Which Streaming Service Is Best for YOU?
There is an increasing amount of music streaming services the world is offering these days. From YouTube to Spotify, Pandora to Google Play, it’s hard to know which streaming service is best for you and your needs . . . and let’s not forget your family’s needs, too!
To help you pick the best service for you, we’ve created a chart to give you a look at the top streaming services at a glance, plus, we’ve detailed the pros and cons of our favorite streaming services and selected the best service for every music personality — from the audiophiles and desk jockeys to families and road warriors. Read on! (And feel free to stream Rockabye on one of these services while you do.)
YOUTUBE
Cost: Free (subscriptions are on the way)
Compatibility: Universal (works on any browser or device)
Quality: Up to 192kbps (variable, based on connection speed)
Selection: Enormous
Pros:
- Easily accessible — no special software needed — works on any browser or device
- Great for finding new, undiscovered music
- Obscurities like demos, live performances, unreleased tracks abound
- Audio quality is inconsistent
- Ads are abundant
- Lacks efficiency in its structure
- Fewer official releases than other services
- Easily accessible — no special software needed — works on any browser or device
- Great way to find music based on your tastes
- “Radio” format allows for hands-off listening
- Audio could be very poor by today’s standards
- Limitations on skipping unwanted tracks can be irritating
- Limited music selection means you’ll end up hearing a lot of the same songs over and over.
- Enormous library of songs and albums from nearly every artist . . .ever.
- Works on any device
- Free version on a non-mobile device is a dream
- Free version on mobile is a subpar Pandora clone
- Still missing some of the bigger artists
- Clunky and, at times, inconsistent interface
- High-quality audio
- Music Key allows ad-free and offline YouTube playback (Paid version only)
- Allows you to upload your own mp3s, up to 50,000 songs
- Mobile use limited to iOS and Android devices only
- No standalone desktop app - only in-browser flash enabled playback
- Free version is ad-enabled radio only
- Households will save tons of money with the family plan
- Automatically adds your whole iTunes library
- Interface is a bit convoluted
- iOS only for mobile (currently) limits the compatibility
- No free option
- Music streaming one of many perks with the service
- Allows you to upload your own music
- Cheaper than most
- Subpar mobile app
- Can only upload 250 songs before requiring an additional fee
- No free version
- No monthly billing option
Like our suggestions? Let us know what your choice service is and why!
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