As a tech enthusiast always chasing the perfect setup, I get the frustration of balancing cost with quality and convenience. So let’s peel back the layers of music streaming services and see where you get the most bang for your buck.
Why “Cheap” Streaming Matters
With rising costs across the board, many of us are reevaluating our subscriptions. Music streaming, once a cost-effective alternative to buying albums, is no exception. Even in this seemingly simple space, there’s more to think about than just the headline price.
Most of us started with free tiers—Spotify’s being the classic example—but those are riddled with limitations. Whether it’s forced shuffle, restricted skips, or song previews capped at 30 seconds, the goal is clear: nudge users toward paid plans. And many do feel nudged—some even pushed.
Streaming is increasingly seen as a luxury. A tenner a month can feel excessive, especially for younger listeners without much disposable income. Yet for companies, premium users are critical. Spotify’s paying subscribers make up just 42% of users but contribute 90% of its revenue. And while the average US listener spends $14/month on music streaming, that’s still a stretch for some—especially when compared to the $69/month average for video streaming.
Defining “Cheap”: Free vs. Paid
“Cheap” music streaming usually falls into two camps:
- Free Tiers: Ad-supported, limited skips, often shuffle-only. For many, they’re the default choice.
- Affordable Paid Plans: Student discounts, family plans, or annual subscriptions with lower monthly rates.
Let’s break down how the main services compare.
Spotify: The Familiar Giant
With 82 million songs, 4 million podcasts, and 250,000 audiobooks, Spotify is a powerhouse. But the free version is deliberately frustrating—ads, few skips, and desktop shuffle mode.
Paid Options:
- Individual: £11.99/month
- Duo: £16.99/month
- Family (up to 6): £19.99/month (~£3.33 per person)
- Student: £5.99/month (includes Hulu/Showtime in some regions)
Bonus tip: You can save £1/month by removing audiobook access if you don’t use it.
Amazon Music: For Prime Users
Amazon offers three tiers:
- Free: Ad-supported, limited skips
- Prime Music: Included with Prime, shuffle-only
- Music Unlimited: Full 100 million-song library, HD/Ultra HD, one Audible audiobook/month
Prices:
- Unlimited Individual: £10.99/month (Prime members: £9.99)
- Family: £17.99/month
- Student: £5.99/month
Great value if you’re already a Prime user.
YouTube Music: Best for Video Fans
Ideal if you love live sessions, covers, and visuals.
- Free Version: Ad-supported, no background play
- Premium:
- Individual: £10.99/month
- Family: £16.99/month
- Student: £5.49/month
No audiobooks, but it’s a strong pick for video content lovers.
Deezer: Underrated and Feature-Packed
Deezer offers 120 million songs, podcasts, and fun extras like synced lyrics and quizzes.
Plans:
- Free: Limited skips, ads, 30-second desktop previews
- Premium: £11.99/month
- Duo: £15.99/month
- Family: £19.99/month
- Student: £5.99/month
- Annual: £8.99/month (25% off)
Strong catalogue, nice features, but the UI can be hit-or-miss.
TIDAL: Audiophile-Friendly
Known for high audio quality and generous artist payouts.
- No free version, but 30-day trial
- HiFi Individual: £10.99/month
- HiFi Plus: £19.99/month
- Family HiFi: £16.99/month
- Student: 50% off
Lacks consistent podcast support but excels in audio fidelity. I personally switched to TIDAL and find it great—despite a few missing albums.
SoundCloud: For Indie Lovers
With 300 million tracks from independent artists, SoundCloud is unique.
- No free version, but free trials available
- SoundCloud Go: £5.99/month (7-day trial)
- Go+: £10.99/month (30-day trial)
- Student: 50% off Go+
Perfect for music discovery and direct artist interaction.
Qobuz: Audiophile Aspirations
Focused on 24-Bit Hi-Res audio and ownership.
- No free version, but 30-day Studio trial
- Studio Solo: £12.99/month (or £10.83 if paid annually)
- Sublime Solo: £14.99/month (annual only, includes hi-res download discounts)
- Student: £4.99/month
A premium pick, but the student plan offers incredible value.
Other Noteworthy Free Options
- Bandcamp: Stream for free; many artists offer “Name Your Price” downloads
- Audiomack: Free, with mild ads
- Pandora: Ad-supported radio stations
- Musi & TREBEL: Free apps with limitations (TREBEL offers offline listening)
Smart Ways to Save
- Split Family Plans – Up to six users on one bill? Yes please.
- Use Student Discounts – Big savings if you’re eligible.
- Rotate Free Trials – Jump from one trial to another for months of free listening.
- Stick With Free (If You Can Cope) – Annoying, yes—but doable.
- Cancel What You Don’t Use – Avoid auto-renew traps.
- Pay Annually – Services like Deezer and Qobuz offer discounts.
Trade-Offs to Consider
- Ads: The biggest gripe with free tiers.
- Limited Playback: Shuffle-only, skip caps.
- Lower Audio Quality: Bitrates usually lower on free plans.
- Library Gaps: Especially with niche or indie tracks.
- Missing Features: Offline mode, synced lyrics, smart speaker support.
- Artist Support: Some services are better than others at paying creators.
Self-hosting your music is another route, but it’s time-intensive and comes with its own costs and headaches. For most, streaming still wins on convenience.
What’s Best for You?
It depends on your priorities:
- For Free Listening: YouTube Music and Audiomack are solid, though YouTube’s mobile limitations are annoying.
- For Students: Qobuz (£4.99) and YouTube Music (£5.49) are great, with Spotify and Amazon also solid.
- For Families: Deezer’s annual plan or Spotify Family offer great value.
- For High-Fidelity Fans: TIDAL HiFi at £10.99 is hard to beat, especially with a student discount.
Personally, I’m happy with TIDAL. Its audio quality and pricing are strong, and it aligns with my values around artist support. If you want more of a podcast-centric experience, Deezer might be the better bet.
At the end of the day, the power’s in your hands. Try the trials, crunch the numbers, and pick what fits your habits—and your budget.
