Ultimate Music Streaming Services in Singapore Comparison (2022)

At the risk of sounding a bit boring, I’ve been a fan of Spotify for the longest time.

I think companies will love me as I have a tendency to stick to a certain brand and it would take quite a bit for me to change.

Unless something else really fantastic comes along with super-competitive prices, then it’s bye-bye, brand loyalty…

#notashamed

Or if something major happens; like Spotify pulling KPop artists’ music off its platform due to a licensing disagreement with Kakao M which owns Korea’s biggest streaming platform, Melon.

Recent events have made me reconsider my choice of music streaming platform.

As such, here is a comparison of the top music streaming services in Singapore.

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TL;DR: Apple Music vs Deezer vs KKBox vs Spotify vs Tidal vs YouTube Music

I’ve been a long-time user of Spotify Premium and so far, I’ve got no complaints.

But if you are not happy with Spotify and are looking for an alternative.

Here is a comparison of Apple Music, Deezer, KKBox, Spotify, Tidal and YouTube Music Premium to help you find what is best for you!

Also, it really depends on your personal needs but here are some suggestions.

Apple Music: Best For Apple Users

If you are stuck in the Apple ecosystem and have tons of music in iTunes, going with Apple Music is a no brainer.

Deezer: Best Value/Best Budget Audiophile 

Deezer provides great value as if you go for their annual plan, you will only pay S$7.42/month as an individual.

Their HiFi plan is also the cheapest at S$14.85/month.

KKBOX: Best for Asian Music (Mandopop, KPop, JPop etc.)

If you are a big fan of Asian music, you can’t go wrong with KKBOX.

Their HiFi plan at S$15.90/month is rather affordable as well.

Spotify: All Rounder

Spotify is also a good all-rounder with its plans and renowned algorithm.

Tidal: Best For Sound Quality

For sound quality, you can’t go wrong with Tidal and its huge library. However, you would pay more as an individual.

YouTube: Best Variety

Although YouTube music’s sound quality is not the best, what you get is the sheer variety of music available which includes stuff like live performances, covers, remixes, etc.

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1. Apple Music Review

First up we have Apple Music from Apple Inc’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) which is often touted as Spotify’s biggest competitor due to Apple’s huge reach.

The music streaming service is the spiritual successor to iTunes. This means you get to enjoy your entire iTunes library on Apple Music too. This explains the support for music uploads.

FYI: YouTube Music is the only other app that supports music uploads.

If you are fully invested in Apple’s ecosystem and own a Mac, the latest iPhone 12 series phone, or even an iPad, this music streaming service should be quite compelling for you.

You can even use Apple Music on Android devices!

Apple Music Singapore Price

Apple Music Library

In terms of its music library, you get to enjoy over 70 million songs, plus your entire iTunes library on Apple Music.

Apple Music Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, Apple Music streams at a bitrate of up to 256kbps which is lower than the 320kbps you get with Spotify Premium.

However, this lower bitrate is offset by Apple’s use of its own lossy AAC codec which according to Sage Audio is said to have slightly better audio quality as it:

Provides more of the original information of a recording than an MP3 of the identical bit-rate and file size.  AAC files have a more effective algorithm for determining what listeners will and won’t hear.

AAC files have been designed to compile data in a way that reduces file size but doesn’t fully delete the info.  Because of this, AAC files retain more bits, in turn, reducing distortion or unwanted artifacts.

ProTip: You will need to head to the iOS Settings app, tap Music, then Mobile Data to enable the best quality streaming over mobile networks.
On Android, you will need to open the Apple Music app, access the menu (top left) and go to the settings to turn high quality streaming on.

Apple Music Platform Support

Browsers (Web Player)

N.A.

Desktop/Laptops

iTunes for Mac & Windows (PC)

Mobile Devices

Android

Apple Music is available on Google Play and is supported on all android phones or tablets with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later, or a Chromebook that supports Android apps.

iOS

• iPhone

• iPad

• Apple Watch

• Apple TV

• Mac

• CarPlay

• Sonos

• Samsung Smart TV

Features

In terms of features, Apple Music offers both a human touch when it comes to recommending songs. With Apple Music, you have access to a whole array of curated playlists from musicians and critics.

Not to mention the Apple Music algorithm that helps you discover music that you want to play.

Downloadable Tracks/Offline Listening

Apple Music supports song downloads to your mobile devices and desktop.

Music Uploads

Apple also supports music uploads.

Podcasts Support

You can also download podcasts on Apple Music.

2. Deezer Review

Next up we have French online streaming music Deezer which has been around since 2016.

This music streaming service has quite a bit to offer with its free plan (mobile only), and a little over 53 million tracks in its library.

The company also offers a more premium lossless plan (16-bit CD-quality) that is rather affordable.

However, the sound quality is a bit worse than the high-resolution music you can find on Tidal.

