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Cider alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Cider: requires an Apple Music subscription on top of the app price, and unofficial, so it depends on Apple's services. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Cider, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Apple Music currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Spotify logoSpotifyFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +25 of 562.6
  1. Spotify logo

    1. SpotifyTop pick

    Best for: Most listeners who want a huge catalogue, great recommendations and apps on every device

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cider

    Official native desktop apps on Windows, Mac and Linux.

    Pros

    • Excellent personalised playlists and recommendations
    • Free tier with ads
    • Works on nearly every device via Spotify Connect
    • Podcasts and audiobooks in the same app

    Cons

    • Low per-stream payouts to artists
    • Lossless tops out at CD-level 24-bit/44.1kHz
    • Home screen pushes podcasts and audiobooks
    Visit Spotify Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Spotify a good Cider alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Users
    788 million, 306 million subscribers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026newsroom.spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Markets
    184
    Checked Oct 25, 2026newsroom.spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, with ads
    Checked Oct 25, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lossless
    Up to 24-bit/44.1kHz FLAC
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Premium plans
    Individual, Duo, Family, Student
    Checked Oct 25, 2026spotify.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Cider alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for most people

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Strawberry logo

Best Cider alternative for a free option

Strawberry

Free open-source player if you'd rather play your own files.

Spotify logo

Best Cider alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Spotify

Official native desktop apps on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Strawberry logo

Best Cider alternative for open source

Strawberry

Free open-source player if you'd rather play your own files.

TIDAL logo

Best Cider alternative for Mac

TIDAL

Hi-res streaming with official desktop apps.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for Windows

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Strawberry logo

Best Cider alternative for Linux

Strawberry

Free open-source player if you'd rather play your own files.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for iPhone and Android

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for working in the browser

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Cider alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Cider?

Apple Music ranks first right now. The official apps, with the newest features first. Spotify and Strawberry follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Cider?

Yes. Spotify (free plan + paid) and Strawberry (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Cider?

Yes: Strawberry.

Which Cider alternatives work on Linux?

Strawberry runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Cider?

The complaints we hear most: requires an Apple Music subscription on top of the app price; unofficial, so it depends on Apple's services; some Apple Music features may be missing.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Cider, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.