Editor’s note: this Spotify review was updated on November 5, 2020, to update formatting and address an FAQ about algorithms. How to get Spotify. It’s easy to get Spotify, whether you pay for it or not. The service offers apps for every kind of device and operating system, whether it be Windows, Android, macOS, or iOS.
Jul 16,2019 • Filed to: Streaming Music Services & Sites Tips • Proven solutions
Want a Spotify alternative to stream music on your computer or mobile devices? As we know, Spotify is the most popular music streaming service. However, not everyone think Spotify is the best and some might consider that the monthly fee for Spotify music is expensive. So is there any other streaming music program similar to Spotify available? Of course. Read on and find the top 7 best Spotify alternatives below.
Part 1. Download Music from Spotify and Other Streaming Music Programs
If you want to enjoy your favorite music from Spotify or other streaming music sites anytime without Internet connection, you can download or record the music with the help of iMusic. You can use this Spotify alternative to download music from Spotify, Dailymotion, Vimeo, YouTube and other over 3000 music sites by copying and pasting the URL of the songs. As for some music you can't download, for example, music played in radio stations, you can use the Record feature to save the songs on your computer. Besides, iMusic offers you a music library, letting you search and download music for free.
iMusic - Alternatives to Spotify to Download Music from Over 3000 Music Sites
- Download music from more than 300 music sites by copying and pasting the URL.
- Record unlimited music from any website for playback in your computer with just one click.
- Built-in music library let you browse and preview the lattest and hottest music.
- Automatically save downloaded/recorded music to library for management and easy transfer.
- Identify and tag music with artist, title, album, genre, and more with the latest technology.
- Transfer music/playlist between iPhone/iPad/iPod/Android to iTunes/Windows/Mac easily.
- 1 click to transfer downloaded music and playlist to USB drive to enjoy in car.
How to Use iMusic-Best Alternative to Spotify to Get Music from Spotify
To use iMusic Spotify alternative to get music from Spotify, here are two methods by iMusic, one is to record music from Spotify, another is directly download the music from Spotify by Pasting music's URL. Here we will show this two methods one by one.
Method 1. Use iMusic-Best Spotify Alternative to Download Music from Spotify
Step 1. Download and install iMusic at: https://www.aimersoft.com/imusic.html
Download and install iMusic on your computer. You can immediately install it after it has been downloaded. Click the 'download' under the 'Get Music' option.
Note: Note that the program is running two versions, so make sure you select the appropriate choice for your computer(Windows & Mac). Both are similar, so we will demonstrate a sample using the version that is specifically for Windows.
Step 2. Download Spotify music Directly
Open the Spotify software or Spotify website, copy the playlist link or song link which you want to download.
Step 3. Paste the URL
Paste the link to the iMusic downloaded window: Get Music > Download , and then press the 'Download' button.
Step 4. Download Music from Spotify
Press the Download button after you select the format.
Method 2. Use iMusic-Best Spotify Alternative to Record Music from Spotify
Step 1. Open iMusic
As a first step, open the iMusic software present on your PC by double clicking its icon.
Step 2. Select Record
Select the option of 'Record' which on the top of the interface as below screenshot.
Step 3. Play music on Spotify
Now you need to play or stream the music on Spotify which you wish to record. In order to record from Spotify, open your Spotify account and then play the desired track.
Step 4. Click the record icon
As the music is played on Spotify, click on the button on the bottom of the interface as the below screenshot and the track will automatically get recorded.
Step 5. Find the recorded songs in the 'iTunes Library'
As you complete the recording of the songs, you can find the songs in the 'iTunes Library'.
Why Choose iMusic Spotify Downloader
Download Unlimited Free Music
Download music from Spotify, BBC Radio, Pandora, Grooveshark, Deezer, Napster, and 3000+ more.
Filter Ads and Split Tracks
Detect Ads and audtomatically filter Ads when recording. Split tracks to separate music files.
Identify Music and Get Info
Identify recorded music and automatically get music information like Title, Artist, Album and Genre.
