Are you tired of the same old music apps? Do you want to find new ways to enjoy your tunes? Many people feel stuck with boring music services. They want something fresh and fun.
Music streaming is big business. In fact, over 524 million people use these apps worldwide. That’s a lot of listeners! But not all apps are the same. Some have cool tricks up their sleeves.
This blog will show you the best music apps with special features. We’ll look at what makes each one unique. You’ll learn about social sharing, high-quality sound, and more. Get ready to find your new favorite way to listen to music!
Criteria for Evaluating Top Music Streaming Apps
Picking a music app isn’t just about tunes. It’s about finding the right mix of features that fit your needs. We’ll show you what to look for in a top-notch streaming service.
Audio quality
Audio quality is key in music streaming apps. Top apps like Spotify and Tidal offer great sound at 160 kbps. This means clear, crisp tunes for your ears. But some apps go even further.
Apple Music and Amazon Music now give you lossless audio and Dolby Atmos at no extra cost. These features make music sound richer and more alive.
For those who want the best sound possible, Qobuz is a top pick. It offers high-res audio starting at just $10.83 per month. This means you get studio-quality sound right on your phone or tablet.
Whether you’re using earbuds or fancy speakers, better audio quality can make your music come to life.
User interface and ease of use
A good music app should be easy to use. It needs a clean layout that’s simple to grasp. Buttons and menus should be where you expect them. You shouldn’t have to hunt for basic features.
The best apps let you find and play songs fast. They also make it easy to make playlists and browse new music.
Spotify leads the pack in this area. Its interface is clear and user-friendly. You can quickly find what you want, whether it’s a song, album, or podcast. The search function works well, and the home screen shows personalized picks.
Spotify also makes sharing music with friends a breeze. These factors help explain why so many people choose Spotify for their streaming needs.
Music and podcast library size
Music apps now offer huge song lists. Many top apps have over 90 million tracks to choose from. Apple Music leads the pack with more than 100 million songs. That’s a lot of tunes! These big libraries mean you can find almost any song you want.
Plus, many apps include podcasts too. This gives users even more to listen to. With so much content, you’ll never run out of new things to hear.
Big libraries are great, but they can be hard to search. Good apps make it easy to find what you want. They use smart search tools and playlists to help. Some even learn what you like and suggest new music.
This helps you discover songs you might love. The best apps balance a big library with easy ways to use it.
Special features and unique offerings
Music apps now offer cool extras to stand out. Spotify lets friends make playlists together and join group listening sessions. Apple Music has video playlists and 24/7 radio stations.
Tidal pays artists more and streams super high-quality tracks. Amazon Music uses AI to create playlists just for you. Deezer lets you upload your own MP3s. YouTube Music makes it easy to switch between songs and music videos.
These special features make each app unique and fun to use.
Some apps focus on specific types of music too. Idagio is all about classical music and live concerts. iHeartRadio has lots of live radio streams and podcasts. Pandora offers different plans and mixes in podcasts with music.
With so many choices, you can pick an app that fits your style and gives you extras you’ll love.
Spotify: Best for Social Sharing Features
Spotify rocks for sharing tunes with friends. It lets you make playlists together and jam in real-time. Want to know more cool tricks? Keep reading!
Overview of Spotify
Spotify is a top music app that lets you listen to millions of songs. It’s easy to use and works on phones, computers, and smart speakers. You can make playlists, share music with friends, and find new tunes you’ll love.
Spotify has a free version with ads, or you can pay $12 a month for no ads and more features.
Spotify stands out with its social features. You can see what your friends are listening to and make playlists together. It also has a cool “Discover Weekly” playlist that finds new music just for you.
With a 4.5 rating, Spotify is a hit with music fans who want to stream their favorite songs anytime, anywhere.
Unique features: Social playlists, collaborative sessions
Spotify stands out with its social features. Users can share music and enjoy tunes together, even when apart.
