Napster test: What must the exchange provide?

Music service under the microscope

At the turn of the new century, Napster was notorious-behind its name was the illegal exchange of MP3s. However, the times have passed. Napster has been a legitimate music service for many years, hoping to become infamous in the highly competitive streaming media market. We will clarify whether this is effective in the test.

table of Contents

1. Prices, packages and payment methods
   

   1. Current promotion
      

2. Supported platforms and devices
   

3. Music selection
   

4. Audiobooks and radio dramas
   

5. podcast
   

6. User interface, discover music
   

7. Sound quality
   

8. Extra features
   

9. Advantages compared to other services
   

10. in conclusion
    

There are now many music streaming services. The most popular are still Spotify and Apple Music. But many other platforms are competing for the favor of paying listeners. Deezer, Google or Tidal ’s Play Music provides subscribers with millions of songs. The previous Napster MP3 switch has also been on the market as a legitimate streaming provider for many years, and has many additional features. We have carefully studied music services and clarified whether Napster can convince music streaming services.

Overview of important information:

• Over 60 million songs, radio dramas and audio books
• Easily find radio dramas and audiobooks
• Special automatic mode
• Child mode, suitable for children's entertainment
• Headphone calibration function

Prices, packages and payment methods

Napster offers two music streaming services at different prices. However, there are no free ad-funded versions, such as Spotify or Deezer. You can test the service for 30 days according to industry practice. There is a difference between a "fixed music rate" subscription of EUR 8 per month and a "fixed music rate + mobile" subscription of EUR 10 per month. Both software packages have full access to the Napster music catalog via smartphones and tablets, as the name suggests, the latter. In addition, only the more expensive versions can use home entertainment equipment and cars provided by partner car manufacturers.

Unfortunately, there are few family tariff discounts or student tariffs for members. Only in offline mode can you stream in parallel on multiple devices. You can register three mobile devices in Napster. There is no condition for using the network player. The offline mode on the PC can be used for up to three computers. Until a few years ago, Napster also cooperated with mobile phone provider O2. Customers can book Napster subscriptions there for 7.99 euros per month. At the same time, the quote is no longer available for booking, but it is still part of some old contracts. If you have such a rate, please keep in mind that Napster Flat will automatically terminate after changing the rate and you cannot rebook.

Current promotion

In addition to Napster, you can also book Napster's Aldi live music. The music service of the discount store is almost Napster, but the name is different-only 8 euros per month, not 10 euros. The cooperation between the two companies also makes this possible. You can use Aldi live music on your PC and smartphone or tablet. Therefore, the offer corresponds to Napster's "music fixed rate + mobile phone". Napster currently also provides a three-month music streaming service for a one-time fee of 1 euro. Just visit the linked operation page.

Supported platforms and devices

Napster can be used as an app for Android and iOS. There is also a separate player on the Windows desktop. You can also use Napster through a web browser. Napster can also be used in conjunction with multi-room systems. Supports systems from Sonos, Raumfeld, Samsung, Yamaha or Bose manufacturers. The manufacturer also works with BMW, Mini and Audi, which provides application support in their vehicles. For compatible game consoles, it is currently limited to Wii U and Xbox360. If you want to use Napster with a streaming player, you can use the corresponding Chromecast model of Google or AirPlay. Smart TV apps are available for LG, Samsung, Philips or Panasonic TVs.

Music selection

At the time of testing, Napster provided access to approximately 60 million titles. Regarding choices, providers do not have to avoid market-leading competitors such as Spotify, Deezer or Apple Music. In most cases, the search query can reach the goal, only an artist (for example, a defined print) or an album that few people know (for example, the only post-death rapper Kadafi you may not necessarily find on Napster) . However, this also applies to all other music streaming services we have tested.

Unlike Apple Music, Deezer or Google Play Music, songs from your own music collection cannot be added to the music library. If you want to continue listening to your own music, all that remains is to use a separate music application.