Easy to Share Music
The downloaded music can be transferred to iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android devices, and burn to CDs.
Deezer
Deezer is a music streaming website that gives you access to millions of songs and is available on a variety of platforms and devices. Like many music streaming programs, Deezer has paid and free membership levels. Deezer actually has two paid membership levels, $4.99 and $6.99 a month, respectively. The $4.99 version is ad-free and comes with a limited mobile app, while the $6.99 version has full mobile abilities. The paid version of Deezer advertise an increased sound quality of up to 320 kbps. Deezer is one of the few music streaming programs available in Canada and in fact, it is in available in more than 100 countries worldwide and it is very similar to spotify.
Pros: Three levels of membership option. Available in 100+ countries. Good sound quality. Available on a variety of platforms.
Cons: Interface can be hard to navigate. Music library can feel limited. Have to pay extra to be able to use on mobile devices.
Google Play All Access
Google Play All Access is Google's entry into the streaming market. This is available through your mobile device or through the browser on your computer. Google Play has a music of almost 20 million library and boasts high sound quality. Unlike many of the other streaming options, Google Play does not have a free option. To access Google Play you have to pay $9.99 a month. Google Play allows you to search for songs and build customized playlists and there is also a feature to build playlists based on your listening history. Some listeners find the interface can be a bit confusing at times.
Pros: Large music catalogue. Good sound quality. Easy customization. One of the good Spotify alternative free.
Cons: No desktop version. No free version.
Grooveshark
Spotify Free Trial
Grooveshark is a music streaming site that uses user-uploaded content, instead of making deals with record companies to access their content. You can find millions of songs on Grooveshark, all uploaded by users. There are two options, a free option with ads and a $5 month subscription fee that gives you ad-free music, the ability to take your account anywhere in the world, and other features. Grooveshark is facing lawsuits from several record companies because of rights infringement, so if legal access of music is important to you, then Grooveshark is not the service for you. Apple and Android have removed the Grooveshark App from their store, though it is still available on devices like Blackberry. Grooveshark's sound quality also varies wildly, due to the nature of the content.
Pros: Good Spotify alternative.Extremely extensive catalogue of songs. Very user-friendly. Blackberry supported.
Cons: Violates music copyright. Inferior sound quality. No app support for iPhone or Android.
Last.fm
Last.fm is a streaming radio station. It allows you to play music online and provide services like spotify, but you can't create custom playlists. Instead you can enter likes and dislikes, choosing artists you want to listen to and ones you want to avoid and it builds you a set list based on your preferences. For straight music listening, Last.fm has good sound quality and a good selection of music, though many may find the lack of customization frustrating. Like many radio stations, Last.fm features commercials, you can pay $3 a month to get an ad-free version.
Pros: Good sound quality. Good music catalogue.
Cons: Limited features. Limited customization.
Pandora Radio
Pandora is an online streaming radio site. It consists of themed stations, but does give you the option to create your own playlists. You can skip certain songs, but you are limited to a certain amount of skips per hour. Pandora's created playlists do become more personalized in time, as your listening history becomes more apparent. Pandora has a music library of around 1 million songs. You can access Pandora with ads for free or you can pay $4 a month for ad-free service. With Pandora you can listen via mobile app and it is available on a large selection of devices or through the web browser on your computer, there is no desktop version.
Pros: It is an almost free spotify alterntive with low cost. Available on most mobile systems.
Cons: No customization. Small music catalogue.
Rdio
Rdio allows both personalized streaming, but also has themed radio stations for your listening pleasure. It has an incredibly easy to use interface and a large catalogue of songs, however the sound quality suffers at times. Rdio does not release their sound rate, unlike services like Spotify. Unlike a lot of streaming services, Rdio offers a free service, but limits the amount you can stream. There are two price levels for Rdio, $4.99 a month gets you unlimited, ad-free content from your web browser. While $9.99 a month gives you mobile access as well an offline access mode.
