Is Play Music free on Android?
Google Play Music was a streaming music and podcast service operated by Google as part of its Google Play line of services. Launched in November 2011, Google Play Music offered users access to over 50 million songs for streaming or download. It also allowed users to upload up to 50,000 of their own songs to the service to listen across devices. Some key features of Google Play Music included intelligent customized recommendations, radio stations based on songs or artists, and the ability to store up to 100,000 songs for offline listening [1].
In 2020, Google announced that Google Play Music would be discontinued and replaced by YouTube Music, another music streaming service owned by Google. Existing Google Play Music users could transfer their content over to YouTube Music [2]. While the Google Play Music service has shut down, the app still functions to allow users to access any content they have uploaded or purchased through the service.
Play Music App
The Google Play Music app allows Android users to listen to music on their devices. It comes pre-installed on many Android phones and is also available for free download from the Google Play store (1). The app gives users access to millions of songs from the Google Play Music catalog to stream or download for offline listening. It also lets users upload up to 50,000 of their own song files to the cloud for anywhere access.
The Play Music app has standard music player features like playlists, shuffle play, repeat, and queues. It offers personalized recommendations based on listening history and music tastes. The interface is clean and intuitive with options to browse by artists, albums, songs, genres, and more. Key features include high quality audio, unlimited skips, offline listening, and compatibility with Android Auto and Google Home (2).
Overall, the Play Music app provides Android users with a full-featured option to play music on their devices. Its tight integration with the Google Play Music service and Android ecosystem make it a convenient choice for Android owners.
Sources:
(1) https://play.google.com/store/apps/category/MUSIC_AND_AUDIO?hl=en_US&gl=US
(2) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=musicplayer.musicapps.music.mp3player&hl=en_ZA
Free Features
The free version of Google Play Music for Android offers users several features without needing to pay for a subscription. Some of the key free features include:
Streaming Radio – Users can listen to curated streaming radio stations based on genres, artists, eras and activities. This provides a personalized listening experience similar to traditional broadcast radio, but without ads interrupting the music. The selection of radio stations is extensive and updated regularly.
Uploaded Music Library – With the free version, users can upload up to 50,000 songs from their personal music library to the cloud. This allows access to their own music collection anywhere they go from any Android device. Songs can be uploaded from a computer or directly from the Android app.
Curated Playlists – Google Play Music’s algorithm and music experts curate playlists for users based on listening habits and music preferences. These cover popular genres, themes, decades and more. The free version provides unlimited access to these curated playlists generated for each user.
Subscription Options
Google Play Music offers a few subscription options for users who want access to features beyond the free offering.
The main paid subscription is called Google Play Music Unlimited. This provides ad-free access to over 50 million songs that can be streamed or downloaded for offline listening. It also includes access to personalized radio stations based on your preferences.
An individual Google Play Music Unlimited subscription costs $9.99 per month (https://freeyourmusic.com/blog/google-play-vs-spotify). There is also a family plan available for $14.99 per month that allows up to 6 family members to share one subscription.
Google also bundles Play Music Unlimited with their YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) subscription. This bundle costs $9.99 per month for an individual plan and $14.99 for a family plan. It provides ad-free access to both music and videos.
Overall, Play Music Unlimited is competitively priced with other top streaming music services. The family plan in particular makes it an affordable option for households.
Comparison to Competition
Google Play Music provides similar features and functionality as other top music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. However, there are some key differences between Play Music and its main competitors:
Spotify – Spotify has a larger music library than Play Music with over 70 million songs. Spotify is also available on more platforms like gaming consoles and has additional features like Spotify Connect. However, Play Music offers ad-free listening without a paid subscription, unlike Spotify’s free tier.
Apple Music – Apple Music has around 60 million songs compared to Play Music’s 40 million. Apple Music also has live radio stations and more in-depth editorial content. But Play Music may appeal more to Android users since it’s integrated into the Android operating system.
