Spotify vs Apple Music – A Guide for Music Lovers
When choosing a music streaming service, Spotify and Apple Music are top contenders. Both offer unique features, pricing plans, and user experiences. This article breaks down the key aspects of Spotify and Apple Music to help you decide which platform best suits your needs.
You can also check out comparison between Spotify and SoundCloud by clicking here.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Pricing Plans Table
| Feature | Spotify | Apple Music |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Available (with ads & limited skips) | Not Available |
| Individual Plan | $11.99 per month | $10.99 per month |
| Student Plan (verification required) | $5.99 per month | $5.99 per month |
| Duo Plan (for 2 accounts) | $16.99 per month | Not Available |
| Family Plan (up to 6 accounts) | $19.99 per month | $16.99 per month |
| Voice Plan (limited features, Siri access only) | Not Available | $4.99 per month |
Spotify Vs Apple Music: On-Screen Lyrics
Spotify
Spotify provides on-screen lyrics for many songs as shown in the screenshot above, allowing users to sing along. This feature is available on both mobile and desktop apps, enhancing the listening experience.
Apple Music
Apple Music offers comprehensive lyrics feature that displays lyrics in real-time as shown in the screenshot above, synced with the music. This feature is available across all devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Music Quality
Spotify
Spotify streams music at a maximum of 320 kbps for Premium users, offering high-quality sound. The free tier streams at 160 kbps, which is adequate for casual listening.
Apple Music
Apple Music streams songs at a standard rate of 256 kbps. However, it also offers lossless audio and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, providing a superior listening experience for audiophiles.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: User Interface
Spotify
Spotify’s interface is modern and user-friendly. It features a dark theme with easy navigation, personalized playlists like Discover Weekly, and simple access to music, podcasts, and more.
Apple Music
Apple Music has a clean and straightforward interface, integrating seamlessly with the iOS ecosystem. It features a white theme, intuitive navigation, and easy access to your library, playlists, and the Apple Music catalog.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Library
Spotify
Spotify boasts a library of over 70 million songs. It covers a wide range of genres and includes exclusive content, making it a comprehensive platform for music lovers.
Apple Music
Apple Music also offers a vast library with over 75 million songs. It includes exclusive releases, curated playlists, and access to the entire iTunes catalog, appealing to diverse musical tastes.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Music Discovery
Spotify
Spotify excels in music discovery with features like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mixes. Its advanced algorithms analyze listening habits to provide highly personalized recommendations.
Apple Music
Apple Music focuses on curated content, with expert-curated playlists and recommendations. It also offers a feature called “For You,” which suggests music based on your listening history.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Ease of Use
Spotify
Spotify’s app is praised for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows seamless navigation between music, podcasts, and playlists. The desktop version mirrors the mobile experience, ensuring consistency.
Apple Music
Apple Music is user-friendly, especially for those familiar with the Apple ecosystem. It integrates well with other Apple services, making it easy to use across various Apple devices.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Offline Listening
Spotify
Spotify Premium users can download and listen to music offline, a feature not available in the free version. This is ideal for users who want to save on data usage or listen while traveling.
Apple Music
Apple Music allows subscribers to download songs for offline listening. This feature is available across all subscription plans, making it convenient for users who want to access their music without an internet connection.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Devices Availability
Spotify
Spotify is available on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, smart speakers, gaming consoles, and even some cars. This broad compatibility ensures users can listen anywhere.
Apple Music
Apple Music is primarily designed for Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. However, it is also available on Android devices, Windows PCs, and smart speakers like HomePod.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Social Media Sharing Ability
Spotify
Spotify integrates well with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Users can easily share their favorite tracks, playlists, and listening activities with friends and followers.
Apple Music
Apple Music allows users to share songs, albums, and playlists with friends via iMessage, social media, and email. It also features a social component called “Connect,” where artists can share updates directly with their fans.
Spotify Vs Apple Music: Algorithms
Spotify
Spotify’s recommendation algorithms are among the best in the industry. They use machine learning to analyze listening habits and preferences, providing users with highly personalized playlists and suggestions.
Apple Music
Apple Music combines algorithmic recommendations with human curation. It offers personalized playlists and suggestions based on your listening history, along with expertly curated content.