Compare the Best Music for Business
Compare top music for business providers for any budget
Compare the top music providers for your business.
Select your top 2-3 choices to learn more.
Choose the perfect, fully-licensed provider for you.
Top Business For Business Providers:
| Provider | Starting Monthly Price | Free Trial Available | Popular Artists | No Ads | Sonos Compatibility | Centralized Control | Spotify Import | Apple Music Import | Music Player Hardware | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $29 | Learn More | ||||||||
 Rockbot | $25 | Learn More | ||||||||
SoundMachine
| $26.95 | Learn More | ||||||||
 Soundsuit | $32 | Learn More | ||||||||
 Pandora CloudCover | $16.95 | Learn More | ||||||||
 Mood Media | $15.30 | Learn More | ||||||||
 Jukeboxy | $26.99 | Learn More | ||||||||
Pandora for Business by Mood Media
| $26.95 | Learn More |
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A Small Business Owner's Guide to Music for Business
Finding the right music for business can feel overwhelming. However, it really boils down to a few key choices. This guide will walk you through the most important factors, from legal needs to hardware. As a result, you can make an informed choice from the providers in our comparison tool.
1. Music Licensing: Your Top Priority
First, you must know that using personal accounts like Spotify or Apple Music in your business is illegal. Those services are only licensed for personal use. In fact, playing them in a commercial space breaks copyright law.
Consequently, this can expose your business to large fines. These fines can start at $750 per song.
A proper music for business provider solves this whole problem. These services pay all the complex licensing fees for you. As a result, you get a 100% legal, ad-free music library. You can finally play music with complete peace of mind.
(Learn more about legal requirements on our Licensed Music for Business page.)
2. Playback Options: How to Play Your Music
Next, you need to decide how to play the music. Your choice depends on your current setup and budget.
- Mobile & Tablet Apps: This is the most flexible option. You can simply use a phone or tablet you already own. Just connect it to your sound system and use the provider’s app.
- Web Player: This is a great choice if you use a computer or a Point-of-Sale (POS) system. The music for business plays right from a tab in your browser.
- Dedicated Music Player: This is a small “set it and forget it” box. You plug it into your sound system and the internet. While it is the most reliable, hands-off solution, it may have an extra cost.
(Dive into the pros and cons on our Streaming Music Playback page.)
3. The Music Library: Finding Your Vibe
The music for business you play defines your brand’s vibe. In fact, the right soundtrack can boost sales and keep customers in your store longer.
Therefore, when you compare providers, think about these points:
- Curated Playlists: Do you want stations that are ready to play, or do you want to build your own?
- Artist Variety: Do you need top-tier, popular artists? Or is a large library of independent music a better fit?
- Importing: Some services let you import Spotify or Apple Music playlists. This can get you started quickly.
- Seasonal Music: A good service should also make it easy to find holiday and seasonal music.
(Find out more on our Music for Business Types page.)
4. Subscription Plans & Pricing Options
Pricing for music for business is usually straightforward. Most providers will offer a few options:
- Free Trials: Almost all services offer a free trial (from 7 to 30 days). This lets you test their features with no risk.
- Monthly Plans: These plans offer the most flexibility. You can usually cancel at any time.
- Annual Plans: You can often save 10-30% by paying for a year upfront. However, this does require a larger one-time payment..
(Compare the benefits on our Music for Business Plans page.)
5. Managing Locations and Zones
Your plan may also change if you have complex needs. For example, do you have more than one location? If so, you will need a subscription for each one.
The key difference is how you manage them:
- Centralized Control: Some providers offer one main dashboard. From here, you can control the music and schedules for all locations. This is perfect for a consistent brand sound.
- Independent Management: Other services are simpler. They focus on managing each location one by one in the store.
Additionally, you may have “zones.” A zone is when you need different music in different parts of one location (like a lobby and a bar). You will need a separate subscription for each zone.
(Learn more on our Multiple Business Locations page.)
6. Try Before You Buy with Free Trials
Finally, the best way to find the perfect music for business is to try the services yourself. Since most providers offer a free trial, you can sign up for two or three today. This lets you compare their music libraries and see which app is easiest to use. Best of all, there’s no risk. It’s the only way to be 100% confident you’ve picked the right one.
Check out our Comparison tool above to quickly find your best options!
Your Questions About Music for Business, Answered
Why can't I just use my personal Spotify (or Apple Music) account for my business?
Personal streaming accounts are licensed for private, non-commercial use only. Their terms of service and copyright law strictly forbid using them in a commercial or public setting (like a store, cafe, or office). Business music services provide the specific public performance licenses required to legally play music for your customers.
What are public performance licenses (e.g., ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)?
These are organizations (called Performing Rights Organizations or PROs) that represent songwriters and music publishers. By law, any business that "publicly performs" music must pay these organizations royalties. A "public performance" includes playing music for customers or even just for your employees.
Do these business music services cover all the necessary licensing fees?
Yes, they do. This is their primary benefit. The subscription fee you pay to a business music provider includes all royalties owed to organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and others. This bundles all the complex licensing into one simple payment and protects you from any legal risk.
How much does a music for business subscription usually cost?
Plans are very affordable, especially compared to the risk of fines. Most providers offer plans that start around $25 - $40 per month for a single location. We recommend checking our comparison table above for the most up-to-date pricing and features for each service.
Do these services play commercials or ads?
No. All of the professional services we list are 100% ad-free. This ensures your customers get a seamless, professional, and uninterrupted listening experience that stays on-brand.
Can I create my own playlists or choose specific songs?
It depends on the provider and plan. All services offer expertly-curated, genre-based stations. Many of the providers in our table also offer features to create your own custom playlists, import song lists, and even get help from a music curator to design the perfect sound for your brand.
Is it possible to block explicit songs or artists?
Yes. Every service we recommend provides only "clean," family-friendly, or radio-edited versions of songs, so you never have to worry about explicit lyrics. Most also give you the ability to easily block specific songs or artists you don't want to play.
What kind of hardware or equipment do I need to play the music?
Most services are very flexible. You can easily stream from any smartphone, tablet (iOS or Android), or computer (PC/Mac). Many providers also offer dedicated, "plug-and-play" streaming players that connect directly to your sound system for reliable all-day playback.
Are there long-term contracts, or can I cancel anytime?
This varies by provider. Some services offer flexible month-to-month billing that you can cancel anytime. Others may offer a significant discount if you sign up for an annual contract. Be sure to check the "Contract Terms" column in our comparison table to find the option that works best for you.