- Social playlists let friends add songs to shared lists
- Group Sessions allow real-time listening with up to five people
- Users can see what friends are playing right now
- Easy sharing of tracks, albums, and playlists on social media
- Collaborative playlists for parties or road trips
- Song lyrics display for sing-alongs with friends
- Ability to follow artists and see their playlists
- Integration with Facebook to find and connect with friends
- Option to hide listening activity for private sessions
- Spotify Codes to quickly share and scan songs or playlists
- Blend feature creates mix playlists based on two users’ tastes
- Family Mix for shared listening in family accounts
Apple Music: Best for Integration with Apple Ecosystem
Apple Music shines for iPhone users. It works great with Siri and other Apple gadgets. Want to know more about its cool features? Keep reading!
Overview of Apple Music
Apple Music rocks the streaming world with over 100 million tracks. It’s a big player, offering tunes for $10.99 a month. Users get more than just songs – spatial audio and hi-res tracks are part of the deal.
Plus, it plays nice with your old iTunes library.
This app shines on iPhones and other Apple gear. It serves up a mix of new hits and classic jams. The sound quality is top-notch, with options for audiophiles who want the best. Whether you’re into pop, rock, or jazz, Apple Music has you covered.
Unique features: Seamless integration with Siri and Apple devices
Apple Music shines with its smooth link to Apple gear. Users get a top-notch music app that works great with their iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
- Siri voice control: Ask Siri to play songs, albums, or playlists hands-free
- iCloud sync: Your music library stays up-to-date across all your Apple devices
- HomePod support: Stream tunes to your smart speaker with ease
- Apple Watch app: Control music from your wrist while on the go
- CarPlay: Enjoy Apple Music in your car’s dash display
- AirPlay 2: Send audio to multiple rooms or speakers at once
- Lyrics view: See words scroll in time with songs on your screen
- Shared playlists: Make and share song lists with friends and family
- Offline mode: Download songs to listen without internet
- Smart playlists: Auto-create lists based on your taste and habits
Amazon Music Unlimited: Best for Prime Members
Amazon Music Unlimited rocks for Prime members. It’s got tons of tunes and works great with Alexa. Want to know more cool stuff about this app? Keep reading!
Overview of Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon Music Unlimited is a top music streaming app. It offers a huge library of songs and podcasts. Users can listen to millions of tracks on-demand. The app works on many devices, from phones to smart speakers.
Prime members get a sweet deal on Amazon Music Unlimited. They pay only $10 per month for the service. Non-Prime users pay $11 monthly. The app got a great 4.0 rating, showing it’s a hit with listeners.
It’s easy to use and has cool features like offline listening and personalized playlists.
Unique features: Deep integration with Alexa and Prime ecosystem
Amazon Music Unlimited offers cool features for Prime members. It works great with Alexa and other Amazon stuff.
- Voice control: Ask Alexa to play songs, artists, or playlists
- Hands-free music: Start tunes on Echo devices without your phone
- Lyrics view: See words sync with songs on Fire TV and tablets
- Prime perks: Get extra songs and playlists with a Prime account
- Smart home link: Play music on all your Alexa devices at once
- AI playlists: Get custom mixes based on what you like to hear
- Hi-res audio: Listen to some songs in better sound quality
- Offline mode: Save songs to play when you don’t have internet
- X-Ray Lyrics: Learn song facts and credits while you listen
- Car Mode: Use a simple screen for safer driving with music
Tidal: Best for Hi-Res Audio Enthusiasts
Tidal offers top-notch sound for music lovers. It streams tracks in Master Quality Authenticated format. This means you’ll hear songs as the artists intended. Want to learn more about Tidal’s unique features? Keep reading!
Overview of Tidal
Tidal stands out in the music streaming world. It offers top-notch sound quality for music lovers. The app boasts a huge library of songs and albums. Users can enjoy crystal-clear audio with its hi-res streaming option.
For $11 a month, fans get access to high-quality tunes. But Tidal doesn’t stop there. Its HiFi Plus plan, at $20 monthly, takes sound to new heights. This plan includes Master Quality Authenticated tracks.
