musicstreamingservices

Checked

A field guide · 7 services · checked October 25, 2026

Which music streaming service fits you?

Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer and Qobuz, compared on what actually differs: price for your plan, free tiers, sound quality and the extras. Answer five questions and we’ll rank them for you.

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Start the Matchmaker ↓

01 · The Matchmaker

Five questions.
Seven services.

Who’s listening?
Budget
Sound quality
Your devices
Also want…

How it ranks: a simple, open formula using only the facts in our spec sheet (price for your plan, free tier, audio quality, device fit, extras). No service paid to be here.

Your best fit: …

  1. 01

    Spotify

    Premium

    $12.99/month

    Match –

    • Lossless, 24-bit/44.1 kHz
    • Free tier: Yes, with ads
    • Audiobook access included with Premium
  2. 02

    Apple Music

    Individual

    $11.99/month

    Match –

    • Hi-Res Lossless, up to 24-bit/192 kHz
    • No free tier
    • Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on select songs
  3. 03

    YouTube Music

    Premium

    $11.99/month

    Match –

    • 256 kbit/s AAC/Opus (no lossless)
    • Free tier: Yes, with ads
    • Music videos, live versions and covers from YouTube
  4. 04

    Amazon Music Unlimited

    Individual

    $12.99/month

    Match –

    • HD and Ultra HD lossless
    • Free tier: Amazon Music Prime is included with a Prime membership
    • $11.99/month for Prime members ($12.99 without Prime)
  5. 05

    TIDAL

    Individual

    $11.99/month

    Match –

    • Hi-res FLAC
    • No free tier
    • DJ plan ($19.99/month) for mixing in DJ apps
  6. 06

    Deezer

    Premium

    $11.99/month

    Match –

    • FLAC, up to 24-bit/192 kHz
    • Free tier: Yes, Deezer Free
    • Hi-res upgrade at no extra cost (Oct 2026)
  7. 07

    Qobuz

    Studio Solo

    $12.99/month

    Match –

    • FLAC, 24-bit up to 192 kHz
    • No free tier
    • $10.83/month when you pay for a year up front

02 · The spec sheet

Side by side, no fluff

US prices per month. Hover or focus a column to follow it. Full details and sources on the compare page.

Music streaming services compared, US prices checked October 25, 2026
Checked October 25, 2026SpotifyApple MusicYouTube MusicAmazon Music UnlimitedTIDALDeezerQobuz
Individual / month$12.99$11.99$11.99$12.99$11.99 with Prime$11.99$11.99$12.99$10.83/mo billed yearly
Student / month$6.99$6.99$5.99$5.99$6.99$5.99Not listed
Duo / month$18.99No Duo planNo Duo planNo Duo planNo Duo planNo Duo planSee site
Family / month$21.99$19.99$18.99$21.99$19.99See siteSee site
Free tier● Yes, with ads○ No (free trial for new subscribers)● Yes, with ads● Amazon Music Prime is included with a Prime membership○ No (30-day trial for new customers)● Yes, Deezer Free○ No
Best audioLossless, 24-bit/44.1 kHzHi-Res Lossless, up to 24-bit/192 kHz256 kbit/s AAC/Opus (no lossless)HD and Ultra HD losslessHi-res FLACFLAC, up to 24-bit/192 kHzFLAC, 24-bit up to 192 kHz
Hi-res (above CD)○ No● Yes○ No● Yes● Yes● Yes● Yes
Spatial audioNot a headline feature● Dolby Atmos○ No● Dolby Atmos● Dolby AtmosNot a headline featureNot a headline feature
Worth knowingAudiobook access included with PremiumSpatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on select songsMusic videos, live versions and covers from YouTube$11.99/month for Prime members ($12.99 without Prime)DJ plan ($19.99/month) for mixing in DJ appsHi-res upgrade at no extra cost (Oct 2026)$10.83/month when you pay for a year up front

03 · A year of listening

What it costs over 12 months

  • Spotify$155.88
  • Apple Music$143.88
  • YouTube Music$143.88
  • Amazon Music Unlimited$155.88
  • TIDAL$143.88
  • Deezer$143.88
  • Qobuz$155.88

Monthly price × 12, US, before tax. Some services sell cheaper annual plans: YouTube Music $119.99, Amazon Music Unlimited $119 for Prime members, Qobuz $10.83 a month billed yearly. A dash means the plan isn’t offered or we couldn’t confirm its US price.

04 · Short answers

The quick picks

Cheapest for one person
$11.99 a month: Apple Music, YouTube Music, TIDAL, Deezer, or Amazon Music Unlimited with Prime.
Best free tier
Spotify, YouTube Music and Deezer all have one, with ads. What you get free →
Best for hi-res sound
Apple Music, Amazon, TIDAL, Qobuz and Deezer reach 24-bit/192 kHz. Lossless explained →
Best for two people
Spotify Duo at $18.99, the only Duo plan here. Family & student plans →
Best with videos
YouTube Music, also included in YouTube Premium.

05 · Questions

Music streaming FAQ

What is the cheapest music streaming service?

For one person paying monthly in the US, Apple Music, YouTube Music, TIDAL and Deezer all list $11.99 a month as of October 25, 2026; Amazon Music Unlimited is also $11.99 if you have Prime. Spotify and Qobuz list $12.99 (Qobuz drops to $10.83 a month if you pay for a year). Spotify, YouTube Music and Deezer also have free tiers with ads.

Which music streaming service has the best sound quality?

Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, TIDAL, Qobuz and (since October 14, 2026) Deezer all stream lossless up to 24-bit/192 kHz on compatible tracks. Spotify Premium streams lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz. YouTube Music tops out at 256 kbit/s and has no lossless option.

Which streaming services are free?

Spotify, YouTube Music and Deezer have free, ad-supported tiers. Amazon Music Prime comes with an Amazon Prime membership. Apple Music, TIDAL and Qobuz have no free tier, only trials for new members.

Is Spotify Premium worth it?

If you want podcasts, audiobooks and music in one app that runs on almost any device, Spotify is the most flexible option, and its Duo plan is unique. If you care most about hi-res sound or price, other services match or beat it. Try the Matchmaker above with your own answers.

Is this site affiliated with any streaming service?

No. There are no affiliate links and nobody paid to be listed. The background music is by Purrple Cat, an independent lofi project, and it plays free on this page.

Can I use the music on this site in my videos?

Yes, on social media and livestreams with the credit “Music by Purrple Cat”. Never re-upload it to music streaming services, and no remixes, samples or covers there.

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