Apple Music Vs Spotify: Which Is The Best Music App
Apple Music or Spotify? The question of which is the best music streaming app used to be easier to answer: Apples cloud locker feature and deep Apple device integration was appealing, but Spotifys bigger library and extensive social media integration made it a deserved category leader.
Now, though, its not so clear. Apple has made big strides in improving its library and feature set, including the addition of both spatial audio and lossless audio in June 2021. The rival Spotify HiFi was announced well before this, but has yet to actually materialize. This Apple Music vs. Spotify face-off will compare both services as they currently stand, to find out if Spotify remains king or if Apple Music deserves your subscription instead.
Should You Buy Apple Music Voice Plan
Having access to 90 million songs for $60 a year is the single greatest feature I can think of. This Apple Music Voice plan is perfect for casual listeners. It provides a simple way to constantly access all music without having to scour the internet or steal it.
As long as Siri can fulfill its side of the bargain and deliver people the music they ask for, this music tier will be a game-changer. If Siri falls down and can’t understand people or doesn’t play the right songs a lot of the time, then it’s hard to see people sticking around, no matter what the cost per month is.
I’m optimistic that this Apple Music Voice plan is a positive for music listeners and potential ones, but it will be asking a lot of Siri to pull it off.
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Setting Up Apple Music Family On An Android Device:
To turn on iCloud Family Sharing: Tap the three vertical dots > Account Settings > Manage Membership > Manage Family.
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Music : Quality Compatibility Offline Listening And More
Hows the music quality? Apple Music streams songs at 256kbps, which is the same rate as iTunes Match. Thats a bit of a drop from Spotify, which uses a 320kbps bitrate. Select Apple Music tracks and albums are available with Apple Music Lossless at no extra charge. But the big advantage of Apple Music is the newer Spatial Audio feature for select music. Its not available for most of the 90-million song catalog, but it makes a big difference for those tracks where it is available.
Does Apple Music work with Apples HomePod? It sure does, but you need an Apple Music subscription to control your music via Siri.
Does Apple Music link with Sonos? Yes! If you have Sonos speakers set up in your home, getting started with Apple Music streaming is easy. Just open the Sonos app and choose add music services. Select Apple Music and log in.
Can I save music to listen to offline? Yep! Apple Music lets you save tracks to listen to offlineyou can save as many songs as youd like, as long as your device has space for them.
But remember: You wont own those files and you wont be able to offload them anywhere else. You cant burn them onto a disc, use them in separate video projects, or put them on other devices that arent linked to your Apple Music account. If you decide to cancel your Apple Music subscription, youll lose access to those songs.
Apple Music 1 has interviews with artists, such as this Gaslighter interview with The Chicks.
iOS/iPadOS:
Mac:
- Related:
How To Subscribe To Apple Music On Iphone/ipad/ipod Touch
1. Launch Music app from your device, you will see the option to join Apple Music.
2. Click the menu “Try it free” to open the membership selection screen window.
3. Select the subscription you want and click “Free Trial”.
4. You can click “Use Existing Apple ID” and then input your Apple account and password to log in.
5. Follow the screen instruction to add a valid payment method and click “Join”.
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Apple Music: Getting Started
What the heck is this thing? Apple Music combines subscription-based music streaming with global radio-like programming. Its an all-you-can-eat service for subscribers: Pay a flat fee, and you unlock all of Apple Musics extensive 90-million-song library.
The Music app, which is how you use the service, comes pre-installed on all new iPhones, iPads, iPod touches, and Macs. The app is also available for Android phones, on many smart TVs, streaming boxes, and even game consoles. You can also access Apple Music on the web at music.apple.com.
Isnt Apple Music the same as the iTunes Store? Not at all. The iTunes Store is all about media purchases, functioning as both a virtual record store and an efficient digital library for music that you own personally. On the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, youll find an iTunes Store app separate from the Music app.
On the Mac, the iTunes app went away Apple released new Music, Podcasts, and TV apps. The iTunes Store is now a section of the Music app and you can still buy music there.
Starting with macOS Catalina, the iTunes Store can be found in the Music app on the Mac.
Is iTunes dead? Not exactly. It has taken on new forms. You can access your entire iTunes library from within Apple Musicjust tap the My Music tab . The iTunes Store still exists if you prefer to continue to buy music à la carte.
If you had TV shows and movies in iTunes, you will find them in in the TV app.
Apple Music Vs Spotify: Music Library
Apple Music and Spotify both feature massive libraries, but Apple claims the advantage with “over 75 million” songs to Spotify’s “over 70 million.” The latter also includes around 2.6 million podcast titles, whereas there’s an entirely separate Apple Podcasts service Apple Music therefore definitely has more pure music tracks in total.
However, Apple Music has also moved away from its initial focus on exclusive album launches, with then-Apple executive Jimmy Iovine admitting in 2017 that “The labels dont seem to like it.” Likewise, Spotify’s exclusive content is mainly limited to podcasts, so there’s immense overlap between the two services on music content.
