5 Music streaming apps that could replace your Spotify subscription

Looking for new ways to stream music? These five Spotify alternatives offer unique features, better audio, or extra perks that listeners actually enjoy.

Finding the right music streaming service can shape how you enjoy your favourite songs. While Spotify dominates the market with over 696 million monthly active users, it is not the only option. Many users seek alternatives for better audio quality, exclusive content, or features that suit their listening habits. Here are five music streaming services that people turn to as alternatives to Spotify.

Apple Music

Check out these five alternatives to Spotify to get a unique listening experience. (Pexels)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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Apple Music offers a library of more than 100 million songs and supports lossless streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz, higher than Spotify’s maximum. It also includes Dolby Atmos support for immersive sound. Users can access music videos, AI DJ features, and standalone apps across Android, PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Exclusive offerings include karaoke, radio stations, and a dedicated classical music app. Apple Music requires a subscription, with plans ranging from $5.99 (roughly Rs. 534) for students to $16.99 (roughly Rs. 1,516) for family accounts, though a one-month trial is available.

YouTube Music

YouTube Music offers access to a wide range of songs and videos, including content not found on other platforms. While its maximum audio quality is 256 kbps, users appreciate its free access with YouTube Premium subscriptions. The platform offers personalised recommendations, playlists, and podcasts. A free plan is available with ads and limited features, while Premium plans unlock the full experience.

Amazon Music

Amazon Music integrates well for Prime members, which offers a library of 100 million songs. Prime subscribers gain access to playlists, podcasts, and the app’s “FIND” section for music discovery. For high-resolution audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, the Music Unlimited plan is required. Alexa integration allows users to cast music to Amazon devices, making it a convenient choice for those already in the Amazon ecosystem.

Tidal

Deezer

Deezer offers high-quality audio through its HiFi library and FLAC support. The free version offers limited previews, while the Premium plan enables full access to HiFi audio and interactive features like Deezer Flow for personalised playlists and music trivia quizzes. Lyrics display adds to the experience, making Deezer a strong alternative to Spotify.