When it comes to music-streaming platforms, Spotify and Apple Music are two of the most popular options. Both platforms offer sleek and intuitive user interfaces, with a wide range of features and extensive music libraries. You can enjoy Spotify or Apple Music on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and vehicle infotainment systems. But which of these two music services is the ultimate must-have?
To help you make an informed decision, we have compared Spotify and Apple Music based on criteria such as price, features, and compatibility. We have selected winners for each category and an overall winner, which we reveal at the end of the comparison.
Spotify Music
Apple Music
Apple Music vs Spotify — Library
Spotify boasts a library of more than 100 million songs and 5 million podcasts, making it a treasure trove of music content. The platform also features the latest releases, exclusive live sessions, and curated playlists like the New Releases tab and the Release Radar playlist.
Apple Music also offers over 100 million songs and has secured many exclusives due to its lack of a free tier. One advantage of Apple Music is the integration of the iTunes library, where users can access their purchased music, ripped CDs, or uploaded tracks alongside the standard catalog. This integration is seamless and offers a unique browsing experience compared to Spotify.
In terms of library size and integration, Apple Music emerges as the winner in this category.
Section winner: Apple Music
Apple Music vs Spotify — Audio quality
Spotify offers various audio quality levels depending on the subscription plan, with the Premium option providing up to AAC 256Kbps. However, Spotify’s promised lossless tier is yet to be realized.
Apple Music delivers high-quality audio with its lossless format, ranging from CD quality to hi-resolution formats up to 24-bit at 192kHz. The platform also offers spatial audio with Dolby Atmos capabilities, enhancing the listening experience with immersive soundscapes.
In terms of audio quality and innovation, Apple Music leads the way in this category.
Section winner: Apple Music
