Music Streaming Services In Singapore – Tidal, YouTube Premium, Spotify, KKBox

Long gone are the days when audiophiles purchased CDs or downloaded MP3s. These days, it’s all about streaming services. We compare four popular platforms available in Singapore. 

Are you looking for the best platform to stream your favourite songs in Singapore? Despite the plethora of streaming services available, it’s no straightforward task to determine which can get you the best bang for your buck. 

The "big three" in Singapore are Tidal, YouTube Premium, and Spotify. Aside from these giants, there are also KKBox and Apple Music (for users of Apple products) to consider.

We take an in-depth look at the first four streaming services so that you can make a more informed decision on your preferring music platform.

Introductory comparison of Tidal, YouTube Premium, Spotify and KKBox

Streaming services are a great way to listen to music or watch videos on demand. Services like YouTube, Spotify, and KKBox allow you to listen to your favourite artistes for a monthly fee. But which is the best based on price and product offerings? 

Tidal

Tidal offers lossless audio as well as video content from various providers, including Beyonce's Lemonade album.

It offers a 30-day free trial before users are charged the S$9.90 monthly fee, which allows access to its high-quality audio and video content. The service has a library of over 80 million songs and 350,000 videos.

YouTube Premium

The YouTube Premium service removes ads from videos, and allows background playback and downloading of videos to watch offline.

The service also gives its users access to all the music on YouTube, as well as a selection of exclusive songs and playlists. The YouTube Premium price for a family plan that includes up to six people costs S$17.99 per month, while an individual plan is S$11.99.

Spotify

Spotify is a music streaming service that allows users to listen for free with ads. The app allows its users to maximise their usage after paying for the premium package.

The Spotify premium price in Singapore is S$9.90 per month for the individual account and S$16.98 for a family account. The app has over 70 million songs in its library to choose from.

KKBox

KKBox is a music streaming service that offers ad-supported and premium subscriptions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. The premium subscription costs S$9.90 per month if you opt for automatic debiting. 

The premium subscription includes access to exclusive content, offline playback, and no ads. The service has a library of over 50 million songs.

Still in a dilemma? We examine these streaming services in-depth. 

Details on each platform 

1. Tidal

Tidal prices in Singapore

Music library

The music library on Tidal is expansive and contains a wide variety of content. There are over 80 million songs available on the platform and 350,000 videos. This library is continually expanding, so users always have access to the latest and greatest content.

Sound quality

Tidal HiFi delivers high-fidelity lossless sound quality, with 1411kbps or 16-Bit/44.1 kHz streaming rates. Master Quality audio is a replication of the original source and may be streamed at up to 9216 kbps or 24-Bit/192 kHz (typically 96 kHz/24 bit.)

Supported platforms

Tidal can be used on platforms such as:

• Microsoft Windows
• iOS
• Android
• macOS
• Roku
• CarPlay
• Apple TV
• Amazon Fire TV

Notable features

The main feature that makes Tidal Stand out is its high video and audio quality when compared to its competitors. Tidal offers two subscription plans. The Premium plan is S$9.90/month and offers unlimited streaming of music and videos. The HiFi plan is S$19.80/month and offers lossless audio quality.

Podcast support

Tidal may have a small selection of podcasts, but it does offer some great curated titles. You won't find popular podcasts like This American Life on Tidal, but you will find exclusive content that you can't find anywhere else.

Music upload

It's relatively easy to upload your music on Tidal using several different ways. You can use Indigoboom, Record Union, DistroKid, Tunecore, or recordJet.

Offline use and music download

You can download tracks on Tidal. When you're downloading the track, select ‘Store offline’ after clicking ‘Download’ in the player settings.

2. YouTube Premium

YouTube offers a free service with ads. But how much is YouTube Premium in Singapore?

YouTube Premium prices in Singapore

Music library

YouTube does not openly indicate the size of its music and video library. However, it has no restriction on the kind of music you can play under its music tab.

Sound quality

YouTube's sound quality is considered "fair" and is usually 126kbps AAC in MP4 audio. It does not offer high-quality audio streaming as its main selling point, unlike Tidal.

Supported platforms

YouTube Premium in Singapore can be used on:

• iOS
• Android
• Windows Phone
• macOS
• Windows
• Chromebooks
• Linux
• Smart TVs/Streaming boxes
• Apple TV
• Amazon Fire TV

Notable features

One of the main features that sets YouTube Premium in Singapore apart from the other streaming services is the availability of live performances and its family plan that six people can access. Even with poor video and sound quality, the live performances hosted on YouTube cannot be found on other streaming services.

