Engineering Quality Solutions
Here is an exclusive read to help you learn about the top 10 best music streaming apps, including their features, pricing, and other details.
By Satendra Bhadoria
Last updated on: April 8, 2025
Music listening has changed forever. With 600M+ global users, music streaming apps have become the go-to way to enjoy songs, albums, podcasts, and live audio – anytime, anywhere.
They’re no longer just apps.
They’re essential tools in today’s digital lifestyle.
This blog isn’t just for listeners.
It’s for startups, media brands, and entrepreneurs who want to study the best—and maybe build their own music app.
As a leading music app development company, we at SolGuruz specialize in building custom, scalable, and engaging audio streaming platforms.
From idea to launch, we’ve helped businesses turn concepts into category-leading apps.
In this blog, let’s break down the top music streaming apps in 2025 and uncover what makes them so successful.
A music streaming app lets you play songs, podcasts, and audio content instantly—without downloading them first.
These apps work by sending small bits of data while you’re listening. That way, the music starts in just a few seconds and keeps playing smoothly as long as your internet connection is stable.
This real-time experience replaced the old days of downloading MP3s or transferring files from one device to another.
And just as importantly, it helped curb the rise of online music piracy that dominated the early 2000s.
Today, music streaming platforms are about more than just playing tracks.
They offer personalized recommendations, curated playlists, podcasts, and even live artist events, all from your mobile device.
Music lovers expect a lot more from their listening experience than just the music itself.
To keep up with that expectation, music apps need to deliver on AI-powered recommendations, voice and wearable integrations—and a user experience that just works across all your devices.
Let’s explore the best music streaming apps in 2025 – and the product strategies behind their success.
Whether you’re building your own music app or exploring how top platforms scale, this list of market leaders will inspire you.
Spotify is one of the world’s most widely used music streaming applications, with millions of users. You can tune into their preferred music, albums, podcasts, and more.
They have a huge library of songs. You can use the Spotify app to stream for free. But if you want to skip the ads or save songs to listen to later, you’ll need to subscribe to one of Spotify’s paid Premium tiers.
Monthly Active Users: 600+ million
Platform Availability: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TVs, Wearables
Pricing:
The free version includes advertisements and a mobile app where your music remains on shuffle indefinitely; the Spotify premium version costs $9.99 or $12.99 on the App Store.
Key Features of Spotify:
Why is Spotify winning?
One of the best things about Spotify is that anyone can create and share playlists and their friends can listen to the same music on their own devices.
On top of that, the primary reason is its powerful AI-driven recommendations and a vibrant community around playlist sharing.
Key Takeaway for Music App Development:
Spotify is winning by making music personal. Its use of AI-powered music recommendations, user-generated playlists, and social sharing keeps users engaged. If you’re building a music app, invest in personalization and cross-platform compatibility for long-term success.
Spotify succeeds by making music feel personal. Its use of AI-powered music recommendations, user-generated playlists, and social sharing features keeps users engaged.
If you want to listen to music for free, you can’t do better than YouTube. You can find videos of every band in history on YouTube. Official audio videos, live performances, and even occasional local bands may be found on this site.
YouTube Music builds upon the features of its predecessor, Google Play Music, offering a vast library of tracks and a user-friendly interface.
In addition to all of that, you can create playlists, get suggestions, and much more. Lots of individuals listen to their favorite songs on YouTube regularly.
Monthly Active Users: 80+ million
Platform Availability: Android, iOS, Web
Pricing:
YouTube Music offers a free, ad-supported version.
Premium plans start at $9.99/month, with discounted options for students and families. Premium includes ad-free listening, offline mode, and the ability to play audio files with the screen off.
Edge: Combines video, audio, and community-based music consumption.
Why is YouTube Music Winning? YouTube Music does away with the concept of playlists in favor of well-managed radio stations that play nonstop and are often updated. Another feature that adds to its value is the capability to compile music videos from YouTube into playlists.
