Spotify Premium and Amazon Music Unlimited stand out as top music streaming services today. Both require a subscription, so choosing the right one for your needs is key before committing.
As experts in smart home audio, we've tested both extensively on Amazon Echo devices. From seamless Alexa integration to voice controls, here's our in-depth Spotify Premium vs. Amazon Music Unlimited comparison tailored for Echo, Echo Dot, and Tap owners.
The Echo, Echo Dot, and Tap are voice-activated smart speakers powered by Alexa. They excel at hands-free music playback.
There are subtle differences: the full-size Echo and portable Tap deliver superior sound quality, while the compact Dot pairs best with external speakers. The Tap's battery makes it ideal for on-the-go listening. For more, see All the ways to play music with Amazon Echo and Alexa or Amazon Echo vs. Dot vs. Tap: Key differences.
With basics covered, let's dive into the comparison.
Amazon Music Unlimited offers an Echo-specific plan at $3.99/month for one device (Echo, Dot, or Tap). For Prime members streaming on up to six devices, it's $7.99/month; non-Prime is $9.99/month.
Start with a 30-day free trial via "Alexa, try Music Unlimited" (a temporary $1 hold appears). Family plans cover up to six users at reduced rates. Prime annual options: $79 individual, $149 family. Students get six months for $6, then $4.99/month.
Spotify Premium starts at $9.99/month with a 30-day trial (cancel to avoid charges). Students pay $4.99/month bundled with Hulu. Family plan: $14.99/month for up to six accounts—but only one links to Echo.
Spotify shines with mood-based playlists like "jazz music to make babies" or breakup anthems. Features like Discover Weekly, Your Summer Rewind, and Time Capsule deliver hyper-personalized recommendations via human curators and algorithms.
Amazon Music Unlimited has solid curated playlists but fewer options. Both services offer millions of songs and user-created playlists—test trials for your favorite artists.
For mood-specific playback, see Alexa can now play music based on activities or moods or This Spotify Playlist Can Make You Feel Young Again.
Amazon Music Unlimited integrates natively with Echo—no extra steps needed.
For Spotify, use the Alexa app: Menu > Music, Video & Books > Spotify > Link Account, then log in.
The Echo-only Amazon plan limits to speakers, but full subscriptions support apps (Android/iOS) and web players.
Spotify Connect seamlessly switches between Echo, phones, TVs, tablets, apps, and web player.
Both support basic commands: play genres, songs, artists, or identify tracks.
Amazon edges out with: latest artist tracks, thumbs up/down feedback ("Alexa, thumbs up"), add songs verbally ("Alexa, add this song"), and lyric search ("Alexa, play the song that goes [lyrics]").
Spotify lacks these Echo-specific features currently.
For primary Echo music use, Amazon Music Unlimited wins. Its budget Echo plan, native setup, and advanced voice controls seal the deal. Standard plans match Spotify pricing but offer superior Alexa synergy. For details, read Amazon launches Music Unlimited.
It's a close call—Spotify excels in personalization.
Do you agree Amazon Music Unlimited is best for Echo? Or does Spotify win for you? Share your thoughts and factors we missed in the comments!
