How to choose the best music streaming service for you
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Choosing a music streaming service is a bit like dating – you need to find the one that understands your quirky taste in music and respects your privacy (well, kind of). The decision-making process is more challenging with the competition driving constant innovation, regularly introducing new features, and expanding content options, including podcasts, shows, and more.
While Spotify is the go-to choice for many, the music streaming world is changing fast. TikTok Music, for instance, brings some exciting features, like full versions of trending TikTok songs and personalized music discovery. However, it’s important to know that TikTok Music isn’t available in every country, including the UK. Fortunately, you can get around these restrictions by using a VPN to access your favorite music streaming service from anywhere.
Since there are more streaming services than Taylor Swift breakup songs, we decided to explore the options and see how popular streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and TikTok Music do regarding pricing and privacy. Jump on in and analyse which one is the best option for you!
1. Spotify: The People’s Choice
Spotify is to music what duct tape is to fixing everything – it’s versatile and sticky, and you can’t imagine life without it. It’s got playlists for every mood – even the oddly specific ones like “Songs to listen to while eating pizza in your bathtub.” With a library of over 70 million tracks, it’s hard not to find your musical soulmate here.
According to the International Music Summit report conducted in 2022, Spotify proudly boasts approximately 515 million monthly active users globally, firmly strengthening its position as the most-used music streaming service on the planet.
When it comes to pricing, Spotify offers free (with ads) and premium plans on all major platforms. If you plan to use Spotify by yourself, the monthly price for individuals is $10.99 unless you’re a student; in this case, you can enjoy the premium version for $5.99. In the spirit of the famous quote from Into the Wild, “Happiness is only real when shared,” bring joy to your loved one and grab Spotify for just $14.99. With this special offer, you can enjoy sharing your favorite playlists while saving money. And if you want to share the subscription with your family or friends, six can get a monthly Spotify premium of $16.99.
However, Spotify is nosy when it comes to your music habits. They collect a ton of info on what you listen to, when, and where. It’s not just for fun; they use it for ads and determining your personality and mood. Recently, Spotify got slapped with a hefty $5.4 million fine by Swedish privacy folks. They said Spotify needed to spill the beans properly about data collection in Sweden. Oops!
2. Apple Music – The Apple of our Ears
Apple Music, on the other hand, is like the fancy wine bar of streaming services. It’s sleek, polished, and knows how to set the mood. Their vast music catalogue is just as impressive as Spotify’s, and integration is seamless if you’ve got an iPhone. Siri becomes your personal DJ, and you can’t help but feel a little smug.
With more than 88 million subscribers, Apple Music is the second most widely used music streaming platform globally.
Apple Music, unlike Spotify, doesn’t have a free tier or ads. Instead, they offer one to six-month free trials. Apple product buyers (like AirPods Pro, HomePod, or Beats Studio Buds) enjoy a generous six-month trial. Regular subscriptions match Spotify’s pricing with a $4.99 monthly voice plan.
Now, about data collection – Apple claims to be all about privacy. They don’t listen to your conversations and are not interested in your life’s intimate details. However, they collect some data, such as age and gender, with other artists, publishers, and record labels. The critical thing to know is that you can always control how Apple uses your data by adjusting your privacy settings in the Apple Music app.
3. TikTok Music – The New Kid on the Block
TikTok Music is a newbie from the social media giant TikTok, and it’s not yet accessible everywhere, including the UK, unless you use tools such as VPN. Currently available only in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Australia, the platform launched in early July this year, but apparently, it’s shaking things up. You might even discover your next favourite song through a viral TikTok video.
The platform syncs users’ TikTok and TikTok Music accounts, offers complete versions of trending TikTok songs, and provides personalised music discovery. It fosters a music-focused community, encourages real-time lyrics interaction, and supports collaborative playlist creation. However, the downside is that TikTok Music’s library is less vast than Spotify or Apple Music’s, leaving fans of deep cuts and indie gems wanting more. Additionally, its algorithm can feel too focused on trends.
The app is still in its beta version, but the pricing for individual subscribers is $8.99, and you get three months for free. A Family subscription that’s up to six accounts is $18.99, and students can enjoy the platform for $5.99 monthly.
However, when discussing privacy, TikTok faced some significant concerns due to its extensive data collection practices, ownership by a Chinese company, and potential privacy risks in sensitive contexts. In recent months, ongoing debates have been about stricter regulation or a potential ban, further adding to the platform’s contentious reputation. Staying informed about these issues is crucial if you decide to navigate TikTok Music’s digital landscape.
Conclusion
The winner isn’t clear-cut. It depends on your taste and priorities. So, whether you’re streaming to find the next big hit or simply grooving to your old-school classics, there’s a music streaming service out there. Just remember to keep an ear out for the fine print in their data collection policies because, in this digital age, your musical choices are speaking volumes about you.