How does Apple Music compare to Spotify?

Choosing between Apple Music and Spotify comes down to more than just playlists and price. Both offer huge catalogs, personalized recommendations, and offline listening—but they differ in sound quality, ecosystem integration, discovery features, and overall experience. This comparison breaks down how Apple Music compares to Spotify so you can decide which streaming service fits you best.

Overview: Apple Music vs Spotify at a Glance

Both services are premium, feature-rich music platforms with similar core offerings:

Music catalog: 100+ million songs on both
Podcasts: Spotify is stronger; Apple Music focuses mainly on music and radio
Pricing: Very similar, with individual, student, and family plans
Platforms: Available on iOS, Android, desktop, smart speakers, and cars

However, differences in audio quality, user interface, music discovery, and ecosystem lock-in will likely decide which one you prefer.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing changes occasionally by region, but in most markets Apple Music and Spotify are closely aligned.

Apple Music pricing

Common options (exact amounts vary by country):

Individual plan – similar cost to Spotify’s Premium
Student plan – discounted rate with student verification
Family plan – up to 6 people
Apple One bundle – includes Apple Music plus services like iCloud+, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade

Apple Music no longer offers a long-term free tier, but most users can access a free trial for new subscriptions.

Spotify pricing

Spotify’s structure is similar:

Spotify Free – ad-supported, limited skips, lower audio quality, no offline downloads
Premium Individual
Premium Student – includes discount and sometimes extra perks (e.g., limited-time partner offers)
Premium Duo – for two people living at the same address
Premium Family – up to 6 accounts with parental controls and a Family Mix playlist

If you need a completely free option, Spotify is the clear winner thanks to its free, ad-supported tier.

Music Catalog and Exclusives

Size and variety

Apple Music: Over 100 million songs, strong global catalog, plus curated playlists and radio shows.
Spotify: Also over 100 million tracks, continuously updated, with very strong coverage of mainstream and indie artists.

In practice, both carry nearly all major releases. Occasional regional differences mean some tracks or albums may appear on one service but not the other.

Exclusive and original content

Apple Music:
- Exclusive live recordings, Apple Music Sessions, and spatial audio mixes
- Artist-driven radio shows (e.g., Apple Music 1, genre-focused stations)
Spotify:
- Heavy investment in Spotify Originals and Exclusive podcasts
- Special editions and single releases, but fewer album exclusives than in past years

If you care more about music-only exclusives, Apple Music has an edge. If you want podcast exclusives and original shows, Spotify wins.

Sound Quality and Audio Features

When comparing how Apple Music compares to Spotify on audio quality, Apple currently has the technical lead—especially for audiophiles.

Audio quality levels

Spotify Premium:

Up to 320 kbps (Ogg Vorbis codec) on Premium
Spotify Free is limited to lower bitrates and doesn’t allow full control over quality on all devices

Apple Music:

Standard streaming uses AAC (256 kbps), which is very efficient and comparable to Spotify’s 320 kbps for most listeners
Lossless audio:
- Up to 24-bit/48 kHz (Lossless)
- Up to 24-bit/192 kHz (Hi-Res Lossless) with compatible hardware
Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless included at no extra charge in the standard plan

Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos

Apple Music has made Spatial Audio a major differentiator:

Many albums available in Dolby Atmos with immersive mixes
Works seamlessly with AirPods (certain models) and select speakers and devices
Especially noticeable in pop, hip-hop, and cinematic genres where producers embrace Atmos mixing

Spotify has announced HiFi in the past but, as of the latest information, Spotify HiFi has not fully launched. Spatial or immersive formats are not as central to Spotify’s pitch.

Verdict on audio quality:

Everyday listeners: Both sound very good; differences may be subtle on basic headphones.
Audio enthusiasts: Apple Music is significantly stronger thanks to lossless and Hi-Res options.

User Interface and User Experience

How Apple Music compares to Spotify on interface comes down to taste and platform.