Deezer Price Singapore

Music Library

In terms of the size of its music library, Deezer is not as good as Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and YouTube music with only a little over 53 million tracks in its library.

Sound Quality

For its free, basic, student, and family plans, Deezer streams at a bitrate of up to 320kbps in a lossy MP3 format.

But, if you opt for the more atas HiFi plan, you get to enjoy lossless CD-quality music as it streams 1,411kbps 16-Bit/44.1 kHz FLAC which is as good as it gets when it comes to digital audio streaming.

Deezer has also partnered with MQA to deliver audio in an authenticated and unbroken version.

Deezer Platform Support

Browsers (Web Player)

• Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari

Desktop/Laptop

Deezer App for Mac & Windows (PC)

Mobile Devices

Android

Deezer is available on Google Play and is supported on all android phones or tablets with Android 1.6 (Donut) or later, or a Chromebook that supports Android apps.

iOS

• iPhone

• iPad

• iPad Mini

• iPod Touch

• Apple Watch

Features

In terms of additional features, Deezer has an ace up its sleeve with 360 Reality Audio for Deezeer HifFi subscribers.

This feature a bit like Dolby Atomos which gives you an immersive 3D listening experience.

Downloadable Tracks/Offline Listening

Deezer Student, Deezer Premium, Deezer Family and Deezer HiFi subscribers can download their favourite content to listen offline on their mobile and desktop, including:

• Albums
• Audiobooks (select countries)
• Favourite tracks
• Playlists
• Podcast episodes

Music Uploads

However, you cannot upload your own music to Deezer.

Podcasts Support

Deezer also supports podcasts.

3. KKBOX Review

Next up we have something that is more catered towards the Asian markets of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.

Enter KKBOX, a Taiwanese music streaming service that was started back in 2004 to cater to the world’s Mandarin-speaking users.

If you have difficulty finding your Asian music on the other platforms, there’s a high chance you can find it on KKBOX.

KKBOX Singapore Price

Music Library

The music streaming service is known for having a music library of over 50 million tracks and its huge collection of Mandopop, JPop and KPop.

Think artists like Jay Chou, Eric Chou and Bii.

Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, KKBOX streams at a bitrate of up to 320kbps in a lossy MP3 format for its Premium plan.

In addition, KKBOX also offers a HiFi option where you get to enjoy lossless CD-quality music streaming at a bit rate of 1,411kbps 16-Bit/44.1 kHz FLAC which is as good as it gets when it comes to digital audio streaming.

Platform Support

Browsers (Web Player)

• Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari

Desktop/Laptop

KKBOX App for Mac & Windows (PC)

Mobile Devices

Android

KKBOX is available on Google Play and is supported on all android phones or tablets with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later, or a Chromebook that supports Android apps.

iOS

iOS devices on iOS 11 or later.

Features

The main standout feature for KKBOX has to be its access to Asian music as the platform even features Singaporean artists like Lee Ein Ein.

Downloadable Tracks/Offline Listening

You can also download tracks for listening offline on iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.

Music Uploads

However, you cannot upload your tracks on KKBOX.

Podcasts Support

The app also has support for podcasts.

4. Spotify Review

Next up we have the reigning champion Spotify which is easy to use and helps you discover new music with its renowned music discovery algorithms.

I myself am a fan of this feature as it helps me compile playlists of music based on the music I like. As I’ve been listening to Spotify a long time, it knows my taste well and provides astute recommendations.

Price

Music Library

In terms of songs, Spotify is one of the largest with a little over 70 million tracks.

However, fans of KPop groups like Mamamoo HyunaX and Monsta X and Epik High will have to look elsewhere due to its ongoing licensing dispute with Kakao M.

Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, Spotify streams at a bitrate of up to 320kbps in a lossy MP3 format for its Spotify Premium plans.

But with free Spotify, the maximum bitrate you can stream at is 128kbps on the desktop app and 160kbps on mobile.

At the moment, Spotify does not offer any lossless plans.

Platform Support

Browsers (Web Player)

• Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Opera
• Safari

Desktop/Laptop

Spotify App for Mac & Windows (PC)

Mobile Devices

Android

Spotify is available on Google Play and is supported on all android phones or tablets with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or later, or a Chromebook that supports Android apps.

iOS

iOS devices on iOS 12 or later.

Features

In terms of features, Spotify has not standout features aside from its popular music discovery algorithms.

It is simply a very solid option.

Downloadable Tracks/Offline Listening

For Premium, you can download albums, playlists, and podcasts on mobile and desktop.

For the free version of Spotify, you can only download podcasts.

Music Uploads

Spotify does not allow you to upload your own songs on the platform.

Podcasts Support

In terms of podcasts, Spotify is one of the most established ranges of podcasts rivalling Apple Music.

