Music streaming platforms are crucial for artists, labels, and agencies to showcase their sounds and connect with audiences. Each has distinctions for platform size, payout, and audience, but how do you know which is the best music streaming platform for your song?
Today we’re looking at the biggest players and how you can leverage each platform to your advantage depending on who you are in the industry and your goal: global reach, superfans, or ROI.
Here’s what we’ll discuss in today’s blog:
The Biggest Players in Music Streaming Services
Tips For Leveraging Streaming Platforms for Music Promotion
The Biggest Players in Music Streaming Services
Spotify
Spotify is where you can tune into millions of songs and a wide array of content created by talents from across the globe. To date, it is the most used music streaming platform and one of the best free music streaming services.
As an artist, agency, or label, it's crucial to focus on making your music stand out in playlists and getting featured – that's where the magic happens. And if your music hits the right notes with listeners, it could spread like wildfire.
Platform Size
According to Spotify's Fourth Quarter Report, over 675 million music enthusiasts tune into Spotify every month, with a whopping 263 million of them rocking out as paying subscribers. That means you're joining a global community that spans across 180 markets worldwide.
Payout
Spotify is known for its relatively equitable payout system, with artists earning revenue per stream. Tens of millions of tracks have been streamed between 1 and 1,000 times over the past year and, on average, those tracks generate approximately $0.003 to $0.005 per stream. This all depends on the country they’re streamed in – some pay better than others.
Under Spotify's newer policy (established April 2024), each month Spotify now calculates streamshare just for eligible tracks — those that have received at least 1,000 streams globally in the previous 12 months. Tracks need to receive at least 1,000 annual streams and meet the threshold for the minimum number of unique listeners. Non-music tracks like "functional noise" now need to play for at least two minutes to earn royalties, unlike music tracks that require a minimum of 30 seconds. This change could impact how royalties are generated for different types of content on streaming platforms.
Audience
The main crowd you'll find on Spotify are young adults, especially Millennials and Gen Z users (though there's a good number of older music enthusiasts aged 55+ and up joining in).
Spotify’s reach spans the globe, including North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania, making it the biggest player worldwide compared to the other music platforms.
It boasts a plethora of genres, too, including pop, hip-hop, rock, electronic beats, and indie tunes. There's truly something for every music lover out there.
But is it really the best music streaming service? There certainly are other options, depending on what you’re looking for.
Apple Music
If you’ve ever wondered who is Spotify’s biggest competitor, Apple Music is up there. The music streaming service includes a bustling library of individual tracks, albums, playlists, and radio shows.
Artists, agencies, and labels know that Apple Music is about the quality and presentation of your music. Overall, what makes Apple Music stand out is its integration with Apple devices, exclusive content, and personalized music recommendations.
Payout
Apple Music pays all labels the same headline rate, ensuring consistency in payouts regardless of whether the music is distributed through a major label or independently. This allows artists to have the flexibility to choose how they distribute their music without affecting the payout rate.
Even though royalties are calculated based on stream shares, each play holds its own value. This value can vary depending on your subscription plan and where you're tuning in from. The average worth of a play on Apple Music's individual paid plans is around $0.01. This value includes royalties for both the label and the publisher.
Platform Size
As a key player in the music streaming landscape, Apple Music caters to a sizable user base. Though Apple does not disclose the amount of paid subscribers, it’s estimated that they have over 93 million. You'll find a mix of millennials and folks above 55 years old vibing on Apple Music. Similar to Spotify, women tend to listen more than men.
Audience
Apple Music has a diverse mix of users across different age groups, demographics, and locations. The data from Apple Music shows that some regions have higher Premium plan subscriptions than others. For example, in the Asia-Pacific region, 38% of users opt for the Premium plan, while 62% choose the Free plan. In North America, 59% opt for a paid Apple Music subscription, making it the hotspot for premium users.
However, Apple Music's reach differs a bit from Spotify's. In the United States, about 30.7% of music streamers are subscribed to Apple Music. Despite growing steadily since 2015, Spotify still beats it on a global scale with the lion’s share of global subscribers.
