Best Music Streaming Services In The UK: Spotify, Apple, Amazon & More
Trying to decide on the best platform to stream your favourite tracks? Let’s compare them and find the best one for you.
Finding the perfect music streaming services for your needs can be tricky. With so many options available, knowing which one is best suited to you can be difficult.
In this guide, we take a look at some of the top streaming services for music in the UK and compare their features, cost, and more. We’ll also discuss if they offer offline listening capabilities, how easy it is to use them, and what kind of library they have on offer.
So, whether you’re looking for something free or want all the bells and whistles that come with premium services like Spotify or Apple Music, there’s sure to be something here that suits your musical tastes.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the best streaming services in the UK.
In this guide:
- Music streaming services and apps with free trials
- Music streaming services with family plans
- Student discounts on music streaming services like Spotify and Tidal
- High-quality music streaming services: Comparing lossless audio options
- Exclusive content and live events: Music streaming services comparison
- Social and community-driven music streaming services
- Music streaming services with podcasts and audio shows
- Genre-specific music streaming services: Comparison of classical, jazz, and world music options
- Frequently asked questions about music streaming services
Music streaming services and apps with free trials
Finding the best music streaming service and apps is a great way to expand your music library, access new artists, and explore different genres. But with the variety of streaming services available today, choosing which platform would work best for you can be a tad overwhelming.
Luckily, many allow users to experiment with their service through free trials. A free trial allows you to explore the app’s features and try out a range of resources, such as custom playlists, shared library access and more.
The following are some of the music streaming services available with a free trial.
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
- YouTube Music
- Deezer
- Tidal
- Google Play Music
- Pandora Radio
- SoundCloud
- iHeartRadio
As you consider the variety of streaming services available, look for the ones that offer extended free trials. This could be just what you need to find your perfect match.
Music streaming services with family plans
Does your family just love music? Then you may want to consider a music streaming service with a family plan. Family plans are a great way to save money on music streaming services, as they allow multiple family members to use the same account at a reduced price.
Here are some of the music streaming services in the UK that offer family plans:
- Spotify: With a Spotify Family Plan, up to six people can access the same account for £16.99 per month.
- Apple Music: Apple Music’s Family Plan costs £10.99 per month and allows up to six people to use the same account.
- Amazon Music: Amazon Music’s Family Plan costs £16.99 per month and allows up to four people to use the same account.
- Deezer: Deezer’s Family Plan costs £17.99 per month and allows up to four people to use the same account.
- Tidal: Tidal’s Family Plan costs £14.99 per month and allows up to six people to use the same account.
Student discounts on music streaming services like Spotify and Tidal
If you are a student, you may be eligible for a discount on some music streaming services. Many of the streaming services offer discounted rates for students, making it more affordable to enjoy your favourite music.
Here are some of the music streaming services in the UK that offer student discounts:
- Spotify: With a Spotify Student Plan, students can enjoy all the benefits of a premium account for just £4.99 per month.
- Apple Music: Apple Music student discount allows students to enjoy all the benefits of a premium account for just £5.99 per month.
- Tidal: Tidal offers a student discount, which allows students to enjoy all the benefits of a premium account for just £4.99 per month.
Plus, students can save money by taking advantage of student discounts and still enjoy all the benefits of a premium music streaming service.
High-quality music streaming services: Comparing lossless audio options
For music lovers who are particular about audio quality, a few music streaming services offer something called lossless audio streaming.
What is lossless audio streaming?
Lossless audio quality means that the sound is compressed without any loss of information, resulting in a high-fidelity listening experience. Consider yourself an audiophile? Then include Tidal, Amazon Music HD, Qobuz, and Deezer HiFi on your list to consider subscribing to.
These streaming services offer high-quality audio streaming with bitrates up to 24-bit/192kHz, compared to the standard 16-bit/44.1kHz offered by most other services. It’s important to note that lossless audio requires a strong internet connection and compatible hardware for the best listening experience.
Does Spotify offer spatial audio?
Have you heard of Spotify spatial audio? It’s an immersive listening experience that the streaming service offers.
