Music streaming services use in Germany 2013-2020

An increasing share of internet users were accessing music streaming services in Germany, with 57 percent doing so in 2020. In 2013, this share had amounted to only nine percent.

Just a streamer

Music streaming services usually offer a choice between free music streaming, which may include more ads being played and access to less of the available music catalogue, and paid streaming. In terms of age group distribution among users, those aged 20-29 and 30-39 used paid streaming the most, while free consumption was most popular in the 10-19 age group. Based on another survey, 37 percent of respondents used only free-of-charge music streaming with ads instead of making digital audio purchases. Some of the most popular music genres among German listeners were rock and pop.

Apps and revenue

Music streaming services are often accessed via an app on a mobile device. The most downloaded music and audio apps in the Google Play Store were Amazon Music and Spotify. The market is a lucrative one, with Digital music sales revenue has grown noticeably in Germany, at around 1.5 billion euros generated in 2021.