Spotify vs. Apple Music

Spotify and Apple Music have been locked in a streaming battle for a few years now. It is almost impossible to get a definitive answer if you ask those who use either. However, there are some important differences.

Whether it is music to hype you up, podcasts, or just relaxing background music, both Spotify and Apple Music have you covered. But which service is genuinely better?

Price

On the surface, the price of both services is fairly similar. Their individual plans are both $9.99 a month, with their family price and student price being the same, $14.99 a month and $4.99 a month, respectively.

There is one significant difference between the two, though, and this is seen by many as the defining factor between choosing Spotify over Apple Music. Spotify has a free tier, and Apple just refuses to add one.

While the free tier does mean your listening experience is interrupted with ads, similar to YouTube, and you don't have access to all the same features, it's still free. If you just want to listen to a few songs between classes or while you work or study, the free Spotify tier will do the job just fine.

Music Library

Apple Music does edge out Spotify by a few million songs when it comes to the library size. While Spotify boasts over 70 million songs, Apple Music supposedly has closer to 75 million. There is only one question you need to ask yourself, though.

Are you using these services to discover new music or listen to songs you already know and love? If you want new music, you should lean towards Apple Music, but if you are happy with listening to your favorites, once again, the free tier of Spotify will suffice.

Podcast Selection

Podcasts have taken over the world over the past few years. The ease with which you can listen to them has made them incredibly popular. True crime, entertainment, fashion talk, and everything in between has been turned into a podcast of some kind.

When choosing between Spotify and Apple Music, Apple may have more songs, but Spotify is the place to go for podcasts. With thousands to choose from, there really is no other option to choose from if you love them.

Music Quality

While Spotify does give users the option to choose which rates they want to listen to music to, Apple trumps them when it comes to quality. Apple Music has spatial and lossless quality music, which is simply better.

Spotify will be adding a HiFi option to its service to allow for crisp and clear sound quality and streaming. Until then, though, Apple Music is the best choice if you are wanting seamless and high-quality streaming and listening experience.

Curated Content

While some may say that Spotify has the better-curated content and playlists, both services are almost tied. Both offer daily mixes and playlists, playlists focussed around what you listen to and suggestions that match your taste.

User Interface

The user interface is almost a personal choice. Both are clean, simple to use, and navigate, whether you are using it on the go or just relaxing. Both also interact easily with Bluetooth speakers and sound systems. If you are an iPhone or iOS user, you will most likely choose Apple Music; Android users will choose Spotify.

Availability

Apple Music is available on all iOS devices, phones, laptops, etc., while Spotify is available across everything. Like every other Apple service, Apple Music is locked to their devices and operating systems.

On the other hand, Spotify is available on all devices and has a PC client and an app you can download onto your Xbox or PlayStation. Spotify is available on every device, while Apple Music is only available on Apple devices.

Final Thoughts

Even though Apple Music offers more music and better quality music, it is hard to ignore the fact that Spotify is just generally better. The free tier will appeal to almost everyone, the music selection is still incredible, and of course, the podcasts.

Apple Music is still an amazing service; it just falls short because it doesn't offer a free tier and is limited to Apple devices and Apple devices only.