Start composing your own music—here's how
New post
Music streaming services compared - the differences
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
Similar to films, series, and sports, a real streaming madness has also developed around the music industry in recent years. There are now countless providers who are shaking up the music market. It is not without reason that the number of subscriptions continues to increase in this regard, so as not to have to pay for each song individually. But which music streaming services are there, and how do the associated offers differ? In this article we will present popular options in more detail and provide you with more information.
How music streaming has evolved to date
CDs and records are of little importance these days. While CD sales were still the main source of income for many musicians a few years ago, today it is increasingly live performances and streams via various platforms. Many songs and content can be accessed exclusively from individual providers, which further intensifies the competition. Many other offers such as radio shows or podcasts make the competition even tougher.
In terms of price, music streaming is associated with a significant relief for most users. The platforms are no longer financed by individual sales, but by the large number of incoming subscriptions. While previously, a physical CD cost 10 to 15 euros, today access is purely digital. Although production costs for the discs are almost completely eliminated, the income per listener remains very low. The example of music streaming makes it very clear how music is developing into a big business.
This is how the offers of the music streaming platforms differ
Basically, the services in music streaming are comparable with all providers. However, the details are then different for the content offered as well as for prices and additional functions. This applies both to the range of songs and to the quality in which the music can be accessed. The usability for PC and mobile devices is also of enormous importance for the selection of the streaming service. Since users also have different priorities when making their choice, this plays a decisive role. If, in addition to the offer, the operation of the app or the program also works smoothly, nothing stands in the way of widespread use.
A comparison of the best-known music streaming services
As already mentioned, there are many music streaming providers that can be booked in monthly or annual subscriptions. What they all have in common is that they then make the included music available on a large scale and do not limit its use. The following details, including price comparison, are therefore important when it comes to music streaming when you are looking for the right provider:
Spotify
With Spotify, you can expect what is probably the best-known provider for a broad music portfolio, where you can rely on many industries. The wide range is complemented by many exclusive in-house productions, which makes Spotify an exciting choice. While the free version is financed by advertising, you can download music and listen to it offline for EUR 9.99 per month. There are also special functions with regard to quality.
YouTube Music
In addition to the many advertising-financed (free) contributions in the field of music streaming, YouTube is also active. YouTube Music also offers access to more than 50 million songs for EUR 9.99 per month. The streaming service can be used for mobile devices as well as via the PC or HomePod. The first 30 days are even free as a test of the many functions and contents of the YouTube Music service.
Deezer
When it comes to broad platform support, Deezer scores quite a few points. The same applies to the high quality of the music, which makes the individual songs an auditory experience in many ways. Deezer also has plenty of radio shows and additional podcasts, which means that the platform is impressive with its enormous variety. A small disadvantage is that music videos are not available and that unlimited amounts of new music cannot be imported. The whole thing is priced at 10.99 euros per month.
Apple Music
With Apple Music you have an exciting music package available to all Apple users for EUR 9.99 per month. If you wish, you can also use the discounted version for families, where up to 10 people have access to the musical content. Apple Music has recently expanded its service to include Android devices, which means that the package is now even more widely available, and can offer more than 50 million songs.
Amazon Unlimited
As a user of Amazon Music, you can expect excellent music quality, but a smaller song selection compared to the competition. One benefit, however, is that Amazon Music is offered at a discounted rate for all Prime users. If, on the other hand, you opt for Amazon Unlimited, the price and music selection increase significantly. With Amazon Music, you can easily decide for yourself which subscription you want to take out. The standard tariff is currently 7.99 euros per month.
Napster
Even if Napster doesn't have it easy in comparison to the many well-known offers from Amazon, Apple and Spotify, the offer appeals with many musical highlights. In terms of quality, too, Napster is right in the middle for the monthly 9.99€ and regularly promises new content for users. If you are thinking about a music streaming provider, with Napster you will benefit from an exciting offer with many exclusive advantages.
SoundCloud Go
SoundCloud Go clearly offers the largest selection of music at the lowest price in comparison. The classic offer is already available for 5.99 euros per month, with the program running on Android, iOS, Sonos, and in the browser. While Spotify and the others offer just over 50 million songs, SoundCloud Go has an impressive 160 million tracks. The service can also be used free of charge with advertising, which can be annoying if you listen to it for a long time.
Tidal
Tidal is a music streaming provider founded in 2014, in which numerous musicians have already participated. In addition to around 80 million songs, Tidal offers many other contributions such as interviews and podcasts that are available to subscribers as part of their subscription. While the classic HiFi package is available for 9.99€ per month, the HiFi Plus package with an even higher quality costs 19.99€.
In these cases, music streaming is worth it for you
If you only listen to music on your home PC from time to time or otherwise prefer the radio, you don't have to spend your money on music streaming. The offerings of the streaming platforms are primarily aimed at users whose music consumption is diverse and goes beyond the low level. All music streaming providers have content from a wide variety of genres as well as audio books and additional podcasts. If you are interested in such additional offers in addition to pure music, music streaming is probably right for you. There are also attractive special discounts for students and trainees on many platforms. This way you could end up paying only 5€ a month.
Where are the earning opportunities for musicians?
Streaming should not only be worthwhile for users. Musicians must also calculate in advance in which cases it is financially worthwhile to go to a streaming provider. There are few clear statistics that reveal your earning options. This is also intentional, since the turnover per call is usually negligible. Nevertheless, the following table tries to shed some more light and to clarify the earning potential:
| Platform | Earnings per view (average in $) |
| YouTube | 0,00074 |
| Spotify | 0,00397 |
| Deezer | 0,00624 |
| Google Music | 0,00611 |
| Amazon Music | 0,00740 |
| Apple Music | 0,00783 |
| Tidal | 0,01284 |
CD and radio continue to be a practical alternative
lead musicians. Since most users only find the latest music via the aforementioned platforms and associated playlists, new acts must always be represented there. Even for the bigger artists, streams are an important asset to stay profitable in times of Corona and declining performances. Of course, additional support is always possible.
We have already compiled more about the associated background for musicians in our article on Spotify Marketing. Of course, the age of CDs and radio is far from over. You will continue to find the best songs by your favorite musicians on CD in retail stores and can support the acts in this way.
Learn more about state-of-the-art music streaming now!
For you as a user, music streaming with Spotify or its competitors is a good way to be able to calculate with fixed monthly costs. The many music streaming platforms also offer a good basis for new acts and musicians to quickly find the right playlist for you and listen to appealing music. If you also want to exchange information about the latest trends in the music business here at mukken, you can expect many new contacts and talents from us. That way you'll always be up to date and quickly find like-minded people!
Originally published on July 19, 2022, updated on July 19, 2022
Main topic: Belting - a singing technique with two medal sides
Share this post