Want to listen to the latest and greatest hits without having to fork out for CDs or MP3s? Whether you're a fan of the Bieber or the Bee Gees, here's a round up of the best online music services that let you listen for free...
Free online music services:
This
is the first incarnation of this guide. Please post feedback
on how you
find the info, and if anything needs improving.
What is online music streaming?
The internet is a great way to browse, discover and buy music. In fact, digital downloads now account for 99.6% of all singles sold in the UK. Each household streams an average of 140 tracks per year.
Before you start using any of these online music services though, it's important to understand how they work. Here are some streaming FAQs:
What is the difference between streaming and downloading?
There are two ways to listen to music online:
- Downloading. The first is by downloading the songs you want to listen to. This can be costly if you're doing it legally, especially if you're downloading a whole album of songs.
However, if you want to be able to put your favourite tracks onto your iPod/MP3 player/mobile phone to listen to offline, this is the only way to do it. Use our TuneChecker tool to compare MP3 prices. - Streaming. The other way is online streaming, where you don't actually download the track to your PC, you just play it online and listen to it over the internet. There's not normally a cost for this, unless you want an ad-free service (where you pay to upgrade).
This guide focuses on the various music streaming services available in the UK. If you're looking for downloadable tracks, try the free section in the TuneChecker. We often feature free MP3s in our weekly email, so sign up to make sure you don't miss a deal.
How does streaming work?
Streaming lets you listen to your favourite songs instantly. You don't download the content, but play it live through devices like laptops, tablets and mobiles. Its main boon is you get instant access to huge catalogues of songs, without having hundreds of CDs cluttering up your house.
These services are legal and above board, but the music is interrupted every now and then with an advert you cannot skip. It can also be difficult to find the exact songs you want to hear, so streaming isn't for everyone.
Before you consider streaming, a word of warning: ensure your broadband connection is fast enough and you've a generous download limit. While you're not actually downloading a track to keep, streaming will use up your monthly allowance. Otherwise you risk being hit with added costs and constant buffering.
As a general rule:
You need a high (or unlimited) download limit, or you could be slapped with gargantuan charges.
For example, if you're going to listen to about four hours of internet radio per week, and that is all you'll be doing, you'll need a monthly download allowance of at least 5GB.
If you're going to be streaming more music, or doing other data-heavy things, like streaming movies, it's worth considering a package with unlimited downloads, so you'll not have the worry of exceeding your limit. Full details in the Cheap Broadband guide.
Is online music streaming legal?
There are plenty of online music streaming services that are legal, though thousands more aren't. The Government and internet providers are cracking down on the illegal ones, while some services only work in certain countries due to music licensing restrictions.
All those included below are legal, and will work in the UK.
Always check any software you put on your computer's suitable and compatible with your existing set-up.
No liability can be accepted for any problems caused from acting upon the info given.
Best free online music services
There's a whole load of online music streaming services available. Many offer free trials of their ad-free unlimited options.
Here are a few worth considering, and remember there's no limit to the number you can use, so you could get thousands of hours worth of music for absolutely nowt.
Rdio* Over 18 million songs available, six-month free trial
When you click through to Rdio you won't see a page telling you about the 6 months' free offer, but it has confirmed that everyone who clicks through will get the deal.
Rdio* (pronounced are-dee-oh) is an ad-free online music service with over 18 million songs. it's currently offering a six-month free trial.
How to get this
You won�t see the offer on the site, but Rdio's confirmed in writing to us that it�ll work for everyone, except if you're using it on a mobile device. To get it�
-
Go to the Rdio* site.
-
Put your name and email address in (or sign up via Facebook).
-
Wait for a confirmation email.
-
Click through to the site from the confirmation email.
-
You'll have unlimited access for a week on a seven-day free trial.
When the seven days has ended, the six-month free trial will automatically kick in. Do note, this trial is only for PC and Macs, not mobile apps.
At no point do you need to put in any card/payment details anywhere or sign up to any of the paid-for subscription options to get the free trial. So when the trial ends, that's it, you won't be charged.
The six-month free trial is also available to Rdio users who have alredyly taken a seven-day trial. Just log in to your account and the six-month trial will automatically begin.
Any paid-for options?
Once the free trial has ended, Rdio's web service costs �4.99/month. This provides ad-free, uninterrupted streaming on your computer. If you want to use Rdio's mobile apps, it's �9.99/month for the unlimited option.
Anything else?
Rdio won't clarify exactly how much free music you're allowed to listen to per month, as it says it "doesn't want to detract from the enjoyment of the music". However, when logged in, a green scale at the top of the page shows how much is left of your free trial.
