Compare · checked October 25, 2026
Music streaming services, compared line by line
Seven services, the same nine questions, every answer linked to its source. Prices are US list prices in USD before tax.
| Checked October 25, 2026 | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music | Amazon Music Unlimited | TIDAL | Deezer | Qobuz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $5.99 | Not listed |
| Duo / month | $18.99 | No Duo plan | No Duo plan | No Duo plan | No Duo plan | No Duo plan | See site |
| Family / month | $21.99 | $19.99 | $18.99 | $21.99 | $19.99 | See site | See 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 audio | Lossless, 24-bit/44.1 kHz | Hi-Res Lossless, up to 24-bit/192 kHz | 256 kbit/s AAC/Opus (no lossless) | HD and Ultra HD lossless | Hi-res FLAC | FLAC, up to 24-bit/192 kHz | FLAC, 24-bit up to 192 kHz |
| Hi-res (above CD) | ○ No | ● Yes | ○ No | ● Yes | ● Yes | ● Yes | ● Yes |
| Spatial audio | Not a headline feature | ● Dolby Atmos | ○ No | ● Dolby Atmos | ● Dolby Atmos | Not a headline feature | Not a headline feature |
| Worth knowing | Audiobook access included with Premium | Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on select songs | Music 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 apps | Hi-res upgrade at no extra cost (Oct 2026) | $10.83/month when you pay for a year up front |
| Sources | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 | 1 2 | 1 2 | 1 | 1 2 3 | 1 |
Service by service
Open a service for its plans, sound, extras and the pages we checked.
Spotify$12.99/moLossless, 24-bit/44.1 kHz
Plans (US): Premium $12.99, Student $6.99, Duo $18.99, Family $21.99 a month.
Free tier: Yes, with ads.
Sound: Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC on Premium; free tier up to about 160 kbit/s (128 kbit/s AAC on the web player).
- Audiobook access included with Premium
- Podcasts in the same app
- Works on 2,000+ devices (Spotify’s own figure)
- Duo plan for two people at one address
Individual rose from $11.99 to $12.99 in the US from February 2026. New members usually get a free trial.
Sources: Spotify Premium plans (US) · Spotify: audio quality · Spotify: lossless · Reuters, Jan 15, 2026: price rises to $12.99
Apple Music$11.99/moHi-Res Lossless, up to 24-bit/192 kHz
Plans (US): Individual $11.99, Student $6.99, Family $19.99 a month.
Free tier: No (free trial for new subscribers).
Sound: Lossless ALAC up to 24-bit/48 kHz, Hi-Res Lossless up to 24-bit/192 kHz (needs an external DAC above 48 kHz), Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.
- Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on select songs
- Apple Music Classical included
- Included in Apple One bundles
- Apps for Android and Windows too
Prices rose on July 17, 2026 (Individual $10.99 → $11.99, Family $16.99 → $19.99, Student $5.99 → $6.99).
Sources: 9to5Mac, Jul 17, 2026: new US prices · Apple Support: lossless audio · Apple Support: Spatial Audio
YouTube Music$11.99/mo256 kbit/s AAC/Opus (no lossless)
Plans (US): Premium $11.99, Student $5.99, Family $18.99 a month.
Free tier: Yes, with ads.
Sound: Up to 256 kbit/s AAC/Opus on Premium (128 kbit/s on the free tier); no lossless option.
- Music videos, live versions and covers from YouTube
- Included in YouTube Premium ($15.99/month)
- Background play and downloads on Premium
- Annual plan: $119.99 a year
Rose from $10.99 to $11.99 in April 2026. If you already pay for YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium is included.
Sources: Variety, Apr 2026: YouTube price increase · YouTube Music Help: audio quality
Amazon Music Unlimited$12.99/moHD and Ultra HD lossless
Plans (US): Individual $12.99, $11.99 with Prime, Student $5.99, Family $21.99 a month.
Free tier: Amazon Music Prime is included with a Prime membership.
Sound: Lossless HD, millions of tracks in Ultra HD, spatial audio in Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio.
- $11.99/month for Prime members ($12.99 without Prime)
- Family plan needs Prime
- Built around Alexa and Echo speakers
- Annual plan for Prime members: $119 a year
US prices went up in early 2026. Prime members already get Amazon Music Prime (mostly shuffle play) at no extra cost.
Sources: Amazon Music FAQ · Music Business Worldwide: 2026 price rise
TIDAL$11.99/moHi-res FLAC
Plans (US): Individual $11.99, Student $6.99, Family $19.99 a month.
Free tier: No (30-day trial for new customers).
Sound: Lossless and hi-res FLAC, Dolby Atmos.
- DJ plan ($19.99/month) for mixing in DJ apps
- TIDAL Connect for home audio gear
- Hi-res FLAC on every paid plan
New prices from billing dates on or after August 3, 2026 (Individual was $10.99).
Sources: TIDAL Support: subscription types (updated Aug 3, 2026)
Deezer$11.99/moFLAC, up to 24-bit/192 kHz
Plans (US): Premium $11.99, Student $5.99 a month.
Free tier: Yes, Deezer Free.
Sound: FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz on compatible tracks for eligible paid subscribers (since Oct 14, 2026; before that 16-bit/44.1 kHz).
- Hi-res upgrade at no extra cost (Oct 2026)
- SongCatcher song recognition
- Playlist transfer from other services
- Student plan for ages 18–25
Family and Duo prices weren’t confirmed on Deezer’s US page when we checked, so we don’t list them.
Sources: Deezer plans (US) · Deezer Student · Deezer newsroom, Oct 14, 2026: 24-bit/192 kHz
Qobuz$12.99/moFLAC, 24-bit up to 192 kHz
Plans (US): Studio Solo $12.99 a month.
Free tier: No.
Sound: Lossless FLAC, 24-bit up to 192 kHz.
- $10.83/month when you pay for a year up front
- Editorial reviews and liner-note style content
- Built for hi-res listening
Duo, Family and Student plans exist, but we only list the Solo prices we confirmed.
Sources: Qobuz Studio offer (US)