On top of that, the primary reason is that it has access to rare tracks, music videos, live content, and algorithmic personalization.
Key Takeaway for App Creators:
If you’re building a music app or working on podcast app development, consider how combining video, audio, and community features can help boost user engagement and retention.
Imagine stepping into a music library with over 100 million tracks in high-definition audio. That’s the kind of immersive experience Apple Music offers.
Lossless audio and spatial sound powered by Dolby Atmos make every note feel like you’re right there in the recording. That’s music as an experience – not just something you listen to.
Apple Music has 100 million tracks.
One of the things that really makes Apple Music stand out is how seamlessly it integrates with your other Apple devices. You know exactly what to expect—whether you’re on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac – because continuity and syncing across those devices just work. That makes it easy to pick up right where you left off.
🎧 Want to listen offline during a flight? Done.
🎙️ Prefer hand-picked playlists or discovering the next breakout artist? It’s all there.
📻 Into live radio shows or exclusive video content? You’ve got that too.
It also knows your taste. With smart recommendations based on what you love, Apple Music turns your daily soundtrack into something personal.
Monthly Active Users: 100+ million
Platform Availability: iOS, Android, macOS, Web
Pricing: Starts at $10.99/month after a free trial. Student and family plans are available at lower rates.
Major Features of Apple Music:
Why Apple Music? Apple Music is the perfect choice for those already deep in the Apple ecosystem. With features like Siri voice commands, device syncing that just happens, and music videos, you get a premium listening experience. Plus, high sound quality and exclusive content make it a great choice for music lovers.
Key Takeaway for App Builders: Apps that are deeply integrated into their native ecosystem – like Apple Music is with iOS – offer smoother experiences. UX polish makes a huge difference. Combine this with high-quality sound and exclusive content, and you’ve got a winning product strategy.
Now, let’s imagine a real-world scenario: You’re preparing morning breakfast, and when you say, “Alexa, play some classical music,” boom! Your favorite playlist starts getting played, and it fills the room!
That’s Amazon Music.
With millions of songs, curated playlists, and exclusive releases, it’s a service that fits into your daily life – especially if you’re a Prime member or use Echo devices.
Whether you’re discovering new music or queuing up your favorites, Amazon Music delivers high-quality streaming, offline listening, and no ads with its Music Unlimited plan.
But here’s the smart part — it’s powered by Alexa. That means voice commands control your music across smart Bluetooth speakers, TVs, and phones, making playback simple and intuitive.
🎶 Just say what you want, and it plays.
📱 Want to sync across multiple devices? It handles that too.
🔄 Like personalized playlists? It builds those based on your habits.
Monthly Active Users: 80+ million (est.)
Platform Availability: iOS, Android, Web, Smart Speakers
Pricing:
Free version available with ads. Amazon Music Unlimited is $9.99/month for non-Prime users or $8.99/month for Prime members. Family and student plans are also offered.
Major Features of Amazon Music:
Why is Amazon Music Winning?
Key Takeaway for Audio App Developers:
Voice-powered UX is becoming essential. Amazon’s tight integration with Alexa shows how natural language controls can enhance user convenience and drive loyalty. If you’re planning a radio app or podcast app, don’t ignore voice features.
We at SolGuruz have extensive expertise in developing mobile apps from scratch. Our portfolio has many examples of comparable projects.
There’s a reason Pandora has so many users. One reason is that it is often considered the most incredible music streaming app. You may quickly and easily discover new music comparable to your favorite songs in this manner. You may customize the app’s music recommendations based on your listening ratings.
Monthly Active Users: 50+ million (U.S.)
Pricing:
Pandora offers their streaming services for free – Other options include the ad-free Plus ($5) and the Premium ($10) subscription tiers. Consequently, Premium has garnered many more customers and offers more customization options than its rivals.
Platform:
Available on iOS, Android, and web platforms.
Why Pandora Stands Out?
