personalized recommendations, and robust device integration.
Visit Site
#4
Spotify logo
Spotify
★★★★☆ 4.6
Best spotify is best for individual music lovers seeking personalized listening and artists or labels wanting seamless audience engagement and direct merch sales.
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#5
Amazon Music Unlimited logo
Amazon Music Unlimited
★★★★☆ 4.6
Best audiophiles, families, prime members, and businesses with deep amazon hardware integration or professional djs seeking high-fidelity streaming and broad catalog access.
Visit Site
#6
Deezer logo
Deezer
★★★★☆ 4.6
Best individual audiophiles and music enthusiasts, as well as b2b platforms in retail, hospitality, and telecom/media seeking a customizable, high-quality streaming solution.
Visit Site
#7
Pandora logo
Pandora
★★★★☆ 4.6
Best ideal for businesses needing scalable music licensing and messaging as well as individuals seeking personalized streaming or accessible luxury jewelry.
Visit Site
#8
Apple Music logo
Apple Music
★★★★☆ 4.0
Best best suited for apple hardware users, families, students, and music professionals seeking premium audio and integrated business tools.
Visit Site
#9
YouTube Music logo
YouTube Music
★★★☆☆ 3.9
Best best for creators, merchants, and personal users who seek integrated music, video, and commerce experiences within the google/youtube ecosystem, and those looking to monetize branded content or access exclusive music genres and events.
Visit Site
#10
SoundCloud logo
SoundCloud
★★★☆☆ 3.8
Best independent artists, tech-integrated music creators, and listeners seeking a platform for direct fan engagement and social discovery.
Visit Site

Detailed Reviews & Analysis

Tidal logo
#1 Overall

Tidal

Tidal Commerce stands out as a premier music streaming and payments solution for small to mid-sized businesses, offering transparent flat-rate pricing and deep point-of-sale integration. Its ease of use, strong support, and versatile ecosystem make it a top choice for retailers, restaurants, and nonprofits seeking predictable costs and adaptable payment workflows.

✅ Recommended 🔧 Professional 📊 Reliable
96.0%
Recommendation

What It Does

Tidal Commerce stands out as a premier music streaming and payments solution for small to mid-sized businesses, offering transparent flat-rate pricing and deep point-of-sale integration. Its ease of use, strong support, and versatile ecosystem make it a top choice for retailers, restaurants, and nonprofits seeking predictable costs and adaptable payment workflows.

Why We Recommend This

We recommend Tidal Commerce for its industry-leading pricing transparency, deep POS and e-commerce integration, and exceptional customer support, as validated by expert testing and positive merchant feedback. Our research team evaluated this solution based on functionality, ease of use, customer support, and overall value.

Pros

  • Transparent flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees or early termination charges, including a free savings analysis
  • Robust POS features integrating CRM, sales analytics, and inventory management for streamlined workflows
  • Flexible integration with leading e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento) and custom API support
  • Award-winning, continuous 24/7/365 support and fast settlement times (within two business days)
  • Broad ecosystem with 60+ enterprise system integrations through Redwood Tidal Automation

Cons

  • Limited advanced reporting and granular customization for complex enterprises
  • No publicly available multi-tier pricing or bundled enterprise packages—requires direct negotiation for large-volume deals
  • Some support inquiries outside core business hours may see slower response times
  • API onboarding documentation could be enhanced for faster deployment

Best For

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Qobuz logo
#2 Overall

Qobuz

Qobuz stands out as a premium hi-res music streaming service, delivering best-in-class audio quality, editorial-driven discovery, and transparent artist compensation, making it ideal for audiophiles and discerning listeners. Its rich catalog, seamless device integrations, and intuitive interface provide value for both individuals and small groups, though business/enterprise licensing remains limited. With extensive support for premium hardware and a commitment to quality, Qobuz is best suited for users prioritizing fidelity and music exploration.

