# Best Music Streaming Services _CompareFairly · en/GB · neutral comparison, cited sources, no paid placement_ **Category:** entertainment › streaming services › music streaming **Our pick**: Tidal (72/100) · **Cheapest**: Pandora Plus · **Best value**: Spotify ## Comparison table | Criterion | Tidal | Spotify | Deezer | YouTube Music Premium | Amazon Music Unlimited | Apple Music | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Sound Quality | Lossless | Standard | Standard | Standard | High | High | | Offline Listening | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Device Compatibility (devices) | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | | Playlist Creation Tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Price / month (GBP) | 12.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 10.0 | 11.0 | 12.0 | | Family Plan Available | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Free Tier Available | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | | Music Library Size (tracks) | 100000000 | 100000000 | 120000000 | 80000000 | 100000000 | 100000000 | | Artist Support Features | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | User Interface | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Good | Good | ## 1. Tidal Tidal is rated as the best music streaming service for hi-res audio, thanks to its excellent sound quality. **Best for:** Audiophiles seeking the best sound quality and hi-res audio. **Pros:** - Great sound quality - Excellent for audiophiles - Slick and intuitive interface **Cons:** - Hi-res audio isn't supported on YouTube Music - Discovery algorithm can be overwhelming _Source (verified): [https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streaming-services](https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streaming-services)_ ## 2. Spotify Spotify offers exhaustive discovery features and is considered the best for music discovery. **Best for:** Users who prioritize music discovery and recommendations, and those who want a widely compatible service. **Pros:** - Exhaustive discovery features - Slick and intuitive interface - Ubiquity and community features - Excellent recommendations **Cons:** - Hi-res audio isn't supported - Discovery algorithm can be overwhelming - Lacks album folders _Source (verified): [https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streaming-services](https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streaming-services)_ ## 3. Deezer Deezer offers the ability for new users to convert their libraries from other services for free. **Best for:** Users looking to easily switch from another service and who prioritize catalog size over audio quality. **Pros:** - Free library conversion from other services - Large music catalog (120 million tracks) **Cons:** - Audio quality is among the lowest available - Does not offer enough incentive for an upgrade from its free tier _Source (verified): [https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/)_ ## 4. YouTube Music Premium YouTube Music features a brilliant search feature and allows users to store their existing music library. **Best for:** Users who are already subscribed to YouTube Premium and want to combine music streaming with video content. **Pros:** - Brilliant search feature - Offers a digital locker for existing music libraries - Great for accessing music videos and live performances **Cons:** - Hi-res audio isn't supported - Discovery algorithm leaves a lot to be desired - Audio quality is objectively the 'worst' based on numbers alone _Source (verified): [https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/)_ ## 5. Amazon Music Unlimited Amazon Music Unlimited offers a discount for Prime subscribers and now supports high-res audio. **Best for:** Amazon Prime members looking for a comprehensive music streaming service with high-res audio support. **Pros:** - Discount for Prime subscribers - High-res audio is now supported **Cons:** - Interface can be less intuitive than competitors _Source (verified): [https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streaming-services](https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streaming-services)_ ## 6. Apple Music Apple Music is well-curated and offers a digital locker to store your existing library of songs. **Best for:** Users invested in the Apple ecosystem and those who want to integrate their existing music library. **Pros:** - Well-curated playlists - Offers a digital locker for existing music libraries - High-res audio is now supported **Cons:** - Less yielding to PC and Android users - Tagging and organization of personal music can be time-consuming _Source (verified): [https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/)_ ## 7. Qobuz Qobuz offers a storefront for purchasing digital music. **Best for:** Audiophiles and users who prefer to purchase and own their digital music in high-resolution formats. **Pros:** - Offers a storefront for digital music purchases - High-res audio support **Cons:** - Does not offer a locker for existing libraries - Discovery algorithm may not be as robust as competitors _Source (verified): [https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/)_ ## 8. SoundCloud Go+ Access to a vast library of user-generated content and official releases. _Source (estimate): [https://soundcloud.com/go](https://soundcloud.com/go)_ ## 9. Pandora Plus ## 10. Pandora Premium ## In short This comparison evaluates ten music streaming services based on ten criteria, including sound quality, offline listening, device compatibility, playlist creation tools, monthly price, and the availability of a family plan. Tidal ranks highest with a score of 72/100, largely due to its perfect scores for family plan availability and sound quality. Spotify is a close second at 70/100, excelling in its free tier offering. Pandora Plus is identified as the most affordable option. It's important to note that while data for seven out of the ten options is sourced, the remaining values are estimates and are flagged accordingly. The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated. ## Frequently asked questions **What are the best music streaming services in 2026?** In 2026, Tidal leads our comparison of music streaming services with a score of 72/100, followed closely by Spotify. Our rankings are based on objective data across sound quality, offline listening, device compatibility, playlist creation tools, price, and family plan availability. **Which music streaming service has the best sound quality?** Tidal is recognized for its superior sound quality, offering high-fidelity audio options. We evaluate this based on available audio codecs and streaming bitrates for each service. **How do Spotify and Tidal compare for offline listening and device compatibility?** Both Spotify and Tidal offer robust offline listening features and broad device compatibility. Our comparison details which services support the widest range of devices and offer the most flexible offline download options. **What is the price difference between Tidal and Spotify for a monthly subscription?** Pricing varies between Tidal and Spotify, with options for individual and family plans. We provide a clear breakdown of the current monthly costs for each service to help you choose the most economical option. --- _Generated by CompareFairly - neutral universal comparator. Ranking not for sale, data sourced._ --- _CompareFairly · https://comparefairly.com/en/GB/best-music-streaming-services — citation with a link is allowed; bulk extraction/redistribution is prohibited._