It’s easy to use and helps you find new music that you may like, depending on your tastes. Pandora has released several new features that aren’t half awful to compete with Apple and Spotify.
Thumbprint Radio is a prime example; it’s a radio station tailored to your tastes based on your prior music preferences on Pandora (much like Spotify’s Discover Weekly).
So, the winning factor is its algorithm-driven radio stations, which are tailored to listener preferences.
Key Takeaway:
Pandora shows that AI-powered radio-style music discovery still resonates with users. For those exploring radio app development, this model offers an excellent blueprint—especially for markets where lean-back listening remains strong.
Tidal is well-liked by music lovers because it provides high-quality, almost lossless recordings; yet, the service did not previously have a free tier. However, with the release of Tidal Free, customers in the United States now have access to Tidal’s library of over 90 million songs, but at a reduced sound quality of 160 kbps and with fewer ads.
Pricing:
The monthly fee is $9.99, or $19.99 for enhanced audio quality.
Platform:
Available on iOS, Android, and web platforms.
USP: HiFi and Master-quality audio, artist-first revenue model
Why is Tidal Winning?
The inclusion of a free tier, appropriately called Tidal Free, is the most prominent recent change to Tidal, which is now half owned by Jack Dorsey’s Block. Both the more costly $20 Tidal HiFi Plus plan and the entry-level $10 Tidal HiFi plan offer lossless playback.
On top of that, the primary reason behind its success is that it appeals to audiophiles and conscious consumers.
Takeaway:
Tidal proves there’s a market for premium, ethical music streaming. If you’re exploring music app development, consider building around high-fidelity sound and artist-first models – there’s strong loyalty in that niche.
Although it no longer carries the word “Radio” in its title, iHeart remains one of the most popular music streaming applications because of its ability to play a wide variety of radio stations, both nearby and online. Regarding podcasts, iHeart is just as extensive as any other music streaming service.
Monthly Active Users: 150+ million registered
Pricing:
iHeart provides its streaming services for free but costs $9.99 per month for its plus version.
Platform:
Available on iOS, Android, and web platforms.
Why iHeart Leads?
You can search for stations, browse by genre (80s and 90s hits, alternative, Christmas, classical music, rock, oldies, and more), and even podcasts based on the songs you like.
In addition to using one as a regular alarm with a built-in schedule and snooze function, you can also set a personalized preset of your favorite stations. Set a sleep timer in the iHeartRadio app to turn off the radio after a certain amount of time.
On top of that, the primary factor behind its winning is: The Largest podcast publisher and live radio streaming combo.
Key Takeaway:
iHeart is proof that radio is far from dead. If you’re building a podcast or radio app, consider blending live stations with curated podcast libraries. This hybrid approach attracts both traditional radio listeners and modern on-demand content consumers.
Check out TuneIn’s music app if you’re a radio fan who prefers the portability of a smartphone. Tune Regardless of where your travels take you, you should always tune in to local radio stations.
Enter the artist’s or song’s name to get a complete list of U.S. radio stations that play only that artist or song. You can listen to that radio station by pressing a button on your smartphone. Podcasts and live sports broadcasts are also available on the music streaming site TuneIn.
USP: Access to 100K+ radio stations from 197+ countries
Pricing:
However, it is a free app, just like every other in the list; the Premium version is $7.99/month after a 7-day trial or $69.99/year after a 30-day trial.
Platform:
Available on iOS, Android, and smart devices.
Why TuneIn?
TuneIn, like iHeart, focuses primarily on the radio. This music streaming app provides access to an extensive library of radio programming, from local stations to national and international discussion shows, music channels, news broadcasts, and sports coverage. There are over a hundred thousand radio stations, and your favorite will be kept in a separate section.
In short, the winning factor is Access to news, talk, sports, and radio from 197+ countries.
Key Takeaway:
TuneIn proves that global radio still holds massive value in the streaming age. For anyone building a radio app or live streaming platform, the key is offering real-time access across borders – combined with smart discovery and diverse content formats.
