Is Spotify still the best music streaming service in 2026?

Spotify used to be the only name people knew when it came to streaming music. Back in 2015, if you asked someone what app they used to listen to songs, they’d say Spotify-no hesitation. But now, in early 2026, that’s not true anymore. The music streaming world has changed. New players have stepped up. Old ones got smarter. And Spotify? It’s still huge-but is it still the best?

Spotify’s strengths haven’t disappeared

Spotify still has things no other service does quite as well. Its algorithm is the most tuned-in music mind you’ve ever met. If you listen to indie folk on rainy Sundays and punk rock on your commute, Spotify’s Discover Weekly and Release Radar will find songs you didn’t even know you needed. It’s not magic-it’s machine learning trained on over 1 billion users’ habits.

The library is massive. Over 100 million tracks, including exclusive live sessions, podcasts, and even audiobooks. You can find deep cuts from obscure Japanese rock bands and rare 1970s soul recordings. And if you’re on mobile, Spotify’s offline mode still works better than most. Download 10,000 songs? No problem. Sync across five devices? Easy.

Its social features are still unmatched. You can see what your friends are listening to in real time. Share playlists with one tap. Collaborate on a playlist with five people at once. That’s why Spotify still has over 700 million monthly active users-more than any other streaming service.

But Apple Music has caught up-and passed it in some areas

Apple Music isn’t just a competitor anymore. It’s a real threat. In 2024, Apple rolled out a major upgrade: lossless audio at no extra cost. By 2026, it’s the default for every new subscriber. That means CD-quality sound (16-bit/44.1kHz) and even hi-res FLAC files (24-bit/192kHz) for subscribers who care about audio fidelity. Spotify still only offers compressed AAC at 320 kbps-even on its Premium plan.

Apple’s integration with iOS and HomePod is seamless. If you say, “Hey Siri, play ‘Blinding Lights’,” it starts instantly. No app open. No waiting. Spotify? You have to launch the app, wait for it to load, then tap play. On an iPhone, Apple Music just works better.

And then there’s the pricing. Apple Music still costs $10.99/month for individuals. Spotify Premium? $11.99. For the same price, you get better sound, deeper integration, and a curated experience that feels more personal. Apple’s editorial team also puts out better playlists-like “Today’s Top Hits” and “Chill Vibes,” which feel handpicked, not algorithmically random.

YouTube Music is the dark horse

Most people don’t realize it, but YouTube Music is now the third-largest music streaming service in the world. Why? Because it doesn’t just stream songs-it streams everything related to them.

Want to hear the live version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” from Live Aid? YouTube Music has it. The fan-made remix with the drum and bass beat? There it is. The acoustic cover by a teenager in Manila? Also there. It’s not just a music library-it’s the entire internet of sound.

And it’s free. With ads, sure. But the free tier lets you play any song, any time, on demand. Spotify’s free tier only lets you shuffle playlists. You can’t pick songs. YouTube Music? Pick anything. That’s a game-changer for casual listeners.

Plus, YouTube Music works perfectly with Android and Google Assistant. If you own a Pixel phone or a Nest speaker, it’s the obvious choice.

Amazon Music and Tidal are niche but powerful

Amazon Music Unlimited has quietly become the go-to for Alexa users. It’s bundled with Prime membership. For $9.99/month (or free if you have Prime), you get 100 million tracks, including Dolby Atmos spatial audio-something Spotify doesn’t offer at all. If you live in a smart home with Echo devices, Amazon Music is already running in the background.

Tidal? It’s the audiophile’s pick. It’s expensive-$19.99/month-but it’s the only service that offers MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) files, which are true studio master recordings. If you’ve got a high-end DAC and a pair of $1,000 headphones, Tidal sounds like the artist intended. For most people? Overkill. But for a growing group of music purists, it’s the only option.

Spotify’s biggest weakness? It’s not evolving fast enough

Spotify’s design hasn’t changed much since 2020. The interface is cluttered. Ads are everywhere-even on Premium, you get promoted playlists and sponsored podcast snippets. The app feels bloated. It’s trying to be everything: music, podcasts, audiobooks, social feed, algorithmic discovery. But in trying to do too much, it’s lost focus.

Meanwhile, Apple Music streamlined its UI. YouTube Music added AI-powered lyrics syncing. Amazon Music made spatial audio standard. Spotify? Still using the same layout. No major redesign in three years.

And then there’s the royalty issue. Artists still complain Spotify pays less than $0.003 per stream. Apple Music pays around $0.01. Tidal pays even more. Spotify says it’s because of its massive user base and ad-supported model. But that’s cold comfort to musicians trying to make rent.

Who should stick with Spotify?

If you’re a casual listener who loves discovering new music and doesn’t care about sound quality, Spotify is still fine. If you’re a podcaster or binge-listen to true crime shows, Spotify’s podcast library is unmatched. If you share playlists with friends or use it on Android and Windows, it still works great.

But if you own an iPhone, use AirPods, care about sound quality, or want to support artists better, you’re better off switching. Apple Music is the natural upgrade. If you’re on Android and use Google Home, YouTube Music is the smarter move. If you’re an audiophile? Tidal is worth the price.

The bottom line

Spotify isn’t broken. It’s just not the best anymore. It’s still the most popular, but popularity doesn’t mean superiority. The streaming wars aren’t over-they’ve just gotten more interesting. In 2026, the best music app isn’t about who has the most songs. It’s about who gives you the best experience for how you listen.

Spotify won the first round. Now, the others are winning the second.