What Are the Best Alternatives to Spotify? 5 Top Choices!

Part 1. Why Look for Spotify Alternatives?

Spotify may be the top streaming platform, but even its biggest fans have likely noticed its flaws.

Recommendation System

Take the search and recommendation system, for example. While it's designed to suggest new music, many users find the recommendations repetitive and inaccurate. The system often promotes the same artists and genres, leaving you stuck in a musical loop. You know your taste, but it's hard to find something fresh when the same suggestions, like the same artists, keep popping up - even if you've listened to them not so often. As a result, discovering new music can start to feel stale.

Price Hike

Then there's the price hike. Spotify's Premium plan once felt like a no-brainer at $9.95 per month. Now, with the increase to $11.95, users may start questioning whether the features justify the cost. While the addition of audiobook access - worth $9.90 for 15 hours of listening - is a notable bonus, it's still just a few extra dollars. When comparing options, these small differences add up, especially when other platforms offer similar services at a comparable price. For instance, TIDAL's high-fidelity audio may appeal to audiophiles, and Deezer offers competitive pricing with its vast catalog (we'll talk about these options later).

Content Management and Licensing Issues

Content management and licensing issues also continue to raise concerns. Artists like Neil Young have pulled their music from Spotify, citing disagreements with the platform's content policies - particularly its support of Joe Rogan's podcast. Licensing agreements dictate what stays and what goes, leaving listeners frustrated when their favorite tracks suddenly vanish. The withdrawal of certain music or even entire artists, like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, can be a real pain.

User Interface Updates

Even interface updates have sparked debates. While they're meant to improve the app, many users find them disruptive, like the TikTok-like interface in the Search section. Features such as the "Like" button for albums, which was once a simple way to organize music, have been replaced with the "Add" button, frustrating users who prefer the old setup. If you're like me, it's hard to admit that I'm getting used to the "Add" button instead of the red heart icon. I really miss that - and the old UI, which was once seen as more intuitive and focused solely on music.

With all these issues in mind, it's no surprise that users are considering alternatives. Whatever the reasons - whether it's the algorithm, pricing, or user interface - if an app doesn't meet your expectations, it's only natural to look for a better fit.

Part 2. Top Spotify Alternatives for Music Streaming

If you're looking for the best alternatives to Spotify, we've got five great options to consider. While TIDAL, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music stand out for their features and sound quality, services like Qobuz, Napster, and Pandora are also worth exploring. Be sure to check out our comparison posts to find the best fit for your music needs.

If you want to transfer your Spotify library, start with ViWizard's Spotify Music Converter. It converts Spotify music, podcasts, and audiobooks into MP3s, which can be easily imported into other streaming services that support local files.

Spotify Music Converter

A brilliant Spotify music downloader designed to download and convert all Spotify music songs, playlists, albums, artists, and podcasts to MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, M4A, M4B losslessly, offering you a great experience to enjoy Spotify music offline on any player and device.

Free Trial

Free Trial

TIDAL: Superior Sound Quality

For audiophiles, TIDAL offers an experience that stands apart from the competition. At the same price as Spotify, TIDAL gives you access to HiFi and Master Audio options, delivering unmatched audio clarity. A Reddit user once described TIDAL's sound as "like listening to your favorite album for the first time all over again." After trying it myself, I completely get it - the sound is richer and more immersive, especially with my WH-1000XM5 headphones. The only downside is that not every album is available, but TIDAL's focus on audiophile-level sound makes it a solid choice for anyone who values superior sound.

TIDAL SPECS

Deezer: Massive Library & Flow Feature

If you're looking for variety, Deezer has you covered with over 70 million tracks, along with the added benefit of the "Flow" feature. It creates personalized playlists based on your listening habits, so you're constantly discovering new music while still enjoying your old favorites. I came across a Reddit thread where someone praised Deezer for having "the perfect balance between familiarity and discovery," and I have to agree. "Flow" always introduces me to fresh tracks that fit my taste. While the interface can feel a bit cluttered at times, Deezer compensates with functional features, like lyric displays and podcast playback, making it a versatile choice.

Deezer SPECS

Apple Music: Seamless Apple Integration

If you're already immersed in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Music is almost a no-brainer. At a price nearly identical to Spotify's, it offers over 100 million tracks and exclusive content, like live performances - something Spotify just can't match. As a frequent user of iPhones, Macs, and iPads, I can't get over how smoothly everything works together. Apple Music integrates seamlessly with Siri, iCloud, and even your Apple Watch, making switching between devices effortless. If you value in-car listening, controlling Apple Music via Siri is a great perk.

Apple Music SPECS

Read More: Apple Music VS Spotify: Which One Should You Choose?

YouTube Music: A Blend of Music and Video

YouTube Music (formerly Google Play Music) really caught my attention by combining music and videos into the perfect mix. For the same subscription price as Spotify, you get access to not only a vast music library but also a ton of videos - live performances, remixes, or even user-uploaded covers. The experience of transitioning between audio and video is seamless. As someone who enjoys watching music videos as much as listening to tracks, I found this feature incredibly convenient. Plus, the platform's personalized playlists, based on YouTube data, are spot-on in curating new content I'm likely to enjoy. For those who crave the full visual and auditory experience, YouTube Music might be the perfect alternative to Spotify.

YouTube Music SPECS

Read More: YouTube Music vs Spotify: Which Is Better?

Amazon Music: Great for Prime Members

If you're an Amazon Prime member, Amazon Music becomes a compelling choice. Not only does it offer a vast catalog of over 70 million songs, but the pricing for Prime members is incredibly attractive, especially with Amazon Music Unlimited at a discounted rate. As one Reddit user mentioned, choosing Amazon Music for the value it offers alongside the Prime subscription makes it an easy choice. The service also offers HD and Ultra HD audio plans for those who want superior sound quality. Plus, if you're already using Alexa, Amazon Music's integration makes it a strong contender.

Amazon Music SPECS

Read More: Spotify vs. Amazon Music: Which Streaming Service is Righh for You?