Spotify vs. Apple Music: Which is better?

In the world of music streaming, two giants dominate the landscape: Apple Music and Spotify. Both platforms offer extensive music libraries and personalised playlists, as well as a variety of features tailored to different user preferences. But which one is right for you? This article provides a detailed comparison of Apple Music and Spotify, examining their music libraries, audio quality, user experience, pricing and distinctive features, to help you make an informed decision.

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Macsome Music One is an all-in-one streaming downloader, which can download music from both Apple Music and Spotify. 

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Let's learn the difference between Apple Music and Spotify. And you will decide which music streaming service to choose. 

1. Music Library and Content

Both Apple Music and Spotify boast extensive catalogs, but there are slight differences in their offerings.

Apple Music: Apple Music offers over 100 million songs and 30,000 curated playlists. It also includes a robust collection of exclusive content, such as live performances, artist interviews, and Apple Music Radio stations like Apple Music 1, Hits, and Country. Apple Music excels in offering exclusive releases and has a strong focus on integrating music videos and spatial audio content.

Spotify: Spotify provides access to over 100 million songs and 5 million podcasts, making it a leader in podcast content. Its library is comparable to Apple Music's in size, but Spotify's strength lies in its vast array of user-generated playlists and its podcast ecosystem, which includes exclusive shows like The Joe Rogan Experience.

Verdict: If you're primarily interested in music and exclusive artist content, Apple Music has a slight edge with its video and live offerings. If podcasts are a priority, Spotify is the clear winner due to its extensive podcast library and seamless integration.

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2. Audio Quality

Audio quality is a critical factor for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

Apple Music: Apple Music offers lossless audio (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos at no extra cost. These features provide a richer, more immersive listening experience, especially for users with high-end headphones or speakers. However, lossless audio requires compatible hardware and a wired connection in most cases, which may limit its accessibility.

Spotify: Spotify's standard audio quality maxes out at 320 kbps (Ogg Vorbis format) for premium users, which is high quality but not lossless. Spotify has been promising a Spotify HiFi tier with lossless audio since 2021, but as of May 2025, it has not been widely rolled out, leaving Spotify behind in this category.

Verdict: Apple Music is the go-to choice for audiophiles due to its lossless and spatial audio offerings. Spotify's high-quality streaming is sufficient for most users, but it lags behind until HiFi becomes widely available.

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3. User Experience and Interface

The user experience can make or break a streaming service, and both platforms have distinct approaches.

Apple Music: Apple Music's interface is sleek and deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, making it a seamless choice for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch users. Its design emphasizes curated playlists, artist pages, and radio stations. However, some users find the interface less intuitive than Spotify's, especially for discovering new music outside of curated playlists.

Spotify: Spotify is renowned for its intuitive interface and algorithm-driven personalization. Features like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mixes make music discovery effortless. Spotify's cross-platform compatibility is excellent, with consistent performance on iOS, Android, Windows, and even gaming consoles. Its minimalist design and ease of use make it accessible for all users.

Verdict: Spotify wins for its user-friendly interface and superior music discovery algorithms, while Apple Music appeals to those already embedded in the Apple ecosystem.

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4. Personalization and Playlists

Personalization is a key differentiator in music streaming, as both platforms aim to tailor content to individual tastes.

Apple Music: Apple Music relies on a combination of human curation and algorithmic recommendations. Playlists like "Favorites Mix" and "Chill Mix" are tailored to your listening habits, and its "For You" section offers personalized recommendations. Apple's human-curated playlists, such as genre-specific or mood-based collections, are often praised for their quality.

Spotify: Spotify's personalization is unmatched, thanks to its powerful algorithms. Features like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Wrapped (an annual recap of your listening habits) are beloved by users. Spotify also allows users to create and share playlists easily, fostering a community-driven content ecosystem.

Verdict: Spotify takes the lead with its data-driven personalization and community playlist culture, though Apple Music's curated playlists are a strong contender for those who prefer editorial picks.

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5. Pricing and Plans

Pricing is a crucial consideration for most users, and both services offer competitive options.

Apple Music:

• Individual: $10.99/month (US)
• Family (up to 6 users): $16.99/month
• Student: $5.99/month
• Included with Apple One bundle (starting at $19.95/month for multiple Apple services)
• Free trial: Typically 1–3 months, depending on promotions
• Offers lossless and spatial audio at no additional cost

Spotify:

• Individual: $10.99/month (US)
• Duo (2 users): $14.99/month
• Family (up to 6 users): $16.99/month
• Student: $5.99/month (includes Hulu with ads in the US)
• Free tier: Ad-supported with limited features
• Free trial: Typically 1–3 months for Premium

Verdict: Pricing is nearly identical, but Spotify's free tier gives it an edge for budget-conscious users. Apple Music's inclusion in Apple One and its lossless audio at no extra cost add value for Apple ecosystem users.

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6. Unique Features

Each platform offers exclusive features that set it apart.

Apple Music:

• Spatial Audio and Lossless: Immersive audio experiences for compatible devices.
• Apple Music Radio: Live radio stations with exclusive shows hosted by artists and DJs.
• Siri Integration: Voice control for music playback on Apple devices.
• Lyrics View: Real-time lyrics for many songs, perfect for sing-alongs.
• Classical Music App: A dedicated Apple Music Classical app for classical music fans.

• Spotify:
• Spotify Connect: Seamless control of playback across multiple devices, like smart speakers and TVs.
• Podcast Integration: A one-stop shop for music and podcasts.
• Collaborative Playlists: Allows multiple users to contribute to a single playlist.
• Spotify Wrapped: A fun, shareable year-end summary of your listening habits.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Works on virtually any device, including niche platforms like gaming consoles.

Verdict: Apple Music shines for Apple users and audiophiles, while Spotify's device compatibility and social features make it more versatile for a broader audience.

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7. Offline Listening and Downloads

Both services allow offline listening, a must-have for users with spotty internet or those who travel frequently.

Apple Music: Allows downloading songs, albums, and playlists for offline playback. Integration with iCloud ensures your library syncs across Apple devices.

Spotify: Also supports offline downloads for Premium users, with the ability to store up to 10,000 songs per device (across up to 5 devices). Spotify's offline mode is straightforward and reliable.

Verdict: Both services are equally strong in offline capabilities, with no significant differences.

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8. Global Availability

Apple Music: Available in over 165 countries, with localized content and pricing.

Spotify: Available in over 180 countries, with a slightly broader reach and localized playlists for various regions.

Verdict: Spotify has a slight edge in global availability, but both services are widely accessible.

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Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Apple Music and Spotify depends on your priorities:

Choose Apple Music if:

1. You're an Apple ecosystem user (iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, etc.).
2. You prioritize lossless audio and Spatial Audio.
3. You enjoy curated playlists and exclusive artist content.
4. You want music videos and live radio as part of your streaming experience.

1. Choose Spotify if:
2. You want the best music discovery and personalization features.
3. You listen to podcasts regularly.
4. You prefer a free, ad-supported tier or need cross-platform compatibility.
5. You enjoy social features like collaborative playlists and Spotify Wrapped.

Final Thoughts

Apple Music and Spotify are both exceptional streaming platforms, each catering to slightly different audiences.

Apple Music is ideal for those who value high-fidelity audio and are entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, while Spotify excels in personalization, podcast integration, and accessibility across devices. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your listening habits, device preferences, and whether you prioritize music or a broader audio experience.

If you're still unsure, take advantage of their free trials to test both platforms and see which one resonates with you. Happy streaming!