Spotify interface

Clean, dark-themed UI with consistent design on mobile and desktop
Home, Search, Your Library layout is intuitive and easy to learn
Strong emphasis on playlists, mood-based mixes, and podcasts
Social elements (friend activity, collaborative playlists) are well integrated
Desktop and web apps are polished and reliable

Apple Music interface

Integrates tightly within the Apple ecosystem (Music app on iOS, iPadOS, macOS)
Tab-based layout: Listen Now, Browse, Radio, Library, Search
Artwork-forward design showcasing albums and curated content
Experience feels more “native” on Apple devices but can feel less refined on Android and Windows (Windows uses Apple Music web or dedicated apps depending on version)

If you like minimal, playlist-centric design and cross-platform consistency, Spotify often feels smoother. If you’re deeply in the Apple environment, Apple Music feels more integrated and familiar.

Music Discovery and Personalization

For many users, the real question is: Which service helps you find new music you love?

Spotify discovery features

Spotify is widely regarded as the leader in algorithmic discovery:

Discover Weekly – personalized playlist updated weekly with new suggestions
Release Radar – new music from artists you follow or may like
Daily Mixes – multiple playlists each focused on different parts of your taste
Blend – merges your taste with friends’ into shared playlists
Strong integration of mood, activity, and genre playlists (e.g., “Chill Hits,” “Workout,” “Focus”)
Clear editorial presence with Spotify curated playlists for every niche

Spotify’s algorithms are constantly tuned by your listening behavior, likes, skips, and playlist additions.

Apple Music discovery features

Apple Music’s discovery has improved and combines algorithms with human curation:

Listen Now – central hub for personalized picks
Favorites Mix, New Music Mix, Chill Mix, Get Up Mix – smart playlists based on your habits
Heavy investment in editorial playlists curated by music experts and genre specialists
Apple Music Radio stations introduce new tracks based on your preferences
You can love/dislike songs to refine recommendations

While Apple Music’s personalization has grown more accurate, many users still find Spotify’s discovery faster at surfacing “wow, this is perfect for me” moments—especially if you rely heavily on algorithmic playlists.

Discovery verdict:

If discovery is your top priority, Spotify remains the stronger choice.
If you value a blend of editorial curation and personalization, Apple Music is appealing.

Playlists, Libraries, and Curation

Playlist management

Both services let you create, share, and follow playlists, but there are subtle differences:

Spotify:
- Collaborative playlists are easy to set up and share
- Playlists are central to the experience; many users rely on them more than albums
- Integration with third-party tools and playlist generators is strong
Apple Music:
- Playlists sync via iCloud across Apple devices
- Smart playlists on macOS (using criteria like play count, genre, etc.)
- Collaboration has historically been weaker, though sharing and following are supported

Library organization

Spotify: Library combines playlists, artists, albums, and podcasts; simple but can become cluttered if you follow a lot.
Apple Music: Library feels more like a traditional music collection, echoing the old iTunes structure. Good if you’re used to albums and your own MP3 library.

If your listening revolves around playlists and social sharing, Spotify has the edge. If you care about a clean, album-oriented library, Apple Music can feel more like a personal collection.

Podcasts and Non-Music Content

When evaluating how Apple Music compares to Spotify, podcasts are a major dividing line.

Spotify:
- Built heavily around both music and podcasts in the same app
- Home to many exclusive podcast deals and original shows
- Strong recommendations for spoken-word content
Apple Music:
- Primarily focused on music and radio
- Apple’s main podcast platform is Apple Podcasts, a separate app
- If you want everything in one app, Apple Music may feel incomplete for podcasts

If podcasts are central to your listening, Spotify is more convenient as an all-in-one experience. If you prefer your media separated, you might like Apple’s approach of distinct apps.

Social Sharing and Community Features

Spotify social features

Friend Activity feed on desktop: see what friends are listening to in real time
Collaborative playlists that multiple users can add to and edit
Blend playlists combining users’ tastes
Easy sharing to social media platforms with rich artwork and track previews

Apple Music social features

You can follow friends, see what they’re listening to, and share playlists
Social functionality exists but is less central and less visible in the UI
No equivalent to Spotify’s real-time Friend Activity feed

For social and shared listening, Spotify is clearly stronger.