When it comes to foreign music, SoundCloud plays a significant role since it has the most extensive library. You’ll never run out of things to listen to since people worldwide use SoundCloud to share their music and seek exposure. As you use the platform, it will become smarter and smarter, using machine learning algorithms to refine its recommendations for you.
Pricing:
With a paid account and subscription, you may skip the previews, listen to the full tracks without interruption, and even listen when you’re offline.
Platform:
This music streaming application can be used on Android, iOS, and web platforms.
Focus: Independent artists, user-generated content, remix culture
Why SoundCloud?
SoundCloud is the best place to discover new, unreleased, and user-created music. At the same time, other applications provide access to mainstream and popular music. Popular among those looking to share their home-recorded tunes or find new, unsigned talent.
On top of that, the primary reason behind its success is it’s a creator-first platform with viral content dynamics.
Takeaway: If you’re building a music app, consider tools for content creation, uploads, and community discovery.
As the successor of LiveXLive, LiveOne is a North American service for streaming music that blends audio with (sometimes live) video.
Listen to free music from a broad range of genres on several different stations. In that regard, it is analogous to a “green and black” Pandora box. The premium edition has more functions, although the standard one is sufficient for most uses.
Even more so than your typical on-demand or radio station streaming service, the emphasis here is on live performances. The potential exists, but it must be developed further. We also don’t like the Google Play subscription support, and you must pay via your carrier or a credit card inside the app.
Focus: Live music events + radio-style streaming
Pricing:
LiveXLive is Free with ads, and the premium version costs $3.99-$9.99 per month.
Platform:
LiveOne apps work on your phone and tablet, as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
Why LiveXLive?
You may browse a list of stations based on the genres of music you’re interested in streaming, such as alternative, hip-hop, and relax. You may personalize your radio experience by using Fine Tune Station to play more of your preferred artists and songs, as well as those currently trending and just released.
In short, the winning factor is: Integrated live event streaming and genre stations.
Key Takeaway: Blending music streaming and live performance features creates a niche for apps targeting music enthusiasts. Great model for concert-focused music app development.
Deezer has been around for a while and is among the greatest music apps. You may use Deezer’s FLOW feature for free to discover new music and make personalised mixes and playlists according to your listening preferences. Additionally, it enables you to mix music from various artists and make an infinite number of playlists.
Suppose you’d like access to premium features like better audio quality, offline listening, and Android Auto compatibility. However, the application does seem to be rough.
Pricing:
You can use Deezer for free; the premium versions cost $9.99-$14.99 per month.
Platform:
It is available on iOS and Android.
Feature: Flow (personal music assistant), smart device compatibility
Why Deezer?
Deezer is the first music streaming service to let customers upload their playlists from rival services for free. However, the primary reason behind its success is its real-time recommendations and the ability to transfer music from other platforms.
Takeaway: Let users import playlists and create seamless onboarding experiences.
Regarding free music applications, Jango Radio is somewhat unknown. There’s music from well-known acts as well as up-and-coming musicians. In contrast to other services, this one lets independent musicians pay to have their music played. Thus, the music you hear may have been paid for.
This is how Jango generates its operational money, which enables the service to remain ad-free. On the plus side, the service is ad-free and might serve as a valuable tool for broadening one’s horizons.
Edge: 100% free, ad-supported platform with custom artist stations
Pricing:
Jango Radio is a completely free music streaming app.
Platform:
This music streaming application can be used on Android, iOS, and web platforms.
Why Jango Radio is Popular?
We’ve said that Jango’s primary function is to provide personalized radio stations based on your previous search activity and likes. But Jango goes much further with this concept. Jango allows users to create personalized radio stations based on their musical preferences if the service’s suggested stations don’t suit their listening habits. Up to 10 artists may be added to the station here.
Key Takeaway: Free, curated radio that’s monetized through indie artist promotions offers a unique radio app development angle – perfect for budget-conscious music fans.
