Music lovers can celebrate another new music streaming service entering the Malaysian market. After the iTunes Store, Deezer, and other music streaming services, Rdio has just launched its services in Malaysia. These music streaming service allow to you play specific songs with a click of a button.
Interestingly, Rdio’s launch in Malaysia on 14th June, 2013, comes within two months of the launch of another popular music streaming service in Malaysia – Spotify. More importantly, Hong Kong and Malaysia are two of the 31 countries worldwide that can use Rdio and are the first and only two regions in Asia to get this music streaming service.
How does Rdio Stack up against other Music Streaming Services in Malaysia
Now that we have several music streaming services in Malaysia – Deezer, Spotify, Grooveshark, Rara, Rdio – which one is the best? All these music services have their pros and cons so it is up to you to choose which one you prefer.
Price Comparison: Rdio, Spotify, and Deezer in Malaysia
Rdio offers a lower-priced web version (RM 9.90 per month) and a premium/unlimited version for web streaming and mobile streaming (RM 14.90 per month). Spotify also allows you to purchase their premium web/mobile streaming version for RM14.90 per month – however, the web streaming has no price – you just need to some visual and auditory ads. Also, Rdio offers two weeks of free usage of the premium account for new users compared to 32 days offered by Spotify. There is also Deezer, but it is far more expensive.
A subscription for a Deezer premium account for desktop streaming costs US$ 9.90 (~RM 30) per month and a premium+ account for desktop and mobile and other features for US$ 14.90 per month (~ RM 45 per month).
Read More: 8 Reasons to Purchase Spotify’s Premium Version in Malaysia
Rdio Music Catalogue
Rdio has a music catalog of 20 million songs from varied international artists. This number is similar to that of Spotify and Deezer. Comparatively, Groovershark’s database of songs is smaller with just over 13 million songs.
Rdio Mobile Compatibility and Bit Rate
The Rdio app is compatible with Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows Phone mobile operating systems, which is similar to the compatibility profile of Deezer. However, Spotify is also compatible with Symbian mobile devices. Like most other music streaming services, Rdio also has a web version.
The sound quality of Rdio is not on par with that offered by Spotify or Deezer. Spotify and Deezer offer a bit rate of up to 320 kbps compared to 192 kbps offered by Rdio (according to the ReadWrite website). This difference in sound quality may not be perceptible by many users but for a monthly subscription price similar to other music streaming services, Rdio would be wise to improve its sound quality.
Other Rdio Features and Final Remarks
One of the best features of Rdio is its amazing user interface and website design. It is much better than that of Grooveshark, Spotify and Deezer. Both the web and unlimited accounts offer unlimited streaming of music. With the unlimited account, you can also listen to songs offline by syncing your phone wirelessly. However, Rdio does not allow users to import local MP3 files into the app. Thus, you can’t use the Rdio app as a music player for your existing MP3 songs, which is possible with Spotify and Deezer.
To try Rdio, visit the Rdio website here.
Have you used Rdio? What do you think? Do you prefer other music streaming services? Share a thought in the comments below.
Photo credit: Gustavo da Cunha Pimenta / Foter.com / CC BY-SA
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deezer is only RM15 .. not 30
I tried using Rdio but just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it’s because I used Spotify first. All I know is that I really like Spotify!