Spotify vs Apple Music: Which audio platform is better?

Streaming has become the primary way people consume audio, offering instant access to millions of podcasts and songs. Among the platforms available, Spotify and Apple Music stand out as two giants in the industry, each boasting millions of subscribers worldwide.

Here at Memberful, we offer an integration with podcast hosting libraries using an existing RSS to create a premium podcast for members, so we know all about the importance of choosing the right streaming service.

From sound quality and user experience to pricing and personalization, each platform offers unique features that cater to different user needs. Understanding these differences is crucial to finding the service that best aligns with your preferences. Let's compare Spotify and Apple Music:

History and market share

Founded in 2006 in Sweden, Spotify quickly became a pioneer in music streaming, offering an innovative platform where users could listen to millions of songs for free with ads or through a paid subscription. With its vast music library and user-friendly interface, Spotify has grown to dominate the music streaming market.

Spotify remains the global leader in music streaming, with a significant market share of around 31%, and over 500 million users, including 226 million premium subscribers. Its dominance is particularly strong in Europe and North America. Spotify's user base tends to skew younger, with a strong following among millennials and Gen Z. In comparison, Apple Music holds a smaller market share of around 15%, highlighting Spotify's larger reach in the industry.

Apple Music launched in 2015 as Apple's answer to the growing popularity of streaming services. Built on the foundation of iTunes, Apple Music offers a seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, appealing to users already invested in Apple products. Subscribers also benefit from access to Apple TV+ and three months of free usage for new subscribers.

Apple Music holds the second-largest share of the music streaming market, with around 15% of the market and over 88 million subscribers. It is particularly well-established in the United States and, while also popular among younger audiences, attracts a more diverse age group, partly due to its integration with Apple's broad product portfolio.

Business models and pricing

Spotify operates on a freemium model, where users can choose between a free ad-supported version and a premium ad-free subscription. In contrast, Apple Music offers a subscription-only service with no free tier, relying on its integration with Apple’s hardware and software to attract users.

Apple Music users benefit from superior sound quality features like 'Spatial Audio' and lossless audio, which enhance the listening experience significantly.

Spotify on desktop

Spotify and Apple Music both provide family and student plans, making it easier for multiple users to share a subscription at a reduced cost. These plans are ideal for households or students looking to save money while enjoying full access to the platform’s features.

Spotify pricing

Spotify offers several pricing tiers. A free, ad-supported version, and premium plans that remove ads and provide additional features like offline listening and better audio quality. The Spotify app is versatile, hosting not only music but also podcasts and audiobooks, enhancing the overall listening experience. The Premium plan costs $9.99 per month, with discounts for students and families, and a one-month free trial. Students can subscribe for $5.99 per month, with three months free for new subscribers, making it a competitive choice for budget-conscious users.

Apple Music pricing

Apple Music's subscription model is straightforward, with individual plans priced at $10.99 per month. The service also offers discounts for students and families, with a family plan available for $16.99 per month, allowing up to six accounts, after a three-month free trial. Students can subscribe for $5.99 per month, with one month free for new subscribers, making it an affordable option for younger audiences.

Setting up a paid (or premium) podcast with Memberful

With Memberful you can create a secure, paid podcast for your members using your existing RSS feed so you can build a connection with your audience and drive revenue. Memberful works with your existing podcast host to ensure that only members can access new episodes. For more information, visit our guide on how to create a paid podcast or you can see how to Submit a paid podcast to Spotify

Audio quality and library

Both platforms boast libraries of over 100 million audio files, covering a wide range of genres, podcasters and musicians. Spotify has heavily invested in podcast content, offering various shows including original podcasts and exclusives. Apple Music focuses more on music and often secures exclusive releases plus original content and Beats 1 Radio, a 24/7 global music station. Apple Music's strengths in sound quality features like lossless audio and Spatial Audio further enhance the listening experience. Spotify plans to introduce a feature called 'Spotify HiFi' that will offer lossless audio similar to Apple Music's offerings, although this is not available yet.

