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Best Music Streaming Services with High Quality 2024

Updated on: September 22, 2024

Streaming services have dramatically changed the way we discover, enjoy, and share our favorite tunes, allowing us to do it wherever and whenever we want.

With so many music streaming services available today, finding the right platform can be tough. However, if you value both quantity and quality, some stand out from the rest. These platforms offer high-fidelity audio, innovative features, and seamless user experiences. From immersive hi-res formats to AI-curated playlists, they cater to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Here are the best music streaming services that prioritize exceptional sound and user satisfaction.

Best Music Streaming Service

What's the Best Music Streaming Services Offer High-Quality Audio?

Our top pick for Hi-Res audio streaming is Apple Music, renowned for its exceptional sound fidelity and extensive music library. What's more, Apple Music now offers lossless audio streaming at no additional cost.

For users seeking the best High-Res music streaming services, like Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music HD, Deezer, and others prioritize superior audio experiences, providing a wide range of high-fidelity options to satisfy even the most discerning listeners.

#1: Apple Music

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Apple Music, a subscription-based streaming service by Apple, was developed to compete with platforms like Spotify. It comes pre-installed on Apple devices, replacing older iOS music apps on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and is downloadable on Android devices from the Play Store.

While second to Spotify in subscriber count, Apple Music boasts distinct advantages. Apple Music offers hi-res lossless and spatial audio albums, along with a complimentary classical music app, setting it apart in the streaming landscape.

Apple Music
Pros:
  • All tracks stream in CD quality or higher;
  • Stream and download Hi-res audio at up to 3,730kbps (ALAC);
  • Curated playlists and genre suggestions demonstrate a strong dedication to music diversity;
  • Exceptional value, particularly when bundled with other Apple services;
  • User-friendly interface enhances usability.
Cons:
  • Personalized recommendations may lack the same quality attention as other service features;
  • Spatial audio, while innovative, may not always be ideal for certain albums. Its default activation and limited ease of deactivation present usability challenges.

#2. Tidal

Rating: ★★★★★ (4.5/5)

Tidal is a newer music streaming subscription service, launched in 2014 by the Norwegian company Aspiro and "re-launched" by Jay-Z in 2015. It boasts millions of songs, including exclusives, podcasts, music videos, live concert recordings, and curated playlists. Tidal HiFi offers CD-quality audio at the same price as Spotify Premium, while HiFi Plus extends to hi-res FLAC audio up to 24-bit/ 192kHz, making it a compelling choice for those seeking pristine sound quality. Additionally, Tidal supports Dolby Atmos and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio for immersive spatial audio experiences.

As with most streaming services, it’s accessible on a wide variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, smart speakers, and platforms like Apple TV and Android TV, Tidal distinguishes itself with its unique focuses.

Tidal
Pros:
  • Exceptional music curation with a distinct point of view;
  • High-resolution and MQA streams deliver excellent sound quality;
  • Tidal rewards the most-streamed artist on its HiFi Plus Plan with a monthly bonus.
Cons:
  • Top-tier subscription is expensive;
  • Some may have reservations about MQA encoding.

#3. Qobuz

Rating: ★★★ (3/5)

Qobuz, the premier French music streaming and downloading platform, is dedicated to enriching the music experience for all enthusiasts. With a focus on high-quality sound, Qobuz was a trailblazer, offering 16-bit/CD quality streaming and later introducing 24-bit Hi-res files.

Setting itself apart, Qobuz prioritizes comprehensive metadata, providing extensive musician, producer, and songwriter credits. This commitment enhances the listener's understanding and appreciation of the music. Qobuz also stands out for its clean, intuitive user interface, designed for effortless navigation and enjoyment.

Qobuz
Pros:
  • Superb High Res Audio;
  • Outstanding curation;
  • Much-improved software;
  • User-friendly interface.
Cons:
  • Too many small glitches;
  • Costs more than rival services;
  • Does not work with voice assistants;
  • No support for Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality Audio (ditto);
  • Qobuz is only available in 24 countries.

#4. Amazon Music

Rating: ★★★★ (4.5/5)

Amazon Music Unlimited offers subscribers access to Amazon's extensive library of over 100 million songs and podcasts, completely devoid of advertisements. Since its inception in September 2019, Unlimited has experienced a surge in popularity, especially among avid music enthusiasts, garnering an impressive subscriber base exceeding 82 million. This subscription plan empowers users to freely select and enjoy any track while enjoying unlimited skips when tuning into stations. Moreover, Music Unlimited provides access to the highest quality versions of songs, available in HD, Ultra HD, and Spatial Audio formats.

Amazon Music
Pros:
  • Extensive catalog of music;
  • Streaming up to 3,730kbps (FLAC);
  • Seamless integration with Amazon devices and Alexa.
Cons:
  • Music discovery functionality could be improved;
  • Mobile applications may encounter bugs;
  • Lacks live radio features.
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#5. Spotify

Rating: ★★★★ (3.5/5)

Spotify offers user with the best free music streaming service. Since its launch on October 7, 2008, Spotify has become a prominent streaming platform for music, podcasts, and audiobooks, boasting up to 246 million premium subscribers worldwide. Its personalized user experience, driven by data on listening habits and interactions, sets it apart in the industry. Additionally, Spotify's collaborative playlists and social media integration facilitate seamless music sharing.

At a subscription fee of $10.99, Spotify offers access to music, podcasts, and audiobooks in one app, a unique proposition in the market. Rumors suggest a new tier called "Supremium" which could offer audiobooks and lossless audio versions of its vast music library, further enhancing user experience.

