Which Audio Streaming Platform Is Best For Your Brand?

With so many audio streaming platforms out there seeking our attention, it can be difficult to decide on one to choose as a consumer - but what if you’re a creator?

When your tracks are your ticket to success, choosing the best platform for your brand is more important than ever. But not everyone has time to explore each platform through trial and error, especially when you could be using that precious time to create more content and interact with your audience!

Luckily for you, our team has put together a simple guide to help you make this decision without breaking a sweat. So let’s get started!

Soundcloud

Once the leading platform for homegrown musicians, Soundcloud offers the most straightforward and creator-friendly tools out there. Just upload your tracks and listeners can comment at any point during the listening experience. Users can also like and share your tracks across their social media profiles, or embed them into websites.

The Pros:

• Realtime engagement
• Easy to use 
• Not restrictive (Remix and bootleg-friendly)

The Cons:

• Not yet available globally
• Decline in users within the last five years
  
  

Spotify

Arguably the most popular streaming service in current times, Spotify allows artists to optimize their profile and provides insights regarding streaming and track performance. Spotify promotion is arguably the easiest to achieve - with over 350 million users, there’s always someone hunting for your type of tune!

The Pros:

• Ultra popular
• Weekly Discovery playlists allow artists the opportunity to be featured
• Huge catalogue of tracks to be featured alongside

The Cons:

• Extremely low royalties ($0.006 of every USD)
• Lack of transparency

Audiomack

Much like Soundcloud, Audiomack prides itself on user-based content including both music and podcasts. Geared towards an increasingly Gen-Z audience, Audiomack provides users with a smooth desktop and mobile experience.

The Pros:

• Unlimited storage
• Advanced stats
• Private links
• Free from spam

The Cons: 

• Not as widely known as Spotify and Soundcloud

Deezer

This France-based platform has given Spotify a run for its money. Similar to that uber-popular platform, Deezer offers FLAC quality tracks (superior to what Spotify offers), along with curated playlists and various tiers of subscription packages.

The Pros:

• Popular among European audiences
• Seamless autoplay evolves with your tastes
• Easy to use playlists

The Cons:

• Catalogue not as extensive

Apple Music

Even with its iOs exclusivity, Apple Music still ranks #2 in the USA as an audio streaming service, second only to Spotify.  With its famous $5 student subscription and convenient iOs device integration, Apple Music grants users a seamless music experience that no other platform has since been able to match.

The Pros:

• Seamless transfer between iOs devices

The Cons:

• iOs exclusive
• Missing a significant selection of popular artists
• Pricey

Tidal

Possibly the most controversial streaming platform due to its legal battles with the likes of Coldplay and Taylor Swift, Tidal prides itself on its high-quality listening experience for audiophiles everywhere. 

The Pros:

• High-quality audio

The Cons:

• Decreased in popularity due to controversy

Pandora

The online radio that’s had everyone talking since its inception, Pandora provides a laid back listening experience much akin to traditional radio - but with the added bonus of an algorithm. 

The Pros:

• Most natural listening experience

The Cons:

• Not as popular among Gen-Z and up and coming audiences
• Radio format doesn’t appeal to everyone

YouTube Music

For anyone looking to combine a visual experience with their listening experience, YouTube Music has you covered. Much like Soundcloud, artists can upload their tracks as easily as anyone else, and the YouTube algorithm will do the rest.

The Pros:

• Easy to upload your tracks
• Tracks double as music videos
• One-click add tracks to user library

The Cons:

• Relies on YouTube algorithm

Idagio

Not into pop, rock, or R&B? No problem! Idagio has you covered with a smooth listening experience for anyone interested in the Classical music world. Artists will love their pay-per-second feature.

The Pros:

• High artist payout
• Easy listening experience

The Cons:

• Only for Classical music

Making Your Choice….

No matter which audio streaming platform you choose, your tracks are what really matters. Whether you’re hoping to be featured among the most popular artists of the day, or you prefer to stay true to your roots and fly under the radar, there’s something for everyone with these top audio streaming platforms.

So upload your tunes, sit back, and relax!

Check out our Services & Pricing page to view our amazing selection of social media marketing services, and our New Order page to learn more about each one!

Want even more amazing tips & tricks from the professionals? Check out the rest of our blog for even more in-depth guides and industry expertise!