Apple Music vs. Spotify: Comparison of the music streaming services

Apple Music is in competition with Spotify when it comes to music streaming. In our comparison, we show you what the two services have to offer and who is ahead of the pack.

Apple Music vs. Spotify: What the Apple streaming service can do

Apple Music is Apple’s answer to the market leader Spotify.

• You can use the service on your smartphone on both iOS and Android.

• You can also use Apple Music on your PC or Mac via iTunes.

• Competitor Spotify also has an app for Android and iOS. In addition, there are desktop versions for Windows and Mac and the service can also be used in the browser.

Comparison of services and features

So basically the service works just like Spotify. However, Apple Music offers some new features. Here is the direct comparison:

• Offer: According to their own information, both providers have around 70 million tracks on offer.

• Offline mode: Both Spotify and Apple Music offer an offline mode with a paid subscription. This allows you to download your favourite music and enjoy it without the internet.

• Special features: One of the special features of Apple Music is an integrated social network. Under the name “Connect”, Apple offers artists the opportunity to get in touch with their fans via Apple Music. They can create an artist profile and publish photos, videos and posts there.

• Fans with an Apple Music subscription can follow their artists and comment and like posts. Without a subscription, you can log in with an Apple ID and follow the artists – but you can’t comment.

• In addition, Apple Music offers its own free radio station: Beats 1 broadcasts music and shows live 24 hours a day. Anyone with an Apple ID can listen to the station.

• Music Tips: Spotify gives suggestions based on algorithms, but also has its own music editorial team, just like Apple Music.

Prices and Streaming Quality

The two services also hardly differ in terms of prices.

• Free offer: Spotify offers a free, ad-financed subscription. This allows you to stream unlimited music, but you will hear ads between tracks. Offline mode and the ability to select tracks at will are reserved for premium customers.

• Apple Music does not offer a free version. Only the radio station Beats 1 can be listened to for free.

• Price premium subscription: The standard premium subscription costs 9.99 euros/month with Spotify, with Apple listeners pay one euro more.

• Price Student: Students pay 4.99 euros/month with Spotify, 5.99 euros/month with Apple Music.

• Price Family: Both streaming services offer a family subscription: With Spotify, families pay 14.99 euros for up to six accounts. With Apple Music, a family with a maximum of 6 people pays 16.99 euros per month.

• Trial period: You can try Spotify’s paid variants for free for one month, just like Apple’s.

• Quality: On Spotify, free customers stream at 160 kbps, premium customers enjoy music at 320 kbps. Apple Music streams at 256 kbps.

Conclusion: you can’t go wrong with either Apple or Spotify

In conclusion, Apple Music and Spotify are very similar.

• There is almost no difference in the streaming offerings of the two. However, Apple offers some nice features like Connect or the radio station Beats1.

• For those who can do without such features and also have no problem with occasional advertisements, the free Spotify subscription is the right choice.