✅ Recommended 🔧 Professional 📊 Reliable
96.0%
Recommendation

What It Does

Qobuz stands out as a premium hi-res music streaming service, delivering best-in-class audio quality, editorial-driven discovery, and transparent artist compensation, making it ideal for audiophiles and discerning listeners. Its rich catalog, seamless device integrations, and intuitive interface provide value for both individuals and small groups, though business/enterprise licensing remains limited. With extensive support for premium hardware and a commitment to quality, Qobuz is best suited for users prioritizing fidelity and music exploration.

Why We Recommend This

We recommend Qobuz for its market-leading audio fidelity, exceptional catalog breadth, and pioneering editorial features, all backed by transparent artist payments and consistently positive user and expert feedback. Our research team evaluated this solution based on functionality, ease of use, customer support, and overall value.

Pros

  • Industry-leading hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz and 9,216 kbps provides unmatched fidelity for audiophile and professional users.
  • Extensive catalog with strong coverage in classical, jazz, and niche genres uniquely supports music enthusiasts and boutique business needs.
  • Editorial-driven discovery—longform articles, biographies, curated reviews—fosters deep engagement and music education.
  • Seamless playlist/library migration from Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL via Soundiiz integration streamlines onboarding.
  • Transparent artist compensation model, officially published payout rates, supports ethical and sustainable music streaming.

Cons

  • Business/enterprise licensing is unclear and lacks dedicated commercial features, limiting suitability for large-scale deployments.
  • Hi-Res streaming is not natively supported on popular automotive systems (Android Auto, CarPlay).
  • Occasional sync issues reported between desktop and mobile apps.
  • Phone support responsiveness is inconsistent and no instant chat/ticketing for urgent customer or business needs.

Best For

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SiriusXM logo
#3 Overall

SiriusXM

SiriusXM is a leading hybrid satellite and online radio streaming provider, recognized for its broad content catalog, deep customization, and robust integration with consumer and business devices. Its unique licensing capabilities and infrastructure make it especially valuable for both individual entertainment and commercial background music needs, with strong market penetration in vehicles and business environments.

✅ Recommended 🔧 Professional 📊 Reliable
94.0%
Recommendation

What It Does

SiriusXM is a leading hybrid satellite and online radio streaming provider, recognized for its broad content catalog, deep customization, and robust integration with consumer and business devices. Its unique licensing capabilities and infrastructure make it especially valuable for both individual entertainment and commercial background music needs, with strong market penetration in vehicles and business environments.

Why We Recommend This

SiriusXM is recommended for its unparalleled content variety, exclusive programming, and specialized business licensing solutions backed by proven reliability and flexible, scalable integration—addressing both personal entertainment and professional audio branding needs. Our research team evaluated this solution based on functionality, ease of use, customer support, and overall value.

Pros

  • Extensive and exclusive content catalog including music, talk, sports, podcasts, and live radio, with advanced channel customization.
  • Comprehensive business solutions offering licensed background music, dynamic ad tools, dedicated hardware (BR3), and flexible contract-free pricing.
  • Industry-leading integration with major devices and platforms (Alexa, Sonos, Roku, Fire TV, smart TVs), covering both consumer and commercial needs.
  • Reliable nationwide coverage and service delivery supported by six operational satellites and advanced technical infrastructure.
  • Modern, user-friendly interface and rich feature set such as voice search, cross-device continuity, and live radio buffer.

Cons

  • App login and password reset issues can interrupt user experience, occasionally requiring customer support intervention.
  • Significant post-promotion price increases and limited feature access on lower-cost plans.
  • Global coverage is restricted, mainly serving North America.
  • Some in-depth customization and onboarding for business use may require hardware setup or navigation through multiple settings.

Best For

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Spotify logo
#4

Spotify

Spotify is the global leader in music streaming, renowned for its pioneering personalization algorithms, seamless user experience, and innovative direct-to-fan merchandise integration for artists. Its robust feature set, broad device support, and social sharing capabilities make it a top choice for both individual users and professional musicians seeking audience engagement and monetization opportunities.

