Private and open-source alternatives to Spotify
6 music streaming rated against the same public privacy criteria as Spotify, with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: no. Closed source.
- No trackers or telemetry: no. The Android app includes Branch, ComScore, Crashlytics and Firebase Analytics.
- No ads or data sales: no. The free tier is funded by ads, and the privacy policy describes using personal data to tailor advertising.
- Independent audit: no. No independent audit is published.
- Transparency report: no. No transparency report or government request policy is published.
- Tells users about requests: no. No published policy on notifying users about data requests.
- Security headers: partial. Grade B (75/100+)
The alternatives
Funkwhale Grade B
Federated, self-hostable platform for streaming and sharing music and podcasts, built on ActivityPub and compatible with Subsonic apps.
Funkwhale scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the music streaming criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
Bandcamp Grade F
Online music store and community where fans buy and stream music and merchandise directly from artists and labels.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). Bandcamp scores 28 out of 100 (grade F) on the music streaming criteria. It meets 2 of 8 criteria: no ads or data sales and TLS configuration.
Qobuz Grade F
Subscription music streaming and download store based in France, focused on hi-res audio, with album notes and editorial content.
Based in France (Nine Eyes). Qobuz scores 19 out of 100 (grade F) on the music streaming criteria. It meets 1 of 8 criteria: no ads or data sales.
Tidal Grade F
Subscription music streaming service with lossless and hi-res audio, music videos and editorial playlists, owned by Block.
Based in Norway (Nine Eyes). Tidal scores 19 out of 100 (grade F) on the music streaming criteria. It meets 1 of 8 criteria: TLS configuration.
Deezer Grade F
Music, podcast and radio streaming service based in France, with an ad-supported free tier and paid plans.
Based in France (Nine Eyes). Deezer scores 13 out of 100 (grade F) on the music streaming criteria. It meets 1 of 8 criteria: TLS configuration.
SoundCloud Grade F
Audio sharing and music streaming platform where artists upload tracks, with an ad-supported free tier and paid Go plans.
Based in Germany (Fourteen Eyes). SoundCloud scores 13 out of 100 (grade F) on the music streaming criteria. It meets 1 of 8 criteria: TLS configuration.