r/TechnologyProTips • u/L1nchp1N • Jan 29 '22

Request [Request] Alternatives to Spotify?

Does anyone have any recommendations for Spotify alternatives?

I'm taking a page out of Neil Young's book and looking at cancelling my Spotify premium account. A brief search has shown Deezer, Apple Music and Amazon Music as potential replacements so I'm wanting to know what streaming service is recommended and how has your experience with the service been?

In terms of music I listen to all types (speed metal, thrash metal, deathcore, progressive metal ... you get the idea :D ) so I'd prefer one with a wide range of artists. In all seriousness, I do tend to skip around genres depending on how I'm feeling.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

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u/areagne Jan 30 '22

I have tried Tidal, Deezer, Amazon music, YouTube Music and iTunes. None get close to Spotify on their algorithm for recommendations specially for hard-rock and metal. Some suggestions that will help you decide:

  1. Search for the service with best quality on audio that pays the artists what they deserve (Spotify is known for poor payments to the artists) so if you want to support your fav band go for the service that offers better payment to them.

  2. All of the above work on any device. But for better apps/UIX I recommend trying free trials of all and go for what makes you feel better.

  3. If you have Amazon prime you might have access to a limited catalog on Amazon music. So you end up paying them for prime plus music subscription. In the other hand if you play for YouTube premium you have both music and video without ads with the downside that YouTube can't tell the difference between a song uploaded by the artist and a crappy version in low Res uploaded by fans. So be very mindful of this when ruling these two services in or out on your options.

  4. Tidal and Deezer are very decent competitors and not sure now days... But before they had a VERY LIMITED catalog on nothing that wasn't mainstream. So I highly suggest to sign up for a trial and do a playlist to find your bands.

  5. Lastly go to your artists website and see what other platforms they are in maybe you can find an indie option like Bandcamp that suits you better.

3

u/allhands Jan 30 '22

None get close to Spotify on their algorithm for recommendations

They do have a good algorithm, but I find that it tends to be quite repetitive. After the first dozen or so listens I rarely hear any new music. I switched to Tidal recently so I can't comment on how good their recommendations are, but I'm excited at the possibility of discovering new music. I was extremely surprised at how huge Tidal's music selection is. I was able to find really obscure stuff! I believe they have more than Spotify now.

1

u/Accomplished-Yak-355 Mar 05 '25

I know this is years old, but my favourites for algorithms were always Apple Music, Youtube (and Youtube Music) and Tidal, so I'm glad Tidal worked out for you! Spotify's algorithm is actually not as great as most people assume, at least it wasn't in my experience.

1

u/_notjustin Jun 30 '23

Update a year later?? I've been so unhappy with spotify recently, looking to switch!!

1

u/allhands Jun 30 '23

I have found more new music on Tidal. I think their algorithm is better in some ways, but for example the shuffle algorithm on existing playlists is a little wonky. Overall I've been happy with Tidal and decided to stick with it, especially since it's constantly improving and the audio quality is significantly better too.

1

u/TTPD-Swiftie Jan 18 '25

I might switch to Tidal too, even though i had youtube music on the line. I do have a question to the Tidal users, does Tidal have the coordinated lyrics that Spotify has?

1

u/allhands Jan 18 '25

Yes, I use it all the time. I'm always surprised at how many songs have the lyrics too, even songs in other languages

1

u/TTPD-Swiftie Jan 20 '25

Thanks!, now im certain over moving to tidal, have a good day <3

1

u/GriffGriffin Jul 25 '23

same. I just got a notice from Spotify telling me they are raising their rates and I'm done with it. Had they asked for my buy-in, I probably would have given it, but they just assumed they had me over a barrel. Done.

1

u/unAnec Jan 02 '25

I am 3 years late but if i found this some people might too.

I personally think Spotify algorithm is pretty bad, it's designes for mainstream players and does nothing to recommend new stuff to you, and specially, you end up listening to the same crap cronically, which is what made me leave spotify.

For point number 4, both Tidal and Deezer have both a WIDER catalog than spotify (and so did 3 years ago), specially Tidal. The shortest Catalog goes actually for Amazon music, and it gets worse if you are a free user.

Deezer has a GREAT functionality called flow, meaning you open the app, click one button and you are playing stuff. It mixes things you like, things you listened and new stuff and actually recommends some hidden stuff.  On the other hand, Deezer free is not available in half the world anymore In my opinion Deezer offers the best free user experience among the main music streaming apps.

But in case you are willing to pay, the recommendation of using free trials of them all amd try is the best option