Comparison of online music lockers including popular services

Online music lockers have revolutionized the way we store and access our music libraries. They allow us to upload, store, and stream our music from anywhere, making it a convenient option for music lovers.

Some popular services include Google Play Music, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, each with its own unique features and pricing plans. Google Play Music, for example, offers a free trial period and a vast music library.

Apple Music, on the other hand, focuses on exclusive content and live radio stations, making it a great option for fans of specific artists or genres. Amazon Music provides a more affordable option with its Prime Music service, included with an Amazon Prime membership.

These services often come with storage limits, so it's essential to consider how much music you need to store before choosing a service.

Amazon started phasing out cloud storage from December 2017. This means that users who had uploaded their music to Amazon's service were no longer able to access their files.

Google Play Music Music locker, store, and streaming service debuted in May 2011, and shut down October 2020. It's worth noting that Google has replaced Play Music with YouTube Music.

Here's a list of other defunct online music lockers:

Amazon's cloud storage for music, launched in March 2009, was one of the first services to offer free storage for uploaded tracks. It allowed users to store 250 tracks in the free version and 250,000 tracks in the premium version. However, Amazon started phasing out cloud storage in December 2017.

Best Buy's Music Cloud, launched in June 2011, received unfavorable reviews from users. Unfortunately, we don't have any information on why exactly the service was met with such negative feedback.

Google's Play Music Music locker, store, and streaming service was launched in May 2011 and shut down in October 2020. It was replaced by YouTube Music, which has become a popular music streaming platform.

Groove Music by Microsoft, launched in 2015, allowed users to store up to 5 GB of music in AAC, MP3, and WMA formats. It also enabled playback on devices running Windows, iOS, Android, and Xbox game consoles.

Lala, launched in 2006, was purchased by Apple and shut down on May 31, 2010. Unfortunately, we don't know much about the service's features or user base.

MP3tunes, launched in late 2005, fought major record labels in Capitol Records, Inc. v. MP3Tunes, LLC, before closing in 2012 after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Here's a list of defunct music services:

Mougg, launched in 2010, was later renamed to Mashup in 2012, only to return to its original name in April 2013. Unfortunately, the service's domain ceased to function in December 2012.

Samsung Music Hub, available for a few Samsung devices, was retired on July 1, 2014. Unfortunately, we don't know much about the service's features or user base.

Style Jukebox, launched in September 2012, offered up to 2 TB of music storage and supported all major file formats, including high-resolution audio. However, the service was discontinued in December 2017.

Astiga is an app that lets you access your music anywhere, as long as you have a web browser on your device.

It's based on the web, so it's not limited to any specific platform. You can use it on your smartphone, just like you would use any other web-based app.

The app has a good community of users, which is always a plus when it comes to finding help or recommendations.

Astiga supports additional music storage services, including pCloud, which allows you to upload your music to the cloud.

You can pay for Astiga on a time-based model, with options for monthly, quarterly, or yearly payments. The longer you commit, the deeper the discount.

One potential drawback of Astiga is its limited playback options. It only works with Subsonic compatible players, which might not be as mainstream as other options.

Offline access is supported through a feature called "player sync", which lets you sync your music for offline listening.

Music lockers offer a convenient way to access your music library from anywhere, and some services stand out from the rest. Google Play Music offers a free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing.

Amazon Music Unlimited provides access to over 50 million songs, making it a great option for those with large music collections. The service also includes features like offline playback and personalized recommendations.

Apple Music's family plan allows up to six users to share a single subscription, making it a great option for families or groups of friends. This plan also includes access to exclusive content and live radio stations.

CloudPlayer is a mobile app that's been around for a few years, offering a sense of polish and maturity that's worth considering.

It's available for Android only, and like all the other players, it has a free version to try out.

CloudPlayer supports major cloud storage providers and basic casting technologies, making it a solid option for those who want a hassle-free experience.

One thing to note is that it doesn't have the same level of customization as some of the other players, but it gets the job done.

If you're looking for a simple, no-frills cloud player, CloudPlayer is definitely worth checking out.

Evermusic is an iOS-only app, so if you're using an Android device or want to access it on the web, you're out of luck.

The feature list for Evermusic is quite impressive, supporting many different cloud music storage services.

One thing that might give you pause is the app's review section, which seems a bit suspect.

Despite that, the review score on the App Store is a respectable 4.6/5, indicating that many users are very happy with the app.

MusicSync is an Android-only app that allows you to stream music from Google Drive.

It's free to download and install, but be warned: it's still a new app and feels a bit "unpolished" in some areas.

The setup screen is a bit tricky to navigate, especially when entering your Google Drive details. You might find yourself stuck on the screen trying to dismiss the keyboard.

All your folders are shown from Google Drive once you're set up, but you have to navigate your music library like a filesystem. There's no way to browse by date, genre, or any other field.

That's because the app doesn't download files eagerly, so it can't access the music tags. This means you won't see album artwork until a file is downloaded.

Once a file is downloaded, the artwork is shown, but that's about it in terms of library navigation and the overall library "experience".

Google Play Music offers a branded service called YouTube Music Key, which allows users to stream music and videos without ads. This service is only available for users who have a YouTube account.

Amazon's Prime Music, on the other hand, is a free service for Amazon Prime members, offering access to a vast music library with no ads.

Rockbot is a branded service that can be a good fit for U.S. businesses with a lot of time and resources to devote to creating a unique atmosphere.

It's compatible with SONOS and allows you to import Spotify playlists. This can be a great way to create a consistent sound for your business.

The price of Rockbot ranges from $25 to $75 per month, which may be a significant investment for some businesses.

One of the downsides of Rockbot is that it has a large catalog of licensed songs, which can make it difficult to find the specific tracks you want to play.

Here are some of the key features of Rockbot:

Keep in mind that Rockbot is only available in the U.S., so businesses outside of the country will not be able to use it.

Soundtrack Your Brand offers a vast music library, with 50 million licensed songs in its catalog. This extensive collection makes it easy to find the perfect tunes for your brand.

With over 300 ready-made channels, you can choose from a variety of pre-curated playlists and stations. These channels can be tailored to fit your brand's unique style and atmosphere.

You can also create your own playlists and stations, giving you full control over the music that plays in your branded spaces. This feature allows you to curate a unique sonic experience that reflects your brand's personality.

Planning playlists and stations into a weekly calendar is also possible, ensuring a consistent and engaging music experience for your customers. This feature is especially useful for businesses with multiple locations or events.

Soundtrack Your Brand is compatible with SONOS, making it easy to integrate into your existing audio setup. However, proprietary hardware is not mandatory, and you can use a streaming box for €199 if you prefer.

The service is available in over 70 countries, making it a great option for businesses with a global presence. With a 30-day free trial and no obligation to purchase, you can try out Soundtrack Your Brand risk-free.

Google Play Music is a great option for those who want more storage without breaking the bank. It recently boosted its storage capacity to 50,000 songs, all for free.

One of the best perks of Google Play Music is that it doesn't require a yearly fee to access more storage. This is a significant advantage over services like Amazon Cloud Player, which charges $25 per year for more space.

Google Play Music also matches music at a higher quality than some of its competitors. Specifically, it matches music at 320kbps MP3, which is a higher quality than Amazon Cloud Player's 256kbps MP3.

Another benefit of Google Play Music is that it supports the largest file size - 300MB. This means you can store more complex audio files without having to worry about them not being compatible with the service.

Google Play Music is also accessible on a wide range of devices, including Android and iOS devices, as well as Chromecast and Sonos speakers.