Spotify Vs. Apple Music are two of the biggest music streaming platforms in the world, each offering a massive library of songs, exclusive features, and premium benefits. While Spotify is known for its personalized playlists, podcasts, and cross-platform support, Apple Music provides high-resolution audio, deep integration with Apple devices, and exclusive artist releases. Below is a detailed comparison of these two platforms based on key features such as music library, user experience, pricing, and audio quality.
1. Music Library and Content Availability
📌 Spotify:
- Offers over 100 million songs spanning various genres, including international, Bollywood, regional, and indie music.
- Massive podcast collection, including Spotify Originals.
- AI-powered music discovery with playlists like “Discover Weekly” and “Daily Mix”.
📌 Apple Music:
- Also offers 100 million+ songs, but focuses on exclusive artist releases.
- No free tier, but allows offline music storage.
- Includes Apple Music Classical for high-quality classical music streaming.
Winner: Apple Music has exclusive artist releases, while Spotify excels in music discovery and podcasts.
2. User Interface and Experience
📌 Spotify:
- Modern, intuitive, and easy-to-navigate interface.
- Works seamlessly across multiple devices (smartphones, PCs, smart speakers, gaming consoles, etc.).
- Cross-device syncing, allowing users to switch from phone to PC easily.
📌 Apple Music:
- Optimized for Apple ecosystem users (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch).
- Better integration with Siri, enabling voice control.
- iCloud Music Library lets users upload their own music files.
Winner: Spotify is better for cross-platform use, but Apple Music is perfect for Apple device users.
3. Subscription Plans and Pricing
📌 Spotify:
- Free plan (with ads, limited skips, and lower quality).
- Premium Individual – ₹119/month.
- Premium Duo – ₹149/month.
- Premium Family – ₹179/month (6 accounts).
- Student Plan – ₹59/month.
📌 Apple Music:
No free plan, but offers a one-month free trial.
- Individual Plan – ₹99/month.
- Family Plan – ₹149/month (6 accounts).
- Student Plan – ₹59/month.
Winner: Apple Music is slightly cheaper, but Spotify has a free plan.
4. Audio Quality and Streaming Options
📌 Spotify:
- Free users: Up to 160kbps.
- Premium users: Up to 320kbps.
Spotify HiFi (Lossless Audio) is yet to be released.
📌 Apple Music:
- Supports Lossless Audio (ALAC) and Dolby Atmos for a superior audio experience.
- High-resolution audio streaming without extra cost.
Winner: Apple Music offers better audio quality with lossless streaming.
5. Offline Downloads and Background Play
📌 Spotify:
- Premium users can download songs and podcasts for offline listening.
- Free users cannot download music.
📌 Apple Music:
- All paid users can download songs for offline listening.
- No free tier, so offline downloads are available only with a subscription.
Winner: Both offer offline downloads, but Apple Music has no free version.
6. Podcasts and Exclusive Features
📌 Spotify:
- Extensive podcast library, including Spotify Originals.
- Better AI-powered playlists for music discovery.
📌 Apple Music:
- No dedicated podcast section (Apple Podcasts is a separate app).
- Exclusive music releases and high-quality audio.
Winner: Spotify is better for podcasts, while Apple Music is ideal for exclusive releases and high-fidelity sound.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
- ✔ Choose Spotify if you want better music discovery, personalized playlists, cross-device support, and podcasts.
- ✔ Choose Apple Music if you prefer lossless audio, exclusive artist releases, and seamless integration with Apple devices.