When a hospitality operator starts looking for a professional music solution, they quickly encounter two different approaches.
One offers a catalog—access to millions of songs, management tools, freedom of choice.
The other offers a system—curated music, defined structure, less choice but more consistency.
At first glance, the catalog sounds better. More options. More flexibility. But that comparison misses something important.
The question nobody asks
“Does a restaurant or hotel actually need access to a hundred million songs?”
In most hospitality spaces:
- Guests don’t come to listen to music — they come to eat, stay, relax
- Music shouldn’t draw attention — recognizable songs interrupt the experience
- Consistency matters more than choice — a space needs character, not karaoke
A large catalog means a large choice. But a large choice also means a large responsibility—someone must choose. Someone must know what to select, when, for which space.
If that knowledge exists internally, a catalog makes sense.
If it doesn’t, a catalog becomes a burden.
Two different approaches
| Aspect | Platform | System |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Gives you tools and a catalog | Gives you a ready solution |
| Music selection | User picks songs | Curated music |
| Flexibility | Maximum | Limited |
| Management time | Requires ongoing effort | Minimal |
| Knowledge required | Internal music expertise | Not required |
| Consistency | Depends on user | Built-in |
Basic comparison of platforms and systems for music
The platform philosophy
A platform gives you a tool.
It gives you access to music. Technical infrastructure. The ability to control what plays.
But decisions are on you:
- What to play at 9 AM versus 9 PM
- How to create transitions between zones
- Which tempo fits the restaurant versus the lobby
- What to do when the playlist “gets old”
The system philosophy
A system gives you a solution.
It doesn’t give you endless choice. It gives you structure. Music is already curated, organized by zones, adapted to the rhythm of the day.
The user doesn’t pick individual songs. The user defines the character of the space, and the system translates that into actual music.
Less flexibility. But also fewer decisions. Less room for error.
Thinking in zones
Both types of solutions can manage zones—lobby, restaurant, wellness can have different music.
The difference is who defines what plays in each zone.
| Zone management | Platform | System |
|---|---|---|
| Defining zones | You set them up | Pre-defined |
| Music selection per zone | Your decision | Curated for the role |
| Hotel with 5 zones | 5 decisions to make | 5 zones that work |
| Customization | Complete freedom | Within a framework |
How platforms and systems approach zone management
Adapting to daily rhythm
Music at 7 AM and music at 9 PM shouldn’t be the same. Most professional solutions recognize this.
Platforms automate changes. You can set music to change by hour or schedule.
Systems anticipate behavior. Changes are designed around how guests behave at different times of day, not just the clock on the wall.
A subtle difference. But in practice it means: one approach follows the clock, the other follows the rhythm of the space.
Human curation vs. algorithm
Platforms with large catalogs often use algorithms for recommendations. “Based on what you’ve listened to, we suggest…”
This works well for personal listening. For a business space—less so.
Human curation is slower and more expensive. But in the hospitality context—more precise.
The legal dimension
Both types of solutions offer legal security. Music is licensed for commercial use. PRO obligations remain, but the music source is legal.
The difference is how much the user must think about it.
Assumes user understands context
Actively removes gray areas
Systems actively remove gray areas. Documentation is clear, responsibility defined, questions resolved in advance.
For someone who wants peace of mind, that’s a relevant difference.
The price question
Comparing price without context leads to wrong conclusions.
Platforms charge for access. You get tools and a catalog. Your time, knowledge, and decisions aren’t factored in.
Systems charge for a solution. You get functional music without constant management. Time you don’t spend on decisions is implicitly included.
When a platform makes sense
A platform is a good choice if:
- You have internal music expertise — someone on the team understands how music works in a space
- You want maximum control — being able to choose every song matters to you
- You like experimenting — trying different approaches is part of the process
- You’re ready to take responsibility — if something doesn’t work, you’ll fix it
Many hotels and restaurants with strong F&B teams prefer this approach. They have people who can manage music as part of the overall experience.
When a system makes sense
A system is a good choice if:
- You don’t have time to manage music — it’s nobody’s primary responsibility
- You want consistency — the space needs stable character without fluctuations
- You value peace of mind — music should be a solved problem, not an ongoing concern
- You prefer a solution over a tool — you want results, not process
Many smaller hotels and restaurants prefer this approach. They don’t have resources for constant management, but they want professional atmosphere.
There is no “better” approach
A platform is a tool for those who want to create. A system is a solution for those who want results.
Both have their place. The question is what fits your way of working.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, in both cases. Both platforms and systems solve the music source, but your PRO license for public performance remains your obligation.
Some operators use a system for most spaces and a platform for specific zones where they want more control. This can make sense, but increases management complexity.
A system is probably the better choice. A platform without knowledge of how to use it can result in music that doesn’t fit the space or audience.
Not necessarily. When you factor in time needed to manage a platform, total cost can be similar or even lower with a system.
Ask yourself: do you want to control the music, or do you want music to be handled? The answer will point you toward the right approach.