Music is a part of life. When there’s a rainy day, you might like to put on your headphones and enjoy the scenery by the window alone. Or when undergoing a workout session, to give yourself more energy. But nobody wants to spend much fortune just to stream their favorite tunes. That’s where finding the best and cheapest music subscription plans comes into play.
Why Look for the Cheapest Music Subscription?
While premium features are pretty tempting, for many good features, they might not always be worth the extra cash – especially if you don’t use them often.
It’s not just about saving money. Sometimes, cheaper plans still offer everything you need: good quality audio, offline listening, and access to your favorite songs. By comparing your options, you can find the balance between affordability and functionality. The following is a sellection of the cheapest music subscription.
Recommended Music Streaming Platforms
Here are some of the best music streaming platforms with the cheapest music subscription to consider:
Spotify – The Crowd’s Favorite
Spotify is not a strange name to the public. One of its standout features we should mention here is Discover Weekly. It’s a playlist updated every Monday that introduces you to new music based on your listening habits. This feature is a little magical since some of the listeners claim that it matches the music with their vibe and mood well.
Another unique offering is collaborative playlists, allowing you and your friends to curate shared lists of songs. This can fit nearly every daily occasion, for example, editing a car playlist with friends or sharing music at a party is always more fun, especially since everyone has their own unique taste in music.
Spotify also integrates with some popular apps like Discord. You can share whatever you’re listening to now with your friends in real-time.
Their free version is good, but what about subscribing their paid plans to listen Spotify without ads?
- Individual plan: $10/month. Ad-free listening, offline downloads, unlimited skips. A standard choice.
- Family plan: $15/month for up to six accounts. Share it with family or friends.
- Student plan: $5/month. Great value for students.
YouTube Music – The Other Option
YouTube Music offers more than just a library of tracks. It also provides access to an unparalleled variety of user-generated content and unique live performance recordings. And it has a close integration with YouTube, you can find rare covers, niche remixes, and exclusive recordings that are hard to find on other platforms.
It has the ability to seamlessly switch between audio and video modes. Additionally, YouTube Music’s smart recommendations are powered by Google’s robust algorithms, so that your playlist will always match your mood.
The service also shines in its accessibility. Whatever you are subscribing to now, you will get ad-free streaming, offline downloads, and access to exclusive content.
YouTube Music doesn’t get enough credit. It’s $10/month for the premium version, or $12/month if bundled with YouTube Premium.
Here’s what you get:
- Ad-free music: No interruptions while streaming.
- Offline downloads: Save songs for offline listening.
- Exclusive content: Access to rare tracks and live performances.
Apple Music – For the Apple Fans
Apple Music is a happy place for those deeply accustomed with the Apple system. It integrates to Apple devices and offers a smoother experience. This makes it truly an obvious choice for iPhone and iPad. It does feature one thing in particular, though: spatial audio, which gives great three-dimensional sound representation while listening.
If you are a person who loves curated content, Apple Music has a team of experts who put together playlists tailored for various genres. In addition, the service’s lossless audio format provides uncompromised sound quality. Listeners can hear their favorite tracks the way they were meant to be experienced by the artists.
The subscription plans are equally appealing:
- Individual plan: $10/month for standard use.
- Family plan: $15/month for up to six users.
- Student plan: $5/month for verified students.
- Voice plan: $5/month for Siri-only navigation.
There are two subscription plans that cost only $5, and Apple Music truly deserves to be called the cheapest music subscription plan.
Amazon Music – The Budget-Friendly Choice
Amazon Music has some integration with Alexa devices. Its users can control music playback through voice commands very easily. Stay linked to your Amazon Music account with Alexa, you can request specific songs, albums, playlists, or genres, and adjust volume or playback settings, all hands-free. Amazon Music also supports Alexa routines, so the personalized music selections are based on your preferences or history.
Amazon Music also features adaptive bitrate streaming. This function strongly optimizes the quality of audio streams based on your internet connection speed. They spent a lot of energy on this, to make sure users can have a smooth playback without buffering, whether you’re on Wi-Fi network or a mobile data connection.
Here’s how their plans stack up:
- Music Prime: Free with Prime membership. Limited library but is decent for casual listeners.
- Music unlimited for prime members: $9/month. Full library access and offline playback.
- Music unlimited for non-Prime members: $10/month.
Tidal – For the Quality Obsessed
Tidal is one of the cheapest music subscription, and it is known for its artist-first approach. Their theme is high-quality audio and a platform that supports musicians directly. Unlike other streaming services, Tidal pays more attention to artists than per stream.
This focus on artists is reflected in Tidal’s exclusive content. And they offer something rare to be seen on other platforms, like behind-the-scenes footage, live performances, interviews, and more. This helps fans connect more deeply with their favorite musicians. We have to say that it is a unique experience that goes beyond just music tracks.
This artist-centered model sets Tidal apart from other platforms for both fans and creators. Their plans include:
- HiFi plan: $10/month. Offers standard lossless audio.
- HiFi Plus plan: $20/month. Includes master-quality sound and artist support features.
Tip: While exploring different music streaming platforms, consider using a VPN to protect your online safety. A VPN, like LightningX VPN, allows you to access geo-restricted content. With it, you will never miss out on any tracks or performances available only in certain regions. It also provides encryption to protect your personal data, providing you with a secure streaming experience no matter where you are.
LightningX VPN provides high-speed servers, so, you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming sessions without worrying, whether you’re listening to your favorite playlist or watching live performances.
It supports Android/iOS/macOS/Windows/tvOS/Android TV/Linux. And if you never subscribed to it before, you could have a 7-day free trial. Use LightningX VPN for a seamless musical experience!
Which Plan Is the Cheapest Music Subscription?
If you aim to save as much money as possible, here’s a quick rundown:
- Free plans: Spotify and YouTube Music offer ad-supported free tiers.
- Best student discount: Spotify at $5/month with Hulu.
- Amazon Music Prime: Free if you’re already a Prime member.
What’s Your Perfect Match?
Here’s how to decide:
- Best overall: Spotify. Great playlists and features.
- Best value: YouTube Music with YouTube Premium. Covers music and video ads.
- Best for quality: Tidal HiFi. Superior sound for audiophiles.
- Best free option: Amazon Music Prime for Prime members.
A Few Tips to Save More
- Use family plans: Split costs with friends or family.
- Check for promotions: Platforms often run seasonal discounts.
- Verify student status: Don’t miss out on student discounts.
- Try free trials: Test multiple services before subscribing.
Conclusion
Your choice depends on your preferences. Music is personal, and so is your subscription. With the tips shared above, you can save money while still getting the music experience that suits your needs. Whatever you choose, enjoy your favorite tunes without overspending!
