Apple Music VS Spotify: Which One Should You Choose?

By Adam Gorden Updated on April 29, 2024

spotify vs apple music

When talking about the largest streaming music service worldwide, the undisputed king could be Spotify, a Swedish-born service with a reported paid user base surpassing 39 million subscribers. But when it comes to the hottest music streaming service, it could remind us of Apple Music, a subscription-only streaming service developed by Apple with over 15 million subscribers so far. Given the short time since Apple Music's release, as well as its recent release on Android, it seems reasonable to take stock of how it measures up against Spotify.

Now that the dust has settled, a larger question remains: Should you subscribe to Apple Music, the fast-rising star, or Spotify, the current market share leader? Now, let's take a look at the head to head comparison between Apple Music and Spotify in this review.

apple music to spotify
Easy Way to Share Apple Music Playlists to Spotify

This article will tell you an easy method to transfer playlist from Apple Music to Spotify for playing freely.

1. User Interface

When you fire up Spotify, you're greeted with a clean and intuitive interface. The "Home" tab is where you'll find personalized recommendations based on your listening history and preferences. The "Search" tab lets you find specific artists, albums, or songs with ease - just type in what you're looking for, and Spotify will do the rest. And then there's "Your Library," where you can access all your saved music, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks. It's your music sanctuary, ready and waiting for you whenever you need it.

choosing music on apple music

Now, over on Apple Music, the layout is similarly sleek and user-friendly. The "Listen Now" tab is your go-to for personalized recommendations and playlists, tailored to your tastes. It's like having a music concierge at your fingertips, ready to serve up the perfect soundtrack for any occasion. The "Browse" tab is where you can explore new releases, top charts, and curated playlists, while the "Radio" tab lets you tune into radio stations and custom stations based on your favorite artists. And then there's the "Library" tab, which is where things get interesting. Here, you'll find all your saved music, playlists, and albums - but the real magic happens when you customize it to your liking. You can organize your library however you want, making it easy to find exactly what you're looking for.

2. Music Library

spotify playlist

Spotify boasts an extensive music library with over 80 million songs. Yep, you heard that right - 80 million! Whether you're into pop, rock, hip-hop, or anything in between, chances are Spotify has got what you're looking for. Plus, they're always adding new tracks and albums, so you'll never run out of fresh tunes to jam to. With such a vast collection, you'll never run out of new music to discover. The possibilities are endless when it comes to discovering new music and building your prefect playlist.

Now, Apple Music may not have quite as many songs as Spotify, but they're still no slouch when it comes to their music library. With over 75 million songs available to stream, Apple Music offers a vast selection of tracks across all genres. Plus, they've got exclusive releases and curated playlists that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're a die-hand fan of a specific artist or just love exploring new music, Apple Music has something for everyone.

3. Subscription

Now, Spotify's got a couple of tricks up its sleeve when it comes to subscriptions. The biggest difference? Well, Spotify offers a free tier, which is pretty cool. You can get access to a ton of music without shelling out a dime. Of course, there are some limitations - you'll have to deal with intermittent ads, a shuffle-only mode, and a few other restrictions. But hey, it's still a pretty sweet deal. If you're willing to upgrade, you can snag the Individual plan for $10.99 a month, the Student plan for $4.99 a month, or the Family plan for $16.99 a month. Plus, don't forget to keep an eye out trials that might be available.

Now, Apple Music takes a lightly different approach. They don't offer a free tier like Spotify - you'll need to start with a subscription right off the bat. But hey, that's not necessarily a bd thing. With the Individual plan starting at $10.99 a month, the Student plan for $5.99 a month, and the Family plan for $16.99 a month, you're still getting access to a massive library of tunes. And like Spotify, there might be free trials up for grabs, so keep your eyes peeled.

4. Accessibility

spotify interface

Spotify is pretty much everywhere you look, which is awesome. You can access it on your computer, your phone, your tablet - basically any device you can think of. Plus, they've got a web player, so you can even listen to your favorite tunes straight from your browser. Talk about convenient, right? Whether you're at home, on the go, or chilling at a friend's house, Spotify is always just a click away.

Now, Apple Music is no slouch when it comes to accessibility either. You can listen to it on your iPhone, your iPad, your Mac - you name it. And if you're an Android user, don't worry - Apple Music has got you covered too. They've even got a web player now, so you can jam out to your favorite tracks from pretty much anywhere. With Apple Music, you've got access to your favorite tunes no matter where you are or what device you're using.