These give listeners the best possible audio experience. Tidal also pays artists more than other services, making it a hit with musicians too.
Unique features: Master quality authenticated (MQA) tracks, artist payouts
Tidal offers top-notch sound for music lovers. Its unique features set it apart from other streaming apps.
- MQA tracks: Tidal uses Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) tech. This gives users the best sound quality possible.
- High-res audio: Users can stream music at up to 24-bit/192kHz. This is much better than CD quality.
- Artist payouts: Tidal pays artists more per stream than other services. This helps support musicians and their work.
- Exclusive content: Tidal often has albums and videos you can’t find elsewhere. This includes live shows and behind-the-scenes footage.
- Curated playlists: Experts make playlists for different moods and genres. This helps users find new music they’ll love.
- Lyrics display: Users can see song lyrics in real-time as they listen. This feature makes singing along easy and fun.
- Music videos: Tidal offers a large library of music videos. Users can watch their favorite artists perform while they listen.
- Offline mode: Users can download songs and albums to listen without internet. This is great for travel or areas with poor signal.
YouTube Music: Best for Video Content Integration
YouTube Music rocks for music video fans. It mixes songs with cool live shows. Want to know more? Keep reading!
Overview of YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a cool app for music lovers. It’s part of YouTube Premium, which costs $14 a month. This app lets you listen to tons of songs and watch music videos too. It’s like having a huge music library in your pocket!
One neat thing about YouTube Music is its music locker feature. This means you can upload your own songs to the app. So, you can mix your personal tunes with millions of other tracks.
The app got a solid 4.0 rating, which means lots of people really like it.
Unique features: Access to music videos and live performances
YouTube Music stands out with its unique blend of audio and visual content. Users can enjoy both songs and their matching music videos seamlessly.
- Watch official music videos for your favorite tracks
- Enjoy live concert footage from top artists
- Switch between audio-only and video modes with one tap
- Find rare live performances and cover versions
- Access a huge library of user-uploaded music content
- Discover new artists through their music videos
- Create playlists mixing both songs and videos
- Watch lyric videos to sing along with ease
- Explore behind-the-scenes footage and interviews
- Use the app’s smart search to find specific live versions
Deezer: Best for Personalized Flow Playlist
Deezer’s Flow feature crafts a never-ending playlist just for you. It mixes your faves with new tunes you might like. Want to know how it works? Keep reading!
Overview of Deezer
Deezer is a music streaming app that lets you listen to tons of songs. It has over 90 million tracks from big stars and new artists. You can make playlists, share music with friends, and find new tunes you’ll love.
The app works on phones, tablets, and computers.
Deezer costs $11.99 per month for its main plan. It got a 4.0 rating, which means people think it’s really good. The app has a cool feature called Flow that picks songs just for you based on what you like.
This helps you find new music without having to search for it yourself.
Unique features: Flow feature for personalized music discovery
Deezer’s Flow feature makes finding new music easy and fun. It creates a never-ending playlist just for you, mixing your favorites with fresh tracks you might like.
- Smart AI picks songs based on what you listen to
- Learns your taste over time, getting better at guessing what you’ll enjoy
- Mixes in new artists and songs you haven’t heard before
- Lets you like or skip tracks to fine-tune your Flow
- Works across all types of music, from pop to classical
- Offers a hands-free way to discover music while busy
- Updates daily with new songs to keep things fresh
- Helps you break out of music ruts by suggesting new genres
- Can be shared with friends to compare music tastes
- Saves liked songs to a playlist for easy access later
Qobuz: Best for Audiophile Music Collections
Qobuz offers top-notch sound for music lovers. It streams tracks at up to 24-bit quality. Want to hear more about this app’s cool features? Keep reading!
Overview of Qobuz
Qobuz stands out as a top choice for music lovers who want the best sound. It offers high-quality audio streams that sound better than most other apps. Users can listen to songs in 24-bit quality, which is as good as it gets for digital music.