As a rough guide, MSE Becca has been using the service every day for a few weeks, and is only a third of the way down the green bar.
Start listening now: Rdio* .
Have you used it? Give us your Rdio feedback.
Spotify Over 20 million songs available, one-month free trial
Perhaps the biggest name in online music, the Spotify streaming service runs as an application on your desktop. Globally, it has 20 million users and 20 million available tracks. It offers free music streaming with ads, and the option to upgrade for unlimited streaming, without ad interruptions.
How it works
If you're a new Spotify user, you'll get a one-month free trial of its premium ad-free service, where you can listen to unlimited tracks on your PC, mobile, tablet or an internet-connected TV.
You'll have to put in direct debit or credit card details when signing up, so remember to cancel before the free trial unless you want to start paying.
Other features of Spotify include a social media link-up, which lets you share what you're listening to on Twitter and Facebook. You can also find music already on your computer and add it to your Spotify library, so you can listen to it on other PCs just by logging into your account.
Any paid-for options?
Once your free premium service trial runs out, you'll revert to the standard free option (unless you choose to upgrade). This gives you 10 hours of free music (with ads) every month.
The premium service costs �4.99/month for the unlimited option (for use on just your PC/laptop), or �9.99/month for access to the premium service, which lets you listen to unlimited music, with no ads, on your PC/laptop, mobile, tablet, etc. You can also download playlists/tracks in order to listen when you're offline.
Anything else?
With the free service you can only listen to the same song five times before it's made unavailable. So if you're planning to put Gangnam Style on repeat for a few hours, you may need to upgrade to the premium service.
Have you used it? Give us your Spotify feedback.
Last FM Over 15 million songs available, social networking "radio"
Over 47 million people around the world stream music with Last FM. Like Rdio and other personalised "radio station" services included here, Last FM creates a unique playlist for you when you search for something. Fancy a bit of Britpop? You'll be given tracks from Pulp, Blur and Ocean Colour Scene.
How it works
It keeps track of everything you listen to on your iTunes and recommends similar artists - all while introducing you to fellow users with similar tastes. It's great for finding new music or gig buddies.
Any paid-for options?
Last FM offers both a free, ad-supported service and a subscription option. For only �3/month you can remove all ads and also stream to your phone via the Last FM app (like Spotify, but a third of the price).
Anything else?
Last FM has apps for smartphones, tablets and Xbox. It also offers the Last FM Scrobbler Desktop App, which automatically syncs and updates your Last FM library with what you've been listening to, and updates you on what your friends are listening to.
Have you used it? Give us your Last FM feedback.
We7 Over 12 million songs available, free personalised radio
Over 880,000 people in the UK are using Tesco-owned free online radio service We7.
Like Last FM, it offers unlimited free songs via radio stations (started by entering an artist, genre, or theme). Looking for music for your wedding playlist? Just search "wedding" and you'll get Al Green, Etta James and the Bee Gees. Or if you want a bit of Justin Bieber, you can listen to the popster himself, along with One Direction and Conor Maynard.
How it works
It has over 12 million songs in its library, and can be used on the free iPhone, iPad, Android or Kindle apps, as well as via your desktop.
If you register, you'll get free unlimited access to play and create stations, though the tracks will be interspersed with ads.
Any paid-for options?
While the radio service is free, We7 does offer a paid-for option, so you can listen to all your favourite tracks without being interrupted by ads. This costs �4.99/month for the web service, or �9.99/month for web and mobile access.
Anything else?
You also get 50 free song requests a month � which means you can choose a particular song or album you'd like to hear, and start listening straight away. Go on, put Bieber on repeat, you know you want to.
Have you used it? Give us your We7 feedback.
Jango 200,000 songs available, no registration required
Launched in November 2007, Jango is another online radio service, a bit like Last FM. You can listen to anything you want, and get recommendations for similar artists and songs you might like.
You don't have to register. Just type in an artist and your first "station" will start playing right away. For example, type in "Adele" and it will play all similar artists to Adele, such as Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles.
How it works
If you just want instant access to music, Jango is a good starting point. It has similar social networking elements to Last FM; the site will tell you what 'like-minds' are listening to, and you can listen to others' virtual stations if you tire of yours.
The site also provides independent artists the opportunity to showcase their music by recommending their songs alongside that of similar popular artists.
Any paid-for options?
There's no paid-for option to upgrade to remove the ads.
Anything else?
If you use the service without creating an account, you'll get an audio ad after every full-length song. If you want fewer ads, connect your Jango account with your Facebook account and you'll only get one audio ad per day.
It's also worth noting you can't play again, fast forward, or rewind tracks.
Have you used it? Give us your Jango feedback.