Which music streaming service offers you the best value?
With so many music streaming platforms to choose from, which one do you think would give you the most bang for your buck?
Music streaming has become increasingly popular in South Africa, with several major players vying for market share. According to a recent comparison by MyBroadband.co.za, YouTube Music emerges as the most affordable ad-free music streaming service in the country.
YOUTUBE MUSIC: THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
At just R59.99 per month for individual subscribers and R89.99 for a family plan, YouTube Music offers access to a vast library of over 100 million tracks. Students can enjoy an even more attractive deal, with a discounted price of R29.99 per month. However, it’s worth noting that YouTube Music does limit personal libraries to 100,000 tracks.
YOUTUBE PREMIUM: AD-FREE VIDEOS AND MUSIC
For those willing to spend an extra R12 per month, YouTube Premium provides an ad-free experience across both the music streaming service and the video platform. This makes it an appealing option for avid YouTube users who also enjoy streaming music.
SPOTIFY: A CLOSE SECOND IN AFFORDABILITY
Spotify comes in as the second-most affordable music streaming service in South Africa, with an individual Premium plan priced at R64.99 per month. Like YouTube Music, Spotify boasts a library of over 100 million tracks but does not impose any limits on personal libraries.
Students can access Spotify Premium for R34.99, while families can share a single subscription for R99.99 per month, allowing up to six devices to stream simultaneously.
APPLE MUSIC AND TIDAL: TIED IN PRICING
Both Apple Music and Tidal are priced at R69.99 per month, making them slightly more expensive than YouTube Music and Spotify.
While both services offer access to over 100 million tracks, Tidal limits personal libraries to 10,000 tracks, whereas Apple Music allows users to choose and download up to 100,000 tracks. Student and family plans are similarly priced across both platforms.
DEEZER: THE MOST EXTENSIVE LIBRARY
Deezer claims to have the most extensive library among the compared services, with more than 120 million tracks available. However, this comes at a higher cost, with a monthly subscription priced at R79.99.
Students can access Deezer for R35.90 per month, while the family plan, which essentially includes six individual accounts, costs R130 monthly. Like Tidal, Deezer limits personal music libraries to 10,000 tracks.
AMAZON MUSIC UNLIMITED: THE PRICIEST OPTION
Amazon Music Unlimited is the most expensive music streaming service available in South Africa, priced at $10.99 (R208) per month. The service provides access to over 100 million songs and does not implement any personal library limits.
Students can subscribe for $5.99 (R113) per month, while the family plan costs $16.99 (R321) monthly. Amazon Prime subscribers can enjoy a discounted rate of $9.99 (R189) per month.
In conclusion, South African music enthusiasts have a variety of streaming services to choose from, each with its own unique features and pricing. YouTube Music stands out as the most affordable option, offering excellent value for money, while Deezer boasts the most extensive library. Ultimately, the choice of streaming service will depend on individual preferences and budgets.