Music streaming services have revolutionized the way we listen to music, providing easy access to millions of tracks for a monthly subscription fee. In South Africa, YouTube Music stands out as the most affordable option, offering over 100 million tracks for just R59.99 per month for individuals and R89.99 per month for a family subscription.
According to recent Research, Spotify currently holds the highest music streaming market share globally, with 30.5% of the market. Apple Music and Amazon Music follow closely behind, with 13.7% and 13.3% respectively. However, Spotify’s dominance has been declining, with its market share dropping from a high of 33.2% in the second quarter of 2018.
For South Africans, there are different options for popular music streaming services, including Amazon Music Unlimited, Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, YouTube Music, and YouTube Premium. You can look at them based on pricing, limits, and library sizes.
Spotify offers an individual plan for R64.99 per month, just R5 more than YouTube Music. Alternatively, users can opt for Spotify’s family plan, which allows access for up to six family members at R100 per month.
Apple Music, on the other hand, offers an individual plan for R69.99 per month and a family subscription for R110 per month. Both Spotify and Apple Music also provide student plans for R34.99.
While Spotify and Apple Music have similar library sizes, Apple Music limits personal libraries to 100,000 tracks. In comparison, Spotify and Amazon Music do not place any limitations on personal library sizes.
Amazon Music Unlimited, priced at £10.99 (R253) per month, offers a library containing more than 100 million songs, making it the most extensive library among the services compared.
Deezer, priced at R79.99 per month for individuals, offers a library of 90 million tracks. However, it does limit personal libraries to 10,000 tracks. The family plan for Deezer costs R130 per month, while students can sign up for R35.90.
For music fans who frequently watch videos on YouTube, YouTube Premium might be an attractive option. In addition to access to YouTube Music, YouTube Premium removes ads on videos and offers several other benefits. The individual plan for YouTube Premium is priced at R71.99 per month, while the family plan costs R109.99 per month. Students can sign up for R41.99 per month.
Here is a summary of the pricing, limits, and library sizes of the five popular music streaming services in South Africa:
| Service | Pricing | Personal Library Limit | Library Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Music Unlimited | £10.99 (R253) per month | No Limit | 100+ million tracks |
| Apple Music | R69.99 per month (individual) R110 per month (family) | 100,000 tracks | Similar to Spotify |
| Deezer | R79.99 per month (individual) R130 per month (family) | 10,000 tracks | 90 million tracks |
| Spotify | R64.99 per month (individual) R100 per month (family) | No Limit | Similar to Apple Music |
| YouTube Music | R59.99 per month (individual) R89.99 per month (family) | No Limit | 100+ million tracks |
When it comes to choosing a music streaming service in South Africa, it ultimately depends on individual preferences and priorities. YouTube Music stands out as the most affordable option, while Spotify and Apple Music offer a similar library size and additional student plans.
Amazon Music Unlimited provides the largest library but at a higher price point. Deezer may appeal to those looking for a more budget-friendly option, although it has a smaller library and personal library limit.
With the wide range of music streaming services available, South African residents have plenty of options to choose from to satisfy their musical cravings.