Spotify spatial audio provides listeners with a more realistic sound that puts them ‘in the room’ with their favourite artists and tracks. Unlike traditional stereo formats, its three-dimensional soundscape means your music can switch between speakers as if it was being mixed in real-time, giving you a much grander and more dynamic experience.
With Spotify spatial audio, you’ll feel like you’re at a live show from your living room! It’s definitely worth checking out — after all, quality music should be experienced in the highest quality of sound.
Exclusive content and live events: music streaming services comparison
Several music streaming services offer exclusive content and live events, such as concerts and album releases, to their subscribers.
Let’s take Apple Music — it has exclusive music releases and live performances, and Tidal offers live concerts, music documentaries, and exclusive content from top artists. Amazon Music also has a selection of exclusive music releases and live events, while Spotify has live sessions, podcasts, and exclusive album releases.
These services often have partnerships with popular musicians and labels, making them a go-to for music lovers who want access to unique content.
Social and community-driven music streaming services
Some music streaming services offer social features that allow users to connect with other music lovers, share playlists, and discover new music through community-driven playlists.
Spotify, for example, has a social feature that lets users follow friends, see what they’re listening to, and collaborate on playlists. Tidal also has a social feature that allows users to create and share playlists, and Apple Music has a feature that recommends music based on the user’s listening history and preferences.
These features make it easy for music lovers to discover new music and share their favourite tracks with others.
Music streaming services with podcasts and audio shows
In addition to music streaming, many services offer access to a wide variety of podcasts and audio shows.
For example, Spotify has a large selection of podcasts, including original content, while Apple Music has a selection of music-related podcasts. Amazon Music and Google Play Music also offer a variety of podcasts and audio shows.
These services make it easy for users to access both music and other audio content in one place, making them a great option for those who love both.
Genre-specific music streaming services: comparison of classical, jazz, and world music options
The biggest streaming services like Prime Music, Spotify, and Apple Music have libraries with tons of variety to choose from, meaning you can discover new artists in your genre of choice.
But for music lovers who are looking for a more specialised experience, there are several streaming services that cater to specific genres.
For example, Primephonic is a music streaming service specifically designed for classical music lovers, while Qobuz offers high-quality jazz and classical music streaming. Tidal also has a wide selection of classical and jazz music and a category for world music.
These services offer a curated selection of music for specific genres, making it easy for users to discover new music and enjoy their favourite tracks with high-quality sound.
Frequently asked questions about UK music streaming services
How much is Spotify Premium in the UK?
Spotify Premium in the UK is £9.99 per month. They’ll sometimes run promotions where you can get one to three months free. Shop our Spotify student discount to get one month for free!
Does Spotify ever run any discounts?
Yes! Spotify regularly runs discounts for new, existing and returning users. These can be anywhere between one to three months of free Spotify Premium, for example.
How much is Spotify Duo?
Spotify Duo costs £12.99 per month in the UK.
How much does Spotify Premium family cost?
The cost of Spotify Premium Family is £14.99 per month in the UK. This plan is recommended to students too if you’re part of a houseshare or live at home.
How much is a Spotify Premium Student plan?
A Spotify Premium Student plan is £4.99 a month in the UK. This is the most affordable plan for a student on the Spotify platform, and simply needs proof you’re attending uni.
Is Apple Music free?
Apple Music as it stands is not free. You can however take advantage of its free trial for new users, to see if you like it.
How much is Apple Music in the UK?
In the UK, Apple Music costs £9.99 a month. You can enjoy an Apple Music student discount to get cash off your subscription.
Are there audiobooks on Apple Music?
There are some audiobooks available on Apple Music, but keep in mind it’s not an audiobook platform. It’s predominantly used for music.
Is Amazon Music included in Prime?
Yes, Amazon Music is indeed included in Amazon Prime. However, you can also get a standalone version of the service without Prime. Get an Amazon student discount to receive 6 months free, plus additional Prime offers for students.
How much is Amazon Music in the UK?
Amazon Music currently costs £7.99 in the UK
How much is Tidal with a student discount?
The cost of a Tidal music streaming subscription varies per area. However, you can get 50% off with a Tidal student discount.
Which music streaming service will you pick? We hope our comparison list gives you food for thought, as well as the pros and cons for each.
