Spotify vs. Apple Music: I’ve used both music streaming services, and my choice is clear

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Spotify and Apple Music are two of the main music streaming companies, fashionable for his or her huge music libraries. Past the music, nevertheless, Apple Music provides subscribers entry to the corporate’s dwell studio performances, radio interviews, and music movies, whereas Spotify’s further subscription perks lean closely into audiobooks and podcasts. 

In contrast to Apple’s {hardware} gadgets, Apple Music does not block many options to Android customers, until their gadget does not help Dolby Atmos. In any other case, Android customers can expertise a strong Apple Music expertise.

I’ve used each streaming companies for a number of years, and this is the perfect recommendation I can provide you earlier than you resolve on which service is best for you.

Options

It is best to select Apple Music if…

1. You take pleasure in a visible expertise

Together with accessing your favourite music, Apple Music provides music movies, in-studio performances, on-camera interviews, and Apple Music Reside performances you may watch. Apple Music’s platform could be very artist-centric, providing a number of Apple Music-branded radio exhibits targeted on an artist’s new music, inventive route, inspiration, and memorable performances, with some exhibits spotlighting worldwide genres and artists.

Additionally: 3 causes to make use of Apple Music on Android – particularly if in case you have iOS 26 envy

Apple Music’s Radio tab additionally provides subscribers entry to a number of iHeartRadio-licensed dwell broadcasts, with stations starting from Sacramento to New York Metropolis.

2. You need Dolby Atmos

Apple Music’s catalog consists of a number of tracks combined in Dolby Atmos, however correct Atmos listening requires a appropriate audio supply (smartphone) and listening gadget (headphones or speaker). Dolby Atmos on Apple Music is particularly fulfilling if in case you have a house encompass sound system or headphones appropriate with Dolby Atmos and head monitoring, which provides the spatial audio expertise.

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Some Android smartphones are usually not appropriate with Dolby Atmos, reminiscent of Google’s Pixel 6 by way of Pixel 9 telephones. In different circumstances, reminiscent of with Samsung, you may stream in Atmos out of your smartphone, however with out head-tracking headphones, you may miss out on spatial audio.

3. You employ Apple’s different companies

Should you subscribe to Apple’s different companies, you need to think about Apple One, which helps you to bundle them for a lower cost. An Particular person Apple One subscription consists of Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and 50 GB of iCloud+ storage for $20 a month. 

Additionally: This iOS 26 function successfully transformed this Spotify consumer to Apple Music – and he or she’s right here to remain

Household and Premier Apple One plans embody further entry to Apple Information and Apple Health+. Apple One activation requires an Apple ID and an iOS gadget.

It is best to select Spotify if…

1. You want podcasts

Spotify provides subscribers entry to an enormous library of podcasts, starting from true crime and present occasions to popular culture and movie star discuss exhibits. Spotify’s podcast tab is extremely expansive, and there is a excessive likelihood your favourite podcaster is on Spotify. Many podcasts on Spotify additionally help a visible element, so in case your favourite podcasters movie a video to accompany their audio, you may watch it instantly within the Spotify app.

Additionally: Spotify’s free tier simply received a serious improve – this is what’s new

As compared, Apple Music doesn’t host podcasts, and Apple as a substitute encourages clients to subscribe to Apple Podcasts (which can’t be bundled in Apple One).

2. You want audiobooks

Spotify additionally provides audiobooks, however limits Premium subscribers to fifteen hours of listening per 30 days; unused hours don’t roll over. Spotify’s audiobooks tab additionally options Web page Match, which lets customers scan a web page from a bodily or book and leap to that web page within the audiobook, and vice versa.

Additionally: Spotify’s new Web page Match function fixes my greatest frustration with audiobooks – this is how

If you need greater than 15 hours of ebooks per 30 days, you may should pay $13 for 10 hours. The 15 free hours included with a Premium subscription are nice for individuals who do not usually hearken to audiobooks, so having 15 hours per 30 days appears like an added perk. Apple Music does not provide audiobooks; as a substitute, an Apple Books subscription is an choice.

Author’s alternative

I want Apple Music to Spotify. A person Apple Music subscription is cheaper than Spotify, and I do not hearken to podcasts or audiobooks, so I would pay a number of further {dollars} for options I do not want. Moreover, I stream Apple Music on my Sonos dwelling theater and pay attention on the go together with my AirPods, so I usually take pleasure in Dolby Atmos spatial audio.