Spotify vs Apple Music

Updated Sep 26, 2026

Apple Music costs a little less and sounds better on paper. Spotify is better for finding new music, sharing it with friends, and podcasts.

Spotify

$12.99

Individual per month

Individual: $12.99/mo
Duo: $18.99/mo
Family: $21.99/mo
Student: $6.99/mo
Max quality: Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz
Lossless: Yes
Hi-res: No
Catalog: 100M+ tracks, large podcast and audiobook library
Free tier: Yes, with ads
Podcasts: Yes
Lyrics: Yes
Social: Jam, Blend, shared playlists
Artist payout: Pro-rata, 1,000-stream minimum per track

Apple Music

$11.99

Individual per month

Individual: $11.99/mo
Duo: Not offered
Family: $19.99/mo
Student: $6.99/mo
Max quality: Hi-res lossless up to 24-bit/192 kHz
Lossless: Yes
Hi-res: Yes
Catalog: 100M+ tracks
Free tier: No, trial only
Podcasts: Limited
Lyrics: Yes
Social: Shared playlists, friend activity
Artist payout: Pro-rata

Winner for sound quality

Apple MusicWinner

Winner for price (individual)

Apple MusicWinner

Winner for discovery

SpotifyWinner

Price

For one person, Spotify is $12.99 a month and Apple Music is $11.99. Both raised prices in 2026: Spotify in January and Apple in July. Spotify has a Duo plan for two people at $18.99. Apple doesn't, so couples pay for Family.

Both student plans throw in something extra. Spotify's includes Hulu, and Apple's includes Apple TV.

Price calculator

ServiceCheapest firstMonth / yearPandora$10.99 / $131.88Apple Music$11.99 / $143.88YouTube Music$11.99 / $143.88Tidal$11.99 / $143.88Deezer$11.99 / $143.88Spotify$12.99 / $155.88Qobuz$12.99 / $155.88Amazon Music$12.99 / $155.88

Not checked yet: SoundCloud. Left out until we confirm current prices.

US prices, checked Sep 26, 2026. Yearly figure is 12 months at the monthly rate.

Sound quality

Apple Music streams lossless up to 24-bit/192 kHz, plus Dolby Atmos, at no extra cost. Spotify added lossless to Premium in September 2025, up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz (Spotify's announcement). Most people won't hear the difference on Bluetooth headphones. On wired gear with a good DAC, Apple has the edge.

Catalog

Both have more than 100 million songs, and most releases are on both. Spotify has the bigger podcast library and includes 15 hours of audiobooks a month with Premium. Apple Music includes the separate Apple Music Classical app.

Features

Spotify's discovery is the main reason people stay: Discover Weekly, daylist, and Jam for listening together. Apple Music has time-synced lyrics, good editorial playlists and radio, and works best if you're already on an iPhone and a HomePod.

Verdict

Pick Spotify if you want the best recommendations, listen to podcasts, or share playlists with friends on Android. Pick Apple Music if you're all in on Apple devices, care about hi-res sound, or want the lower individual price.