Music streaming has completely transformed how Americans listen to music. In 2025, more than 89% of people in the US (ages 12+) report listening to online audio in a typical month, and 100 million paid music subscriptions are active nationwide.
Streaming alone now generates 84% of the entire US music industry’s revenue, making it the core of how labels, artists, and fans connect.
Spotify remains the most popular music streaming platform in the US in 2025, used by 35% of Americans in a typical month. YouTube Music follows closely at 28%, then Pandora (17%), Apple Music (16%), Amazon Music (15%), iHeartRadio (9%), and SoundCloud (6%).
These numbers are drawn from Edison Research’s Infinite Dial 2025 study, one of the most trusted reports on digital media usage in the United States.
The rankings show a market that is highly competitive at the top, with Spotify dominating but YouTube Music rapidly closing the gap. Apple Music and Amazon Music both remain strong, while Pandora continues to hold on to a dedicated, though shrinking,radio-style audience.
Streaming in Numbers
| Metric | 2025 Value |
| % of Americans 12+ who listened to online audio in the last month | 89% (~228M people) |
| % of Americans 12+ who listened in the last week | 73% (~210M people) |
| Paid music subscriptions in the US (2024) | 100 million |
| Recorded music industry revenue (2024) | $17.7B |
| Share of revenue from streaming | 84% |
Overall Rankings by Monthly Usage (US, 2025)
| Rank | Platform | % of Americans (12+) Listening Monthly |
| 1 | Spotify | 35% |
| 2 | YouTube Music | 28% |
| 3 | Pandora | 17% |
| 4 | Apple Music | 16% |
| 5 | Amazon Music | 15% |
| 6 | iHeartRadio | 9% |
| 7 | SoundCloud | 6% |
1. Spotify: Still the Market Leader
Spotify continues to hold the crown as the most popular streaming service in the US. Not only do 35% of Americans 12+ use Spotify monthly, but among all online-audio listeners, 34% say Spotify is their primary platform, meaning it’s their daily go-to.
| Metric | Value |
| US monthly reach (12+) | 35% |
| “Used most often” (primary choice) | 34% |
| Global monthly active users | 696M |
| Global paying subscribers | 276M |
| Core features | On-demand music, podcasts, audiobooks |
Spotify’s success comes from personalization, playlist curation, and multi-device integration. From curated mixes like Discover Weekly to exclusive podcast deals, it keeps users engaged beyond just music.
Its global scale gives it leverage to continue investing in features, and in the US, it remains the benchmark for music streaming.
2. YouTube Music: The Fastest Riser
YouTube Music has grown into the second most popular service in the US, used monthly by 28% of Americans. Among online-audio users, 21% name it as their most-used service, a figure that’s climbing year after year.
| Metric | Value |
| US monthly reach (12+) | 28% |
| “Used most often” share | 21% |
| Global subscribers (Premium + Music) | 125M (2025, incl. trials) |
| Core strengths | Video-music integration, live performances, remixes |
What sets YouTube Music apart is its integration with the main YouTube platform. Fans can switch between music videos and audio tracks seamlessly.
For younger audiences, YouTube is already where they consume most media, so adopting its music app feels natural. With 125M+ paying subscribers worldwide, it has become Spotify’s strongest competitor.
And because so many people listen while traveling or in regions where catalogs differ, many subscribers rely on tools like an iphone vpn to unlock their playlists and maintain access across borders.
This flexibility makes YouTube Music especially appealing to younger, mobile-first users who want their music to travel with them.
3. Pandora: The Radio Veteran
Pandora is no longer the giant it once was, but it still holds a unique place. 17% of Americans 12+ use Pandora monthly, and 13% consider it their main platform. That makes it the #3 service in reach, even as its growth has slowed.
| Metric | Value |
| US monthly reach (12+) | 17% |
| “Used most often” share | 13% |
| Estimated monthly active users | ~40M |
| Core strengths | Personalized radio, passive listening, strong in-car use |
Pandora thrives in lean-back listening situations: in cars, at work, and in environments where people don’t want to actively choose every track.
