Apple Music or Spotify? Everything you need to know about the services

As with streaming services for television, there are also many providers for music. Spotify and Apple Music are two of the biggest. Which one suits you best?

Spotify is of course the most popular music streaming service in our country, but Apple Music offers fierce competition. Especially if you have Apple products, it is a very interesting option. But when should you choose which service? We help you on your way.

Apple Music vs. Spotify: the differences

During this comparison we list several points. We include music, podcasts, features and of course prices.

Music

If you are a big music lover, Apple Music might be the best option. The streaming service has more than 100 million songs available. At Spotify, this number comes to 80 million. While you can find the big songs on both, you might find some more on Apple Music.

In addition, Apple Music holds its own exclusive Sessions. For example, Taylor Swift, Drake and Pharell Williams have unique content on the platform.

Quality

At the moment, Apple Music has lossless audio support. With that, it supports higher resolutions, which boosts the quality of music. Spotify does not have this yet, but is working hard on its own HiFi function.

In addition, Apple Music also has Spatial Audio, which offers a dynamic music experience using Dolby Atmos. This is also missing on Spotify.

podcasts

If you are a true podcast enthusiast, Spotify is the best place to go. The streaming service has a large number of podcast makers under exclusive contract, although they are mainly not Dutch podcast makers. You can also listen to Freakin’ Nerds!

In addition to podcast, Spotify also has a large number of audio books in its range. However, you have to pay for this per book. Moreover, you can only listen to them via Spotify’s website.

With Apple Music, the podcasts are not in the service itself. For this you need to download the special Podcast app. Also, the service does not offer audiobooks.

Functions

The features of both streaming services are quite similar. Both allow you to create playlists and get recommendations to discover new music. In addition, Apple Music has recently launched its own ‘Wrapped’. This allows you to see, just like with Spotify, which songs you have listened to the most.

However, Spotify has the Blend feature that allows you to mix your playlists with those of friends. It also has a special Enhance button that lets you add suggested songs to your own playlist.

Apple Music, on the other hand, offers live radio stations. This way you can listen to what a DJ has in store for you.

Price

Of course, one of the most important points of a streaming service is the price. Spotify of course has a free version where you hear commercials in between and you cannot skip or play songs in your order as often. In addition, the music quality is somewhat less.

With Spotify you can choose from different subscriptions. An individual subscription costs 9.99 euros per month. You pay 12.99 euros per month for two accounts. Ideal if you share the service with someone. There is also a family subscription (6 accounts) for 14.99 euros per month. Students only pay 4.99 euros per month.

Apple Music is slightly more expensive. You pay 10.99 euros per month for the service. When you buy an Apple device you get 6 months free. The deal also includes Apple One. If you also want to use Apple TV +, Arcade and iCloud in addition to music, this is a very interesting option.

Apple Music vs. Spotify: the verdict

It is difficult to answer this question. Both services are close to each other and in terms of price they do not differ much with an individual subscription. Still, you seem to be slightly cheaper with Spotify. Moreover, you also have quite a few podcasts there.

Are you a real music purist and do you want to hear more songs in the best quality? Then Apple Music is your ideal option.