Apple Music on desktop

Both services offer global and localized content. Spotify’s algorithms help surface local artists based on user location, while Apple Music offers curated playlists and radio stations tailored to different regions.

Spotify audio quality

Spotify offers different audio quality settings depending on the user's subscription. Free users can stream at 160 kbps, while premium subscribers can stream at up to 320 kbps. That said, Spotify's audio quality remains standard compared to high-resolution options.

Apple Music audio quality

Apple Music provides higher-quality streaming, offering 256 kbps AAC as the standard. Apple Music allows users to search for songs by typing in lyrics, reinforcing its distinct navigation and user experience advantages. Additionally, Apple Music supports lossless audio and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, providing a richer and more immersive listening experience for those with compatible devices. Apple Music stands out with its Hi-res audio and Lossless formats.

User interface and experience

Both platforms offer user-friendly experiences, though Spotify’s interface is often praised for being more intuitive and straightforward. Apple Music, while slightly more complex, offers better accessibility features, making it easier for users with disabilities to navigate the app.

Spotify’s user interface is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it accessible to all ages. However, Spotify's app is often criticized for its chaotic design and frequent changes, which can make it difficult for users to keep up with new features and updates. The app is well-organized, with intuitive navigation and personalized playlists on the home screen.

Apple Music offers a sleek, visually appealing interface that aligns with the design language of other Apple products. While slightly less intuitive than Spotify, it does offer a more polished and cohesive experience, especially for users familiar with Apple’s ecosystem.

Personalization, discoverability, and social

Spotify allows users to easily create and share playlists, with the option to collaborate with friends. Apple Music offers similar features but strongly emphasizes curated content rather than user-generated playlists.

Both Spotify and Apple Music facilitate the sharing of users' music tastes through social features, allowing friends to connect and follow each other's accounts. Spotify also offers a feature called 'Blended,' which combines playlists between friends, making shared listening experiences more interactive.

The Spotify mobile app

While both platforms offer social features, Spotify’s are more robust, allowing users to follow friends, share playlists, and see what others are listening to in real-time. Apple Music’s social features are more limited but still allow users to share music and see what friends are listening to.

Spotify algorithms and playlists

Spotify is renowned for its powerful recommendation algorithms, which generate personalized playlists like "Discover Weekly" and "Release Radar." These features are highly effective in helping users discover new music tailored to their tastes. Spotify also offers mood, decade, and genre mixes based on users' previous listening habits, further enhancing the discovery experience. Additionally, Spotify's tailored playlists are generated weekly, ensuring users have a constant stream of new songs to explore.

Apple Music algorithms and playlists

Apple Music also offers personalized playlists, such as "For You" and "New Music Mix," though its recommendation system is often considered less advanced than Spotify's. That said, Apple Music's curated playlists, created by expert editors, offer a human touch that some users prefer. Additionally, its algorithms improve music recommendations over time based on user interactions.

Music catalog and discovery

Spotify music catalog

Spotify boasts an impressive music catalog with over 50 million tracks, catering to a wide range of musical tastes. From chart-topping hits to hidden gems, Spotify’s library is constantly updated with the latest releases, ensuring users have access to fresh content. One standout feature is “Spotify Sessions,” which offers exclusive live recordings from popular artists, providing a unique listening experience. Additionally, Spotify’s “Daily Mix” playlists are tailored to users’ listening habits, offering a curated selection of tracks that make discovering new music effortless and enjoyable.

Apple Music music catalog

Apple Music’s music catalog is equally robust, featuring over 60 million tracks. The platform is known for securing exclusive deals with top artists, giving users access to unique content that can’t be found on other streaming services. The “For You” section of the Apple Music app provides personalized recommendations based on users’ listening habits, making it easy to discover new favorites. The “New Music Mix” playlist highlights the latest releases from both emerging and established artists, ensuring users stay up-to-date with the music scene. Additionally, Apple Music’s “Beats 1 Radio” offers live radio shows hosted by popular DJs and artists, adding another layer of discovery and engagement.

