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Spotify vs Apple Music

Quick answer

Spotify wins on discovery and cross-platform freedom; Apple Music wins on audio quality and value for Apple ecosystem loyalists. Your phone brand might decide this faster than any feature list.

Our pick
Spotify
The algorithm whisperer of music streaming
4.4
VS
Apple Music
Hi-fi tunes for the AirPods faithful
3.5
Monthly Price (Individual)
$11.99/mo
$10.99/mo
Free Tier
Yes (ad-supported)
No
Student Plan
$5.99/mo
$5.99/mo
Family Plan
$19.99/mo (up to 6)
$16.99/mo (up to 6)
Lossless / Hi-Res Audio
No (max 320kbps Ogg)
Yes (Lossless + Dolby Atmos, free)
Catalog Size
~100 million tracks
~100 million tracks
Offline Downloads
Yes (Premium only)
Yes (all paid tiers)
Podcast Support
Yes (large catalog)
No (separate Apple Podcasts app)
Audiobook Support
Yes (15 hrs/mo on Premium)
Yes (Apple Books, separate)
Collaborative Playlists
Yes
Yes (added 2023)
Lyrics
Yes (real-time)
Yes (real-time)
Windows / Android App
Yes (native, excellent)
Yes (limited / via web)

Spotify

Pricing★★★★
Ease of Use★★★★★
Audio Quality★★★½
Music Discovery★★★★★
Social Features★★★★
Platform Support★★★★★
Podcast & Extras★★★★½

Apple Music

Pricing★★★★½
Ease of Use★★★★
Audio Quality★★★★★
Music Discovery★★★½
Social Features★★☆☆☆
Platform Support★★★☆☆
Podcast & Extras★★½☆☆

Worth knowing

Spotify once patented technology to analyze your voice tone and background noise to recommend music — so yes, your Monday morning groan could technically become a playlist.

If you want

You want the best music discovery and use non-Apple devices

Spotify's recommendation engine is unmatched, and it runs beautifully on every platform imaginable.

→ Pick Spotify
If you want

You own AirPods, a HomePod, or an iPhone and care about audio quality

Apple Music offers free lossless and Spatial Audio — and it's a dollar cheaper every month.

→ Pick Apple Music
If you want

You're on a tight budget and won't pay for streaming

Spotify's free tier exists; Apple Music simply doesn't have one.

→ Pick Spotify
If you want

Your whole family uses iPhones

The family plan is $3/mo cheaper and integrates seamlessly across every Apple device in the house.

→ Pick Apple Music
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