Microsoft brings Xbox Music to the web to better compete with Spotify

Microsoft has launched a new web-based version of its Xbox Music app, a move to take on other streaming music services such as Spotify, Rdio, and Rhapsody.

Xbox Music has been available in some form since October of last year, with apps for Xbox 360, Windows 8 PCs and tablets, Windows RT devices, and Windows Phone 8. Rumors of an Xbox Music app for the web have been swirling for a bit, but it finally is live today.

The new web app is reminiscent of the latest version of Xbox Music found in Windows 8.1 Preview. It’s quite a bare-bones experience without any music discovery features and focuses simply on your collection and the ability to search for music you know. You can also create playlists by going through search results and hitting the plus button next to a song.

Xbox Music costs $10 per month for its premium version, which includes web access. You can also use Xbox Music inside Windows 8 and Windows Phone for free.

With the recent launches of Apple’s iTunes Radio and Google Play Music All Access and the continued popularity of apps like Pandora and Spotify, the streaming music landscape is fierce. We will see how well Xbox Music will be able to compete with these services.

Check out a few more screens from the app below.