Apple Music offers superior audio quality, lossless streaming at no extra cost, and pays artists 2-3x more per stream, while Spotify dominates with 713 million users, a stronger free tier, and superior social features. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize artist support and sound quality (Apple Music) or user base and discovery features (Spotify).
Apple Music vs Spotify — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Apple's premium music streaming service with lossless audio and spatial sound support.
World's largest music streaming platform with 574 million users, advanced AI recommendations, and integrated podcast ecosystem.
Per-Stream Payment to Artists. Paying Subscribers. Total Global Users. Audio Quality. Free Tier Availability. Social Discovery Features. UI/UX Experience. Artist Support Philosophy
Apple Music excels in audio fidelity and artist compensation, making it ideal for audiophiles and those supporting independent creators. Spotify's massive user base, social features, and freemium model make it the better choice for casual listeners and social music sharing. For most users, Spotify offers superior value; for serious listeners and artist advocates, Apple Music is worth the premium.
Apple Music: 24-bit Lossless | Spotify: 320 kbps OGG
Apple Music: Apple Music | Spotify: Spotify
Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)
Apple Music: 24-bit/192 kHz | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Data unavailable | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Native with natural language prompts | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Full (Siri, Watch, HomePod, CarPlay) | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: iOS, macOS, Android, Web, Windows | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Complete track counts and listings | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: 192kHz lossless ALAC | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: $0.008 (blended average) | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: No - subscription required | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple TV | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Shazam data + editorial curation + listening habits | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: 100,000 | Spotify: 10,000 (5 devices max)
Apple Music: $0.006-$0.010 | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Not applicable | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: No free tier | Spotify: Full free tier with ads (shuffle-only on mobile)
Apple Music: All subscription tiers | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: $16.99/month (6 users) | Spotify: $16.99
Apple Music: Apple-optimized only | Spotify: All platforms equally
Apple Music: 100 million songs | Spotify: 100 million songs
Apple Music: 256 kbps AAC | Spotify: 320 kbps Ogg Vorbis
Apple Music: Yes — included (+ Hi-Res 24-bit/192 kHz) | Spotify: Yes — included, no extra charge
Apple Music: Yes — broadest, included | Spotify: Limited catalog
Apple Music: Limited (select tracks) | Spotify: No
Apple Music: No (separate Apple Podcasts) | Spotify: Yes — largest catalog
Apple Music: Via Apple Books (separate) | Spotify: Yes (limited per plan)
Apple Music: No (3-month trial only) | Spotify: Yes (ad-supported, shuffle-limited)
Apple Music: Yes (with SharePlay) | Spotify: Yes
Apple Music: Limited | Spotify: Yes (Blend, Friend Activity)
Apple Music: Yes (personalized radio) | Spotify: Yes (DJ, Smart Shuffle)
Apple Music: Deep (voice, HomePod) | Spotify: Basic
Apple Music: Yes (default on iPhone) | Spotify: Yes
Apple Music: Limited | Spotify: Via Spotify Connect
Apple Music: Native | Spotify: Via AirPlay
Apple Music: $10.99/mo | Spotify: $12.99/mo
Apple Music: $16.99/mo | Spotify: $21.99/mo
Apple Music: $5.99/mo | Spotify: $6.99/mo
Apple Music: 100+ million | Spotify: 150+ million
Apple Music: 120 million | Spotify: 626 million
Apple Music: Primarily Apple (limited Android support) | Spotify: 9+ (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web, PlayStation, Xbox, Alexa, Smart TVs)
Apple Music: No free tier (Voice Plan $4.99/mo is limited) | Spotify: 6 skips/hour on ad-supported tier
User Satisfaction with Discovery (2024 survey)
Apple Music: 58% satisfied with personalization | Spotify: 73% satisfied with personalization
Apple Music: HomePod, limited ecosystem | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Native on all Apple devices with Dolby Atmos | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: None available | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: iOS, macOS, Windows, web, CarPlay | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: 246 million | Spotify: 628 million
Apple Music: 24-bit/192kHz lossless | Spotify: 256 kbps AAC lossy
Apple Music: 100,000 songs | Spotify: Unlimited
Apple Music: 50+ (primarily Apple ecosystem) | Spotify: 500+ (Android, iOS, web, consoles, smart TVs)
Apple Music: 6 users at $19.99/month | Spotify: 6 users at $16.99/month
Apple Music: Yes, at base tier | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: Included in base tier | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: 15 years (since 2015) | Spotify: N/A
Apple Music: 110 million | Spotify: 574 million
Apple Music: 9,216 (24-bit/192kHz lossless) | Spotify: 320 kbps (lossy)
Apple Music: 100+ | Spotify: 100+ million
Apple Music: iOS, Android, Web, Mac, HomePod, Apple TV | Spotify: iOS, Android, Web, Windows, Mac, Gaming Consoles, Smart Speakers
Apple Music: No—share-only playlists | Spotify: Yes—full real-time collaboration
Apple Music: ~25% preference match (est.) | Spotify: ~40% preference match
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 320 (Standard)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: $0.003-0.005
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Limited/None
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Excellent (Discover Weekly)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Advanced (Blend, Collaborative playlists)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Premium only
Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Ad-Supported