Audiobooks and radio dramas

In addition to music, Napster also provides various audio books and radio programs. The service here is exemplary. You can find a separate category of language content in the "Channel" area, or you can find the language content on the start page of the application. You can filter your choices by "fiction", "crime thriller", "science fiction and fantasy", "non-fiction", "children and teenagers" and "humor". Of course, you should not expect to get the latest bestsellers, because like other services, these are only available as paid versions on other platforms. However, this offer is impressive and offers various audiobooks and radio programs. Bibi Blocksberg, TKKG, three friends or Benjamin Blümchen are suitable for children and young children.

podcast

Some music services (such as Spotify) also integrate podcasts into their streaming applications. You must not use these in Napster. The music service only provides music, audiobooks and radio dramas.

User interface, discover music

The user interface is very useful. The navigation bar on the desktop can always be shown or hidden. The search function saves the last query and provides suitable suggestions for artists, tracks, recommended playlists or other listeners as you type. This is how you browse the catalog. Napster cannot do many things with spelling mistakes. You can find information about newly introduced features and version changes from the additional designated information center.

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You can store your favorite music through red hearts under favorites or save as file. You can quickly create your own playlist and provide your own pictures. The most recently played music can also be quickly found in the corresponding designated area, as well as the personal leaderboard with the most played tracks. On the detail page, for example for certain artists, you can quickly move between the categories of "Top Tracks", "Albums" or "Similar Artists". All in all, Napster is a well-considered user guide, but Web players, desktop clients, and mobile applications (especially as a novice) all seem to be a bit overloaded. Therefore, you should plan for a specific familiarization phase.

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You can create radio stations based on personal songs, called "channels" on Napster. You can save it and view it in a separate menu at any time. You can also set the size of the change here, that is, whether the suggested title may be significantly different from the original singer or song. In tests, this did not always work, and sometimes the track played did not match the original song. If you do n’t know what to listen to next, Napster offers many other ways to discover new music. For example, through predefined playlists based on different music styles or moods.

Another option inspired is networking with other Napster users. Links to other listeners appear in many areas of the Napster music catalog. For example, you can control user profiles, and the musical tastes of these user profiles will have a certain impact on your preferences. You can then find more music here. A very promising method to save one or another music treasure in a large range of 60 million title catalogs.

Sound quality

At Napster, you can stream in three quality levels in AAC + or AAC format. This also applies to downloads using smartphones or tablets. In terms of the sound quality delivered, Napster is comparable to competitor suppliers. Overall, you can choose from three streaming quality levels for desktop and mobile devices. The highest level works at 320 kb per second. If you are looking for a streaming service with CD quality, you can use Tidal, Deezer or Amazon Music HD. Using these providers, you can stream in uncompressed FLAC format.

Extra features

Napster is at a good level in terms of functionality. Equalizer, fade-in or fade-out mode is part of the provider's standard track. However, you must have no lyrics or music videos. If you plan to move to Napster, you can use the Napster playlist tool to transfer playlists. Successful import from Spotify or Deezer. In the special article linked below, we will explain how the entire process works with other providers.

Napster also provides two very useful application functions, called "children" and "automatic". As the name suggests, the first feature mentioned is aimed at young listeners. An area different from the main catalog, which contains specially customized content, such as audiobooks or music. However, songs or albums can also be assigned to corresponding categories from the main catalog. The automatic mode is specially designed for listening to music in the car. Menu navigation has been greatly simplified, the buttons are much larger than conventional ones, and should allow for particularly simple control of the application without distracting the driver's attention unnecessarily.

Napster uses the "earprint" feature to collect another plus point. Here, you can use headphones to perform hearing tests and play music to make it fit your ears. For example, it will then increase the frequency that you do not feel in the test.

Advantages compared to other services

What is the difference between Napster now? What are the advantages compared to other music streaming services? Below we summarize the unique selling points of the former exchange:

• Child mode, suitable for children's entertainment
• Automatic mode makes vehicle operation easier
• Earhook headphone calibration function
• Connect with other Napster users
• Audiobooks are easy to find