Looking for an alternative to Xbox Music? Try Beats Music or Spotify

Xbox Music

Not happy with the Xbox Music platform? Take Beats Music or Spotify for as spin.

Xbox Music. It's more than than just the app y'all love to hate right at present on Windows Telephone 8.1. It'southward also a music streaming and subscription service that spans nearly every device you lot own. Information technology's bachelor on Windows Phone, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Android, iOS, and the web. Xbox Music is the successor to the dearest Zune platform.

Right at present I'chiliad however happy with the overall Xbox Music service, fifty-fifty though I recollect there are a scattering of means Microsoft could greatly improve the service. That said, I acknowledge that the Windows Phone 8.1 app is still pretty bad. Though the Windows 8 app was terrible at one signal, but at present I'g very happy with it on Windows 8.i. So at that place's hope.

I've been getting a lot of questions about what are some other solid music streaming and subscription services available as an alternative to Xbox Music. I'm going to look at some of those alternatives to Xbox Music that make the nigh sense to those with a Windows Phone.

Alright, let me make sure this is crystal articulate. We're not looking at alternatives to the Xbox Music app on Windows Phone 8.1, though that's a neat thought for another post. Today I'thousand looking at alternatives to the overall Xbox Music platform. Just in case you were thinking of switching.

If I had to drop Xbox Music today where would I get? Beats Music in a heart… beat, followed past Spotify. I'll break down why I prefer Beats Music and Spotify over other services, only starting time we'll quickly glance at those other music platforms.

Potential music alternatives to Xbox Music

Pandora? Nope. Yous just stream with them and can't select a specific album or get access to offline music.
iTunes Radio? Lol, no.
Milk Music? No. Just available for Samsung devices with Android and it's technically powered by Slacker.
Slacker? A squeamish selection really, decent Windows Phone app.
Rhapsody? Another skillful selection.
iHeartRadio? It's got a section like Pandora, only differentiates by offer 1,500 live radio stations from all over. Dainty, but not quite the same equally Xbox Music.

Beats Music

Why Beats Music? I've really liked the Beats Music service since it launched earlier this year. I of course have mixed feelings now that Apple tree owns the visitor. Yet, it does everything from a music platform perspective that Xbox Music does, but it also does more.

I particularly like the curated playlists and social network aspect of Beats Music. Like Songza, Beats Music has playlists that aren't generated by some music algorithm, instead they're "handmade" by music experts in dozens and dozens of genres. Information technology's hard to draw, simply you can really tell the deviation in song pick for a playlist made by a human.

Beats Music also has some social aspects that you might call up from Zune, but no longer get in Xbox Music. Y'all tin can follow people, follow artists and other tastemakers. Social makes Beats Music feel more than like a customs than a just a music platform and it's really dainty. When your friends make a playlist you become to check it out. That's a great feature that works to meliorate the music listening experience. Bands and artists can also create playlists for fans to check out.

The Windows Phone app works and really has decent support. Beats Music has besides been working on acquiring more than Windows developers. The programmer backside Weave News Reader recently went to work on the Windows Phone app for Beats Music. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Windows viii.1 app for Beats Music either.

Beats Music likewise has similar pricing for the subscription service. It's $9.99 per calendar month or $99.99 per twelvemonth for one person and three devices. AT&T customers can get a family subscription for $14.99 per month that gives access to five people and ten devices.

Where Beats Music falls brusque is song choice and the lack of a real music market. I don't buy albums or singles anymore. So information technology's not a loss to me, just would certainly be to those who prefer to purchase and outright own music. The catalog is also at a little over xx million tracks. Which is shorter than Xbox Music'southward 38 million globally. Beats Music is likewise express to the United States and that's why I'm also recommending Spotify.

Take the Beats Music trial and encounter what information technology's all about.

Download Beats Music for Windows Telephone

QR: Beats Music

Spotify

Spotify is also a great culling to Xbox Music, particularly for those not located in the United states. You lot have a stellar desktop application for Windows and a decent app on Windows Phone. You need to be a paying subscriber to Spotify in club to use the app on Windows Phone.

Spotify does a few things that would make Xbox Music so much better. You tin can follow popular playlists, see what your friends are listening to and more. The catalog is also impressive and Spotify is available in a big number of locations.

Similar Beats Music and Xbox Music, a premium subscription to Spotify volition set yous back $ix.99 per month. You tin have a gratis business relationship for Spotify and listen to music with ads, but (as noted higher up) that won't fly on the current Windows Phone app.

Download Spotify for Windows Phone

QR: Spotify

Should I drop Xbox Music for something else?

Considering of the Windows Phone 8.1 app? No.

Joe Belfiore took to Twitter yesterday to reassure Xbox Music true-blue that they had no plans to drop back up for Xbox Music or Xbox Video. His team is responsible for building the apps on tablets, PCs and phone. He also teased features would be coming to the app in a most futurity update.

I also think the overall service is still great. Especially if you're on Windows Phone. Using Windows Phone means you probably take a Windows viii.i device and an Xbox One (or Xbox 360). I however think Xbox Music is the best music streaming service for someone invested into the Microsoft ecosystem. The phone app volition get better and the team will hopefully mankind out the Xbox Music service with curated playlists, social features and more.

Spotify, Beats Music or something else?

If I had to end being a paying subscriber to Xbox Music I'd go to Beats Music or Spotify, with a slight edge to Beats Music right at present. But what about yous? Where would you (or have you already) taken your music subscription business to? Sound off below in the comments. I want to hear what Xbox Music alternatives you like.

This huge Xbox 'Quick Resume' update will give gamers more control

Xbox Insiders Update

This huge Xbox 'Quick Resume' update will give gamers more command

Microsoft is adding a new feature to Xbox consoles, allowing you to permanently store upwardly to two games in a Quick Resume country at all times. The feature is heading out first to Xbox Insiders in the Alpha testing ring before hitting the full general public.