Spotify vs Apple Music - Which music streaming service is better

December 09, 2021

Spotify vs Apple Music - Which music streaming service is better

Are you confused about choosing the perfect streaming service between Spotify and Apple Music? No wonder why you are. Both are the biggest competitors in the music streaming industry. Although they have some differences, they also have many similarities. Here we go to show you a factual comparison to help you find your perfect one.

Price

Let's start with the fundamental difference, and what else could it be other than the price tag? Well, the subscription fee for both services is pretty much similar.

Spotify offers a 30-day free trial for new users, and then the monthly subscription cost for the individual plan is $9.99. In contrast, the family plan for six accounts charges $14.99/month, and the student subscription costs $4.99/month.

On the other hand, Apple Music also offers a 3-month free trial for new users. The monthly subscription rate is also $9.99/month for an individual account, just like Spotify. But, the family plan covers only up to six users, and it costs $14.99/month. Moreover, the student subscription rate is precisely the same as Spotify.

Overall, both services have a similar pricing structure except the family plan. Based on the number of users, you can select the most suitable one.

Music Library

Now, let's talk about the music library. Music lovers always want to know the number of tracks available on each platform. Spotify and Apple Music have a vast music collection, but there is a slight difference between them.

Spotify has over 70 million tracks available on its platform, and among them, 2.6 million are podcast episodes. On the other hand, Apple Music has more than 75 million songs and over 100 thousand music videos. However, its podcast section is not that extensive as Spotify.

But, these numbers don't matter a lot, considering most of the popular songs are available on both platforms. So, when it comes to the music library, both services are pretty similar.

Audio Quality

Audio quality is an important consideration while choosing a music streaming service. Spotify and Apple Music offer different audio quality options to their users.

On Spotify, you can listen to music in three different formats: Normal, High, and Very High, ranging from 96 kbps to 320 kbps. In comparison, Apple Music streams all its music at 256 kbps AAC quality, which is a little lower than Spotify's Very High Quality.

But, the difference is not significant. So, in terms of audio quality, both services are almost equal.

User Interface

The User Interface (UI) of a music streaming platform also plays a crucial role in providing a better user experience. Spotify and Apple Music both have a unique UI, and they look pretty different from each other.

Spotify has a very clean and straightforward UI, with bold texts and icons. The UI elements are very easy to understand, and the search option is handy. On the other hand, Apple Music has a sleek design with many features. It may take some time to understand and navigate, but once you get used to it, you will love it.

At the end of the day, it's all about individual preferences. Some users like Spotify's minimalistic design, while others love Apple Music's sophisticated interface.

Final Verdict

So, which one is a better option between Spotify and Apple Music? Well, there is no specific answer to this question. Both services have their strengths and weaknesses.

In terms of pricing, both services offer similar rates. Regarding the music library, they have a vast collection, and the difference is negligible. Audio quality is almost the same, and the UI is subjective to individual taste.

Therefore, it's entirely up to your preferences and priorities. If you love a unique UI with lots of features and don't care much for podcasts, Apple Music will be your best choice. But, if a simple, clean, and easy-to-use interface with extensive podcast options matches your taste, then Spotify is the winner here.

So, you have now got our unbiased and factual comparison of Spotify vs Apple Music. We hope it will help you pick the most suitable one for you.

References

  1. Spotify
  2. Apple Music
  3. Techradar

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