Ecosystem Integration and Devices

How Apple Music compares to Spotify also depends on what devices you use daily.

Apple Music ecosystem advantages

Best if you’re deeply invested in Apple:

Native on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod
Siri integration for voice control (“Hey Siri, play my Favorites Mix”)
Seamless use with AirPods (automatic device switching, spatial audio, head tracking)
Integrated into Apple CarPlay
Part of Apple One bundles if you use multiple Apple services

Spotify ecosystem advantages

Spotify is more platform-agnostic:

Strong apps on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, web
Works with a huge range of third-party smart speakers, TVs, consoles, and cars
Spotify Connect lets you control playback on different devices easily (phone → speaker → TV etc.)
Native support on many non-Apple smart speakers (e.g., Sonos, Amazon Echo, Google Nest)

If you mostly use Apple devices, Apple Music feels more integrated. If you use a mix of platforms or smart devices from different brands, Spotify’s flexibility is hard to beat.

Offline Listening and Data Usage

Both Apple Music and Spotify let you download songs, albums, and playlists for offline listening with paid plans.

Spotify Free does not allow offline downloads; Premium does.
Apple Music requires a subscription for offline listening but has no free tier.

Both services allow you to control download quality and streaming quality to manage data usage. There’s no major diference here for most users.

Lyrics, Videos, and Extras

Lyrics

Apple Music:
- Real-time synced lyrics for many songs
- Lyrics can be tapped to jump to specific parts of the track
- Works especially well on Apple TV and larger screens
Spotify:
- Also offers synced lyrics on most songs, powered by lyric partners
- Integrated into mobile, desktop, and supported devices

Both have strong lyric support, with Apple offering slightly more polished visuals on some devices.

Music videos and extras

Apple Music:
- Large library of music videos and video playlists
- Some exclusive video content and live concerts
Spotify:
- Limited music video support; mainly focuses on audio
- Uses Canvas (short looping visuals) instead of full videos

If you enjoy music videos and visual content, Apple Music is ahead.

Privacy and Data Use

Both companies collect listening data to power recommendations, but their broader business models differ.

Apple Music:
- Apple emphasizes privacy as a core value
- Positions its services as less dependent on advertising and large-scale user profiling
Spotify:
- Ad-supported free tier relies on user data for targeting
- Data is used for both recommendations and ad personalization

If privacy and minimal data use are high priorities, you may prefer Apple’s overall stance, though both services collect usage analytics.

How to Choose: Which Service Is Better for You?

When deciding how Apple Music compares to Spotify for your specific needs, consider these scenarios:

Choose Apple Music if:

You’re heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple TV, AirPods)
You care about lossless, hi-res, and spatial audio for higher-fidelity listening
You prefer a music-first app, with podcasts kept separate
You like editorial curation, live radio shows, and music videos

Choose Spotify if:

You want a free tier with ads and don’t want to pay initially
Music discovery and personalized playlists (Discover Weekly, Daily Mix, Blend) are your top priority
You love social listening, collaborative playlists, and seeing what friends are playing
You use a wide range of devices beyond Apple—Android, Windows, smart speakers, consoles, and more
You want an all-in-one music and podcast app

Can You Switch Between Apple Music and Spotify Easily?

If you’re considering switching, there are tools that help move your library:

Third-party services (like Soundiiz, SongShift, or similar) can transfer playlists and liked songs between Apple Music and Spotify.
Not everything transfers perfectly—especially local files or region-specific content—but most core playlists can be moved.

This makes it easier to try one service for a few months and switch if it doesn’t fit your style.

Final Thoughts

In a direct comparison of how Apple Music compares to Spotify:

Apple Music stands out for sound quality, Apple ecosystem integration, spatial audio, and a music-first focus.
Spotify remains superior in music discovery, social features, podcast integration, and cross-platform flexibility, with the added bonus of a free tier.

The best choice depends on what you value most: audio fidelity and Apple integration, or discovery, social listening, and device flexibility. If possible, take advantage of free trials and test both with your own listening habits—your experience over a few weeks will be the most reliable guide.