Pros: Interface is easy to use with service like Spotify. Good variety of songs. Mix of playlists and radio mode.
Cons: Sound quality. Streaming limit with the free option.
Stereomood
Stereomood works a little differently than other streaming music sites. Stereomood suggests music for you based on your mood. https://parkingnin.netlify.app/stop-spotify-on-startup-mac.html. So you say 'I feel sad', then you'll get a playlist of designated sad songs. Stereomood isn't as good for customization as some of the other streaming sites, as it is all pre-set playlists, but you can tag songs that you think fits certain moods. The program keeps track of the moods that you enter and every week, you can look at your mood tally. Stereomood's iOS app is also linked to iTunes and gives you an option to buy the songs that you like on iTunes. Stereomood is free to listen to and has no ads.
Pros: Spotify alternative free. Fun mood options.
Cons: No customization. Limited song catalogue.
Choose the Spotify Alternative that is Best for You
Is Spotify Good
Choose the Right Streaming Music Site to Enjoy Music | Deezer | Google Play All Access | Grooveshark | Last.fm | Pandora Radio | Rdio | Stereomood |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | Free, $4.99 per month or $6.99 per month | $9.99 per month | Free or $5 per month | Free or $3 per month for ad-free and mobile | Free or $4 per month for ad-free | Free, $4.99 per month, or $9.99 per month | Free |
Sound Quality | Up to 320 kbps | Up to 320 kbps | Depends on the song | Up to 128 kbps | Up to 192 kbps | Unknown | Up to 320 kbps |
Customization | Yes, but the interface can be tricky. | Yes. | Yes. Music is all uploaded by users. | No | No | Yes | No, pre-set playlists. |
Music Library | 30 million songs | 18 million songs | Over 30 million songs | 12 million songs | 1 million songs | 1 million songs | Less than 500,000 |
Platform Availability | Web; Desktop: Mac, Windows; Mobile (premium only): iOS, Android, Blackberry | Web; Mobile: Android, iOS | Web; Mobile: Blackberry | Web; Mobile (paid): iOS, Android, Windows Mobile | Web; Mobile: iOS, Android; Kindle and Nook; Roku; | Web; Desktop: Mac, Windows; Mobile (premium only): Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Mobile | Web; Mobile: iOS, Android |
For more comparison info about Spotify and other popular Spotify alernatives, click the corresponding link below >>>
Not everyone's lucky enough to be a signed music artist. Fortunately even if you're not signed to a label there's still ways to get your music on streaming services. Distribution services offer that and a lot more, including physical releases, statistics and marketing tools. Some services even offer marketing help for artists who start to 'catch' after a few releases - like adding tracks to Spotify playlists. Here's a comparison of what the best distributors have to offer.
Distrokid
Distrokid allows you to upload as many tracks as you want for a yearly membership fee. What’s good about them as well is that they take no commission from your music - you get all the money you earn from your music. Unfortunately they don’t offer marketing help or playlist plugging possibilities.
+ No commission (you get all the money you earn)
+ You can upload as many songs as you wish for one yearly price
+ They're about to introduce SMS message marketing tools for artists
Spotify Review 2020
– No additional marketing help for artists who gain traction
Pricing: $20 per year membership fee
Tunecore
Tunecore is the service for you if you’re interested in proper revenue and analytics reports. They’re very easy to use, detailed and helpful. Although they take no commission the price is a bit higher compared to Distrokid.
+ No commission
+ Very good revenue and analytics reports
Pricing: $30 first year, $50 next years
Marketing your own music? Here's a 4-step music producer’s guide to social media.
AWAL (Artists Without A Label)
AWAL might be for you if you’re trying to get your music on Spotify playlists. They don’t take any fees for putting up your music on streaming services, but charge a 15% commission (15% of everything you earn goes to AWAL). Also, they offer one of the best analytics report tools of all.
+ Possibilities to get your music on playlists
+ No additional fees
– Must be accepted to get in
Pricing: 15% commission
Btw, if you're mastering your own tracks for streaming services, make sure you know how to set the right loudness for your track.
