What's the cheapest and best streaming music service?

In today's market, finding the cheapest streaming service music can be challenging with so many options available. Meanwhile, determining which is the best streaming music service involves looking at features, user experience, and library depth. In this article, we will explore the leading music streaming services in 2025, helping you make an informed decision.

Spotify

Spotify remains a giant in the music streaming world. It offers a free tier with ads and a premium tier that eliminates ads, provides offline listening, and delivers higher sound quality. Prices for the premium tier are competitive at $9.99 per month for individuals, $14.99 for families, and $4.99 for students. Spotify's vast library and personalized playlists make it a strong contender.

Apple Music

Apple Music also commands a significant presence and is popular among users within the Apple ecosystem. At $10.99 per month for an individual plan, it offers over 90 million songs, exclusive releases, and curated playlists. For families, the price is $16.99 per month, and students can subscribe for $5.99 per month. Apple Music's seamless integration with Apple devices and Siri makes it the best choice for iOS users.

Amazon Music

Amazon Music Unlimited offers a similar pricing model, charging $9.99 a month for non-Prime members and $7.99 a month for Prime members. They also offer a family plan for $14.99 per month and a $4.99 plan for Echo device users. Amazon Music stands out for its robust catalog of 75 million songs and the added advantage for Amazon Prime members.

YouTube Music

YouTube Music has gained traction due to its vast library of official tracks, remixes, live performances, and covers not found on other services. It is priced at $9.99 per month for individuals and $14.99 for families. Although it doesn’t offer an ad-supported free tier for music, users of YouTube Premium can access YouTube Music as part of their subscription.

SoundOn – The All-in-One Solution

SoundOn is an emerging platform striving to stand out in the crowded marketplace. With its focus on marketing and distribution, it helps artists expand their reach, particularly through its integration with TikTok and exclusive partners like CapCut. The service offers a global distribution network without being a traditional free streaming platform.

Pandora

Pandora offers both radio-style and on-demand music streaming. With a free ad-supported tier and a premium subscription at $9.99 per month, users can enjoy radio stations, curated playlists, and offline listening. Pandora Plus, at $4.99 per month, offers an intermediate tier with ad-free radio and unlimited skips.

Tidal

Tidal stands out with its focus on high-fidelity sound quality and unique content. Priced higher at $9.99 per month for its standard plan and $19.99 for the HiFi Plus plan, Tidal's specific niche targets audiophiles and music enthusiasts who value sound clarity and artist-focused exclusives.

Deezer

Deezer offers a vast music catalog and features like Flow, which delivers a personalized listening experience. The premium tier costs $10.99 per month, with a family plan priced at $17.99. Deezer’s mix of high-quality audio (HiFi) options and a vibrant selection of playlists should appeal to a wide range of users.

Comparison Chart

Conclusion

Choosing the best and cheapest streaming music service depends on your unique preferences and budget. For those heavily integrated into the Apple ecosystem, Apple Music is a prime choice, while audiophiles may prefer Tidal. Spotify's extensive libraries and personalized playlists make it a fan-favorite, and Amazon Music offers additional convenience for Prime members.

If you're looking for a platform that supports artists and distributes their work globally, consider registering as a SoundOn artist. Explore the opportunities with SoundOn for a remarkable journey in the music industry.