The Best Music Streaming Services

The music streaming industry has never been more competitive, with several platforms offering unique features, vast libraries, and varying subscription costs. In 2025, UK listeners have multiple choices, from mainstream giants like Spotify and Apple Music to audiophile-friendly services like Tidal and Qobuz. This guide explores the best music streaming services available in the UK, covering their pricing, music selection, personalization features, pros and cons, and more.

1. Spotify

Pricing: Spotify Free (ad-supported), Spotify Premium – £11.99/month (Individual), £14.99/month (Duo), £19.99/month (Family), and £5.99/month (Student).

Music Library: Over 100 million tracks, including exclusive podcasts and audiobooks.

Personalized Playlists: Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mixes, and AI-generated playlists based on listening habits.

Pros:

• Excellent algorithm-driven recommendations.
• Cross-device syncing with a seamless user experience.
• Extensive social features for playlist sharing and music discovery.

Cons:

• No built-in HiFi audio yet (expected later in 2025).
• Frequent price increases.

2. Amazon Music Unlimited

Pricing: £9.99/month for Prime members, £10.99/month for non-Prime members, £17.99/month for Family plan.

Music Library: Over 100 million songs, with HD and Ultra HD tracks.

Personalized Playlists: Auto-generated playlists based on listening history.

Pros:

• High-resolution streaming at no extra cost.
• Seamless Alexa integration for voice control.
• Competitive pricing for Amazon Prime members.

Cons:

• User interface less polished than competitors.
• Music discovery tools are less refined.

3. Apple Music

Pricing: £10.99/month (Individual), £16.99/month (Family), £5.99/month (Student).

Music Library: Over 100 million songs, including exclusive releases and Apple Classical.

Personalized Playlists: Personalized mixes, new music suggestions based on listening patterns.

Pros:

• Lossless and Spatial Audio support.
• Exclusive content and artist-driven radio shows.
• Best integration with Apple devices.

Cons:

• No free tier.
• Android experience less seamless than on iOS.

4. Deezer

Pricing: £11.99/month (Premium), £19.99/month (Family), £5.99/month (Student).

Music Library: Over 90 million songs.

Personalized Playlists: Flow AI-powered playlist, curated mixes.

Pros:

• High-fidelity audio quality.
• SongCatcher feature to identify music.
• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

Cons:

• Algorithmic recommendations are less refined than Spotify’s.
• Podcast selection is smaller than rivals.

5. Tidal

Pricing: £10.99/month (HiFi), £19.99/month (HiFi Plus with MQA audio).

Music Library: Over 100 million songs, with a focus on premium audio quality.

Personalized Playlists: My Mix series is tailored to user preferences.

Pros:

• Best-in-class high-resolution audio (FLAC, MQA, Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio).
• Higher payouts to artists.
• Exclusive content, including music videos and live performances.

Cons:

• Higher subscription cost.
• No free tier in the UK.

6. YouTube Music

Pricing: £10.99/month (Premium), £16.99/month (Family), £5.49/month (Student).

Music Library: Over 80 million official songs, plus remixes, live performances, and user-generated content.

Personalized Playlists: My Supermix, Discover Mix, and mood-based playlists.

Pros:

• The largest collection of official music videos and rare content.
• Strong integration with Google services.
• Background play and offline downloads for Premium users.

Cons:

• Max audio quality is limited to 256 kbps.
• The user interface is cluttered due to a mix of official and user-uploaded content.

7. SoundCloud

Pricing: Free with ads, SoundCloud Go+ (£9.99/month) for ad-free listening and offline access.

Music Library: Over 320 million tracks, focusing on indie and underground artists.

Personalized Playlists: Weekly curated recommendations and community-driven playlists.

Pros:

• Unique indie music and remixes not found on other platforms.
• Direct interaction between artists and listeners.
• Free tier with a vast selection.

Cons:

• Variable audio quality.
• Smaller mainstream music catalogue compared to competitors.

8. TuneIn Radio

Pricing: Free with ads, TuneIn Premium (£7.99/month) for ad-free listening and exclusive content.

Music Library: Over 100,000 live radio stations, plus podcasts and news.

Pros:

• Wide selection of global radio stations.
• Live sports, news, and talk radio.
• Simple, easy-to-use interface.

Cons:

• No on-demand music playback.
• Limited personalization features.

9. Qobuz

Pricing: £12.99/month (Studio Premier), £19.99/month (Sublime+ with discounts on high-res downloads).

Music Library: Over 100 million tracks, emphasizing lossless and high-resolution audio.

Personalized Playlists: Hand-curated selections and editorial recommendations.

Pros:

• Best service for audiophiles seeking lossless streaming.
• High-resolution album downloads.
• Strong editorial content and artist interviews.

Cons:

• No free tier.
• Smaller selection of mainstream pop compared to Spotify and Apple Music.

Which Music Streaming Service Is Best for You?

Choosing the right music streaming service depends on your preferences. Spotify remains the best overall choice for its ease of use and personalized recommendations. Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music cater well to high-resolution audio fans and users within their respective ecosystems. Deezer and Tidal appeal to audiophiles, while YouTube Music is best for those who enjoy video content. SoundCloud is ideal for indie music lovers, TuneIn Radio is great for live radio fans, and Qobuz offers unmatched high-res streaming quality.

With a wide range of pricing options and features, there’s a perfect streaming service for every listener in 2025. Whether you’re after affordability, high-fidelity sound, or unique content, the UK music streaming market has plenty to offer.

Featured Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

For a similar post from me, see The Best Streaming Services in the UK.