The Ultimate Guide to Vinyl Record Subscription Services

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The return of vinyl records has reinvigorated music fans to collect and grow their music collections in the form of physical media. With resurgence in vinyl records in the past few years, many vinyl record subscription services have emerged to satisfy eager vinyl collectors. Each subscription service offers something exclusive and unique every month. Few of the services offer reissues of older releases with renewed artwork, while some are offering exclusive vinyl releases available only through them.

The key to keep the subscriber engaged on their platform is for the subscription service to cater to the individual’s musical taste. The subscription services are tackling these challenges in different ways. While some of them connect to Spotify or Discogs to get your music preferences, some of them use human curators to come up with releases.

In this article, I’ve tried to list some of the top rated vinyl record subscription services to help you make the correct choice.

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. 

Vinyl Me, Please

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In the past few years, Vinyl Me, Please has grabbed top rank due to its amazing services. VMP subscription plans start at $46 per month and becomes cheaper per month as you commit for longer term. Each month you will receive deluxe edition records, along with custom lyrics inserts, colored discs, and exclusive vinyl artwork.

VMP offers five tracks to choose from based on your musical taste. The Classics tracks is for fans of Soul, Blues & Jazz. The most popular track Essentials caters to wider audience as it spans across genres and eras. The Essentials track also includes Collectible Art Print not offered with other tracks. The Hip-Hop track offers everything from old-school hip hop to latest music. A Country classics track for the best of now Country music. And the newly added Rock track for the Classic Rock to Heavy Metal music fans. 
 
If you are not sure of which track to go with, VMP offers an option to swap out with one of the past records of the month. VMP is very flexible and provide an option to switch tracks or swap for a record every month. This is very helpful if you already own the record or do not like the album or music.
 
Pros:
  • VMP is one of the most popular vinyl subscription service
  • VMP offers different options to suit customer’s musical preferences
  • Flexibility to swap out current record with one of the older ones
  • Exclusive artwork and print not available anywhere else
Cons:
  • The monthly plan is more expensive than other services
  • May not be able to support very specific genre of music

Vnyl.org

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VNYL.ORG (without the I) is a vinyl subscription service which offers probably the lowest priced plans amongst all the others. VNYL offers 4 different plans depending on the number of records you’d like to receive per month. The plans range from $22 per month to $39 per month.
 
VNYL uses your member profile and your Spotify account to generate your monthly records. You can opt for predetermined releases or go with the curated ones. VNYL staff picks records based on your musical taste and ships them with hand written notes why they chose the records.
 
VNYL offers unsigned artists an opportunity to press their albums exclusively via their platform.
 
Pros:
  • VNYL offers the lowest priced plan compared to other services
  • Choice of receiving 1 or 3 records per month
  • Hand picked records based on your musical taste with personalized notes
  • Uses Spotify, Discogs and profile data to curate monthly releases
  • Unsigned artists can get exposure via VNYL platform
Cons:
  • Did not find any exclusive or collectible artwork with each release

Vinyl Moon

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If you are looking for latest music recommendations from a wide variety of artists, Vinyl Moon has the best solution for your needs.

Vinyl Moon has a unique approach to serving music to its customers. Rather than releasing full length albums, Vinyl Moon releases “mixtapes” from best new music combined with original artwork. Each release comes with a stunning artwork created by visual artists to create a fully immersive vinyl experience. The mixtape is curated from the best new music in Indie-Rock, Indie-Pop, Alt-Dance, Electronic, Beat Tape, and more.
The cost of a Vinyl Moon subscription ranges between $31 and $34 per month. Each month package includes colored vinyl, ultra deluxe record packing, reusable outer sleeves and exclusive artwork.
Pros:
  • Provides “mixtape” option to explore more artists and songs instead of single one
  • Listen to best and latest music from across the globe
  • Exclusive artwork created by visual artists
  • Cheaper subscription rates compared to VMP
Cons:
  • If you like to collect albums rather than mix of songs, then this is not for you.
  • Does not offer a wide range of music genres
  • Every mix is created by VM founder Brandon Bogajewicz which causes dependency on him to release each month.

Turntable Kitchen

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Those who have a deep love for music, as well as food, I’d recommend to try a Turntable Kitchen subscription. This vinyl record subscription service offers impressive music discovery and curated food experience, right at your door.

Subscribers associated with this service have various choices. A monthly delivery of a 7-inch vinyl, custom digital mixtape along with top-rated seasonal recipes having few premium ingredients. The other option is receive limited edition full length albums along with digital downloads. If you are into coffee, you’ll like the third option of receiving 12oz artisan coffee along with a collectible 7 inch record.
So, if you are willing to listen to the best records while dancing around the stove, you should go ahead with a Turntable Kitchen subscription. You can get this Sound Delicious box with a payment of $25 per month; however, the coffee + vinyl combination is available at $30.
Pros:
  • If you are into vinyl and food, this is match made in heaven
  • Turntable Kitchen offers different food pairing options with premium ingredients
  • Offers digital downloads for listening on the go
  • Subscription cost is not too high to get started
Cons:
  • May not be offering wide variety of music genres

Amazon Vinyl Club

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Everyone’s favorite shopping platform, Amazon, now offers a vinyl record subscription service called Vinyl of the Month Club subscription.

