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Which music streaming platforms are the best for independent musicians in 2025?

Writer's picture: NO EGONO EGO

If you owned the biggest streaming platform in the world, with the most artists you've ever seen in one single place, and you were worth a whopping $7.2 billion, could you sit there and not pay any musicians more than $0.003 a stream? 


It seems ludicrous to see that become a thing in this world. They say capitalism just works, eh!? It's a recurring theme to take the majority of the worth the creative has and distribute it between a select few six-figure employees or even a single entity.


a mass of streaming devices for a mass of streaming platforms
many devices for many streaming platforms 2025

On that note, here are a few of the top streaming platforms out there for musicians to put their music out into the world, along with the pros and cons. Honestly, though, only you can decide as an independent artist how you want to be treated when uploading your work. On the flip side, if you have management and PR telling you what to do, then you need to be informed the best you can to make sure you aren’t riding the long road into the wild west. 


We will start with the lesser known because you know who most will tell you to go with first! 


Pros:

  • Global Reach: Available in numerous countries with a diverse music library.

  • Flow Feature: Personalized music stream adapting to user preferences.

  • High-Fidelity Audio: Offers HiFi subscription for better sound quality.

Cons:

  • Smaller User Base: Less popular than Spotify or Apple Music.


Pros:

  • High-Fidelity Audio: Offers superior sound quality, appealing to audiophiles.

  • Artist Ownership: Partially owned by artists, aiming for fair compensation.

  • Exclusive Content: Provides unique releases and early access to certain albums.

Cons:

  • Higher Subscription Cost: Premium pricing may limit user adoption.

  • Smaller User Base: Fewer subscribers compared to leading platforms.

  • Discoverability Issues: Limited audience can affect new artist exposure.


Pros:

  • Direct Sales: Artists can sell music and merchandise directly to fans.

  • Flexible Pricing: Allows artists to set prices or let fans pay what they wish.

  • Supportive Community: Focuses on independent musicians and niche genres.

Cons:

  • Limited Audience: Smaller user base compared to mainstream streaming services.

  • Self-Promotion Required: Success depends heavily on the artist's marketing efforts.

  • Less Streaming Focus: Primarily a sales platform, not optimized for streaming.


Pros:

  • Independent Artist Focus: Facilitates direct fan engagement and feedback.

  • Monetization Options: SoundCloud Pro enables artists to earn from their music.

  • Community Engagement: Encourages interaction through comments and shares.

Cons:

  • Smaller Audience: Less reach compared to major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

  • Discoverability Challenges: High volume of content can make it difficult to stand out.

  • Copyright Issues: Potential for content removal due to copyright disputes.



Pros:

  • Video Integration: Allows artists to showcase music videos alongside audio tracks.

  • User-Generated Content: Includes covers and live performances, offering diverse content.

  • Personalized Recommendations: Utilizes algorithms to suggest music based on user behaviour.

Cons:

  • Lower Audio Quality: Does not offer high-fidelity or lossless audio options.

  • Ad-Supported Free Tier: Frequent advertisements can affect user experience.

  • Content Removal: Issues with copyright can lead to content being taken down.


Pros:

  • High-Quality Audio: Offers customizable high-resolution audio, appealing to audiophiles.

  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem: Seamless compatibility with Apple devices enhances user experience.

  • Higher Pay outs: Tends to pay artists more per stream compared to some other platforms.

Cons:

  • Smaller User Base: Fewer users than Spotify may limit potential audience reach.

  • Limited Cross-Platform Compatibility: May not be as compatible with non-Apple devices.

  • No Integrated Podcasts: Unlike some competitors, podcasts are not included within the same app.


 Amazon Music Unlimited | https://www.amazon.co.uk/music

Pros:

  • Extensive Catalogue: Access to a vast library of songs across genres.

  • Integration with Amazon Echo: Voice-controlled playback through Alexa devices.

  • High-Quality Audio: Offers high-definition and Ultra HD streaming options.

Cons:

  • Clunky Interface: User experience may not be as smooth as competitors.

  • Limited Personalization: Fewer personalized listening stations.

  • No Year-in-Review Feature: Lacks features like Spotify Wrapped.


Pros:

  • Increased Exposure: With millions of active users, Spotify offers artists a vast audience, enhancing the potential for new fan discovery.

  • Playlist Features: Curated and algorithm-driven playlists can introduce an artist's music to a broader listener base.

  • Analytics Access: Spotify for Artists provides detailed insights into listener demographics and streaming statistics.

Cons:

  • Low Royalty Rates: Artists earn between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream, necessitating millions of streams to generate substantial income. 

  • Algorithm Dependence: Reliance on algorithms may favour mainstream artists, making it challenging for emerging musicians to gain visibility.

  • Playlist-Centric Consumption: Emphasis on playlists can dilute the album experience, potentially impacting artistic expression.


Good luck and enjoy creating and releasing which ever one you choose! we can only help influence your decision on which music streaming platforms are best for independent musicians in 2025!


NO EGO X

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