Ditto
Ditto is a bit like Distrokid - you pay one price a year and you’re able to upload as many songs as you wish with no commission. The difference is that they seem to have better revenue and analytics reports + are a buck cheaper than Distrokid.
+ No commission
+ You can upload as many songs as you wish for one yearly price
+ Very good revenue and analytics reports
– No additional marketing help for artists who gain traction
Pricing: 19$ per year
LANDR
LANDR is a company which offers an automated mastering service. If you’re already their subscriber you can distribute your music to all streaming services for free. They also offer you possibilities to get your music on Spotify playlists which is very nice.
+ No commission
+ Possibilities to get your music on playlists
+ Free for LANDR Mastering subscribers
– Does not provide mechanisms for you to release a cover song
Pricing: $1/month ($12/year) minimum. $3/month ($36/year) gives you access to all streaming sercvices
Stem
Stem is one of the newer services here and seems to be a cheap service (5% commission) which gives you access to a direct representative to support you. You have to apply and get in though.
+You have a dedicated representative who you can communicate with
+ Possibilities to get your music on playlists
+No fees or up front costs for anything
– Invite-only
Pricing: 5% commission
Symphonic
Symphonic doesn’t charge you any commission but makes you pay $25 for signing up and their release prices start at $11. It’s a very simple service.
+ No commission
Pricing: $25 'Sign-up fee' + Release fees staring from $11 for a 5 track album
CD Baby
CD Baby was one of the first ever services to let DIY musicians release their music in a physical format like CD or Vinyl and get it to record shops around the world. Nowadays they also let you release music on streaming services and you can do it all in one place.
+ It's a 'one stop shop' to get your music on streaming services as well as physically in stores (CD, Vinyl)
– No marketing help for artists who gain traction
Pricing: $5 per single, $20 per album + 9% commission
Reverbnation
Reverbnation is a service meant mostly for bands, but electronic producers can use it too. They offer you very nice packages - for 20 bucks a month you get access to their distrubition, mailing list tools and awesome opportunities. They also have very good revenue and analytics reports.
+ In a package you get distribution of 2 releases per year, a mailing list service and the ability to submit to opportunities such as TV placements, label submissions and festival slots
+ Very good data analytics, especially useful for demographics & venue finding
+ No commission
Spotify beta app. (BTW- has anyone seen a HomePod update for iOS 14?)Update - after reading the additional post, My apologies for misunderstanding and conflating 2 different features. For Spotify to implement this feature, would they not have had to work directly with Apple engineers? Said:This type of feature should be a keystone feature for Apple and Watch and Music.Or is Apple providing Spotify with a Watch feature that Apple themselves has yet to provide? Is this tied into the 3rd party platforms on the HomePod?
– Everything you release with them is branded with ReverbNation
– No professional help for bigger artists
Pricing: $9.95/month to get your music on streming services, $19.95/month for a full package
Freshtunes
Freshtunes is one of the newer services here. They claim to offer you everything for free (yes, no fees and no commission) with an option to get objective feedback from an expert for $25 a track. However you’re never too sure about how long is this kind of company going to last, so we would recommend going for one of the more “trusted” ones. If this service loses its investor it’s going to probably be closed. Another service like that is Amuse which claims to give you possibilities of signing you to a label with a 50/50 deal (if you “catch” after a few releases). Again, I would think twice before joining one of these investor funded services.
+No fees
+ No commission, except from China
+ Distribution to Chinese streaming services
+ Their experts will review your music for $25/song. It could be useful to get objective feedback
– No marketing help for artists who gain traction
Pricing: Free, $25 fee for feedback from an expert
Want to find a label instead of going DIY? Check out this article on finding a label in 16 steps.
About the Author: K-Pizza
I’m a music maker who likes to share his experiences with other producers. I regularly show up with tutorials, articles & project files at PML.
Skype lessons with me: http://bit.ly/pml_s_one2one