Amazon’s Vinyl of the Month Club offers vinyl subscription for Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop and Country genres for $32.99 each. The experts at Amazon Music selectively pick each monthly release. The unique thing about this subscription is the price varies per month depending on the release but will never exceed $32.99. Each month you will receive a notification from Amazon about the album and price.
The good part of this subscription is the flexibility to skip the subscription for a month at any time. Moreover, in case you don’t like the records, you can ask for a full refund from the company. Other than this, Amazon also covers the shipping price for the delivery of records every month.
Pros:
  • Amazon’s reliable customer service
  • Ability to cancel or skip monthly release
  • Free returns for new and unused records.
Cons:
  • Unpredictable monthly charges
  • Need to keep track of charges as well as releases each month
  • Can be expensive if you subscribe to more than one genre

Cratejoy Vinyl Record Club

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Those who love subscription boxes might have heard about Cratejoy. This website is loaded with a huge collection of unique subscription boxes, but people have a special attraction toward Vinyl Record Club subscription that starts with a payment of $32.08 per box. You will be happy to hear that all these records have original collections with VG grades. 

Once you subscribe to their record club, you will gain access to six original vintage LPs that are provided via mail every month. But this package doesn’t include some random collections; rather, you will access some top-rated old records containing genres of your choice with some classic options such as Folk, Country, Southern, Funk, Soul, Classic Rock, the 1960s-80s, Musicals, Disco, Hip-Hop, Dance, DJ, Jazz, Pop, Bands, Vocals, and Blues. 

The records are packed in a hard cardboard box and delivered to your door. The service guarantees the records will not skip and are in playable and presentable condition.

Pros:
  • Original vinyl records delivered in VG condition
  • Wide range of genre selection including movies, soundtracks and musicals
  • Very low price per vinyl record (almost $5 per record)
Cons:
  • Records are not in mint condition

Black Box Record Club

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Are you interested to gain access to the most premium collection of vinyl to meet your taste? You can try Black Box Record Club’s subscription box that keeps on sending two specialized records to the subscribers every month. Along with the premium LPs, are included custom merch items such as stickers, note cards and art prints. You also get exclusive access to members only giveaways which include free vinyl records, accessories and audio gear.

In order to get vinyl records as per your musical taste, you would need to connect the service to your Spotify account. In case you do not have a Spotify account to connect, then also you will be able to sign up by filling out a taste profile survey or provide your Discogs handle. They use your streaming history and unique tastes to curate each shipment.

Pros:
  • Receive 2 LPs catered to your musical taste
  • Extra membership perks including free vinyl, audio gear etc.
  • Exchange record for another one if you already own it
Cons:
  • Pricer compared to other services
  • Exploring genres outside of Spotify history is minimal

Magnolia Record Club

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Curated by Artists, Not Robots, Magnolia Record Club provides a unique vinyl listening experience. It allows subscribers to discover new music from people they trust. The club covers genres from Classics, Indie Rock, Pop, Folk, Americana to Country. 

Magnolia Record Club stands out from the rest of the services due to its unique curation process. The service partners with artists for their recommendations which are then released each month. Past curators have included artists such as Brandi Carlile, Julien Baker, Lucius, Rayland Baxter and Josh Ritter.
With plans starting from $30 per month, the club offers free US domestic shipping. Along with the limited edition vinyl, the package includes a personal note from the curator and special art print. The club offers extra perks to it members such as early access to preorders, giveaways and Facebook community. The Magnolia Record Store offers turntables, speakers, audio accessories along with exclusive colored vinyl and band merch.
Pros:
  • Each release is a member exclusive, limited edition pressing
  • Curated by well known artists
  • Includes personal note, special art print with each LP
Cons:
  • Limited in genres offered every month

Frequently Asked Questions about Vinyl Record Subscription Services

How does the subscription service choose the vinyl records for each shipment?

Subscription services often employ music experts and curators who carefully select records based on your preferences. Some services connect to your Spotify or Discogs account to retrieve your listening history or provide feedback to tailor selections to your taste.

Can I skip a month or pause my subscription if needed?

Yes, almost all of subscription services offer this flexibility. You can typically skip a month, pause, or even cancel your subscription temporarily. Just make sure to skip or pause before your billing date to avoid dealing with customer service.

Can I return or exchange a record if I already own it?

Yes, almost all of the vinyl record subscription services offer this option. If you already own the record, you can exchange if for another record as long as the record is unopened and unplayed providing a hassle-free solution to ensure customer satisfaction. The service may either exchange in same or following month.

Are the vinyl records in subscription services new or used?

Most of the services offer brand new releases and/or exclusive limited editions pressings. Services like the Cratejoy Vinyl Record Club offers Original Vintage Records in VG condition.

What genres of music are usually included in the subscription services?

Subscription services often cater to a wide range of musical tastes. While some have limited options available, services like Vinyl Me Please offers something for everyone.

Are there any additional benefits or perks for subscribers?

Yes, many vinyl record subscription services offer exclusive perks to their subscribers. This may include discounts on additional purchases, early access to limited editions, or entry into giveaways for vinyl records or audio gear.

How often are the vinyl records shipped, and can I choose the frequency of shipments?

The frequency of shipments is usually monthly depending on the day you sign up. Check the subscription details to understand the shipping frequency and whether you can adjust it to your preference.

What happens if I move? Can I update my shipping address easily?

Most subscription services allow you to update your shipping address in your account settings. Make sure to notify the service in advance of any address changes to ensure your vinyl records are delivered to the correct location.

Conclusion

In conclusion, diving into the world of vinyl record subscription services adds a unique and enriching dimension to our music experiences. The carefully curated selections, exclusive releases, and the tangible charm of vinyl create a nostalgic yet contemporary journey for audiophiles. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a newcomer to the vinyl scene, these vinyl record subscription services offer a delightful way to discover, explore, and savor the timeless beauty of analog sound.

Subscription prices are up-to-date when this post was published in January 2024. This blog post is not responsible if the prices change on any of the vinyl record subscription services.