The app costs a bit more, starting at $10.83 per month, but many think it’s worth it for the crisp, clear sound.
Unlike some other music apps, Qobuz doesn’t have a free version. But it makes up for this with its focus on audio quality and a wide range of music. The app got a strong 4.0 rating, showing that users really like what it offers.
For those who care about hearing every detail in their music, Qobuz is a great pick.
Unique features: High-resolution streaming up to 24-bit
Qobuz stands out in the music streaming world. It offers top-notch sound for picky listeners.
- High-res audio: Qobuz streams music at 24-bit quality. This means you hear more detail in your favorite songs.
- No special gear needed: You can enjoy high-quality audio on your regular phone or computer. Other apps might need fancy equipment.
- Huge music library: Qobuz has millions of tracks in high-res. You’ll find both new hits and old classics.
- Offline listening: Save high-res tracks to your device. Listen without using data or when you’re not online.
- Music info galore: Qobuz gives you album notes, artist bios, and more. Learn about the music as you listen.
- Buy what you love: If you really like a song, you can buy and own it in high-res. Keep it forever, even if you stop using Qobuz.
- Desktop app: Use Qobuz on your computer for the best sound. It’s great for home listening setups.
How We Test Music Streaming Apps
We test music streaming apps with care and skill. Our team of 65 experts has over 40 years of experience. We look at sound quality, ease of use, and special features. We try out each app on different devices to see how well it works.
Our goal is to help you pick the best app for your needs.
Our reviews are fair and honest. We don’t take money from companies to say nice things. Instead, we use the apps just like you would. We make playlists, listen to songs, and test all the features.
This hands-on approach lets us give you real advice about which app might work best for you.
Conclusion
Music streaming apps keep getting better. Each one offers something special. Spotify shines with social features. Apple Music fits perfectly with iPhones. Tidal and Qobuz please sound lovers.
Amazon Music works great with Alexa. YouTube Music brings videos into the mix. Deezer creates custom playlists just for you. Pick the app that matches your needs and enjoy your tunes!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the top music streaming apps with cool features?
Well, let’s talk tunes! Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal are big players in the streaming game. They’ve got huge music catalogs and some nifty tricks up their sleeves. Spotify’s got that awesome “Wrapped” feature (who doesn’t love a year-end music recap?), while Apple Music rocks Beats 1 radio. And Tidal? They’re all about that high-fidelity sound for the real audiophiles out there.
2. How do these apps handle audio quality?
Most services offer different audio compression levels. Spotify’s been teasing us with “Spotify HiFi” for ages. Apple Music and Tidal already offer lossless streaming – we’re talking FLAC and ALAC files that’ll make your ears sing. Some even support Dolby Atmos for that surround sound feel. It’s like having a mini concert in your living room!
3. Can I use these apps on different devices?
You betcha! These streaming platforms are pretty flexible. Most work on both Android and iOS (sorry, iPod – you had a good run). Many support Chromecast, Apple TV, and even smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo Dot. Spotify Connect lets you control music from any device – perfect for when your phone’s in the other room and you’re too comfy to move.
4. What about pricing and plans?
Most services offer a free tier – great for casual listeners who don’t mind ads. But the real goodies come with paid subscriptions. Family plans are a thing now, too – perfect for sharing tunes without sharing passwords. Amazon Prime members get a sweet deal with Prime Music included. It’s like a musical buffet – pick what suits your appetite (and wallet)!
5. Do these apps offer more than just music?
You bet they do! It’s not just about the beats anymore. Many services are branching out into podcasts (hello, true crime binges!). Some, like Spotify, even offer audiobooks now. And let’s not forget about music videos – YouTube Music’s got that covered. It’s like they’re trying to be your one-stop-shop for all things audio and visual.
6. How do these apps help me discover new music?
Now we’re talking! These apps are like musical matchmakers. They use fancy algorithms to analyze your listening habits and suggest new tunes. Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” playlist is a fan favorite. Apple Music’s got human-curated playlists for that personal touch.