5. Tidal Review

If you are an audiophile, you might have heard of Tidal which is known for its high-quality audio and wide range of content.

Technically, the sound quality that they offer on Tidal HiFi is the best as it offers up to 9,216 Kbps or 24 bit/192 kHz FLAC streaming for their Tidal Masters tracks.

Price

Music Library

In terms of its music library, Tidal claims to have over 60 million tracks.

Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, Tidal streams at a bitrate of up to 320kbps in a lossy AAC format for its Tidal Premium plans.

But for their HiFi customers, they offer lossless quality audio of 1411kbps or 16bit / 44.1kHz for their HiFi tracks.

In addition, their HiFi subscribers get to enjoy ultra high-quality master recordings streaming at 9,216 Kbps or 24 bit/192 kHz in FLAC for their Tidal Masters tracks.

But, do note that not all their HiFi tracks are 24 bit.

TIDAL has also partnered with MQA to deliver audio in an authenticated and unbroken version.

Platform Support

Browsers (Web Player)

• Brave
• Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Opera
• Safari
• Vivaldi

Desktop/Laptop

Tidal App for Mac & Windows (PC)

Mobile Devices

Android

Tidal is available on Google Play and is supported on all android phones or tablets with Android 6 (Marshmallow) or later, or a Chromebook that supports Android apps.

iOS

iOS devices on iOS 13 or later.

Features

In terms of features, Tidal’s standout features are its supreme audio quality and huge music library.

However, take note that not everyone can hear the minute difference between 16-bit audio and 24-bit audio.

It’s best to hear it for yourself and make the decision.

Downloadable Tracks/Offline Listening

Tidal is allowing you to download tracks on mobile but not desktop at the moment.

Music Uploads

However, you cannot upload music onto Tidal.

Podcasts Support

Tidal also has a podcast section you can listen to.

6. YouTube Music Review

Last but not least we have YouTube Music, the successor to Google Play Music.

The YouTube Music service has a vast library and is great for those who enjoy live performances, music videos, and covers. However, audio quality falls short compared to the competition.

YouTube Music Premium is no longer a meme as if you sign up for YouTube Premium for S$11.98 a month, you will get to enjoy ad-free YouTube and a bundled membership to YouTube Music Premium as well.

This means that you can play music in the background and even download millions of videos on YouTube legally too.

Not to mention that with YouTube Music Premium, you get to upload new tracks to the platform too.

Price

Music Library

In terms of the music library, YouTube does not disclose the amount of music they have on their library. But, to get a good gauge, you can enjoy virtually any song you can find on YouTube under the Music tab.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is where it suffers.

For the free tier, YouTube Music streams at 128 kbps in a lossy AAC format.

For any of the YouTube Music Premium streaming plans, you get to enjoy music at 256 kbps in a lossy AAC format.

Platform Support

Browsers (Web Player)

• Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari

Desktop/Laptop

YouTube Music Web App for Mac & Windows (PC)

Mobile Devices

Android

YouTube is available on Google Play and is supported on all android phones or tablets with Android 4.4 (KitKat) or later, or a Chromebook that supports Android apps.

iOS

iOS devices on iOS 7 or later.

Features

In terms of features, what makes YouTube Music standout is its wide range of live performances, music videos, and covers. Altought the quality is not always fantastic, these performances cannot usually be found elsewhere.

Downloadable Tracks/Offline Listening

At the moment, YouTube Music Premium allows you to download content for mobile-only.

Music Uploads

You can transfer old songs from Google Play music as well as upload new songs onto YouTube Music.

Podcasts Support

However, there is no podcast support for YouTube Music.

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So Which One Is Right for You?

It really depends on your personal needs but here are some suggestions.

Apple Music: Best For Apple Users

If you are stuck in the Apple ecosystem and have tons of music in iTunes, going with Apple Music is a no brainer.

Deezer: Best Value/Best Budget Audiophile 

Deezer provides great value as if you go for their annual plan, you will only pay S$7.42/month as an individual.

Their HiFi plan is also the cheapest at S$14.85/month.

KKBOX: Best for Asian Music (Mandopop, KPop, JPop etc.)

If you are a big fan of Asian music, you can’t go wrong with KKBOX.

Their HiFi plan at S$15.90/month is rather affordable as well.

Spotify: All Rounder

Spotify is also a good all-rounder with its plans and renowned algorithm.

Tidal: Best For Sound Quality

For sound quality, you can’t go wrong with Tidal and its huge library. However, you would pay more as an individual.

YouTube: Best Variety

Although YouTube music’s sound quality is not the best, what you get is the sheer variety of music available which includes stuff like live performances, covers, remixes, etc.

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SIM Only Mobile Plans

With all that heavy streaming of music, your data might run out fast.

Why not check out our SIM Only Mobile Plans comparison tool to help you find the best plan for you and remove your data related anxieties for cheap!