Audio
Spotify vs Apple Music
Spotify and Apple Music are both top music streaming apps, but they reward different habits. Spotify is better for discovery, playlists, podcasts, audiobooks, and social listening. Apple Music is stronger for sound quality, Apple devices, lossless audio, Spatial Audio, and music-first listening.
Last updated: May 28, 2026
Spotify
Spotify
A music streaming app built for playlists, discovery, podcasts, audiobooks, social listening, and daily recommendation habits.
VS
Apple
Apple Music
A music streaming service built for Apple users, lossless audio, Spatial Audio, music libraries, curated playlists, and album-focused listening.
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Specifications
Pros & Cons
Spotify — Pros
✓Stronger music discovery and personalised playlist culture
✓Better if you want music, podcasts, and audiobooks in one app
✓Spotify Connect makes device switching feel simple across many speakers and screens
✓Free ad-supported tier gives users a way in without paying immediately
✓Duo plan is useful for two people living at the same address
Spotify — Cons
✕Individual Premium costs more than Apple Music Individual in checked US pricing
✕Family plan costs more than Apple Music Family in checked US pricing
✕Lossless audio support is newer and may be less central to the experience than Apple Music
✕The app can feel busy if you only want a clean music library
✕Audiobook listening rules can vary by plan manager, region, and add-on setup
Apple Music — Pros
✓Cheaper Individual, Student, and Family plans in checked US pricing
✓Lossless audio and Spatial Audio are included without a higher-priced audio tier
✓Better fit for iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, and CarPlay users
✓Apple Music Classical is included with eligible Apple Music plans
✓Cleaner music-first feel if you don't care about podcasts inside the same app
Apple Music — Cons
✕No full free ad-supported music tier like Spotify Free
✕Music discovery can feel less addictive than Spotify’s personalised playlists
✕Social sharing and collaborative listening are not as culturally central as Spotify
✕Best features feel most natural inside the Apple device setup
✕Podcast listening sits in Apple Podcasts, not inside Apple Music
Best used for
✦Discover new songs through Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mixes, and personalised playlists
✦Listen to podcasts and music inside the same app without switching services
✦Use Spotify Connect across speakers, phones, computers, consoles, and smart TVs
✦Share playlists, collaborative playlists, and listening sessions with friends
✦Download music and podcasts for flights, commuting, and offline listening
✦Use Premium Duo or Family when multiple people need separate accounts under one bill
Best used for
✦Listen to music in Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless quality with compatible equipment
✦Use Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on supported Apple devices and headphones
✦Build a cleaner album library if you prefer saving records rather than chasing playlists
✦Use Apple Music Classical as part of the same music subscription
✦Share a Family plan with up to five people through Apple Family Sharing
✦Listen across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, CarPlay, Android, Windows, and smart TVs
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Our Verdict
Spotify is usually the better fit if you want music discovery to do the work for you. Its playlists, recommendations, podcasts, audiobooks, social features, and Spotify Connect make it the easier everyday app for mixed listening. Apple Music is usually the better fit if you care more about sound quality, album listening, and Apple devices. It costs less on the checked US Individual, Student, and Family plans, and it includes Lossless, Hi-Res Lossless, Spatial Audio, and Apple Music Classical. The real choice is discovery versus listening quality. Pick Spotify if you want the smarter recommendation machine. Pick Apple Music if you want cleaner music-first streaming with better audio value.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Spotify if...
→You want the strongest personalised playlists and music discovery
→You listen to podcasts and music in the same app every day
→You use smart speakers, game consoles, TVs, laptops, and phones together
→You share playlists often or care about what friends are listening to
→You want a Duo plan for two people living at the same address
→You want a free ad-supported option before paying
Choose Apple Music if...
→You use iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, HomePod, or Apple TV every day
→You care about Lossless, Hi-Res Lossless, and Spatial Audio
→You prefer albums, libraries, and curated music over algorithm-heavy browsing
→You want the cheaper checked US Individual, Student, or Family plan
→You want Apple Music Classical included with your music subscription
→You don't need podcasts inside your music app
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is cheaper, Spotify or Apple Music?
A: Apple Music is cheaper on the checked US Individual, Student, and Family plans. Spotify still has a free ad-supported tier and a Duo plan, which Apple Music does not offer. That can matter if you are not ready to pay.
Q: Is Spotify or Apple Music better in 2026?
A: Spotify is better for discovery, playlists, podcasts, audiobooks, and social listening. Apple Music is better for sound quality, Apple devices, album libraries, Spatial Audio, and lossless listening. Choose based on how you listen, not just the monthly price.
Q: Does Apple Music sound better than Spotify?
A: Apple Music has the clearer sound-quality pitch. It includes Lossless, Hi-Res Lossless, and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on supported content and devices. Spotify Premium also offers high-quality listening and lossless where available, but Apple Music is more audio-quality focused.
Q: Is Spotify better for playlists?
A: Yes, Spotify is usually better for playlists and discovery. Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mixes, collaborative playlists, and social listening are a big part of why people stay with Spotify. Apple Music has good curation, but Spotify feels more habit-forming.
Q: Is Apple Music better for iPhone users?
A: Usually, yes. Apple Music fits naturally with iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, CarPlay, HomePod, Siri, Apple TV, and Apple Family Sharing. Spotify works well on iPhone too, but Apple Music feels more built into the Apple setup.
Q: Which is better for families, Spotify or Apple Music?
A: Apple Music is better on price in the checked US Family plan. Spotify Family is stronger if your household already loves Spotify profiles, playlists, podcasts, and recommendations. Apple Music is the better value if everyone mostly wants music.
Q: Should I switch from Spotify to Apple Music?
A: Switch if you want cheaper music-only streaming, better Apple device integration, lossless audio, Spatial Audio, and a cleaner library. Stay with Spotify if your playlists, recommendations, friends, podcasts, and Spotify Connect habits are already doing the heavy lifting.
Sources & References
Prices, features and specifications in this comparison were verified from official sources.
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