Since smartphones are at the core of on-the-go music, Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, Tidal and many other music apps have taken over the music streaming industry. With free trials to win over customers, each company offers similar features to stream music. New artists tend to use apps such as Soundcloud to debut their music. As for other artists, they tend to debut new singles and albums exclusively on apps like Apple Music and Tidal. Now that music is all digital and the demand for accessible and affordable music is at its highest, the apps have started to tend to these needs.

Music mogul, Jay-Z started Tidal Music two years ago, and since then has taken music streaming industry by storm. The app which held some the top albums of the year exclusively for a couple of weeks to several months drew millions of people in. Tidal also gives users the ability to purchase concert tickets in advance. In addition, the app is prone to live streaming concerts and even newly released music videos. Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and Kanye West are some of the few artists who have used this feature to perform and showcase music to their fans. Tidal is not free; you can either pay $9.99 or $19.99 for their exclusive capabilities.

 Spotify, the black and green colored music app who gives us a weekly dose of a new playlist, has made its footprint in the music streaming industry as well. It was developed in 2006. Since then Spotify has revamped  itself. It gives users the access the newly released albums and songs and also the ability to make their own playlists. Unlike some apps, Spotify lets the users have the ability to listen to music on PCs and Macs with the Spotify Web Player. Junior Emily Rund said, “ I love how the web player lets me choose what songs I want to listen to instead of just listening to a certain playlist.” Spotify is free with ads, but if you want the ability to play any song you would like, there is Spotify Premium which costs $9.99.

 Soundcloud and Apple Music, who are prone to hosting new and upcoming artists, have made several improvements. Apple Music, which is one of the default apps on iPhones, has given users the ability to have a 3 month free trial. On the app you have to pay for any song, video or album you want. As for Soundcloud, songs are free, but the artist has the choice to turn the song into a preview. Anyone can post songs on Soundcloud. This is why many people use it to rise to stardom. All of the music apps in some way, shape or form are trying to make live streaming music quicker and more affordable for everyone, especially teens.