Streaming music, or more commonly, streaming audio, is a method of delivering audio content directly to your device without having to download files from the Internet. Music services like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music use this method to deliver songs that you can listen to on all types of devices.

In the past, if you wanted to listen to music or another type of audio, you would download an audio file in a format like MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, or FLAC. However, when you use a streaming delivery method, you don’t have to download a file. You can start listening right away on a device or smart speakers.

Streaming differs from downloading in that no copy of the music is saved to your hard drive. If you want to hear it again, you can easily do so. Some paid streaming music services offer you the option of both streaming and downloading.

The requested audio file is delivered in small data packets, so the data is buffered on your computer and played immediately. As long as there is a constant stream of packets delivered to your computer, you will hear the sound without interruption.