Which music streaming service is right for me?

Music streaming has never been easier. But which service truly fits your needs?

Whether you're an audiophile, love smart playlists, or just looking for the best price — this guide will help you choose.

Ease of Use and Platform Support

• Spotify: Unmatched ease of use. Works on almost every device: Android, iOS, Windows, smart speakers, and more.

• Apple Music: Perfectly integrated into the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac). Less smooth on Android and Windows.

• Tidal: Well-designed apps, slightly less intuitive than Spotify.

• Qobuz: Aimed at audiophiles. Apps are solid but less modern than Spotify or Apple Music.

• YouTube Music: Beneficial if you already have YouTube Premium; seamless integration with YouTube itself.

Music Library

• Spotify: Largest catalog (over 100 million tracks), including many obscure artists and podcasts.

• Apple Music: Also around 100 million songs, exclusive albums and releases.

• Tidal: Large selection focusing on hip-hop, R&B, and exclusive content.

• Qobuz: Excels in classical music, jazz, and hi-res recordings.

• YouTube Music: Broadest collection due to upload capabilities, mixtapes, and remixes.

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Sound Quality

Service	Maximum Quality
Spotify	320 kbps (Premium) / Spotify HiFi announced, not yet active
Apple Music	Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless at no extra cost
Tidal	HiFi Lossless + Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) streams
Qobuz	Hi-Res Audio up to 24-bit/192kHz
YouTube Music	About 256 kbps (comparable to mp3 quality)

Price Comparison

Service	Monthly Price (Individual)	Notes
Spotify Premium	€10.99	Free version with ads available
Apple Music	€10.99	Student discount available (€5.99)
Tidal HiFi	€10.99	HiFi Plus (with MQA) costs €19.99
Qobuz Studio	€14.99	Annual subscription makes it cheaper
YouTube Music	€10.99	Included in YouTube Premium (€12.99)

Most services also offer family and student plans.

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Extra Features

• Spotify: Brilliant personalized playlists (like Discover Weekly), Spotify Wrapped, social features like shared playlists.

• Apple Music: Real-time lyrics, lossless audio standard, perfect Siri integration.

• Tidal: Music videos, exclusive concert streams and Master Quality audio.

• Qobuz: Option to purchase and download hi-res music.

• YouTube Music: Integration of music videos, live performances and remixes.

Which Service Suits You?

• Spotify: For those seeking convenience and smart recommendations.

• Apple Music: For Apple users who appreciate lossless audio.

• Tidal: For fans of hip-hop, R&B, and high-quality streams.

• Qobuz: For audiophiles and lovers of classical and jazz music.

• YouTube Music: For fans of remixes, live performances and videos.

What Do You Need to Really Hear High-Quality Streams?

If you choose a music service with lossless or hi-res audio like Qobuz or Tidal, not only the service matters — your equipment plays a crucial role too.

 

Bluetooth Standard (Codec)

• SBC: Basic codec, sufficient for standard quality (e.g., Spotify Free).

• AAC: Good quality for Apple Music, especially on iPhones.

• aptX / aptX HD: Higher quality bluetooth audio, supports 24-bit audio. Perfect for Qobuz and Tidal HiFi.

Want to get the most out of hi-res audio via bluetooth? Make sure your equipment supports aptX HD. Alternatively, you can use WiFi streaming or wired connections (like USB or jack cable) for true lossless playback.

 

Smartphone, Tablet or Laptop

• Your source device must also support lossless audio.

• Android phones often support aptX HD or LDAC.

• iPhones support lossless audio mainly via cable (not wireless).

 

In Brief:

For standard Spotify quality, almost any device will do.

For true hi-res streaming from Qobuz or Tidal, suitable hardware is essential.

 

Conclusion: Which One Will You Choose?

• Are you a casual listener? → Spotify is a safe choice.

• Are you an Apple user? → Apple Music fits perfectly in your ecosystem.

• Are you an audiophile? → Qobuz or Tidal offer the best sound quality.

• Want lots of live performances and remixes? → YouTube Music is a strong option.