Podcast support

You can post podcasts to YouTube using Castos. Connect your YouTube channel to Castos, upload the background picture you'd want to use for your video files, and then create a new podcast episode.

Music upload

It's quite easy to upload any music and videos on YouTube. In order to do this successfully, you need to observe the terms and conditions.

Offline use and music download

Any YouTube Premium user can download videos and music on their mobile devices and access them while offline.

3. Spotify

Spotify prices in Singapore

Music library

Spotify has one of the biggest music libraries compared to its competitors. The streaming service hosts over 70 million music tracks in its database.

Sound quality

Spotify has a maximum bitrate threshold of 320kbps. As stated in Spotify's audio quality limit, this is the highest audio quality for an MP3 audio file.

Supported platforms

Spotify can be used on:

• iOS
• Android
• Chromebooks
• Linux
• Windows Phone
• macOS
• Windows PC

Spotify is also available on various smart TVs and streaming boxes, including Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and Amazon Fire TV.

Notable features

Spotify has no noticeable feature that makes it stand out from its competitors apart from its large directory of music and an intelligent algorithm that helps you search for music with ease.

Podcast support

With regards to podcasts, Spotify has long been the go-to music service for millions of people, whether they've already got a favourite podcast, or are looking to discover something new. Spotify is one of the major podcast rivals to Apple Music.

Music upload

Uploading music to Spotify is very easy. You can either add songs and playlists from your computer or mobile device or import them from another music streaming service.

Offline use and music download

So long as you are a premium user, you can successfully download music and podcasts. These downloads can also be accessed when you are offline.

4. KKBox

KKBox prices in Singapore

Music library 

KKBox is one of Asia's leading music streaming services, with over 50 million music tracks. The streaming service has a comprehensive Asian pop music library.

Sound quality

KKBox streams music at the bit rate of up to 320 Kbps which is the highest audio quality of an MP3 file. The high-quality audio service is available in the premium package.

Supported platforms

KKBox is available on:

• iOS
• Android
• Windows Phone
• macOS
• Windows PC

KKBOX is also available on various smart TVs and streaming boxes, including Apple TV, Xbox and Amazon Fire TV.

Notable features

One of the notable features that make KKBox different from other music streaming services is its comprehensive music directory from countries in Asia like Thailand, Malaysia, and Taiwan. It features artistes such as JJ Lin from Singapore and Jay Chou from Taiwan.

Podcast support

KKBox app supports podcasts just like its competitors.

Music upload 

Uploading music to KKBox is easy. You can either add songs from your computer or mobile device or import them from another music streaming service.

Offline use and music download

KKBox allows you to download music and podcasts to listen to when you are offline.

Which one fits your needs?

All the above streaming services have their unique strengths. Here is a breakdown of some of their strengths and weaknesses.

Tidal: Excellent sound quality

The main strengths of Tidal are its excellent sound quality and wide range of music. However, its high price tag may be a deterrent for some users.

YouTube Premium: Lacking in variety of music; provides live-streaming service

Weaknesses of YouTube:

• Lack of high-resolution music streaming
• Does not have a wide variety of music

Strengths of YouTube:

• Has live-streaming service
• A variety of video content

Spotify: A solid app with a simple-to-use algorithm

Spotify has a variety of music and provides a simple-to-use algorithm. The disadvantages of Spotify are that it does not have the selection that Tidal or YouTube Premium offer.

But comparing YouTube music to Spotify, streaming quality is typically lower for YouTube because it uses an algorithm that prioritises videos with more views over high-quality audio. 

Kkbox: Perfect for Asian pop music

When comparing Spotify to KKBox, the latter is perfect for those who are looking for Asian pop music. However, it does not have the selection that Tidal or YouTube Premium offer.

In summary, If you're looking for a streaming service that will give you access to both Asian music and live streams, YouTube Premium is the way to go. If sound quality is your top priority, Tidal's high-quality MP3s are worth exploring.

When comparing KKBox vs Spotify for those who want a little bit of everything in one app, Spotify has what it takes with an advanced algorithm.

On the other hand, KKBox provides Asians with an easily accessible library of their favourite artistes without the cost or commitment of other services.

Using cashback credit cards for recurring payments such as music streaming services can help you save while listening to your favourite tunes. Check out the exclusive offers available when you apply for a cashback credit card through our website.

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