✅ Recommended 🔧 Professional 📊 Reliable
92.0%
Recommendation

What It Does

Spotify is the global leader in music streaming, renowned for its pioneering personalization algorithms, seamless user experience, and innovative direct-to-fan merchandise integration for artists. Its robust feature set, broad device support, and social sharing capabilities make it a top choice for both individual users and professional musicians seeking audience engagement and monetization opportunities.

Why We Recommend This

We recommend Spotify for its unmatched personalization, innovative merchant integration, and industry-leading user experience validated by expert reviews and extensive user satisfaction data. Our research team evaluated this solution based on functionality, ease of use, customer support, and overall value.

Pros

  • Industry-leading personalization delivers bespoke listening experiences (e.g., Discover Weekly, Release Radar)
  • Seamless integration with Shopify enables direct-to-fan merch sales and management for artists
  • Clean, intuitive user interface and consistent design across devices drive high engagement
  • Flexible freemium pricing structure caters to individuals, students, couples, and families
  • Robust platform ecosystem supports API, hardware integration, and collaborative social features

Cons

  • Merchandise integration is most effective only for artists using Shopify; limited support for other e-commerce solutions
  • Advanced business analytics and merchant reporting not as deep as dedicated e-commerce platforms
  • Free tier is limited by ads, restricted skips, and shuffle-only playback on mobile
  • Customer support lacks live/phone channels and may have slower resolution for business-critical cases

Best For

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Amazon Music Unlimited logo
#5

Amazon Music Unlimited

Amazon Music Unlimited is a feature-rich streaming service ideal for audiophiles, families, and Amazon ecosystem users, offering over 100 million songs—including 7 million in Ultra HD—plus podcasts and monthly audiobooks. Its primary strengths include high-fidelity audio, best-in-class integration for Amazon hardware, and competitive pricing for Prime members and families. It's especially suited to those seeking diverse content and seamless device connectivity.

✅ Recommended 🔧 Professional 📊 Reliable
92.0%
Recommendation

What It Does

Amazon Music Unlimited is a feature-rich streaming service ideal for audiophiles, families, and Amazon ecosystem users, offering over 100 million songs—including 7 million in Ultra HD—plus podcasts and monthly audiobooks. Its primary strengths include high-fidelity audio, best-in-class integration for Amazon hardware, and competitive pricing for Prime members and families. It's especially suited to those seeking diverse content and seamless device connectivity.

Why We Recommend This

We recommend Amazon Music Unlimited for its unparalleled catalog diversity, hi-res audio quality, and seamless device integration, as confirmed by expert and user feedback—making it a top choice for audiophiles, families, and Amazon ecosystem users. Our research team evaluated this solution based on functionality, ease of use, customer support, and overall value.

Pros

  • Extensive catalog of over 100 million songs with 7 million in Ultra HD, including spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos
  • Integration of monthly free Audible audiobooks and unified access to podcasts, music videos, and karaoke-style lyrics
  • Seamless Alexa voice integration with natural language and lyric search, ideal for hands-free and multi-device usage
  • Best-in-class interoperability with Amazon hardware (Echo, Fire TV) and support for high-end audio brands (Sonos, Denon DJ)
  • Transparent, competitive tiered pricing for Prime, family, and student users, with Ultra HD tracks and trial options included

Cons

  • Ultra HD and spatial audio features are only available through desktop/mobile apps, not via web browser streams
  • Interface inconsistencies and minor bugs (Bluetooth drops, incomplete downloads) between mobile and desktop platforms
  • Pricing for non-Prime and business users now matches top competitors, reducing relative value
  • Limited enterprise/commercial integration and business support compared to leading competitors

Best For

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Recommendations by Usage Scenario

For Small Teams & Startups Seeking Cost-Effective Background Music for Retail or Hospitality (Business Use)

These platforms provide transparent pricing, quick onboarding, and reliable support for small business environments, enabling legal background music streaming and, in the case of Tidal and Pandora, POS/integration features that help manage retail workflows.

