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Last updated: 24 January 2019
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Online music streaming for computers and smartphones has made many CD collections obsolete. These services are a music lover's dream, putting millions of songs in your pocket or on your PC. There are seven services operating in Australia right now including Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. But while they all seem similar on the surface, there are a handful of little differences that will influence your streaming selection:

  • New to the concept of music streaming? Check out our buying guide to learn how it works.
  • There are a number of offer TV streaming companies that offer a similar service on the same devices (computer, smartphone, games console etc).
Read more

We review seven popular music streaming services on computer and mobile platforms. Our detailed test reveals which services:

  • offer the best sound quality
  • consume the least data on mobile platforms
  • are the easiest to use on desktop and mobile.
  • support a broad range of additional audio devices.

Our interactive comparison tool also helps you find which services have explicit content filters, family-friendly settings, videos and offline access. Our Recommended list will help you see quickly which models come out on top.

Matthew Steen
By Peter Zaluzny
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Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

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Audio quality score

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Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.

Ease of use score

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Assesses general layout, search tools, adding content to your library, genre browsing, playlist creation, offline mode and sharing on desktop (40%) and mobile (60%).

Included in this review

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  • Recommended
  • Overall score
  • Ease of use score
  • Audio quality score
  • Data consumption standard auto quality
  • Data consumption high quality
  • Good points
  • Bad points
  • Brand
  • Status
  • Model
  • Price
  • Free version
  • Windows
  • OS X
  • Web browser-based
  • iOS
  • Android
  • Other platforms
  • Quality settings Wi-Fi
  • Quality settings mobile data
  • Hi-fi grade audio
  • Offline mode desktop
  • Offline mode mobile
  • Explicit content filter
  • Child-friendly mode
  • Videos
  • Family subscription plan
  • Upload your own music
  • Import iTunes playlists
  • Simultaneous devices
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Apple Music Individual Membership

RECOMMENDED
Apple Music Individual Membership
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$12.00
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Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
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This overall score is made up of ease of use (60%) and audio quality (40%).

78 %
Audio quality score 73%
Expand to view more details.
Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.
Data consumption – standard/auto quality 123MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption. Auto quality adjustment was used if no other options were available. Bitrate can increase and decrease depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Data consumption – high quality 123MB
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Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption.
4.2 (5 member reviews)
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Spotify Premium

RECOMMENDED
Spotify Premium
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$12.00
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Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

This overall score is made up of ease of use (60%) and audio quality (40%).

77 %
Audio quality score 67%
Expand to view more details.
Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.
Data consumption – standard/auto quality 40MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption. Auto quality adjustment was used if no other options were available. Bitrate can increase and decrease depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Data consumption – high quality 149MB
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Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption.
4.4 (5 member reviews)
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Tidal HiFi

RECOMMENDED
Tidal HiFi
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$24.00
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Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

This overall score is made up of ease of use (60%) and audio quality (40%).

77 %
Audio quality score 75%
Expand to view more details.
Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.
Data consumption – standard/auto quality 50MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption. Auto quality adjustment was used if no other options were available. Bitrate can increase and decrease depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Data consumption – high quality 380MB
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Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption.
4.5 (2 member reviews)
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Google Play Music Unlimited

Google Play Music Unlimited
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$12.00
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Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

This overall score is made up of ease of use (60%) and audio quality (40%).

74 %
Audio quality score 72%
Expand to view more details.
Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.
Data consumption – standard/auto quality 91MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption. Auto quality adjustment was used if no other options were available. Bitrate can increase and decrease depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Data consumption – high quality 143MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption.
4.5 (2 member reviews)
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Amazon Music Unlimited Individual

Amazon Music Unlimited Individual
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$12.00
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Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

This overall score is made up of ease of use (60%) and audio quality (40%).

73 %
Audio quality score 75%
Expand to view more details.
Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.
Data consumption – standard/auto quality 69MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption. Auto quality adjustment was used if no other options were available. Bitrate can increase and decrease depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Data consumption – high quality 69MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption.
2 (1 member review)
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Deezer Premium+

Deezer Premium+
Compare
$12.00
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Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

This overall score is made up of ease of use (60%) and audio quality (40%).

73 %
Audio quality score 72%
Expand to view more details.
Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.
Data consumption – standard/auto quality 61MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption. Auto quality adjustment was used if no other options were available. Bitrate can increase and decrease depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Data consumption – high quality 153MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption.
3 (2 member reviews)
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YouTube Music Premium

YouTube Music Premium
Compare
$12.00
Expand to view more details.

Per month. Standard/default subscription. All services on test include a free trial period.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

This overall score is made up of ease of use (60%) and audio quality (40%).

72 %
Audio quality score 75%
Expand to view more details.
Assessed on PC using each service’s default (non hi-fi) setting, by a panel of experts. Automatic quality adjustment was used when services did not offer custom quality settings.
Data consumption – standard/auto quality 65MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption. Auto quality adjustment was used if no other options were available. Bitrate can increase and decrease depending on internet connection speed and quality.
Data consumption – high quality 110MB
Expand to view more details.
Assessed the level of data consumed by a one-hour playlist at standard, high and highest quality offered by the service, in addition to the automatic settings. This playlist was played three times to create an average rate of data consumption.
4 (1 member review)
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