Should i use Spotify or Apple Music? Which is better?

Deciding on a music streaming service is hard when the big two—Spotify and Apple Music—have so much. Both have their strengths and are for different types of listeners. So, which one should you choose? In this post, we’ll go into a deep dive of Spotify vs. Apple.

Overview of Spotify and Apple Music

#About Spotify

Spotify was founded in 2006 and is well on its way to becoming one of the leaders in music streaming. Acting as a hub with over 100 million tracks in its repertoire and having a huge user base worldwide. Because of innovative playlist algorithms and social features that allow for sharing, Spotify is more often the site of choice for users who like to discover new music and share it with friends.

Also check: Spotify Mod iPA (Premium Unlocked, No Ads)

#About Apple Music

When Apple Music launched in 2015, it felt almost perfectly sewn into the very fabric of the Apple ecosystem. Offering a large selection of songs and exclusive releases, with high-quality audio options available to satisfy the casual listener and audiophile alike. If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Music is an almost natural way to extend your music experience.

Recommend for you: Apple Music MOD iPA (Premium Unlocked) for iOS

This is a detailed comparison between Spotify and Apple Music

About User Interface and Experience

One of the first things you’ll notice when choosing between Spotify and Apple Music is how each service looks and feels.

1. Spotify: A Personalized Experience

Spotify is simple. It’s obvious this app shows you personalized playlists like Discover Weekly and Daily Mix based on what you listen to. More specifically:

Customization Options: You can make your own playlists, see what your friends are listening to,…
Social Features: You can share songs, albums, or playlists on social. Collaborative playlists let multiple users add and edit tracks. Perfect for group events or shared interests.
Device Compatibility: It’s on every device under the sun—iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, smart speakers, gaming consoles, and even cars.

2. Apple Music: Seamless Integration with Apple Ecosystem

If you’re an Apple user, Apple Music is designed for you. It looks and feels like all other Apple apps.

iOS/macOS integration: Apple Music is part of the Apple ecosystem, so it integrates perfectly with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even your Apple Watch. You can control playback with Siri voice commands, super handy for hands-free use.
Simplicity and Elegance: Apple Music is clean and easy to use but also has deep customization for those who want to get personal.
Unique to Apple Music: radio stations (Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits) and a huge music video library—content you won’t find on other streaming services.

About Music Library and Catalog Size

Both Spotify and Apple Music boast extensive libraries, but there are some differences to consider.

1. Spotify: Extensive and Varied Music Library

Spotify has an enormous music library with over 100 million tracks, covering almost every genre. From top 40 hits to indie tracks, Spotify has everything.

Discoverability: Spotify is great at music discovery, with curated playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar that suggest new music based on what you listen to.
User-Created Playlists: It has a massive community of users who create and share playlists, so you have endless options to find new music for specific moods, genres, or themes.

2. Apple Music: Strong Focus on Exclusive Content

Apple Music also boasts a vast library, comparable in size to Spotify, but with a notable emphasis on exclusive releases and curated content.

Exclusive Releases: This app often secures exclusive deals with artists, offering early access to albums, singles, and other content that you won’t find on Spotify. This can be a big draw for fans of certain artists or genres.
Integration with iTunes: If you have a large collection of purchased music from iTunes, Apple Music integrates seamlessly, allowing you to combine your streaming and purchased music libraries in one place.
Curated Playlists and Radio Stations: It offers curated playlists crafted by music experts and radio stations like Apple Music that feature exclusive interviews, live shows, and more.

About Audio Quality and Streaming Options

1. Spotify: Flexible Audio Quality Options

Spotify has different streaming quality options to suit your needs and situation. You can choose from Normal (96 kbps) to Very High (320 kbps) depending on your subscription and device. This is great for managing data when you’re on the go with cellular data or maximizing sound quality when connected to high-speed Wi-Fi. Very High is clear and rich enough for most people but not enough for audiophiles who want the highest possible fidelity.

2. Apple Music: High-Resolution and Lossless Audio

Apple Music is all about high-res audio. Lossless Audio and Hi-Res Lossless gets you sound closer to the original studio recording. So if you’re serious about audio quality and you’re using high-end headphones or speakers, it’s the way to go.

Plus, Apple Music has spatial audio with Dolby Atmos on compatible tracks, so you feel like you’re right there with the band.

Takeaway: If you want flexibility and ease of use, Spotify’s got you covered. But if sound quality is your priority, Apple Music’s high-res offerings might be the one.

About Pricing and Subscription Plans

1. Spotify

Free plan: If you’re not ready to commit, the free plan is a good way to try out Spotify. Yes, there are ads, fewer skips, and lower audio quality, but it’s a way to get a feel for what Spotify has to offer without spending a penny.
Individual: For $9.99/month, the Individual plan is a big step up. No ads, unlimited skips, offline listening, and highest audio quality. Great for serious listeners.
Duo: For $12.99/month, the Duo plan is perfect for two people under the same roof. You get all the benefits of the individual plan but at a lower cost per person.
Family: If you have a household of music lovers, the Family plan at $15.99/month is the way to go. It supports up to 6 accounts and includes Spotify Kids, an app designed for children with parental controls.
Student: Students get all the benefits of the Individual plan for $4.99/month and also get discounts on Hulu and Showtime.

