Music streaming has become one of the most popular ways to listen to music. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to know which one is the best for you. Two of the biggest players in the game are Apple Music and Spotify, but which one is better? In this article, we will compare the two services to help you decide.
Price
One of the biggest factors when it comes to choosing a music streaming service is the price. Both Apple Music and Spotify offer similar pricing options. However, Spotify does have a free option that allows users to listen to music with ads. If you want to get rid of the ads, you can upgrade to the Premium plan.
Apple Music, on the other hand, does not offer a free plan. You can get a three-month free trial, but after that, you will need to pay for the service. Apple Music costs $9.99 per month for an individual plan and $14.99 per month for a family plan that can be shared with up to six people.
Features
Both Apple Music and Spotify offer similar features. They both have large music catalogs, curated playlists, and offline listening options. Apple Music also has an added feature called Beats 1, which is a 24/7 global radio station that plays a mix of popular and new music.
Spotify has a unique feature called Spotify Wrapped, which creates a personalized summary of your listening habits for the year. It also has a collaborative playlist option, where you can share a playlist with friends and they can add their own songs to it.
User Interface
When it comes to user interface, it is a matter of personal preference. Apple Music has a clean and simple layout, with a focus on album art. It also has a feature called Up Next, which allows you to queue up songs to play next.
Spotify has a more colorful and vibrant layout, with a focus on playlists. It also has a feature called Daily Mixes, which creates personalized playlists based on your listening history.
Sound Quality
Both Apple Music and Spotify offer high-quality streaming options. Apple Music streams at 256 kbps, while Spotify streams at up to 320 kbps. However, the difference in sound quality is not noticeable to the average listener.
Compatibility
Apple Music is only available on Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It is also available on Windows and Android devices. Spotify is available on a wider range of devices, including Apple devices, Windows, Android, and even some smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Music Discovery
Both Apple Music and Spotify have strong music discovery options. Apple Music has a feature called For You, which recommends personalized playlists based on your listening history. It also has a section called New Music, which highlights recently released albums and singles.
Spotify has a unique feature called Discover Weekly, which creates a personalized playlist of new music for you every week. It also has a section called Release Radar, which highlights the newest releases from artists you follow.
Music Exclusives
Apple Music and Spotify both have deals with different artists and labels to offer exclusive content. For example, Apple Music has exclusive deals with Taylor Swift and Drake, while Spotify has exclusive deals with J Balvin and Billie Eilish.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between Apple Music and Spotify comes down to personal preference. Both services have their strengths and weaknesses, and it really depends on what you value most in a music streaming service. If you are an Apple device user and value a clean and simple layout, Apple Music may be the best option for you. If you are looking for a wider range of compatibility and unique features like Discover Weekly, then Spotify may be the way to go.