Spotify leads in personalization and cross-platform availability with 628 million users, while Apple Music offers lossless audio, superior artist payouts at $0.01 per stream, and tight integration with Apple devices, making each best suited to different ecosystems and priorities.
Apple Music vs Spotify — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Music streaming platform with 628 million users known for personalization and cross-platform availability.
Apple's music streaming service with 246 million subscribers offering lossless audio and seamless Apple device integration.
Global Subscriber Base. Audio Quality Maximum. Artist Payment Per Stream. Device Ecosystem Support. Personalization Algorithm Accuracy. Offline Download Capacity. Price (Individual Monthly USD)
Choose Spotify if you use multiple device types, value superior music discovery algorithms, and want the largest social music community with 628 million active users. Choose Apple Music if you own Apple devices, prioritize lossless audio quality, want to support artists with higher per-stream payouts, and prefer deeper Siri/HomeKit integration.
Spotify: 320 kbps OGG | Apple Music: 24-bit Lossless
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 | Apple Music: N/A
Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium Tier)
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: Spotify | Apple Music: Apple Music
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 | Apple Music: N/A
Artist Growth Multiplier (focused strategy)
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 | Apple Music: N/A
Spotify: All platforms equally | Apple Music: Apple-optimized only
Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Spotify: $11.99/month | Apple Music: N/A
Annual Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Spotify: 150+ million | Apple Music: N/A
Spotify: Ogg Vorbis, MP3, AAC | Apple Music: N/A
Spotify: 10,000 per device | Apple Music: N/A
Spotify: Limited with ads | Apple Music: None
Discover Weekly Playlists Generated Weekly
Spotify: 100 million songs | Apple Music: 100 million songs
Spotify: 320 kbps Ogg Vorbis | Apple Music: 256 kbps AAC
Spotify: Yes — included, no extra charge | Apple Music: Yes — included (+ Hi-Res 24-bit/192 kHz)
Spotify: Limited catalog | Apple Music: Yes — broadest, included
Spotify: No | Apple Music: Limited (select tracks)
Spotify: Yes — largest catalog | Apple Music: No (separate Apple Podcasts)
Spotify: Yes (limited per plan) | Apple Music: Via Apple Books (separate)
Spotify: Yes (ad-supported, shuffle-limited) | Apple Music: No (3-month trial only)
Spotify: Yes | Apple Music: Yes (with SharePlay)
Spotify: Yes (Blend, Friend Activity) | Apple Music: Limited
Spotify: Yes (DJ, Smart Shuffle) | Apple Music: Yes (personalized radio)
Spotify: Basic | Apple Music: Deep (voice, HomePod)
Spotify: Yes | Apple Music: Yes (default on iPhone)
Spotify: Via Spotify Connect | Apple Music: Limited
Spotify: Via AirPlay | Apple Music: Native
Spotify: $12.99/mo | Apple Music: $10.99/mo
Spotify: $21.99/mo | Apple Music: $16.99/mo
Spotify: $6.99/mo | Apple Music: $5.99/mo
Spotify: 150+ million | Apple Music: 100+ million
Spotify: 626 million | Apple Music: 120 million
Spotify: 320 kbps (compressed) | Apple Music: Lossless (ALAC 192kHz equivalent to 9,216 kbps)
Spotify: 9+ (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web, PlayStation, Xbox, Alexa, Smart TVs) | Apple Music: Primarily Apple (limited Android support)
Spotify: 6 skips/hour on ad-supported tier | Apple Music: No free tier (Voice Plan $4.99/mo is limited)
User Satisfaction with Discovery (2024 survey)
Spotify: 73% satisfied with personalization | Apple Music: 58% satisfied with personalization
Spotify: 100+ million | Apple Music: 100 million
Spotify: 628 million | Apple Music: 246 million
Spotify: 256 kbps AAC lossy | Apple Music: 24-bit/192kHz lossless
Spotify: 10,000 songs | Apple Music: 100,000 songs
Spotify: 500+ (Android, iOS, web, consoles, smart TVs) | Apple Music: 50+ (primarily Apple ecosystem)
Spotify: 6 users at $16.99/month | Apple Music: 6 users at $19.99/month
Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)
Spotify: N/A | 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: $0.006-$0.010
Spotify: N/A | Apple Music: Not applicable
Spotify: N/A | Apple Music: All subscription tiers
Spotify: N/A | Apple Music: HomePod, limited ecosystem
Spotify: N/A | Apple Music: Dolby Atmos available
Spotify: N/A | Apple Music: None available
Spotify: N/A | Apple Music: iOS, macOS, Windows, web, CarPlay
How to choose between Spotify and Apple Music
Apple Music vs Spotify — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Apple Music vs Spotify. Contains 142 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Apple Music vs Spotify — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Apple Music vs Spotify.