Its algorithmic radio stations still have loyal fans, but compared to on-demand competitors, its relevance continues to decline.
4. Apple Music: Premium but Niche
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Apple Music remains a powerhouse among paying subscribers, but its overall US reach sits at 16% monthly. Among online-audio listeners, 13% use it as their primary service.
| Metric | Value |
| US monthly reach (12+) | 16% |
| “Used most often” share | 13% |
| Ecosystem strength | Deep integration with iOS, HomePod, Apple Watch |
| Features | Lossless, spatial audio, curated editorial playlists |
Apple Music appeals strongly to iPhone users and audiophiles who value sound quality and curated playlists.
Its decision to remain a paid-only service limits its total reach, but its premium focus ensures a stable, loyal subscriber base.
5. Amazon Music: Built on Prime
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Amazon Music reaches 15% of Americans 12+ monthly, though only 8% consider it their main service.
Its strength lies in being bundled with Amazon Prime, giving tens of millions of households access without an extra subscription.
| Metric | Value |
| US monthly reach (12+) | 15% |
| “Used most often” share | 8% |
| Bundling advantage | Prime members get limited free access |
| Features | On-demand, Alexa integration, Echo smart speaker tie-in |
Amazon Music often isn’t the first choice for heavy music fans, but it’s widely used because of convenience and price.
For many Prime households, it’s a “good enough” option, especially when paired with smart speakers.
6. iHeartRadio: Radio Meets Streaming
iHeartRadio is used by 9% of Americans monthly and remains a hybrid platform that blends live radio, curated stations, and podcasts. About 5% of online-audio users call it their main service.
| Metric | Value |
| US monthly reach (12+) | 9% |
| “Used most often” share | 5% |
| Core strengths | Local radio access, branded festivals, and podcast integration |
iHeartRadio’s edge is that it’s not just a music app; it’s also the digital extension of thousands of live radio stations.
Its role is less about music discovery and more about keeping traditional radio relevant in the streaming era.
7. SoundCloud: Niche but Culturally Vital
SoundCloud has 6% monthly reach in the US, smaller than other services but still significant. Unlike most platforms, it’s known for creator-first content,independent artists, remixes, and underground music that may never appear on Spotify or Apple Music.
| Metric | Value |
| US monthly reach (12+) | 6% |
| “Used most often” | Not broken out separately |
| Core audience | Indie fans, electronic/hip-hop communities, DIY creators |
| Strengths | Remixes, early access to emerging artists, grassroots feel |
While SoundCloud’s audience is modest, its cultural influence is massive.
Many breakout artists, including Post Malone and Chance the Rapper, started here.
What the Numbers Tell Us
- Spotify dominates both in total reach and as the platform most people call their “home base.”
- YouTube Music is growing fast, fueled by video integration and global subscription growth.
- Radio-style platforms like Pandora and iHeart still matter, but their share is shrinking as younger users prefer on-demand services.
- Apple and Amazon succeed by leveraging ecosystems: Apple with its iOS users, Amazon with Prime households.
- Smaller platforms like SoundCloud remain essential for niche music communities even without mass adoption.
For creators and businesses, music platforms don’t just connect fans and artists; they also open up a wide range of digital platforms, earning avenues that extend far beyond streaming alone.
Conclusion
In 2025, the US music landscape is clear: streaming is the center of the industry, and within streaming, Spotify sets the pace.
YouTube Music is closing in quickly, Pandora holds on to radio fans, and Apple and Amazon carve out loyal bases tied to their ecosystems.
Meanwhile, iHeart and SoundCloud continue to serve important but smaller audiences.
For everyday listeners, this means one thing: no matter what kind of music fan you are,playlist-driven, radio-loyal, indie-focused, or video-first, there’s a major platform competing to serve your needs.