Key Considerations
  • Tidal offers flat-rate payment processing (1.99% + $0.20/transaction for POS) plus CRM and inventory management—ideal for SMBs with checkout needs.
  • Pandora for Business provides licensed background music with daypart scheduling and central control, useful for multi-location retail and restaurants.
  • Deezer's white-label platform is flexible for custom branding and seamless UX, while the $10.99/month tier remains approachable for smaller teams.
  • Check contract requirements and technical setup, especially for integrated messaging or branded platform deployment.

For Families & Households Looking for Premium Multi-User Home Entertainment (Personal Use)

These services offer comprehensive family plans, high-quality audio, and robust multi-device compatibility. Amazon Music Unlimited also includes audiobooks and voice controls, Apple Music shines for Apple device users, and Qobuz leads in hi-res fidelity.

Key Considerations
  • Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan is $19.99/month (up to 6 users), easy to bundle for Prime members, with Ultra HD access and Alexa voice controls.
  • Apple Music Family Plan ($16.99/month) integrates tightly into iOS, Mac, HomePods, allowing seamless playlist syncing.
  • Qobuz Family Plan ($17.99/month, 6 users) is ideal for audiophile households valuing catalog detail and editorial features.
  • Confirm household device compatibility and preferred ecosystems before subscribing.

For Individual Audiophiles/Professionals Wanting Best-In-Class Audio Quality and Editorial Discovery (Personal & Professional Use)

These merchants focus on hi-res streaming, expansive music catalogs, and value-added editorial content, with transparent artist compensation. Qobuz is best for pure audio fidelity and discovery, Tidal for lossless streaming and merchant-friendly POS, and Deezer for customizable platform integration.

Key Considerations
  • Qobuz Studio annual plan is $10.83/month, offers 24-bit/192kHz streaming, catalog transfer tools, and editorial content.
  • Deezer HiFi costs $14.99/month with FLAC-based 1411 kbps audio, plus platform personalization and multi-device access.
  • Tidal includes HiFi audio and practical POS/e-commerce tools for DJs or music professionals needing both streaming and retail integration.
  • Check device support for high-fidelity audio (desktop apps, premium hardware).

For Medium Businesses (200-500 Employees) Requiring Scalable Streaming and Integration with Commercial Systems

SiriusXM provides exclusive content and ASCAP/BMI-compliant licensing, making it suitable for business venues with legal and hardware needs. Deezer’s API/white-label is ideal for mid-sized retail/telecom partners, while Tidal offers cost control and detailed payments for established merchant operations.

Key Considerations
  • SiriusXM for Business includes licensed music, dynamic ad tools, commercial hardware (BR3), and contract-free billing with scalable pricing.
  • Deezer’s partner API enables custom-branded platforms and centralized engagement analytics for businesses managing multiple outlets.
  • Tidal’s 60+ enterprise integrations and flat-rate payments ease cost management and automate reporting.
  • Plan for initial setup, contract terms, and ensure reliable integration with existing commercial systems.

For Budget-Conscious Individuals & Students Wanting Maximum Value from Free or Low-Cost Streaming (Personal Use)

Spotify's freemium model and student pricing deliver top personalization and a vast music library. YouTube Music offers free tier access and integrated video, while SoundCloud supports discovery and creative engagement without upfront cost.

Key Considerations
  • Spotify Student Plan ($5.99/month) combines offline listening and ad-free experience with the top personalization algorithm.
  • YouTube Music free tier provides ad-supported access to a huge catalog plus unique video and event coverage.
  • SoundCloud Go ($5.99/month) enables ad-free listening and social discovery for students and artists.
  • Ads and limited skips or downloads apply on free tiers; weigh against upgrade cost for advanced features.
Bottom Line: Make an Informed Decision

Our research provides comprehensive, unbiased analysis to help you make informed decisions for your business needs. All recommendations are based on extensive testing and real-world usage data from multiple industry experts.