Whether it’s a walk to class or a wild weekend, The Badger Herald is here to provide a quick look at some of the most popular and affordable music streaming services for the average, broke college student.
Spotify
Free Subscription: One month trial of premium subscription available, free subscription also available without premium features
Monthly Subscription Cost: $9.99, $4.99 for students
Mobile Availability: iOS, Android and Windows phones
Desktop Options: Mac, Windows and web player
Pros: Listen offline, Ad free
Cons: Premium features only available through paid subscription
Apple Music
Free Subscription: Three month free subscription
Monthly Subscription Cost: $9.99 per person, $14.99 for a family up to six people
Mobile Availability: iOS, Android
Desktop Options: Only through iTunes
Pros: Add Apple Music to your own library, listen offline
Cons: Premium features only available through paid subscription, must have an Apple account
Tidal
Free Subscription: One month free premium subscription
Monthly Subscription Cost: $9.99
Mobile Availability: iOS, Android and Windows phones
Desktop Options: Mac, Windows and web player
Pros: Listen offline, music videos available
Cons: Premium features only available through paid subscription
Google Play Music
Free Subscription: One month free premium subscription available, free subscription also available without premium features
Monthly Subscription Cost: $9.99
Mobile Availability: iOS and Android
Desktop Options: Web player only
Pros: Download music offline, Ad free
Cons: Premium features only available through paid subscription
Amazon Prime Music
Free Subscription: One month free premium trial available, six month premium student trial
Monthly Subscription Cost: Available to Amazon Prime members only ($99/year, $49//year for students)
Mobile Availability: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Phone
Desktop Options: Mac, Windows and web player
Pros: New album releases available instantly
Cons: Only available with Amazon Prime subscription, smallest song selection
Pandora
Free Subscription: Pandora is available for free
Monthly Subscription Cost: $4.99 for Pandora One
Mobile Availability: iOS, Android and web player
Desktop Options: Mac, Windows and web player
Pros: Creates radio stations based on music listened to
Cons: Free version features ads and no skips
Rhapsody
Free Subscription: None, but there is a three month premium subscription for $1
Monthly Subscription Cost: $9.99
Mobile Availability: iOS, Android and Windows phones
Desktop Options: Windows and web player
Pros: Listen offline
Cons: Desktop availability limited
