If you’re perfectly satisfied with the sound quality of tracks downloaded from iTunes, for example, save yourself some money by going for the standard options. Those formats are only available on certain services, however, and at a higher cost.

If you consider yourself an audiophile, look for lossless audio. File sizes are smaller than lossless formats, but sound quality is poorer. This is opposed to ‘lossy’ audio, such as the commonly-used MP3 or AAC formats, which use algorithms that remove some audio data. Lossless audio still reduces file sizes to some degree, but the algorithms are designed to preserve audio data and maintain the integrity of the original source.

In brief, lossless audio formats preserve sound quality. Most offer a free trial of some sort so that you can test out the premium services before you buy. Music streaming services have similar pricing for the most part, with some offering family and student plans that can save you a few bucks a month.Ī few, like Spotify, offer free versions with limited features and periodic advertisements. Price is of course a major factor for any subscription service. Best For Discovering Local Music: YouTube MusicĬhoosing the Best Music Streaming Service Price Choosing the Best Music Streaming Service

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