It’s hard to deny the influence these two streaming services have had on the music industry. Over the past decade, Apple Music and Spotify have changed the way we discover, share and consume music. But which one is better? Do you get more bang for your buck with one than the other?
As tech-savvy music lovers, you know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to streaming services. So, if you’re considering switching up your subscription with either Apple Music or Spotify (or both!), it pays to do a little window shopping. In this article, we’ll compare price points, features and specifics of both streaming platforms to help you decide which service is right for you.
Table of contents
Subscription Plans and Pricing: Spotify vs Apple Music
Picking the right music streaming service for you comes down to subscription plans and pricing. To help you decide, let’s compare Spotify and Apple Music.
Spotify
Spotify has several pricing tiers for both individuals and families, with its most popular tier being the Student plan at $4.99/month. For those looking for more features, Spotify Premium is available at $9.99/month, while the Premium Family Plan is available for up to 6 family members for $14.99/month.
Apple Music
Apple Music offers a single-price plan of $9.99/month for individual plans and a Family Plan for up to five family members at $14.99/month. Both plans have access to the same features as well as access to over 60 million songs from Apple Music’s library.
Overall, both Apple Music and Spotify have competitive pricing plans that offer plenty of options for music lovers of all budget levels; however, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option then Spotify’s Student Plan may be your best bet.
Music Libraries: How Big Is Spotify’s Catalog vs Apple Music?
The size of Spotify’s music library is impressive—it holds over 50 million songs, enough to keep your listening habits actively thriving for years to come. On the other hand, Apple Music also has a sizable collection of tunes with 40 million and growing.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference. Spotify offers popular music across a range of genres, with a few fun surprises thrown in from emerging artists. Apple Music has an impressive selection of classic music, along with the latest from big-name artists.
When it comes to exclusives, you’ll find special content on both music streaming services. Spotify is the exclusive home for podcasts like The Joe Budden Podcast and Dissect while Apple Music offers live shows from artists such as Adele and Taylor Swift.
So whether you are looking for something familiar or something new and trendy, you’ll have plenty to explore and consider when choosing between Spotify and Apple Music.
Music Discovery Features: How Spotify and Apple Music Suggest New Songs
Music discovery is becoming increasingly important in streaming services, and it’s one of the biggest determining factors when it comes to picking one service over the other. Both Spotify and Apple Music feature algorithms that try to present you with music that they think you’ll like, but are their music discovery features really different?
Spotify
Spotify has a powerful algorithm that allows it to recommend new tracks based on your taste. It looks at several factors, including the songs and genres you already listen to, as well as what your friends are listening to. The feature also takes into account what is popular around the world. This means you’ll never run out of new music to discover!
Apple Music
Apple Music takes a slightly different approach when it comes to suggesting new songs and artists. It doesn’t just rely on the music that you already listen to–it looks at what other Apple Music users are listening to and then suggests songs based on those preferences. Its algorithmic playlists update all the time so there’s always something new for you to discover.
Both services offer free trial periods so feel free to check them both out before investing in either one!
Playlists: Spotify’s vs Apple Music’s Curated Playlists
When it comes to playlists, you can’t go wrong with either Spotify or Apple Music. Both have dozens of well-curated, human-editable playlists, ready for you to explore and discover new music. But they still differ in some important respects.
Spotify’s Playlists
Spotify has come a long way since its early days. It now offers a variety of genre- and mood-based playlists, as well as custom ones such as Rolling Stone’s ‘Songs of the Week’ and The Guardian’s ‘Music Playlist’. You can also create your own playlists using tracks from the vast library of songs Spotify carries.
Apple Music’s Playlists
Apple Music offers its own range of human-curated playlists which are organized into ‘For You’, ‘Browse’ and ‘Radio’. In the For You section, you can find popular daily playlists such as Today’s Hits, New Music Daily and Chill Vibes. In the Browse section, you can explore each genre in depth with specific album releases or songs that fit the vibe. Last but not least, Apple Music Radio includes radio stations such as Beats1 and every genre imaginable.
At the end of the day, both services let you pick what kind of music experience you want to have. Do plenty of research before settling on one—you might just find something perfect for you!
Apps and Platforms Supported: Where You Can Use Spotify and Apple Music
You might be wondering what apps and platforms are supported by Spotify and Apple Music. No need to sweat—they both work on the devices you already use. Apple Music is available across devices like iOS, Mac, and Apple CarPlay, as well as Android and Windows computers. Spotify is available similarly, with the ability to run on iOS, Android and Windows devices.
Features That Each Service Supports:
- Apple Music: Offline playback is possible if you have a subscription plan. You can download songs so you can access them without an internet connection. You can also enjoy Beats 1 radio broadcasting station with original programming.
- Spotify: Offline playback is also an option for all subscription plans. There’s also access to podcast streaming across a variety of genres, along with a “Discover Weekly” feature that serves up suggested playlists based on the music you already listen to.
Both services support a wide variety of platforms, but depending on your preferences or device type, either may be preferable for you. Apple Music works seamlessly across all its devices while Spotify provides more personalization options like its “Discover Weekly” feature—it just depends on what you’re looking for in a music streaming service!
Additional Perks: What Else Comes With a Spotify or Apple Music Subscription?
Beyond the music streaming library and pricing, there are a few other perks that come with a Spotify or Apple Music subscription. It all boils down to what you’re looking for in terms of convenience and features.
Personalization on Spotify
Spotify allows you to customize your music library and playlist. You can categorize tracks into various genres, moods, decades, activities, etc. You can also set up personalized stations as well as create and share playlists with friends or the world. Plus, you can save music offline, so you can listen even when you don’t have an internet connection.
Artist Profiles on Apple Music
Apple Music has artist profiles where you can access exclusive content such as interviews, videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and more—all in one place. Furthermore, it’s much easier to find lyrics for songs with Apple Music than it is with Spotify. Finally, if you’re an iOS fanboy/fangirl or just looking for the simplest setup process possible (in which case iTunes is already installed on your device) then Apple Music is probably the best choice for you.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Spotify and Apple Music have some similarities, but their differences are more apparent.
For those who want to pay for music streaming services, both Spotify and Apple Music offer different pros and cons. Spotify has the edge when it comes to music library size and cost, while Apple Music provides more features, such as the ability to download music for offline listening.
So, which one is best for your needs? That depends on how much you’re willing to pay and what features you need. If you’re looking for more options, both Spotify and Apple Music have free trials so you can test them out before committing to a paid subscription.
