Competitors of Spotify: The Advantages Offered by Deezer, Tidal, Apple Music, and Others

In the latest episode of c't Magazine, host Jörg Wirtgen welcomes guests Hartmut Gieselmann and Daniel Ziegener to discuss the world of music streaming. The show delves into various aspects of music streaming platforms, including lossless formats, high bitrates, and the latest innovation, Dolby Atmos.

While some music streaming services offer lossless formats or high bitrates, the differences are only noticeable with expensive speakers and headphones. However, the immersive experience provided by Dolby Atmos is more intriguing, as it enhances both 3D sound and regular stereo sound on certain music streaming services.

The discussion also touches upon the royalties paid to musicians on different music streaming platforms. It's interesting to note that while the specific amounts paid to individual musicians aren't publicly disclosed, the overall distribution of royalties varies across platforms.

The content offered by major music streaming services is quite similar, but the show highlights some unique features such as Bandcamp and methods for distributing music, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay, and Bluetooth.

The tools for transferring playlists and album collections between music streaming services have matured and are now easy to use, although a subscription may be required for larger collections. The recommendation algorithms of music streaming services also vary, with some relying on AI and others on curation.

The show doesn't forget to mention alternatives to music streaming, such as concerts, CD purchases, and merchandise purchases.

c't Magazine is available in various digital formats, as well as on paper at magazine retailers. You can also stay updated with insights about the IT world through our WhatsApp channel, managed by Torsten and Jan from the editorial team.

Don't forget to follow c't Magazine on Mastodon, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads for more engaging content. The production for the show is handled by Pascal Schewe. Tune in to the latest episode for a comprehensive exploration of the music streaming landscape!