Move over YouTube, finding the music you like online is now easier than finding your perfect gourmet cuppa. We also found that some of the best things in life do come free, but of course paying for music does have its perks!
Deezer
No freebies here, but Deezer’s covered all bases with two subscription plans. Score with the Premium plan, which includes unlimited access to 25 million sound tracks. Use it on your PC or Mac without fussing over ads! Not enough? Go big with the Premium+ plan – you can download music and take it offline. Deezer gives you 15 days of free trials if you need some convincing!
Deezer. For more information on trials and subscription plans, see website.
Spotify
There’s always a surprise in store at Spotify – browse a friend’s collection or dive into the stockpile of an artist or celeb. Plug in on your computer, mobile phone, tablet PCs, and even your home entertainment systems. Music is downloadable for paid users. Psst – you can also gift it with e-cards! Spotify also offers artist exclusives, including stripped down covers and interviews.
Spotify. Free and paid options available and your account can be fully integrated with Facebook. For more information on these accounts, see website.
SoundCloud
Musicians, listen up! SoundCloud describes themselves as a “social sound platform” and they mean it – users can share music via Tumblr, Twitter, or Facebook. This might encourage exhibitionism OR it could be a great place for talent blasts. Go mobile with apps for iPhones or Android devices. We’re rooting for the Pro option here – Pro and Pro Unlimited users can track popularity with stats and have control over stats and comments. The Spotlight places highlighted tracks at the top of your page for easier viewing.
SoundCloud. Free accounts and Pro (paid) options available. For more information on these accounts, see website.
Pandora
Pandora
This Internet radio station is conveniently intuitive. All you need to do is to enter a genre, artist, or composer on Pandora, and it’ll do all the hard work for you. Don’t like what you’re hearing? Hit the thumbs down button and they’ll never play it again. Want to hear more from a new artist you’ve discovered? Hit the thumbs up and they’ll send you the deets. You can also browse pre-determined playlists.
Pandora. Free accounts and paid options available. For more information on these accounts, see website.
Last.fm
Your music experience is personalized on Last.fm – artist and music are recommended based on what you listen to. Talk to other music lovers on forums and communities. Tell the world about your latest earcandy on Twitter or Facebook. Last.fm’s Scrobble software adds your played tracks to your profile AND offline libraries! Check out Popular Events near you or see which artists are on tour. Bonus points for helping groupies! Psst – read on to see how your Last.fm account can enhance your experience on 8tracks.
Last.fm. Registration is free. Download desktop apps for your PC, Mac, or Linus to Scrobble. For more information on these accounts and apps, see website.
8tracks
On 8tracks is Internet radio created by people, not algorithms. Your experience is made even more human when you browse music using tags like “chill,” “study,” “morning,” and various genres. Tags can also be combined. Chanced upon something your parents shouldn’t hear? Nix that with Safe Browse. You can listen without signing up but users who are logged in have a dashboard to create playlists, follow DJs, listen to Staff Picks, and can comment on mixes. You can also Scrobble from Last.fm here.
8tracks. Registration is free and you can connect with Facebook. For more information, see website.
Top image: Deezer