Which streaming service has better sound quality?
Apple Music offers superior audio quality with lossless Hi-Fi up to 24-bit/192kHz at no extra cost, included in all subscription tiers. Spotify is limited to 256 kbps AAC lossy compression. However, you need compatible hardware (Apple devices with A15+ chips) to experience Apple Music's full quality advantage. For casual listeners, the difference may be imperceptible, but audiophiles will notice the improvement.
Which service pays artists more per stream?
Apple Music pays approximately $0.01 per stream while Spotify averages $0.007 per stream—a 43% difference favoring Apple Music. This is one reason many independent artists prefer Apple Music. However, total artist earnings depend on total streams; Spotify's 628 million subscribers generate far higher total volume, potentially offsetting lower per-stream rates.
Can I use Apple Music on Android or Spotify on iPhone?
Yes to both, but with limitations. Apple Music has no native Android app; you access it via web browser only, limiting functionality. Spotify has a full-featured iOS app and works on any Apple device. For Android users, Spotify is far superior. For iPhone users wanting lossless audio and deep Siri integration, Apple Music is better despite Spotify's app quality.
Which has better music discovery and personalization?
Spotify's algorithm is widely considered industry-leading, with 73% of users rating its Discover Weekly feature as the best personalization in music streaming (2025 survey). Apple Music's Replay and Personalized Mixes are functional but less acclaimed by critics and users. Spotify also excels at mood-based playlists and social discovery. If algorithm-driven discovery is your priority, Spotify wins decisively.
What's the cost difference between Spotify and Apple Music?
Individual plans: Spotify $11.99/month vs Apple Music $12.99/month ($1 difference). Student plans: Both $6.99/month. Family Plan: Spotify $16.99/month (6 users) vs Apple Music $19.99/month (6 users). Spotify is $1-3 cheaper depending on plan tier. Apple Music sometimes includes 3-month free trials with hardware purchases, offsetting the price difference for new Apple device buyers.
How to Choose Between Spotify and Apple Music
Global Subscriber Base: Spotify has 628 million (as of 2026), while Apple Music has 246 million (as of 2026).
Audio Quality Maximum: Spotify has 256 kbps AAC lossy standard, while Apple Music has Lossless Hi-Fi up to 24-bit/192kHz (Apple Music Lossless).
Artist Payment Per Stream: Spotify has $0.007 average, while Apple Music has $0.01 average.
Device Ecosystem Support: Spotify has iOS, Android, web, gaming consoles, smart speakers, while Apple Music has Apple devices (iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS) + limited Android/web.
Consider: Personalization Algorithm Accuracy
Personalization Algorithm Accuracy: Spotify has Discover Weekly cited as industry-leading by 73% of users in 2025 survey, while Apple Music has Apple Music Replay and Personalized Mixes rated good but less acclaimed.
Offline Download Capacity: Spotify has Up to 10,000 songs per device, while Apple Music has Up to 100,000 songs per device.
Consider: Price (Individual Monthly USD)
Price (Individual Monthly USD): Spotify has $11.99 standard / $6.99 student, while Apple Music has $12.99 standard / $6.99 student.