When it comes to music streaming apps, Apple Music and Spotify are the two best streaming platforms in the market, currently. These music streaming platforms have their pros and cons. Since music is an essential part of your life, this Apple Music vs Spotify guide has aimed to compare the differences between these two music streaming apps to help you know which music streaming app is the best.
Apple Music vs Spotify: Which is the Best Music Streaming App (2023)
A good music streaming app must support high-resolution audio quality and must be affordable for a normal user. Moreover, it must be compatible with various ranges of devices. Considering all these points, here’s a detailed explanation of Apple Music and Spotify’s key features:
1. Price
Apple Music is a premium app that starts with the Apple Music voice plan for $4.99/month, followed by the Standard plan at $9.99/month, and the Family plan at $16.99/month. Moreover, the student discount plan of the Apple Music app costs $5.99/month. On the other hand, Spotify offers a free plan followed by the Spotify Premium for $9.99/month, the Duo plan at $12.99, and the Family plan at $15.99/month which unlocks Spotify Kids. The student discount plan offered by Spotify is for $4.99/month. Hence, when it comes to affordability, Spotify is much more affordable than Spotify.
2. Audio Quality
Recently, Apple Music’s latest update brought the highest resolution lossless audio quality offered by a music streaming app ranging from 16-bit/44.1kHz – 24-bit/192kHz in ALAC format. On the other hand, for more than two years, Spotify users are awaiting the release of Spotify Hifi which is rumored to provide the highest and best lossless audio quality by a music streaming app. But currently, Spotify started offering 96kbps, 160kbps, and 320kbps audio quality in Ogg Vorbis format for premium users. Hence, for now, Apple Music can be said to have an upper hand when it comes to audio quality. But Spotify Hifi would be the game changer when released.
3. Device Compatibility
Unlike other Apple products that are limited to Apple devices like Apple Homepod, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, Apple Music is flexible to use on devices like Android, Roku TV, and even in cars with the help of the Apple CarPlay feature. Although, there isn’t a dedicated app for Windows, but you can still use Apple Music on your Windows desktop by visiting its official website on your web browser. On the other hand, Spotify is compatible even with gaming consoles like PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S along with general devices like Windows, Linux, Android, Apple devices, Smart TVs (Fire TV, Roku TV, and more), smart speakers ranging from Amazon Echo Dot to Apple Homepods, there’s no limit where you can use Spotify. However, for cars, Spotify is currently working on an automotive solution after withdrawing the Car Thing feature.
4. Content
Both Apple Music and Spotify have a more or less equal amount of playlists with more than 100 types of added genres that you can choose from. Unlike Apple Music which only focuses on songs, Spotify is evolving with time. You can hear podcasts and even watch video podcasts. Whereas Apple Music doesn’t offer such features. But if you want more very thoughtful curation of genres that have in-depth details like songwriters, singer-songwriters, producers, session musicians, and more, Apple Music outperforms Spotify in it.
In conclusion, if you need a music streaming app that offers lots of variety of content including podcasts at an affordable price, you should go for Spotify. But if you desire high-resolution music and you are ready to go premium, Apple Music is the music streaming app made for you.
With that, the Apple Music vs Spotify comparison guide comes to an end. Also, if you want to know about the best virtual assistant, you can check out our guide on Alexa vs Google vs Siri guide, or check out our Apple HomePod vs Apple HomePod 2 guide to know which is the best smart Homepod speaker.