Spotify
Pros:
  • Class-leading usability;
  • Extensive cross-platform integration;
  • Home to a huge number of playlists;
  • Allows sharing music experiences;
  • Easy-to-use interface.
Cons:
  • No lossless streaming;
  • The Hi-Fi option is slow to launch, and the audio quality is average;
  • No music videos;
  • Offers low sound quality to free users.

#6. YouTube Music

Rating: ★★★★ (3.5/5)

YouTube Music, also known as YT Music, is a music streaming service owned by YouTube, part of Google's lineup. It's a great choice for music lovers. Google has bundled YouTube Music with regular YouTube, offering one of the best value streaming plans around. For $11.99 per month, you get all the features of YouTube Music and YouTube Premium, including no ads, background play, and more.

YouTube Music
Pros:
  • Easy switching between audio and music videos;
  • Abundance of live and rare music to discover;
  • Search songs by lyrics;
  • Background music playback while using other apps or with a locked screen.
Cons:
  • No lossless streaming;
  • Premium option has lower quality compared to Spotify;
  • Difficulty in searching for specific music;
  • Non-user-friendly UI;
  • No desktop version.

#7. Deezer

Rating: ★★★ (3/5)

Deezer, the renowned French music streaming service, offers access to over 120 million songs, playlists, podcasts, and radio channels online and offline. With personalized recommendations and exclusive content, Deezer caters to diverse musical tastes. Users have the option to explore different music genres on their own or receive personalized recommendations based on their listening habits. Deezer Originals provides exclusive content only found on the platform. Deezer is accessible on various devices, including web browsers, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone, ensuring uninterrupted music enjoyment wherever you are.

Deezer
Pros:
  • Offers CD-quality FLAC streams;
  • Includes personalized radio service called Flow;
  • Features built-in lyrics;
  • Compatible across platforms.
Cons:
  • Does not offer music videos;
  • UI could be more user-friendly;
  • May experience occasional playback errors or app crashes, disrupting the user experience.

#8. Pandora

Rating: ★★★ (3/5)

Pandora is a popular music streaming service in the US, offering a diverse selection of music genres and artists. Users can create stations based on their preferences by selecting songs, artists, or genres they enjoy. Pandora uses its Music Genome Project to analyze songs based on various attributes like melody, harmony, and rhythm, to recommend similar music to users. Additionally, Pandora offers both free and subscription-based options with additional features such as ad-free listening and offline playback.

Pandora Music
Pros:
  • Excellent music discovery algorithm;
  • Pandora Stories offers interesting commentary;
  • Offers a wide selection of podcasts;
  • Simple User Interface.
Cons:
  • No lossless streaming;
  • Small music library size;
  • The website occasionally slow to load;
  • It is only available to US customer.

Comparison of the Best Music Streaming Services in 2024

Below is a comparison table highlighting key features and subscription details of leading music streaming apps in 2024.

Apple Music Tidal Qobuz Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music Deezer Pandora
Monthly fee $10.99 HiFi: $10.99;
HiFi Plus: $19.99
$12.99 Prime (Video & Music): $14.99
Unlimited: $10.99
$11.99 $10.99 $11.99 $9.99
Free trial period 30 days to 3 months 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 3 months
Free option? No Yes No Yes (ads) Yes (ads) Yes (ads) Yes (ads) Yes
Library Size (million) 100+ 100+ 100+ 100 100+ 100 120 30+
Highest bitrate 3,730Kbps 9,216Kbps 6,971Kbps 3,730Kbps (HD) 320Kbps 256Kbps 1,411Kbps 192Kbps
Lossless streaming Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Music videos Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Podcast and Audiobook Availability No No Yes Yes 6 million podcasts
350,000 audiobooks
Yes Yes Limited podcasts
No audiobooks

Highly Recommend: Best Streaming Music Recorder

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Are you tired of being restricted by the limitations of streaming music services? Do you find yourself longing to enjoy your favorite tracks offline without interruptions from Ads or compromising on audio quality? Look no further than NoteBurner Music One – the ultimate solution to download Hi-Res music. With NoteBurner Music One, you can record streaming music from popular platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, and more, while preserving 100% of the original audio quality.

Experience uninterrupted listening pleasure with NoteBurner Music One. Whether you're curating the ultimate playlist or saving your favorite tracks for offline enjoyment, NoteBurner various features, additional tools and batch conversion support have you covered.

Key Features:
  • Records streaming music to MP3;
  • 10X faster download speed; Support batch conversion;
  • Keeps 100% original audio quality;
  • Automatically removes ads;
  • Offers some useful tools and features;
  • Intuitive Interface & Supports Multi-languages.
NoteBurner Music One

YouTube Video: How to Use NoteBurner Music One to Record Streaming Music?

Conclusion

In 2024, picking the best streaming music app with Hi-res audio has never been easier. Apple Music leads the pack with lossless streaming and an extensive library, while Tidal offers exceptional sound quality and unique features like Dolby Atmos. Audiophiles will appreciate Qobuz's detailed metadata and high-res audio, while Amazon Music provides a vast selection with HD and Spatial Audio, seamlessly integrated with Alexa. For those not prioritizing lossless quality, Spotify and YouTube Music offer diverse options.

NoteBurner Music One stands out as a solution for those seeking to record streaming music to MP3. With its ability to record streaming audio with the best audio quality, NoteBurner Music One is a game-changer for music enthusiasts looking to curate their perfect playlist and enjoy their favorite tracks offline. If you're looking to elevate your music experience and curate the perfect playlist, consider trying NoteBurner Music One today for uninterrupted listening pleasure.

Note: The free trial version of NoteBurner Music One is limited to convert the first 1 minute of each song. You can buy the full version to unlock the limitation.

What's next? Download NoteBurner Music One now!