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: No (Spatial Audio instead)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Universal compatibility
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Lossless (HiFi tier)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Full platform integration with exclusives
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Secondary feature, available but limited
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Strict verification required
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 281 (Q3 2025)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: $0.003-$0.005
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 320 kbps AAC (standard)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 4.3 (Q3 2025)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Full ad-supported tier
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Spotify Individual
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Spotify Free
Artist Growth Multiplier (focused strategy)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 3-5x faster monthly listener growth
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: $0.003-0.005 per stream
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Requires distribution service
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Algorithm-driven, slower direct feedback
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Limited exclusive release functionality
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Lower density
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 3M+ podcasts
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 100M+ tracks
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: HiFi Tier (additional cost)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 180+ countries
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Song/Artist Radio, Song Credits expansion
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: $11.99/month (Premium)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 100,000,000+
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 320 kbps (Premium)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 10,000 songs
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 6+ major platforms
Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: $11.99/month
Annual Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 150+ million
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Ogg Vorbis, MP3, AAC
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 10,000 per device
Discover Weekly Playlists Generated Weekly
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 320 kbps MP3
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 100+ million
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Required (strict verification)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 6 hours (with ads)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: ~626 million
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: ~100 million
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 320kbps Ogg Vorbis
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: $11.99 (Standard)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: Yes (with ads, skip limits)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: N/A (no lossless option)
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 500 thousand+
Apple Music: N/A | Spotify: 10,000+ thousand
How to choose between Apple Music and Spotify
Apple Music vs Spotify — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Apple Music vs Spotify. Contains 184 attribute comparisons, 4 FAQ pairs.
Apple Music vs Spotify — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Apple Music vs Spotify.
Is Apple Music or Spotify better for audio quality?
Apple Music is better for audio quality — it offers lossless audio (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio at no additional cost. Spotify Premium streams at up to 320 kbps OGG Vorbis with no lossless option yet available. For audiophiles with quality headphones or speakers, Apple Music has a clear advantage.
Yes — Spotify has an ad-supported free tier with shuffle-only playback on mobile, limited skips, and occasional ads. Apple Music has no free tier; it requires a paid subscription. Spotify's free tier is a major driver of its larger total user base.
Which is better for discovering new music?
Spotify's recommendation algorithms (Discover Weekly, Daily Mixes, Release Radar) are widely regarded as the best in the industry for music discovery. Apple Music's algorithmic recommendations have improved but most users find Spotify's personalization more accurate and enjoyable.
Yes — Apple Music has an Android app available on the Google Play Store. However, Apple Music is better integrated with Apple devices (iPhone, AirPods, HomePod, Apple Watch). Spotify works equally well across Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and web.
How to Choose Between Apple Music and Spotify
Per-Stream Payment to Artists: Apple Music has $0.006-$0.010, while Spotify has $0.003-$0.005.
Paying Subscribers: Apple Music has 108 million, while Spotify has ~225 million.
Total Global Users: Apple Music has ~150 million, while Spotify has 713 million.
Audio Quality: Apple Music has Lossless (Hi-Fi) included, while Spotify has Up to 320kbps standard.
Free Tier Availability: Apple Music has Premium only, while Spotify has Ad-supported freemium.
Social Discovery Features: Apple Music has Limited sharing tools, while Spotify has Advanced playlist sharing & Blend feature.
UI/UX Experience: Apple Music has Improved but still native iOS-focused, while Spotify has Intuitive & cross-platform optimized.
Artist Support Philosophy: Apple Music has Fair compensation priority, while Spotify has Volume-based economics.
Apple Music offers superior audio quality, lossless streaming at no extra cost, and pays artists 2-3x more per stream, while Spotify dominates with 713 million users, a stronger free tier, and superior social features. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize artist support and sound quality (A