When comparing Youtube vs Mixcloud, the Slant community recommends Youtube for most people. In the question“What are the best music streaming services?” Youtube is ranked 10th while Mixcloud is ranked 16th. The most important reason people chose Youtube is:
Huge variety of music to pick from including rare recordings, covers, mixes, etc.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Large catalog of music
Huge variety of music to pick from including rare recordings, covers, mixes, etc.
Pro Community created mixes and remixes
Because anybody can upload to YouTube, it has content from remixes of popular songs to hour long mixes and everything in-between. Much of this content can't be found on other music streaming services.
Pro Really good suggestions
YouTube has some of the best suggestions around. Almost all of the suggestions are similar to the song you're currently playing, and allow for an endless music streaming service.
Pro Multiple frontends available
There are Chrome extensions (UpNext, Streamus), webapps (The Parade) and even native desktop apps (Atraci) that are all powered by Youtube. They provide additional functionality and convenience on top of what Youtube already offers.
Pro Wide & varied content
There is a massive and varied range of content across many styles, genres & vintages all easily found via tags and particularly effective recommendations.
Pro Totally Free
You're free to listen and upload as much as you like, unlike Soundcloud.
Pro Sound Quality
Music sounds crisp and punchy when streaming/playback (if you're using quality headphones/speakers).
Pro Friendly Interface
It's easy to use the simple and beautiful platform, unlike the Archive.org.
Cons
Con Confusing service for music
There is a Youtube Music app, which allows one to stream music videos as well as just the studio audio versions of songs. This feature is not accessible on the Youtube website, or the regular Youtube app.
In order to get ad free service on the site as well as the music app, ones needs to subscribe to Youtube Red for $9.99 a month. This nets the user features, such as Youtube (Google) created movies and videos as well as a way to save musical playlists for offline use, but only in the Youtube Music app. This makes for a confusing and fragmented service that requires using multiple apps, a website, and a subscription to a paid service that encompasses much more than just music, in order to get the full use out of music on Youtube.
Con Lots of ads unless you buy a subscription
There are lots of ads on YouTube, even in the middle of long songs. Some of them can be skipped, however others cannot. Most of the time ads are only displayed between songs.
Con Rips artists off
YouTube pays artists $0.0007 / play, which is less than 6 times what Spotify pays ($0.0044), and Spotify itself is criticized for ripping artists off.
Con Ambient music monetization denied
YouTube doesn't allow the monetization of the ambient musical tracks.
Con Ads even in paid Pro account
Free and Pro Accounts put ads in your content. If you don't want ads, you have to pay 6.99 USD/mo for the Premium account.
Con Engagement tools just for paid accounts
If you want to grow and monitor your audience in the platform, you'll need to sign the Pro account, which costs $15/month or $135/year.
Con Data charges by surprise
Watch out for those data charges if you're on the move.