These are the top music streaming applications for mobile devices right now. Your choice will depend on factors like your preferred language and cell network.
If you have noticed, the leading music streaming apps in 2025 are more than just players – they’re personalized ecosystems. Whether you’re building for mainstream audiences or niche listeners, the secret lies in:
Audio streaming applications have become more popular since they allow users to listen to high-quality music without wasting valuable storage space on their mobile devices. Consult a top mobile application development company like ours to build a feature-rich music streaming app.
SolGuruz specializes in creating innovative music streaming apps customized to meet the needs of today’s music enthusiasts. Our proud jewel in the app basket is “Jalso,” a featured music streaming and podcast app. A dedicated team of experienced mobile app developers and UI/UX designers leverage cutting-edge technology to build apps. We believe a successful delivery has high-quality audio streaming, seamless user experiences, and engaging interfaces. From ideation to deployment, we work closely with clients to understand their vision. Keeping up with the client’s needs translates into a fully functional app that stands out in a competitive market.
Our approach to design is centered around the user experience. We design screens that are both intuitive and beautiful to use. That means our agile development process – where we incorporate feedback and iterate continuously – ensures the final product is polished and user-centric. With SolGuruz, you can turn your idea into a music streaming app that really captures users and delivers an exceptional listening experience.
Looking to build a music app that competes with the best? As a trusted audio streaming app development partner, SolGuruz delivers:
We’ve helped brands like Jalso redefine user experiences in regional audio streaming. Ready to do the same?
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In our experience, that comes down to a few key features. High audio quality, AI-powered smart suggestions, AI-powered personalisation, offline play, user profiles, curated playlists, and integrations with podcasts and videos are just a few of them.
Creating a music app might cost anything between $20,000 and $200,000. It depends on various factors like complexity, challenges, number of features, team members and their location and experience, cloud costing, third-party libraries and billing, etc. Consult our experts to get more accurate costing and project development.
We can build both iOS and Android music apps. We’ve developed many apps using native mobile app development and cross-platform technologies.
Of course. Proven monetisation techniques include affiliate links, in-app advertisements, subscription models, and exclusive content.
We’re seeing more integration with wearables devices, AI tools and Generative AI integration, social listening, voice-first user interfaces, and immersive experiences like spatial audio.
We usually advise consulting subject-matter specialists for mobile app development while creating a music streaming app like Spotify or any other comparable app. Here at SolGuruz, we help you with market research, competitor analysis, user research, design, and prototyping, as well as developing a minimum viable product and later full-fledged product development. For pricing or features, connect with our business team.
Written by
As a Co-Founder and COO at SolGuruz, Satendra is a thought leader who brings extensive experience in product management to the table. With a proven track record of working closely with startups and enterprises, Satendra is dedicated to helping businesses achieve their goals by developing and implementing effective product strategies. At SolGuruz, we believe in delivering a combination of technology and management. Our commitment to quality engineering is unwavering, and we never want to waste your time or ours. So when you work with us, you can rest assured that we will deliver on our promises, no matter what.
Don’t Just Dream Big - Let’s Make It Happen!
For over a decade, I’ve been at the forefront of turning bold, ambitious ideas into groundbreaking solutions. As the CEO of SolGuruz, I’ve had the privilege of helping startups and businesses not only tackle their biggest challenges but scale to new heights with products that don’t just compete - they dominate.
Every meeting with me isn’t just a conversation; it’s a launchpad for revolutionary ideas that can catapult into great products/services. Leaders who’ve taken the step to connect with me have walked away with actionable strategies that made their products unforgettable.
👉 Book a free strategy call with me now and experience the difference. This isn’t just advice - it’s the spark you need to ignite your next big breakthrough.
In a world full of ordinary, let’s create the AI-extraordinary.
Your moment is now - don’t let it pass by.
Paresh Mayani
CEO, SolGuruz
paresh@solguruz.us
Once we commit, we deliver it no matter what happens.
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