Unlike AM and FM radio, most online apps have very short commercials or don’t have any at all.
Although most music streaming applications have a free version, deciding which app is worth paying for can be a difficult decision.
There’s a big selection of music streaming applications; while it may be hard to chose there are some popular among students at The Beach.
Pandora
Pandora allows users to pick a song or artist to create a radio station of similar and related music. Like most music apps, there is a free and paid version available. The free version limits the number of songs users can skip and will require users to confirm they’re still listening after a few hours of playing music. Something interesting about the app is that it also lets users listen to stand-up comedy segments. For $4, users can go commercial free and earn more daily song skips.
“Sometimes I just get tired of listening to music, so instead I listen to comedy on Pandora,” Jaime Limon, freshman history major, said. “It’s also not necessary to use your phone, you can use Pandora on your computer too.”
iHeart Radio
The app allows users to play up to 15 million songs, according to the app’s website. iHeart Radio is also a platform to listen to old school FM radio stations like KIIS and Power 106. The app also has a range of stations based on the listener’s mood or event.
“I’ve made iHeart Radio my go-to app for sleep music just because they already have a selected playlist,” Limon said. “It’s also pretty cool how you can listen to other city’s radio stations on the app.”
Spotify
Spotify allows users to listen to more than 20 million songs. This app is great for those who like to listen to specific artists or albums. Like other apps, Spotify also gives users the option to play music in a way similar to Pandora. Depending on the device users have, the free version might only allow them to play stations in a shuffle only.
“The fact that you can pay $13 a month and basically own almost every artist’s album is a win,” Jeffrey Cruz, a sophomore Spanish major, said. “Spotify is also cool because if you have a premium account it allows you to download music and listen to it while you’re offline.”
Beats Music
This app creates playlists by real people based on locations, activities and genre. The playlist are created by actual people and not computerized. Users can pay $10 and access the app through three devices. However, before users pay for the app, they can access a free 30-day trial.
“I think Beats [Music] is the best music app,” senior Biology major Nicole Nguyen said. “Every time I start a playlist, it plays exactly what I have in mind.”