Music Streaming App Development: Know How to Make an App Like Spotify?

The way we listen to music has evolved over the years. From vinyl records to CDs and now to music streaming apps, the music industry has come a long way. Music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music have transformed how audiences access and enjoy music. But one thing hasn’t changed: the love of listening to music.

The demand for personalized, high-quality, and convenient music experiences continues to grow, making music streaming app development a lucrative opportunity for businesses. We prefer to listen to it on the move and have an infrastructure of fast internet access and flexible storage space to support this. In fact, music streaming apps account for a whopping 89% of total music industry revenue.

In this blog, we delve into the essentials of building a music streaming app, from market trends and key features to technology stacks as well as monetization strategies.

What is a Music streaming app & How does it work?

A music streaming app allows you to search and play any music online for free, if the user wants to download the music or stream offline then a paid subscription will be required. Also; the music can be searched based on the album, genre or the artist.

The reason behind the popularity of music streaming app development:

• Quick access
• Affordability
• Unlimited storage
• Social engagement

Some other music apps category:

• The Best Music Player apps (Media Monkey)
• Top Music Identification apps ( Music ID)
• Good Music Download apps (4Shared)
• Music Making apps (SoundTrap)

Read More: How to Start You Own Video Streaming App Like Netflix?

Market Stats on Music Streaming Mobile Apps

• Music streaming services grew by 10.4% in 2023.
• Revenue from music streaming services has crossed $19 Billion Annually in 2023.
• Over 23% of music consumed is via paid music streaming.
• Video streaming accounts for 22% of the music consumption.
• Approximately 16% of the population consumes music via radio, 11% uses short videos, 9% adds supported streaming, and 9% uses music purchased (CDs, Downloaded).
• Music streaming platforms make up over 67% of the worldwide music industry revenue.
• Over 4 trillion songs were streamed in the USA in 2023.
• The top 5 nations using music streaming services are Sweden(61%), Mexico(57%), Germany(55%), USA(53%), and New Zealand (52%)

How To Create a Music Streaming App Like Spotify

The development process requires the expertise of the professional is not something one can attempt themselves. It is best to outsource it to a professional entertainment app development company like Excellent Webworld.

The process of creating a music streaming application involves several processes. This includes the initial conceptualization, picking the right business model, and obtaining the necessary music licenses initially. The process does not end after the development stage; it continues with the essential testing phase and continuous updates. Here is the process in more detail:

1. Market Research and Ideation

Start with market research to identify your target audience, competitors, and current trends. Analyze similar applications to check if you are offering something different. Decide what makes your app unique. This could be exclusive content, innovative features, or a focus on niche audiences like independent artists or specific genres.

2. Obtain Required License

Collaborate with record labels, artists, and rights management organizations to obtain the necessary licenses for streaming music legally.

3. Design an Intuitive UI/UX

The design of such an application plays a vital role in expanding the user base. Get involved in the design stage, which typically involves brainstorming and prototyping.

4. Choosing the Right Tech Stack

Use a robust and scalable tech stack to support your app’s performance and growth. This means selecting the frontend and backend technologies. It also includes determining the best cloud computing solution and APIs.

5. Music App Development Process

Find a best mobile app development company to develop your custom solution. This should ideally be done by someone with sufficient knowledge of this domain and expertise in relevant technologies like Excellent Webworld.

6. Test Your App

The added advantage of opting for Excellent Webworld is that we have a dedicated QA team to deliver flawless solutions.

7. Launch Your App and Regular Updates

Prepare the app for launch after ensuring it is compliant with local and international laws. Ensure you also sign up for regular updates to ensure you provide your users with the latest features.

Spotify Business Model Canvas

How to Monetize Your Music Streaming App?

As with any other mobile application, there are several options available to monetize your application. The one that is best for you depends largely on your priority; at times, even a combination of a few revenue systems is good:

• Subscription: Offer tiered plans to cater to different user needs. Users will usually be offered several plans to choose from. This is like a paid membership plan, which tends to be monthly, yearly, or half-yearly.
• Advertisements: Display audio, video, or banner ads in the free version of the app to generate revenue. This usually means partnering with an ad network or approaching a sponsor directly.
• Freemium Model: Provide basic features for free while locking advanced functionalities behind a paywall.
• In-app Purchases: Sell exclusive content, merchandise, or concert tickets directly within the app.
• Collaborations: Partner with brands for sponsored playlists or campaigns to reach a wider audience.
• Promotions: This is a very common marketing technique offering coupons and promotional codes that offer users the first month free in a yearly plan or a 2-month free trial. This technique helps increase the user base.