It’s also pretty diverse when it comes to genres. The most popular ones you'll find are Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop – they make up a big chunk of all the music people listen to on the platform. But with a massive collection of over 90 million songs and 30,000 playlists, Apple Music has something for everyone's taste.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a powerful tool for artists, agencies and labels to reach a massive audience. This platform also offers artists the potential for increased revenue through ad-supported content and YouTube Premium subscriptions.
Unlike other music streaming services, YouTube Music allows creators to showcase their music through music videos, live performances, and unique visuals, giving them a chance to engage fans. Visuals engage audiences even more than audio alone – most of us have checked out those lyric videos or got sucked into a well-done music video.
Understanding the visual aspect and search engine optimization on YouTube Music can be key if you’re looking to expand your reach and connect with a broader audience.
Payout
When your music is uploaded on YouTube, it typically earns around $0.005 to $0.007 per play. This can vary based on whether the listener is just visiting the website or is a paying YouTube Premium subscriber. But when it’s used in YouTube videos by someone other than you or your affiliates, you can also earn money – around $0.00087 per play. Payout rates are on the decline compared to the past, but you can still earn some money.
Audience
With billions of users worldwide, YouTube Music boasts a massive audience reach, making it a global music hub.
In terms of audience demographics, YouTube Music attracts listeners from various countries, with a particularly strong presence in the United States, India, Brazil, Japan, and many European nations.
From trending hits to niche genres, YouTube Music caters to a wide spectrum of musical tastes. As for popular genres on the platform, you'll find a diverse mix ranging from Pop, Hip-hop, and R&B to EDM, Rock, and Latin music.
Understanding these aspects can help you tailor your music promotion strategies to reach the right audience effectively.
SoundCloud
SoundCloud provides a space for musicians to share their music with a niche community, making it a hotbed for emerging talent and music enthusiasts. It also provides an opportunity for fans to comment, like, repost, and share.
Payout
On average, SoundCloud pays approximately $0.0025 to $0.004 per stream, but there's a minimum of $5 USD before you get a payout.
Platform Size
While platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have massive user bases, SoundCloud's tailored community vibe gives artists a chance to connect with a niche audience of music lovers, making it a valuable space for cultivating a dedicated fan base.
Audience
SoundCloud has a global reach, with a strong presence in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Brazil. Artists can use this diversity to gain exposure in different regions and expand their fan base worldwide.
From Hip-hop and Electronic Dance Music (EDM) to Indie and Experimental sounds, SoundCloud caters to a wide array of genres. It's a melting pot where artists can experiment with their music and connect with fans who appreciate unique and diverse sounds.
Tips For Leveraging Streaming Platforms for Music Promotion
If you’re looking for a quick answer for the best online music streaming services for 2025, it’s not quite black and white. Depending on who you are in the industry and what you want out of your song’s success, there are different factors to consider when choosing the best online streaming site for you or your client.
Artists
- Maximize Exposure: Spotify and Apple Music reach a broad audience and increase visibility for your music.
- Engage with Fans in Your Niche: SoundCloud is a great place to foster a strong connection with your fan base if you’re a niche artist.
- Monetize Content: Explore the revenue opportunities and payout mechanisms that work for you. Would you rather get your money from the biggest amount of streams possible (Spotify), or from different uses of your song (YouTube)? Knowing your goals will help you choose the right platform.
Labels & Agencies
- Data Analytics: Platforms with powerful analytics (such as Spotify or YouTube Music) help track performance metrics, understand audience demographics, and tailor promotional strategies.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate on platforms to feature artists (YouTube), curate playlists (Spotify), or tell an artist’s comprehensive story (Apple Music).
- Global Reach: Leverage the international presence of major platforms such as Spotify to amplify the reach of artists.
Whether you're an emerging artist, a label or an agency, the right platform for streaming sets the stage for your success.
Ready to amplify your presence? Let's chat about how you can leverage these platforms using our services for artists or labels and harmonize your music promotion strategy.