5. Music Quality

apple music radio

Spotify streams music at a bitrate of up to 320 kbps, which is pretty darn good. That means you're getting high-quality audio that sounds crisp and clear, whether you're listening on your headphones, your speakers, or your car stereo. Plus, Spotify offers a range of audio settings, so you can customize the streaming quality to suit your preferences. Spotify's options for music with three choices: Normal, High, and Very High, at 96kbps, 160kbps, and 320kbps, respectively. However, despite their plans for a Hi-Fi subscription offering lossless audio, it's still not available as of 2024. But even without Hi-Fi, Spotify's sound quality is acceptable and ensures an enjoyable listening experience.

Now, Apple Music also streams music at a bitrate of up to 256 kbps, which is slightly lower than Spotify's but still sounds fantastic. With Apple's AAC codec, you're getting high-quality audio that's optimized for listening on all your Apple devices. Plus, Apple Music offers a feature called "Lossless Audio," which delivers audio in even higher quality, with bitrates of up to 24-bit/192 kHz. If you're an audiophile, this is definitely something to check out.

6. Social Features

Spotify is all about sharing the love for music with your friends. With Spotify, you can easily share your favorite songs, playlists, and albums with your pals via social media, messaging apps, or even email. Whether you're jamming out to a killer playlist or discovering a hidden gem, you can spread the musical joy with just a few taps. Plus, Spotify's "Friend Activity" feature lets you see what your friends are listening to in real-time, so you can discover new music based on their recommendations.

Apple Music also lets you share your music moments with friends, but in a slightly different way. With Apple Music, you can create and share personalized playlists, complete with custom artwork and descriptions. It's a fun way to showcase your musical taste and introduce your friends to new artists and tracks. Plus, Apple Music's "For You" section curates recommendations based on your listening habits, so you can discover new music tailored to your tastes. While not as robust as Spotify's social features, Apple Music still offers plenty of ways to connect with friends and discover new music together.

7. DRM Protection

Both Apple Music and Spotify use DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology to protect their music libraries. This means that the songs you download from these platforms are encrypted and cannot be copied or transferred to other devices or platforms without authorization. While this may seem restrictive, it's designed to protect the rights of artists and copyright holders.

However, if you're looking to enjoy your music without DRM restrictions, there are ways to do so. For Apple Music users, you can use third-party DRM removal tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter to bypass the DRM lock and convert your offline M4P music files to DRM-free formats like MP3. Check out this tutorial on how to remove DRM protection from Apple Music for more details.

audio converter

Key Features of ViWizard Audio Converter

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  • Convert songs, albums, and playlists from Apple Music to MP3
  • Remove DRM protection from Apple Music, iTunes, and Audible
  • Save the converted audios with the original quality and ID3 tags
  • Support the conversion of up to 100 audio formats to others

Similarly, Spotify subscribers can utilize tools like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to crack the DRM and convert Spotify streams to MP3, WAV, or other common formats for offline listening. You can learn more about how it works in this tutorial on how to convert Spotify music to MP3.

spotify music converter

Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter

Free Trial Free Trial

* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.

  • Download Spotify songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, audiobooks
  • Convert Spotify music to lossless MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, M4B
  • Support playing offline Spotify music on any device at any time
  • Compatible with Windows and macOS, as well as, the latest Spotify

So, while DRM protection is in place to safeguard the rights of artists and copyright holders, there are options available for users who prefer to enjoy their music without restrictions. Whether you're an Apple Music aficionado or a die-hard Spotify fan, you can find solutions to unlock your music and enjoy it on your terms.

Conclusion:

Both Apple Music and Spotify are leading music streaming services, each with its own strengths and unique offerings. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.

If you prioritize on-demand music and enjoy creating playlists tailored to your tastes, Spotify remains the top choice. With its extensive music library, personalized recommendations, and user-friendly interface, Spotify excels at providing a seamless and customizable listening experience.

On the other hand, if you're someone who appreciates a curated selection of new and interesting music, Apple Music may be the better option. With its emphasis on editorial curation, exclusive releases, and radio shows, Apple Music offers a constant stream of fresh content to discover and enjoy.

In the end, whether you prefer Spotify or Apple Music comes down to your personal preferences and how you like to listen to music. Both services offer excellent features and benefits, ensuring that music lovers have plenty of options to choose from in their quest for the perfect playlist.

Try ViWizard Apple Music Converter for Free!

Try ViWizard Spotify Music Converter for Free!

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