Top Features Of a Successful Mobile Streaming App Like Spotify

For an app like this, there are not as many functionalities; hence, the more features there are, the better. The obvious functionality of such an app would be streaming music and providing various features like search and share. Here are the features described below in two sections; the first one being the essential features that one would expect in every app and the other section with the more advanced features:

Essential Features For Music Streaming App

• Searching Music: Advanced search functionality allows users to find songs, albums, artists, and playlists quickly. Features like genre-based discovery and AI-driven suggestions further enhance this experience.
• Music Player: Play your favorite music using a player; this can either be individual songs or a playlist.
• AI Recommendation: Machine learning algorithms analyze user behavior to create customized playlists, making the experience unique for every listener.
• Playlist: Auto-generate popular playlists for users to play instantly, like top 100, top 50, dance hits, and 90’s hits.
• Lyrics Display: Provide the option to display the lyrics of the song being played.
• Downloading: Offline playback allows users to download songs and listen without an internet connection, a must-have feature for commuters and travelers.
• Podcast & Radio: Provide users the option to tune into radio stations as per their music interest. Also, provide a list of relevant Podcasts.
• Registration/Profile: A secure and straightforward registration and login process, often using email, social media accounts, or phone numbers.
• Music Library: A vast library of songs, albums, and podcasts is the backbone of any streaming app. Partnering with music labels and independent artists ensures a diverse collection.

Advanced Features For Music Streaming App

• Social Network: Integration with social media platforms lets users share their favorite tracks and playlists, increasing app visibility or integrating a custom social media network.
• Concert Tracking: Provide regular updates of the music concerts nearby and as per the user’s interest.
• Song Recognition: Allow users to find the details of the song based on a small audio clip.
• Music Recommendation from Other Users: Allow other users to recommend music to their friends.
• Audio Options: Offering multiple audio quality options (e.g., 128kbps, 320kbps) ensures a balance between user preferences and bandwidth consumption.
• Buy Music: Allow users to purchase premium features, exclusive tracks, or ad-free experiences directly within the app.
• Data Analytics: Provide artists and labels with detailed insights into listener behavior, track performance, and revenue metrics.
• Multi-Device Synchronization: Ability to sync music and operate music streaming accounts from multiple devices like iPhone, Android, and PC

How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Music Streaming App Like Spotify

Building a music streaming app like Spotify involves various factors. These include the app’s complexity, the features it offers, and the technology stack used:

• Development Team
• Platform Choice
• Core Features
• Third-Party Integrations
• Infrastructure
• Licensing Fees
• Size Of The Application

The cost to build an app like Spotify can range from USD 50,000 to USD 150,000. However, it will vary based on the location of the development team, the app’s complexity, and ongoing maintenance costs. Additionally, there are several variable factors, such as the use of emerging technologies, licensing, and marketing strategy.

Partnering with an experienced development company can help reduce the app development cost and assure you gain access to a top-notch solution.

Why Choose an Excellent WebWorld For a Music Streaming App Development Solution Like Spotify?

Excellent Webworld is known for its client-centric approach, maintaining open communication and collaboration throughout the development process to ensure the final product aligns with your vision. This makes us the ideal partner when it comes to developing a state-of-the-art mobile streaming service.

It is a smart decision to develop a music streaming service, but businesses often find it hard to figure out where to start. Our extensive experience in a wide range of industries, including the music industry, makes it easy for us to brainstorm your requirements and deliver the perfect solution.

Hire dedicated developers from Excellent Webworld to build your music streaming app, you can leverage our specialized expertise, comprehensive services, and commitment to delivering high-quality, customized solutions that cater to your target audience.

Frequently Asked Questions – How To Make an App Like Spotify?

Article By

Mahil Jasani

Mahil Jasani began his career as a developer and progressed to become the COO of Excellent Webworld. He uses his technical experience to tackle any challenge that arises in any department, be it development, management, operations, or finance.