Best Music Streaming Services in 2025: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Yandex Music Compared

Music streaming services have become an essential part of everyday life, allowing users to enjoy favorite tracks, discover new albums and podcasts, create playlists, and share them with friends. In 2025, the competition among platforms is fiercer than ever, and each service offers its own strengths and weaknesses. Here's a roundup of the best music streaming services for 2025: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Yandex Music.

Spotify - The Global Streaming Leader

Spotify remains the top player in the global music streaming market, with over 600 million users worldwide who appreciate its intuitive interface, personalized recommendations, and vast music library.

• Pros:
• Powerful recommendation engine
• User-friendly playlists and mixes
• Seamless integration with social networks and devices
• Cons:
• Limited features in the free version (ads, track restrictions)
• Unavailable in some countries

Read the full Spotify 2025 review

Apple Music - Premium Quality and Integration

Apple Music confidently holds the second spot in user numbers, standing out with its high audio quality (including Lossless and Dolby Atmos), exclusive releases, and deep integration within the Apple ecosystem.

• Pros:
• Exceptional audio quality
• Exclusive albums and podcasts
• Convenience for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users
• Cons:
• Interface is more complex than competitors
• Few features are available in the free version

Read the full Apple Music 2025 review

YouTube Music - Everything in One Place

YouTube Music stands out thanks to its close integration with YouTube, allowing users to listen to official releases as well as covers, live performances, and rare tracks. In 2025, audio quality further improved with the adoption of the Opus codec.

• Pros:
• Vast selection of content, including rare tracks and covers
• Smooth integration with YouTube
• Recommendations based on viewing history
• Cons:
• Sometimes too much recommended content
• Lacks exclusive album releases

Read the full YouTube Music 2025 review

Deezer - Variety and AI Recommendations

Deezer is a European service with a long-standing reputation, supporting HiFi audio quality and providing expertly curated playlists. The platform is actively implementing AI-driven recommendations to enhance user experience.

• Pros:
• HiFi sound support
• Smart playlists and recommendations
• Extensive catalog of music and podcasts
• Cons:
• Service is restricted in Russia
• Fewer exclusives compared to Spotify and Apple Music

Explore the Deezer 2025 review

Yandex Music - Russia's Top Choice

Yandex Music remains the leading music streaming platform in Russia, featuring a user-friendly interface, integration with other Yandex services, and local editorial playlists that make it especially popular among Russian users.

• Pros:
• Best choice for users in Russia
• Integration with Yandex smart speakers
• User-friendly playlists and local selections
• Cons:
• Fewer global exclusives
• Some features available only with a subscription

Read the full Yandex Music 2025 review

How to Choose a Music Streaming Service in 2025?

• If you value recommendations and integrations → Spotify is your best bet.
• If you prioritize audio quality and the Apple ecosystem → Choose Apple Music.
• If you want videos, covers, and rare tracks → Go with YouTube Music.
• If you seek HiFi sound and AI-driven recommendations → Try Deezer.
• If you're in Russia → Yandex Music is the top choice.