Spotify vs Apple Music: Which One is best for Music Streaming?

When you think about music streaming, Spotify and Apple Music are the top two choices that come to mind. Both these apps claim to be the best and have a lot to offer, which makes it hard to sort and decide which app meets your needs.

On one hand, Apple’s premium features and device integration look appealing. But Spotify’s extensive music library and diverse non-music programs makes it a leader in the world of music streaming.

In this article, we will review all the essential features of both Spotify and Apple Music to help you choose the best music streaming app. From the overview, music content, audio quality, and subscription plans, we have got them all covered. So, let’s get started!

Overview

Spotify

Launched in 2008, Spotify became extremely popular among the young generations. Talking about its popularity, Spotify has over 248 million active users and 113 million premium subscribers from all over the world, predominantly America, Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa.

Spotify offers millions of podcasts, music playlists, and DRM-protected tracks. It has recently added the video option on its app to make the user experience better. The best part about Spotify is that anyone can launch a Spotify music playlist or podcast and gain Spotify plays.

Apple Music

As compared to Spotify, Apple Music was launched later in 2015 as a strict music streaming platform. However, with the growing competition, Apple Music upgraded its platform and added video functionality as well.

Unlike Spotify, Apple Music does not include podcasts in its service. This feature is offered by Apple Podcasts. However, you can explore millions of songs from the Apple Music library and also listen to different radio channels.

Music Library and Content

The music library is one of the most crucial factors in choosing the best music streaming app. Both Apple Music and Spotify offer a plenitude of music tracks, but Spotify still has the largest collection. Spotify has around 4 billion playlists which keep expanding as thousands of new tracks are added every day.

Spotify

Spotify has an amazing partnership with Billboard. Therefore, users can expect to find all the new releases and mainstream hit songs on this music app. Spotify also offers unique genres such as Karaoke, Hip-Hop, Rock, Chill, Pop, and much more. Besides this, Spotify has an extensive Indie collection as well, which is popular among the young audience. Thus, helping budding Indie singers and composers gain Spotify plays.

Besides offering a plethora of music content, Spotify also offers traditional and video podcasts. You can also find a collection of audiobooks ranging from fiction, non-fiction, poetry, classic literature, and much more.

Apple Music

The content curation of Apple Music is equally impressive. The music library on Apple Music offers hundreds of genres and mood-specific playlists. Additionally, you can find fresh music and new releases on the ‘Browse Page’.

As compared to Spotify, Apple Music offers more organized playlists in every genre with over 100 options to choose from. Moreover, the Indie music collection at Apple Music is also extensive with over 40 playlists organized according to the artist, current top tracks, latest releases, and decade hits.

The non-music content of Apple Music usually revolves around live radio programs and music videos. The podcast feature is available exclusively on Apple Podcast. Besides live radio, you can find genre-specific radio shows and a collection of celeb-hosted shows as well. The music video feature offers short documentaries, live performances, behind-the-scenes and lyric videos.

Audio Quality

Spotify

Spotify Premium provides 5 audio quality settings that the users can choose from. The highest setting is around 320 kbps which consumes 7-8 MB per song. This allows a smooth playback with 1-2 seconds of buffering time.

Apple Music

Apple Music offers only four audio quality settings, the highest being 256kbps which consumes 3-6MB per song. Like Spotify, Apple Music also offers smooth playback with a few seconds buffer time. In addition to this, Apple Music also delivers spatial audio. This feature enables the listener to listen to music in all directions, unlike regular stereo.

Ease of Use

When it comes to the design and layout, both apps provide a minimalist and clean interface. You can easily navigate the music library, radio programs, and podcasts. Apple Music also offers a customizable sidebar that allows you to choose what sections you want to have on your app.

Both the apps come with a feature that lets you re-organize your playlist by date, duration, title, and artist. Although both apps are compatible with mobile and desktop, switching between devices while listening to music is more seamless on Spotify.

Pricing Plans

Both Apple Music and Spotify offer three similar paid plans. Coincidentally, both music apps offer the same bundles at the same prices. These include –

  • Individual Plan – It costs $9.99 per month for both Spotify and Apple Music respectively. This plan offers unlimited access to music, podcasts, and radio for a single user account. However, video functionality is not included in this plan.

  • Student Plan – This plan allows access to one account and offers all the facilities in the Individual plan along with video functionality. Here, Spotify users get unlimited access to ad-supported Hulu and Showtime shows. And Apple Music users in this plan get access to shows through Apple TV+ for a limited time. It costs around $4.99 per month.

  • Family Plan – This plan allows access to six user accounts with unlimited access to the music library, radio, and podcasts at $14.99 per month. Like the Individual plan, this bundle does not offer video functionality for both the music apps.

Conclusion – Which One is the Best Music Streaming App?

Considering the above features, it is clear that both Spotify and Apple Music have a lot to offer. Both the apps are reasonably intuitive and provide good sound quality. Moreover, they both are user-friendly and easy to navigate.

The difference primarily lies in the presentation and type of music content offered by each app. Spotify is more diverse and offers a variety of music playlists, and non-music content such as podcasts, radio shows, and video programs on the same platform.

Apple Music, on the other hand, is more music-centered. It is perfect for those who prefer music videos, live performances, music discussions, and documentaries. Moreover, the spatial audio feature will provide an amazing experience to all listeners.

Therefore, the choice between Spotify and Apple Music depends on your personal preference. If you are a casual listener who only likes to listen to music or any audio content then Spotify is the best music streaming app for you. Apple Music is a better option for those who are music enthusiasts.

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There’s An AirPod Feature That Lets You Eavesdrop On People From A Completely Different Room

If you’re one of the lucky individuals who make enough money to afford to buy some of those cool, wireless headphones all the kids are wearing—you’re in luck. Besides the fact that you’re safe from having to untangle headphones for the rest of your life, you also have the freedom to spy on people who may be talking about you from a completely different room. You know, just in case you were paranoid that someone you live with (like your siblings) were talking sh*t about you.

So, when your boyfriend invites his friends over and you’re worried they’re talking about how controlling you are, or if you’re interested in seeing your friends say things about you once you leave the room.

Here’s how it works:

Go to Settings on your phone and then click on Control Center. Then, click on Customize Controls—this allows you to pick and choose what settings and apps you can use when your phone is locked. Add the hearing feature to the control panel. When you click on it, it’ll come up to turn off “live listen.”

The only way it works, however, is if you leave your phone in the room while you leave and have your AirPods on you. For those who like to be sneaky and spy—congratulations, this will be your new favorite thing.

But, of course, Twitter is wilding out with theories of how to use it.

https://twitter.com/HTXJAX/status/1083514623695962112

https://twitter.com/kurtsramsey/status/1078098991726948352

Good luck y’all.

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