Is Bandcamp or Spotify free?

Both can be used for free. Bandcamp: Free. Spotify: Free plan, paid from $11 a month.

Do I need to install Bandcamp or Spotify?

No. Both run in a web browser, so you can open either one and start. Spotify can also be installed to a home screen or dock if you like.

Price, ratings and what each one does, side by side. Every fact here comes from their listings on Linkstore.

Buy music and merch straight from the artists.

Stream music and podcasts in the web player.

Bandcamp

Spotify

Stream full albums, then pay the artist directly. A fair share of each sale goes to the people who made it.

The full Spotify library in a tab: playlists, podcasts and your library, with no app to install.

Apps that do a similar job, closest matches first.

SoundCloud
Hear new tracks from independent artists first.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Suno
Make a full song, vocals included, from a short prompt.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Udio
Describe a song and get a finished track with vocals.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Apple Music
Stream songs, albums and playlists in the browser.
Music & AudioNewPaid
Open
YouTube Music
Songs, albums and music videos from YouTube.
Music & AudioNewFreemium
Open
Learning Music
Learn the basics of making music right in the browser.
Music & AudioNewFree
Open