If you typed “where to” into a search box, the fastest honest answer is Spotify’s free tier: it works in more countries than any other option here, and you can start playing music immediately without a card. But “free” always costs you something else, usually your attention or your listening habits, so here is exactly what you get from each service before you commit.
Spotify Free
Spotify is the default answer for most people because its free tier is genuinely usable. You get access to the same catalogue as paying users, but you cannot pick an exact song on demand from your phone, you have to shuffle playlists or let the algorithm pick. On a computer, you can still choose specific tracks. The audio quality is capped at 160 kbps on mobile, which sounds fine in earbuds but is noticeably thinner than the paid 320 kbps tier. There are ads between songs, and you cannot download anything for offline listening. The service works in dozens of countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, so if you are outside the US or UK, this is the first one to try.
Who it suits: anyone who wants a huge catalogue, does not mind shuffle on mobile, and wants a service that will work when they travel.
YouTube Music Free
YouTube Music free tier is the best kept secret because it includes the entire YouTube video catalogue as audio. You can switch the app to background play for a limited time, but the free version stops playing if you lock your phone for too long, a deliberate annoyance to push you toward Premium. The audio quality is 128 kbps on the free tier, which is the lowest here, but you get something no other service offers: live versions, remixes, and unreleased tracks that only exist as videos. You need a Google account to use it, but that is free and does not require a card. It works in every country where YouTube is available, which is nearly everywhere.
Who it suits: people who listen to obscure live sessions, bootlegs, or local bands that never make it onto Spotify.
SoundCloud Free
SoundCloud is not a Spotify replacement; it is a discovery tool. The free tier gives you access to millions of tracks from bedroom producers and unsigned artists that will never appear on major platforms. You can play any track on demand, but you will hear audio ads every few songs, and the quality is capped at 128 kbps. There is no offline listening. The service works in most countries, but the catalogue is heavily skewed toward electronic, hip-hop, and lo-fi, so if you want classic rock or jazz standards, you will be disappointed. You need an account to like or repost tracks, but you can listen without one.
Who it suits: people who want to hear what is next, not what is already famous.
Deezer Free
Deezer free tier is the most restrictive of the big names. You get a limited number of skips per hour, ads between every few songs, and you cannot play tracks in order, only shuffle. The audio quality is 128 kbps on mobile, which is poor for a service that markets itself on hi-fi. The one advantage is that Deezer works in over 180 countries, so if you are in a region where Spotify is not available, this is your best bet. The catalogue is solid, but the free experience is so annoying that it is only worth using as a last resort.
Who it suits: people in countries where Spotify and YouTube are blocked or unavailable.
Bandcamp Free
Bandcamp is not a streaming service in the same way as the others. You can listen to any album in full once, but after that, the artist sets a limit on how many free plays you get before you have to pay. The twist is that Bandcamp pays artists directly, and many offer free downloads of individual tracks. There are no ads, no account needed to listen, and the audio quality is 128 kbps for streaming, but you can buy lossless files if you want. It works worldwide, but the catalogue is limited to artists who choose to sell there, which is most independent musicians, but almost no major label acts.
Who it suits: people who want to support artists directly and do not mind a smaller catalogue.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake is assuming all free tiers are the same. They are not. Spotify and YouTube Music are the only two that let you play almost anything you ask for, and even then, Spotify restricts mobile on-demand play. Deezer and SoundCloud are free but so ad-heavy that they feel like radio. Bandcamp is free but only for a limited number of plays per artist. The second mistake is ignoring your local library. Services like Freegal and MUSICat are completely free, legal, and ad-free, but they require a library card. Freegal gives you weekly downloads, and MUSICat streams local music collections. The catch is that each library decides which service it subscribes to, so you have to check your local library’s website. This is not a streaming service you can just open; it is a benefit you already pay for with your taxes.
What to Check Before You Commit
Before you sign up for anything, check three things. First, does the service work in your country? Spotify and Deezer have the widest reach, but YouTube Music is the safest bet globally. Second, can you live without offline listening? Every free tier here requires an internet connection, so if you want to listen on a plane or in a subway, you will need to pay or download from Bandcamp. Third, do you mind creating an account? Spotify, YouTube Music, and SoundCloud all require a free account. Deezer does too. Only Bandcamp and library services let you listen without one. If you refuse to create an account, your only options are Bandcamp and whatever your library offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to any song I want for free?
On Spotify’s free tier, you can only pick specific songs on a computer, not on mobile. YouTube Music lets you pick anything, but it will stop playing if you lock your phone. Bandcamp lets you play any album a few times before it asks you to pay.
Which free service has the best sound quality?
Spotify’s free tier at 160 kbps is the highest quality here. YouTube Music and Deezer are 128 kbps, and SoundCloud is also 128 kbps. None of these are hi-fi, so do not expect audiophile quality from any free plan.
Do I need a credit card to sign up?
No. Spotify, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, and Deezer all accept just an email address. Bandcamp does not even require an account to listen. No free tier here asks for a card.
What if I do not want ads?
Then you have two choices: pay for a premium tier or use your library’s Freegal or MUSICat service, which are ad-free. Bandcamp also has no ads, but you are limited to a few plays per artist.
Can I download music for offline listening?
No free tier here allows downloads. Spotify, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, and Deezer all reserve offline for paid plans. Bandcamp lets you download tracks you have purchased, but not streamed ones.
More on free music
This is one of the guides in Where to Listen to Music Free Online. The others:
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