Spotify and Apple Music dominate the music streaming landscape, offering vast libraries of tracks you could stream or download for a lifetime across nearly every device. But picking the right one? We've rigorously compared their key features—from pricing to discovery—to help you decide with confidence.
Both services match on core plans, though Apple Music sweetens annual commitments. As seasoned reviewers, we've tested these firsthand.
Free trials abound: Spotify's one month vs. Apple Music's three. Post-trial, Spotify shines with its ad-supported free tier.
Free Spotify means:
Family plans link up to six accounts. Apple requires iCloud Family Sharing and shared payments; Spotify just matching addresses.
Spotify's Duo plan saves for couples. Students verify via UNiDAYS (Apple) or SheerID (Spotify), with Apple capping at 48 months. Perks? Apple TV+ lite or Spotify's SHOWTIME/Hulu bundle.
Winner: Spotify
Both boast 50+ million tracks, with near-universal artist coverage—save occasional exclusives. Check artist histories for first-release patterns.
Spotify bolsters with top podcasts, personalized via your tastes. Apple excels at local files: seamless integration, iCloud uploads, iTunes sync.
Winner: Apple Music
Discovery is streaming's magic. Both curate playlists and track-based radios; Apple adds global live stations like Apple Music 1.
Browse by genre/mood on both. Spotify's Made for You delivers Daily Mixes, Discover Weekly, Release Radar. Apple's Listen Now offers themed picks like New Music Mix.
Users rave: Spotify nails personal hits.
Winner: Spotify
Sleek apps on both: desktop sidebars, mobile tabs. Apple Music's crisp white (dark mode friendly); Spotify's bold black-green.