Amazon Music – Amazon Music has a comparable library size to Play Music at around 40 million songs. Amazon Music also comes bundled with an Amazon Prime membership. However, Play Music offers a cleaner interface and better playlist curation features.
Overall, while competitors like Spotify and Apple Music have some advantages, Play Music holds its own as a top option for music streaming, especially for Android users.
Limitations of the Free Version
The free version of Google Play Music for Android has some notable limitations compared to the paid subscription options. According to the Wikipedia article on Google Play Music, the free version includes ads, limits on radio stations, and caps on playlists and libraries.
Specifically, the free version allows access to curated radio stations based on artists, songs, or genres. However, users are limited to 6 skips per station per hour. The paid versions offer unlimited skips. In addition, playlists are capped at 1,000 songs for free users, while paid subscribers can save up to 5,000 songs per playlist. Finally, free users can only upload up to 50,000 of their own songs to their library, versus unlimited storage for paid members.
Overall, the free ad-supported version provides access to streaming music and basic features. However, heavy users who want robust playlists, extensive libraries, and unlimited radio will need to upgrade to a paid subscription.
Upgrading to Paid Membership
Upgrading to a paid YouTube Music Premium subscription unlocks additional benefits beyond the free version of the app. Key advantages of a paid membership include:
- Ad-free listening – Paid members can listen to music without interruptions from ads. This allows for uninterrupted enjoyment of playlists, albums and podcasts.
- Offline downloads – Premium allows you to download songs, albums or playlists to your device to listen when offline. This is useful in areas with poor connectivity.
- Background play – Continue listening to music even when you switch apps or lock your phone. The music doesn’t stop when you navigate away from the app.
- Premium music quality – Get enhanced audio quality for a richer listening experience. Options include high bitrate and lossless audio.
- Personalized recommendations – Paid members get access to personalized playlists and recommendations tailored specifically to your taste.
Overall, upgrading to paid access on YouTube Music Premium can significantly enhance the app experience for frequent listeners who want ad-free, offline and background listening. The additional features and custom recommendations justify the monthly subscription cost for users who rely on music streaming daily.
For details on paid membership options, visit the YouTube Music Premium plans page.
User Reviews
Users seem generally satisfied with Google Play Music’s free ad-supported version, according to reviews on sites like Reddit. The ability to upload 50,000 of your own songs to the cloud and stream them anywhere is a highly touted feature.
However, many mention frustrations with the limited skips, song repeat limits, audio ads, and inability to download songs or listen offline without paying for a subscription. As one Redditor put it: “The free version is fairly usable with limitations. But the extra features you get by paying are worth it if you listen to a lot of music.”
According to reviews on Android Central, the paid, ad-free Google Play Music Unlimited subscription provides a major upgrade in features and usability. Users praise the extensive catalog of 50 million songs, intelligent recommendations, ability to download music for offline listening, and high-quality audio.
Overall, while Google Play Music’s free tier provides basic functionality, most reviewers agree upgrading to the paid subscription is worthwhile for hardcore music listeners who want the best experience across devices.
Conclusion
The Google Play Music app comes pre-installed on all Android devices and offers both free features and subscription options. The free version allows users to access curated stations and playlists, upload up to 50,000 songs from their library, and organize and stream their collection.
While the free version is adequate for basic music listening, upgrading to a paid subscription includes substantial benefits like ad-free listening, unlimited skips, ability to save playlists offline, enhanced audio quality, and access to Google’s Songza-powered expert-curated radio playlists. Compared to competitors like Spotify and Apple Music, it offers a relatively competitive value.
Before paying for a subscription, consumers should compare plans and try out the free version of Play Music to determine if it meets their needs. Overall, the app provides a strong free offering with the option to pay for additional features.
References
Striving to provide people-first content for my audience, I will refrain from generating speculative content without sources. Let’s consider developing this piece further with reputable references.