There are countless music streaming services globally. With the heightened competition, music streaming providers have taken it upon themselves to roll out new features in their fight to retain and attract new customers. Older streaming services have even revamped their services, with some even offering unpaid streaming trial periods. And among these, Spotify and Sirius top the list. While the choice on the music streaming platforms depends on personal preferences, these platforms differ based on the features available, compatibility with devices and even pricing. What is the difference between Spotify and Sirius? Keep reading to get a glimpse of the differences between the two. 

What is Spotify?

Founded in 2006 by Daniel EK, Spotify is the largest music streaming service globally. The company has over 365 million monthly active users of which 158 million are active paying customers. The company has different subscription types including Spotify free, Spotify premium and Spotify HiFi. Subscribers pay $10 for a premium subscription and get to enjoy ad-free access to 2.6 million podcasts and 70 million tracks. Students also get to enjoy discounted rates of $5 with free access to Showtime and Hulu. Spotify also offers a 30-day free trial period. 

The platform is suitable for people who enjoy listening to music on a variety of devices. For someone who does not enjoy music with ad interruptions, the free version would not be suitable. 

Pros of Spotify

• Has a large library of popular songs 
• Centres its playlist on specific activities and genres which helps customers find music easier
• It has a wide variety of podcasts and original programming
• Hulu is available on the platform
• It works well with a wide variety of devices including Google Home Max speakers, Sonos One, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Sony PlayStation 4 game console

 Cons of Spotify

• Offers a limited selection of music on a smartphone 
• It cannot be connected directly from the Apple HomePod
• It does not have a lossless streaming option

What is Sirius?

Founded in 2008 through an XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio, Serious is a radio broadcasting service provider based in the United States. Best known for car radio services, Sirius can also be used via a web browser or an app. Sirius offers two packages, the select and the premium packages. With the select package, users pay $10 per month and get to access over 50 channels while premium users pay $13 and get access to hundreds of channels and two Howard Stern channels. Users can listen to a variety of channels including comedy, talk radio, commercial-free music, sports and even on-demand shows. The platform offers discounted rates, free trials and even family plans. 

Sirius is suitable for people who like terrestrial radio stations with a commercial-free experience as well as the option of skipping tracks. It’s also the only option for Howard Stern fans. 

Pros of Sirius

• It has a wide variety of options, even better than local radio stations
• Users can stream from their phone to their car stereos
• It is cheaper compared to satellite radio packages
• It offers live sports broadcasts 
• It has exclusive content

Cons of Sirius

• Users have to engage customer care service to end the subscription which can be time-consuming
• It can be confusing for new users due to hidden fees, optional ad-on and the confusion that comes with the variety of options
• SiriusXM web interface and app can be difficult to navigate

Similarities between Spotify and Sirius

• Both offer streaming services

Differences between Spotify and Sirius

Definition

Spotify is a music streaming service renowned for being the largest globally. On the other hand, Sirius is a radio broadcasting service provider based in the United States.

Pricing 

Spotify has different subscription types including Spotify free, Spotify premium and Spotify HiFi. Subscribers pay $10 for a premium subscription and get to enjoy ad-free access to 2.6 million podcasts and 70 million tracks. On the other hand, Sirius offers two packages, the select and the premium packages. With the select package, users pay $10 per month and get to access over 50 channels while premium users pay $13 and get access to hundreds of channels and two Howard Stern channels. 

Content

Spotify offers a wide library of popular songs that can be streamed on various devices. On the other hand, Sirius offers a variety of channels including comedy, talk radio, commercial-free music, sports and even on-demand shows. 

Clientele

Spotify is suitable for people who enjoy listening to music on a variety of devices. On the other hand, Sirius is suitable for people who like terrestrial radio stations with commercial-free experience and the option of skipping tracks as well as Howard Stern fans. 

Spotify vs. Sirius: Comparison Table

Summary of Spotify vs. Sirius

Spotify is a music streaming service renowned for being the largest globally. It offers a wide library of popular songs that can be streamed on various devices and is suitable for people who enjoy listening to music on a variety of devices. On the other hand, Sirius is a radio broadcasting service provider based in the United States. It offers a variety of channels including comedy, talk radio, commercial-free music, sports and on-demand shows. It is suitable for people who like terrestrial radio stations with commercial-free experience and the option of skipping tracks as well as Howard Stern fans. 

Is Spotify on SiriusXM?

No. Spotify is not on SiriusXM. 

Which music service is best?

Spotify is the best music service globally. The company has over 365 million monthly active users of which 158 million are active paying customers. 

Is SiriusXM streaming free with subscription?

SiriusXM does not have a free subscription. Users need to pay their subscription to stream the services. 

Is it worth getting Sirius radio?

Yes. It is worth getting Sirius radio since it offers exclusive channels that are not available on any other platforms. 

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