Offline listening and downloads

Both services offer seamless offline listening experiences, though Apple Music's integration with iOS allows smoother transitions between online and offline modes. Spotify, however, offers more control over download quality, allowing users to manage storage space effectively.

Downloading music on Spotify

Spotify Premium subscribers can download up to 10,000 songs on up to five devices for offline listening. The process is simple, and the downloaded music remains available as long as the subscription is active.

Downloading music on Apple Music

Apple Music allows users to download their entire library for offline listening.There is no limit on the number of downloads. This makes it a more flexible option for those who want to have access to their music without an internet connection.

Integration with other services and compatibility

Here at Memberful we care greatly about integration across platforms.

The Apple Music mobile app

While Spotify excels in third-party integration, Apple Music's compatibility is limited outside the Apple ecosystem.

Spotify integration with other apps and devices

Spotify is available on almost all devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even some smart TVs and gaming consoles. It integrates with various of third-party apps and devices, including gaming consoles, smart speakers, and car systems. Its integration with Google Assistant and Alexa also allows for voice control.

Apple Music integration within the Apple ecosystem

While primarily designed for Apple devices like the iPhone and AirPods, is also available on Android and Windows, though with limited features. Apple Music is accessible on devices like the Apple TV and HomePod, emphasizing its seamless connectivity within the Apple ecosystem. Apple Music is deeply integrated within the Apple ecosystem, allowing users to sync with Siri and iCloud plus across devices like iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.

Desktop app and compatibility

Spotify desktop app functionality

Spotify’s desktop app is designed to enhance the music streaming experience with a range of user-friendly features. Users can effortlessly search for and play their favorite tracks, create and manage playlists, and explore new music through personalized playlists like “Discover Weekly” and “Release Radar.” The app’s seamless integration with other devices allows users to control playback and access their music library across multiple platforms, ensuring a consistent experience. Features like “Lyrics” and “Behind the Lyrics” provide additional context and insights into songs, enriching the listening experience. Available on both Windows and macOS, Spotify’s desktop app ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, making it a versatile choice for music lovers.

Customer support and reliability

Both services are generally reliable, but Apple Music's deep integration with iOS gives it a slight edge in performance on Apple devices. Spotify, while highly reliable, may experience occasional issues on non-Apple platforms.

Spotify customer support

Spotify offers customer support through various channels, including online help centers, community forums, and social media. However, the lack of direct customer service options like phone support can frustrate users with urgent issues.

Apple Music customer support

Apple Music benefits from its robust customer support system, offering 24/7 phone support, live chat, and an extensive online knowledge base. This makes resolving issues easier and faster compared to Spotify.

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FAQs for Spotify vs Apple Music

Still unsure whether to go with Apple Music or Spotify? Ultimately, the best service for you depends on your specific needs and preferences but hopefully these FAQs should help you further when making a decision:

Which service offers better audio quality?

Apple Music generally offers better audio quality with its support for lossless and Hi-Res audio, especially for users with compatible devices. Spotify's audio quality is good but doesn't yet match Apple's high-resolution offerings, particularly due to Apple Music's lossless and Dolby Atmos capabilities.

Can I use Spotify and Apple Music simultaneously?

Yes, it's possible to use both Spotify and Apple Music simultaneously. Some users subscribe to both services to take advantage of each platform's unique features.

Which service is better for music discovery?

Thanks to its powerful recommendation algorithms and personalized playlists, Spotify is often considered superior for music discovery. Apple Music also offers good music discovery features but relies more on human curation than algorithms.

Conclusion: Which is better, Spotify or Apple Music?

When choosing between Spotify and Apple Music, consider your device ecosystem, preferred music genres, and how much you value music discovery versus audio quality. Both platforms ask users to select favorite genres and artists at signup to tailor music recommendations, ensuring a personalized experience from the start.

Spotify excels in music discovery with recommendations and personalized playlists, social features, and cross-device compatibility, while Apple Music offers superior sound quality with lossless audio, exclusive releases, and seamless integration with Apple devices.

We hope you find the right audio streaming platform for your needs!