Even music streaming services are becoming much more expensive and then-free features moving behind paywalls, while the actual services barely changed at all.
Despite the circumstances, it does not mean that your music enjoyment is because of subscription payments alone.
As a remedy, here are some ways you can innovate and expand your music streaming experience without spending a single cent:
Expand Your Music Taste on Other Streaming Platforms
The best alternative on paywalled music streaming platforms is to move to other streaming sites.
While the shift may deprive people of the chance to listen to some of their favorite mainstream songs, moving to platforms like SoundCloud and Hype Machine is an opportunity to explore a new genre and discover upcoming artists.
These platforms also often host cover songs, perfect for people trying to find new versions and take on old classics and pop music.
Stream Music on Discord Servers
If you want to listen to the original version only but do not want to pay for it, you can try to look for dedicated Discord servers streaming music.
It is like listening to music via Spotify or Apple Music, albeit you do not have the controls to switch tracks or albums.
These servers are often private and only stream a single artist's discography. While it may seem a hassle, this is also an opportunity to meet and interact with artist communities online.
GitHub Extensions
Most free options often require some knowledge of coding. This means having an understanding of how to read GitHub codes.
Extensions like "Harmony Music" are a help for those looking for those looking to stream music without accessing other music streaming services.
Of course, there are also several GitHub extensions people can use to "crack" premium services without paying, although such a method is mostly limited to the PC.
Download Music via Internet Archive
Another option is to download archived songs via The Internet Archive. Yes, tracks and albums are saved on The Internet Archive too.
It is much better as several audio archives on the platform were previously forgotten or lost tracks that have only resurfaced after years from the collected efforts of the LostWave community.
BluePlayer
If you have an iPhone, then BluePlayer might be the next best alternative to stream music videos and tracks without resorting to subscription services.
The app essentially streams music videos and content from your devices or YouTube without the hassle of listening to ads every 15 seconds.
It is worth noting that the app's user interface might not be to everyone's taste but it still works just fine for its intended use.
