It can be difficult to decide which music service is best for you. There are a variety of options, from Free to Premium. Each has its advantages, and the annual cost of each is worth considering.
Multiple devices can stream music simultaneously
If you’re a music addict, you might want to listen to Spotify on different devices. You can do this with the help of an app called Stations by Spotify. This feature allows you to stream your favorite songs from the app on up to six different devices. You can use it on a smartphone, PC, or even a smart speaker.
If you are a premium subscriber, you can also stream the same song on two devices. This is called a private session. You can turn on this feature by using the gear in the top right corner of the app.
In addition to a private session, Spotify offers an offline mode. It lets you stream your favorite songs without relying on network bandwidth. The offline mode is available to all Premium subscribers, but you’ll need to download the songs you want to listen to first. Then, you can listen to them without interruption.
The other big name in music streaming, Apple Music, isn’t quite as robust as its competitors. But it offers more features and deeper integration with the Apple ecosystem.
With Apple Music, you can hand off between iOS and Mac devices, and you can play your Spotify songs on a variety of smart speakers. Its monthly fee is $9.99. And while Apple does allow you to play a song from its library on more than one device at a time, the company limits users to three months of free service before you have to pay.
However, if you don’t want to sign up for a subscription, you can still use the Stations by Spotify app. This feature isn’t a full-featured app at first, but it will give you unlimited access to your favorites.
Lossless streaming tier hit by delays
As of late, Spotify’s lossless streaming tier on premium subscription has been hit by delays. The company previously said the tier would launch by the end of the year, and it’s currently up for debate if it will even be rolled out by that time.
When it first announced the tier, Spotify said it’d cost $5 to $10 a month. The tier would offer CD-quality audio. In early June, however, Spotify postponed the tier.
When the tier was finally slated to be rolled out, it was slated to be available to a select group of users, as an add-on to premium subscriptions. Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, admitted that he did not have a firm date for when the tier would be ready.
The delay came after the company was forced to settle on licensing issues for the tier’s content. Spotify says that artists need to be a part of the Universal Music Group to use the service. Several musicians, including Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, have spoken up for the tier.
The service does have some interesting features, such as adding songs that are similar to the ones you’ve saved. You can also filter songs by mood.
In addition, Spotify allows users to share playlists and save songs by genre. It also offers a “enhance” button. When users click on the enhance button, they’re given the option to listen to the songs on lossless audio. The tracks are about half the size of the original recording, and sound noticeably richer.
It’s important to note that Spotify isn’t the only music-streaming service offering lossless audio. Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music and iTunes all offer lossless music. In fact, Apple introduced a lossless tier to its Music app last year.
Discounted or group subscriptions
When you sign up for a Premium account with Spotify, you are given access to many hidden features. You also get to save songs for offline listening. It is also a good way to support your favorite artists.
If you are a student, you can get a discount on a Premium subscription. There are a few requirements. Before you can take advantage of the discount, you must be enrolled in an accredited higher education institution. You can check with the Federal Student Aid website to find out whether your school is eligible.
Another option is to sign up for a free trial. This will give you one month of Spotify Premium for free. After the trial period ends, you will be billed for the subscription. You can only use this trial if you have never signed up for Premium before.
You can also sign up for a group subscription. You can get a discounted price on a Premium plan if you have a group of four or more people. You will share the costs of the subscription, but each member will pay for a monthly plan. You can choose between a Family or Individual plan.
If you are a college student, you can also get a Spotify Premium Student subscription. It is available to students enrolled in accredited schools in the U.S. You must provide proof of your enrollment.
There are also special discounts on Spotify for students. You can receive a 50% discount on your Premium Student subscription. You will also have access to Showtime, Hulu, and Spotify Kids. The subscription is valid for one year. You can renew the subscription three times.
You can also get a discounted gift card for Spotify. You can purchase a Spotify gift card online from a variety of retailers.
Student-only service
If you’re a student, you may be eligible for a student-only Spotify premium annual cost. For a limited time, you can get the Premium subscription for free for the first three months. After that, you’ll need to pay the full monthly cost.
However, you won’t have access to all of the features of the Premium service. You will have to re-register as a student to take advantage of the discount.
The Spotify Premium Student plan offers several key benefits. It also allows you to skip tracks and download music. You can even use it offline, which is a nice perk.
The Premium student plan costs $4.99 a month. This is a much lower cost than the regular Premium subscription. It has many perks, including access to ad-supported Hulu and SHOWTIME.
It also comes with a six-month trial. During this period, you can listen to Spotify’s free streaming music, as well as listen to the ad-free version. If you decide to stay, you can renew your subscription after three months. You will have to provide proof of your status as a student at an accredited institution.
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in this program. You also have to have a valid email address for your school. You can also sign up through your university’s campus Wi-Fi network.
The main difference between the student and standard Premium accounts is that the Student account is not for sharing. You can only have a maximum of six users on each Premium account.
You can also sign up for a family membership. For more than two people, you’ll need to upgrade to the Premium Family. The family version has more options, including family mix and Spotify Kids.
Free tier gives it a competitive edge over Apple Music
One of the biggest reasons for users to stay with Spotify is the Free tier. With the free tier, users can listen to up to six songs per hour. Unfortunately, the quality of the streams isn’t as high. However, for those who are willing to give up on ads, the Free tier is a good option.
If you want to pay a little more, you can get the Premium tier. This will give you ad-free, on-demand access to 80 million tracks. Also, you will be able to share collaborative playlists with your friends. The Premium tier will cost $10 per month for individuals, or $13 for up to six users.
You can also try the Apple Music service for free. For three months, you’ll be able to access their large library of songs. You can also take advantage of their music streaming features, like automatic synchronization with your devices. You can even stream their Beats1 Radio station.
Compared to the Spotify service, the Apple Music offers a better experience. For starters, it allows you to combine songs from iTunes with those you’ve downloaded. Additionally, Apple Music offers lossless compression and Dolby Atmos spatial audio support.
With Apple Music, you can stream your personal iTunes library across all your devices. You can also upload songs that you don’t have in your library to the iCloud Music Library. You can also browse through the iTunes and iCloud Music Libraries to find songs that you want to add to your library.
If you want to skip through songs, you’ll have to listen to them in shuffle mode. You’ll only be able to skip the songs you’re listening to at six songs per hour.