<br /> 3 MOST FASCINATING MUSIC STREAMING PLATFORMS IN THIS 21st CENTURY..

3 MOST FASCINATING MUSIC STREAMING PLATFORMS IN THIS 21st CENTURY.

SPOTIFY

WHAT IS SPOTIFY AND WHO OWNS IT?

Spotify is owned by Spotify Technology S.A., a Swedish company registered in Luxembourg. It was founded in April 2006 in Stockholm, Sweden, by Daniel Ek (current CEO) and Martin Lorentzon (co-founder and former chairman).

The Spotify app officially launched to the public on 7 October 2008.

Spotify is now a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: SPOT) since April 2018.

While Daniel Ek remains the largest individual shareholder, most of Spotify’s ownership today is spread among institutional investors, mutual funds, and the public.

1. Best Music Discovery & Personalization

Features like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mixes introduce users to new songs they’re likely to enjoy.

AI-driven algorithms analyze listening habits better than most competitors, giving highly accurate recommendations.

2. Huge Music & Podcast Library

Over 100 million tracks and 5+ million podcasts are available.

Includes exclusive content and early releases from some artists and podcasters.

3. Freemium Option

Spotify offers a free, ad-supported tier, unlike Apple Music and Tidal which require paid subscriptions.

This accessibility attracts more users and lets people enjoy music without commitment.

4. Social & Sharing Features

Users can create and share collaborative playlists with friends.

Easy integration with Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, and Facebook to share what you’re listening to.

“Blend” feature merges two users’ tastes into a shared playlist.

5. Cross-Platform Availability

Works on almost every device: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, smart speakers, smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, and even cars.

Seamless Spotify Connect lets you control music across devices instantly.

6. Podcasts + Music in One App

Unlike Apple Music or Tidal, Spotify has invested heavily in podcasts, including exclusives (e.g., Joe Rogan Experience).

Makes it a one-stop app for both music and talk content.

7. Personalized Playlists & Wrapped

Spotify creates yearly “Wrapped” recaps, showing your top songs and artists—hugely popular on social media.

Dynamic playlists adapt to your mood, activity (like workout or study), or even the weather.

8. Affordable & Flexible Plans

Offers individual, student, family, and duo plans, often cheaper than rivals.

Regular discounts and bundles (e.g., with Hulu or Headspace in some regions).

APPLE MUSIC

WHAT IS APPLE MUSIC AND WHO OWNS IT?

Apple Music is owned by Apple Inc., the American technology company founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976.

Creation date: Apple Music was announced on June 8, 2015 during the Apple Worldwidesic is owned by Apple Inc., the American technology company founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976.

Creation date: Apple Music was announced on June 8, 2015 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

Launch date: It officially launched on June 30, 2015 in over 100 countries.

It was created after Apple acquired Beats Electronics (co-founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine) in 2014 for $3 billion, which gave Apple the foundation for building a music streaming service.

1. Superior Audio Quality

Offers Lossless Audio (ALAC) up to 24-bit/192 kHz.
Supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, creating an immersive 3D-like sound experience.

These features are included at no extra cost, while some rivals charge more for hi-res streaming.

2. Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration

Works flawlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, AirPods, and CarPlay.
With AirPods Pro/Max, you get automatic head-tracking spatial audio.

You can ask Siri to play songs, artists, or playlists instantly.

3. Exclusive & Curated Content

Some artists release exclusives or early access albums on Apple Music.
Includes Apple Music 1 (formerly Beats 1 Radio), with live shows hosted by global DJs and artists.

Editorially curated playlists by real experts (not just AI), e.g., Today’s Hits, Rap Life, A-List Pop.

4. Huge Catalog & Music Videos

Over 100 million songs plus a strong library of music videos, live performances, and interviews.
Lyrics are synchronized in real-time and can be used in karaoke-style “Sing” mode.

5. Better Artist Support & Discovery

Pays artists a higher per-stream rate compared to Spotify.
“For You” section combines human curation with smart recommendations.

6. Family & Student Friendly

Supports Family Sharing (up to 6 people on one plan).
Student plan includes extra perks (like Apple TV+ in some regions).

7. No Free Tier = Better Experience

Unlike Spotify’s free plan with ads, Apple Music is ad-free only, meaning:
Better sound quality.

No interruptions.

Artists earn more per stream

TIDAL

WHAT IS TIDAL MUSIC AND WHO OWNS IT?

Tidal is a subscription-based music streaming service that focuses on high-fidelity sound and artist support.

Creation date:

Originally launched in October 2014 in Norway by the company Aspiro.

Later, in March 2015, it was relaunched under new ownership led by rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z, who bought Aspiro for about $56 million.

Ownership today:

In March 2021, Square, Inc. (now Block, Inc.), the company founded by Jack Dorsey (also co-founder of Twitter), acquired a majority stake in Tidal.

Jay-Z and other artist stakeholders (like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, Kanye West, etc.) retained smaller ownership shares.

1. Best Sound Quality in Streaming

Tidal offers multiple hi-fi tiers:
HiFi: Lossless CD-quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz).

HiFi Plus: Up to 24-bit/192 kHz FLAC, MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), plus Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio.

Audiophiles consider it the closest to studio-quality sound among mainstream services.

2. More Money for Artists

Tidal is known for higher royalty payouts compared to Spotify and Apple Music.
Its HiFi Plus tier includes “Direct-to-Artist” payments, where part of your subscription goes directly to your most-listened-to artists

3. Artist-Owned Legacy

Originally co-owned by major artists like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, Kanye West, and others, giving it credibility as a platform for musicians, by musicians.
Artists often release exclusive tracks, albums, or concerts first on Tidal.

4. Exclusive & Premium Content

Live concerts, behind-the-scenes videos, interviews, and documentaries are available only on Tidal.
Better focus on niche genres and underrepresented artists.

5. Transparent Business Model

Tidal markets itself as an ethical alternative to Spotify, giving users confidence their money is better supporting creators.

6. Curated Playlists & Editorial Focus

While Spotify relies heavily on algorithms, Tidal puts more emphasis on human curation for playlists, especially for genres like hip-hop, R&B, and indie.

7. Audiophile & Device Integration

Supports high-resolution playback on professional audio systems, DACs, and Hi-Fi equipment.
Compatible with platforms like Sonos, Bluesound, and Roon, making it ideal for serious music lovers