Google Play Music was a popular music streaming service by Google that offered a student membership program with a discounted price. However, in 2020, Google announced that it would be discontinuing Google Play Music and replacing it with YouTube Music. This has left many students searching for alternative music streaming services that offer similar or better features with student membership programs. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Google Play Music Student Membership alternatives and competitors in 2024.

1. Spotify

Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services worldwide, offering an extensive library of songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. It also offers a student membership program at a discounted price, making it a strong competitor to Google Play Music. Spotify's features include personalized playlists, collaborative playlists, and social sharing options, making it a go-to choice for students who enjoy discovering new music and sharing it with their friends.

Pros: Extensive library, personalized playlists, collaborative playlists, social sharing options, discounted student membership.

Reading more:

Cons: Ads on the free version, limited offline playback for the free version.

2. Apple Music

Apple Music is a music streaming service by Apple that offers a vast library of songs, as well as exclusive content and live radio. It also offers a student membership program with a discounted price. Apple Music's features include personalized playlists, smart recommendations, and seamless integration with other Apple products, making it an attractive option for students who are already using Apple devices.

Pros: Vast library, exclusive content, live radio, personalized playlists, smart recommendations, discounted student membership, seamless integration with Apple products.

Cons: Limited social sharing options, not available on non-Apple devices.

3. Amazon Music Unlimited

Amazon Music Unlimited is a music streaming service by Amazon that offers a vast library of songs, as well as exclusive content and personalized recommendations. It also offers a student membership program at a discounted price. Amazon Music Unlimited's features include voice control with Alexa, offline playback, and HD quality streaming, making it a compelling alternative to Google Play Music for students who prioritize audio quality.

Pros: Vast library, exclusive content, personalized recommendations, voice control with Alexa, HD quality streaming, offline playback, discounted student membership.

Cons: Limited social sharing options, not available on non-Amazon devices.

4. Tidal

Tidal is a music streaming service that focuses on high-fidelity sound quality, offering an extensive library of over 70 million songs in lossless audio format. It also offers a student membership program with a discounted price. Tidal's features include exclusive content, personalized playlists, and live event streaming, making it an excellent choice for students who are passionate about high-quality music and exploring new artists.

Pros: Extensive library of lossless audio, exclusive content, personalized playlists, live event streaming, discounted student membership.

Cons: Limited social sharing options, not available on all devices.

Reading more:

5. Deezer

Deezer is a music streaming service that offers a vast library of songs, podcasts, and audiobooks, as well as personalized recommendations and mood-based playlists. It also offers a student membership program at a discounted price. Deezer's features include offline playback, compatibility with multiple devices, and integration with third-party apps, making it an attractive option for students who value flexibility and convenience.

Pros: Vast library, personalized recommendations, mood-based playlists, offline playback, compatibility with multiple devices, discounted student membership.

Cons: Limited exclusive content, limited social sharing options.

6. YouTube Music

YouTube Music is a music streaming service by Google that has replaced Google Play Music, offering a vast library of songs, podcasts, and music videos. It also offers a student membership program at a discounted price. YouTube Music's features include personalized playlists, smart recommendations, and seamless integration with other Google products, making it a strong alternative to Google Play Music for students who are already using Google services.

Pros: Vast library, personalized playlists, smart recommendations, discounted student membership, seamless integration with other Google products.

Cons: Limited social sharing options, limited exclusive content.

7. SoundCloud Go+

SoundCloud Go+ is a music streaming service that focuses on independent and emerging artists, offering a vast library of songs, remixes, and podcasts. It also offers a student membership program at a discounted price. SoundCloud Go+'s features include offline playback, ad-free listening, and exclusive content by emerging artists, making it an attractive option for students who are passionate about discovering new music and supporting independent artists.

Pros: Vast library of independent artists, remixes, and podcasts, offline playback, ad-free listening, exclusive content by emerging artists, discounted student membership.

Cons: Limited mainstream content, limited social sharing options.

8. Pandora Premium

Pandora Premium is a music streaming service that offers a vast library of songs, as well as personalized recommendations and playlists based on the user's listening history. It also offers a student membership program at a discounted price. Pandora Premium's features include offline playback, ad-free listening, and seamless integration with other devices and apps, making it an attractive option for students who value personalization and convenience.

Reading more:

Pros: Vast library, personalized recommendations, offline playback, ad-free listening, seamless integration with other devices and apps, discounted student membership.

Cons: Limited social sharing options, limited exclusive content.

9. Qobuz

Qobuz is a high-fidelity music streaming service that offers lossless audio quality, as well as a vast library of songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. It also offers a student membership program with a discounted price. Qobuz's features include exclusive content, personalized recommendations, and offline playback, making it an excellent choice for students who prioritize audio quality and discovering new artists.

Pros: Vast library of lossless audio, exclusive content, personalized recommendations, offline playback, discounted student membership.

Cons: Limited social sharing options, not available on all devices.

10. iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio is a music streaming service that offers a vast library of songs, as well as live radio, podcasts, and audiobooks. It also offers a student membership program at a discounted price. iHeartRadio's features include personalized recommendations, offline playback, and live event streaming, making it an attractive option for students who enjoy listening to live radio and discovering new podcasts.

Pros: Vast library, live radio, podcasts, audiobooks, personalized recommendations, offline playback, live event streaming, discounted student membership.

Cons: Limited exclusive content, limited social sharing options.

In conclusion, while Google Play Music offered a discounted student membership program, there are numerous alternative music streaming services available in 2024 that cater to the diverse needs of students. Whether it's Spotify for its extensive library and social sharing options, Apple Music for its seamless integration with other Apple products, or Tidal for its high-fidelity sound quality and exclusive content, students have a wide array of options to consider based on their specific preferences and priorities. With the constantly evolving landscape of music streaming technology, these alternatives provide compelling solutions for students seeking efficient and feature-rich platforms to stream their favorite tunes.