2. Apple Music

Apple Music also offers a variety of subscription options:

Individual: $10.99/month for the entire library, including exclusive content, high-res audio, and offline listening.
Family: $16.99/month for up to 6 people in the family, each with their own account. If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.
Student: $5.99/month if you’re a student. A bit more than Spotify’s student pricing, but still a good deal.
Apple One Bundle: Apple Music is included in the Apple One bundle if you’re already using other Apple services like Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, or iCloud storage. A convenient way to get everything for a discount.

Takeaway: Obviously we all see Spotify is a bit cheaper than Apple Music for subscription plans, so if you are on a budget, go with Spotify.

Plan	Spotify Pricing	Apple Music Pricing
Free	Free	N/A
Individual	$9.99/month	$10.99/month
Duo/Family	$12.99/$15.99/month	$16.99/month
Student	$4.99/month	$5.99/month
Bundle Option	N/A	Apple One (varies)

About Online Listening and Download Options

Both Spotify and Apple Music allow users to download music for offline listening, but the experience differs slightly between the two.

1. Spotify: Flexible Offline Options

If you’re a free Spotify user, offline listening is a no-go. You’ll need to upgrade to Premium to get this feature. Once you are, you can download playlists, albums, and even podcasts for offline listening. It’s pretty easy to manage your downloads, and Spotify will even download new episodes of your favorite podcasts.

2. Apple Music: Comprehensive Offline Library

Apple Music takes a different approach. There’s no free tier, so everyone gets offline listening from the start. Want to download that entire album you’ve been listening to nonstop? Go for it. Have a huge music library? Apple Music integrates with the iCloud Music Library, so you can upload and stream all your music too.

About Free vs. Paid Experience

1. Spotify: The Free and Friendly Option

Spotify’s free is pretty cool. You can stream, skip a few times an hour, and discover new artists. It’s a good way to try it out and see if you like it. But there are some downsides: you’ll hear ads, can’t listen offline, and can only shuffle on mobile.

If you’re a heavy listener or want to listen ad-free, upgrading to Spotify Premium is a no-brainer. You get ad-free listening, unlimited skips, offline downloads, and higher-quality audio. It’s a good deal.

2. Apple Music: Premium Only

Apple Music takes a different approach. There’s no permanent free tier, just a trial period. So you get to try the premium experience before you buy.

Once the trial ends, you’ll have to subscribe to keep using Apple Music. The upside is you get the high-quality experience from the start with no ads and all the features. If you’re willing to pay upfront, Apple Music is a smooth listening experience.

Which One Should You Choose? Spotify or Apple Music?

Now, it’s time to decide which service might be best for you.

It’s tough to pick a winner between Spotify and Apple Music. Both have their pros, so it really depends on your devices and what your friends and family are using. If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Music is a no-brainer. You’ll love how it integrates with your devices, from the familiar design to Siri support and auto-syncing across all your Apple gear. Plus, if high res and Dolby Atmos matter to you, Apple Music has the edge.

On the other hand, Spotify excels at cross-platform compatibility. If you want to break free from the Apple bubble, Spotify is a great choice. It has a massive library of music, podcasts, and audiobooks, so there’s always something new to find. One of Spotify’s best features is its music recommendation algorithm, which really knows what song to play next.

To decide which is for you, I’d recommend taking advantage of the one-month free trial both services offer. Try them out and see which one fits your listening style.

Let’s break down the key points in a side-by-side comparison:

Feature	Spotify	Apple Music
Interface and Experience	Highly customizable, social sharing, available on multiple devices	Seamless integration with Apple devices, simple and elegant design
Music Library	Over 100 million tracks, strong discovery features, user-created playlists	Comparable library size, exclusive releases, curated playlists
Audio Quality	Normal to Very High (320 kbps) streaming options	High-resolution, lossless audio, and Dolby Atmos support
Pricing	Free tier available with ads; various paid plans from $9.99 to $15.99	No free tier, paid plans from $10.99 to $16.99, included in the Apple One bundle
Unique Features	Personalized playlists, podcast integration, social, and collaborative features	Exclusive content, radio stations, music videos, Siri integration, high-quality audio options
Offline Listening	Available for Premium users only, easy management of downloads	Available for all users with subscriptions, comprehensive integration with personal music libraries
Device Compatibility	Cross-platform compatibility (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, smart speakers, etc.)	Best for Apple device users (iOS, macOS, Apple Watch, HomePod), limited compatibility outside Apple

Pros and Cons

Spotify	Apple Music
Pros
Free option with ads for casual listeners.	Lossless and Dolby Atmos for better sound.
For sharing and discovering music.	Features early releases and exclusive content from big artists.
Works on multiple devices and operating systems.	Best for Apple users.
Cons
The free plan has ads and limited features.	Requires subscription after trial; no long-term free option.
No high-res audio options like Apple Music.	Designed for Apple devices, less flexibility for non-Apple users.
Fewer exclusive releases than Apple Music.	Fewer social features than Spotify.