Why Would You Need More Than One Streaming Service?

Human + Machine

Human + Machine

— 2 min read

Editor's note: On Spotify for range, history, and others on subscription (lock-in). On Apple for sound quality (yes, it's real) and Classical. Not thrilled about the situation. Would much prefer to consolidate and save $$. Oh, when comparing catalogues, including classical, Spotify's is vastly deeper. You could say that Apple's is curated but I want to do the curation myself, thank you.

On paper, it sounds inefficient: paying for more than one music streaming platform. Why would anyone subscribe to Spotify and Apple Music? Or Tidal and Qobuz?

Shouldn’t one be enough?

In theory — yes. In practice — not even close. If you care about audio quality, catalog breadth, classical music, UI design, curation, or importing your own collection, chances are high that no single service gets it all right.

Here’s why people are subscribing to multiple services — and why that’s not a failure, but a reflection of the streaming landscape’s complexity.

1. Catalog Gaps Are Real

Despite the illusion that “everything is available everywhere,” the truth is murkier.

Some reasons you may need a second platform:

  • Region-specific licensing means certain albums are only available in some countries.
  • Exclusive releases (especially with Apple or Tidal) can keep an album locked for days, weeks, or even indefinitely.
  • Small labels sometimes upload to one platform only.
  • Audiobooks, interviews, and niche recordings might live on Apple but not Spotify — or vice versa.

If you’re a serious or curious listener, a second platform helps fill in the blanks.

2. Specialized Needs: Classical, Hi-Fi, Metadata

You might use:

  • Spotify for social sharing, algorithmic discovery, and a giant playlist culture.
  • Apple Music Classical for intelligent browsing of composers, ensembles, and movements.
  • Qobuz for high-res FLAC files and an audiophile-grade experience.
  • Tidal for MQA or Dolby Atmos support and exclusive artist content.

Each has strengths. But rarely do they overlap in a way that satisfies both your practical and aesthetic needs.

3. Interface and UX Preferences

Some people just hate one app and love another.

It’s not trivial:

  • Spotify’s dark theme and social integration are easy to love.
  • Apple Music feels native and seamless inside the Apple ecosystem.
  • Amazon Music… is mostly used because of Prime bundling.
  • Deezer and YouTube Music offer simpler experiences that appeal to certain users.

For some, switching apps feels like changing instruments — the music’s the same, but the experience is totally different.

4. Personal vs Shared Accounts

Many people split their subscriptions:

  • One for themselves
  • One shared with family or kids
  • One embedded into a smart home system

Or maybe you have a service bundled with your phone plan (e.g. Verizon + Apple Music) and another tied to your Spotify Connect speakers.

It’s not just about choice — it’s about context.

5. Backup and Continuity

Ever had a favorite playlist disappear due to licensing issues? Or found that a song you love suddenly became “unavailable in your region”?

Having a second service can be a backup — a digital vinyl shelf that ensures your collection doesn’t just vanish due to platform shifts.

Final Thought: The Cost Question

Two streaming services at $10–15/month each might seem redundant — until you realize that:

  • You’re spending less than one dinner out
  • You’re gaining a massive archive of music history and innovation
  • You’re supporting the infrastructure that (however flawed) still brings music to your ears 24/7

In the end, having more than one streaming service is like having more than one bookcase. Not because you're greedy — but because music deserves room to breathe.

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