Technically this is a win for Apple on sheer numbers, but unless youve got particularly eclectic tastes, youre extremely like to to find the artists you want on either platform.
Winner: Apple Music
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How Much Is Apple Music Subscription Cost
Apple Music charges you a certain amount according to your subscription plans. So the answer to how much Apple Music will cost you monthly is contingent upon which package you subscribe to. Also, the prices vary slightly to moderately depending upon the region. For example, In India, you can have an individual plan of Apple Music for somewhat equivalent to $1.37. For the US and other first-world countries, prices are almost comparable. Here is the price chart by Apple, along with perks that come with each level.
For instance, Apple Music comes in three separate tiers. So, in short, there are three levels to Apple Music prices you may get charged per month. So now let’s have a look.
How Much Is Apple Music
The paid subscription that renews every month is a popular fee model for various Apple services and devices . As a result, users have constant access to services such as music, news, video, etc. The fee is charged monthly or annually. For example, once you subscribe to Apple Music, you’ll be charged automatically after the free trial period until you cancel the subscription. For this reason, you should learn how to cancel your Apple Music paid subscription.
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Adding Family Members To Apple Music
There are a few things you’ll need to do before you can add a family member to your Apple Music subscription. Make sure the device you’re using is charged and on a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection, for instance.
Also be you have a valid form of payment on hand, and you block out at least 20 minutes to set it up.
First, we’ll walk you through how to subscribe to an Apple Music family plan. If you’ve never subscribed before congratulations, you’ll get a free trial for the first three months!
What Cant You Do With The Apple Music Voice Plan
The catch with the Voice Plan is you cannot use Apple Music through the apps, you have to control music playback solely with your voice using Siri. So if you want to play the latest song by Ed Sheeran, rather than navigating the UI in the Music app on your phone, you would have to invoke Siri and say Play the new Ed Sheeran song.
Some other features are also not available on the Voice Plan, including Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, Lossless music, Music Videos, and Lyrics.
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Apple Music Vs Spotify: Social Media
One of Spotify’s clearest wins is its wealth of social sharing features. You can easily share Spotify content as Instagram and Facebook stories, post album art on Snapchat or create links and scannable, QR-like Spotify Codes to share music and playlists on any messaging platform.
Apple Music lets you share playlists with other registered users over AirDrop, or create content links to post wherever you want, but its social media integration is much more basic than Spotifys. If youre not overly keen with sharing your listening habits with the world, that might not be an issue, but its all optional on both platforms.
Winner: Spotify
Which Devices Support Apple Music
You can access Apple Music via the following devices:
- Sonos – the Sonos app
Mac and PC users will also need to upgrade to the newest version of iTunes, which you can do from this Apple support page. Meanwhile, Android users can go to this support page to learn more about how to get Apple Music on their phones up and running.
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What Are Apple Podcasts Subscriptions
Starting May 2021, Apple Podcasts users can sign up for additional premium subscriptions for their favorite shows in the redesigned Podcasts app. These subscriptions offer listeners exclusive access to new shows and other benefits.
Listeners are able to access premium subscriptions from independent and studio podcast creators that are on the Apple Podcasts platform. And since these subscriptions are an additional offering, regular listeners can still access their favorite free podcasts as normal.
Siriusxm Select And Siriusxm Premier
Price: SiriusXM is best known for its satellite radio service for cars, but it also has cheaper packages that let users listen through an app or a web browser.
The packages SiriusXM offers change so frequently it isnt worth keeping track of the specifics. For around $11 per month you can get a subscription that will let you listen on your phone, with access to hundreds of channels, including music, comedy, sports, talk radio, on-demand shows, and ad-free music with skippable tracks. Sometimes that price gets you access to the Howard Stern channels , but sometimes you need to pay more for that.
Theres also an extra charge if you want to stream directly to a car radio . Last we checked, that cost a total of $17 per month.
There are free trials, discounted rates for the first year, and family plans.
Who its best for: Consumers who like terrestrial radio stations but want more options and a commercial-free experience with the option of skipping tracks. SiriusXM is also the only game in town for Howard Stern fans.
Pros: SiriusXM has a wide variety of offerings that will probably be a significant upgrade over your local radio stations. And if you have good cell service on your commute, plus an unlimited data plan, you could stream to your car stereo from your phone. Youll get cheaper access to the same content offered in the companys satellite radio packages.
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How Much Does Apple Music Subscription Cost
Unlike the traditional record store or iTunes store, you don’t have to buy each song separately. Apple Music offers several different subscription plans. You just need to join a subscription you want and you will get access to millions of songs. To select the right subscription will help you save your money.
Is Apple Music Worth It
While theres certainly no shortage of great options for streaming music, Apple Music is more than worth consideration. It offers a larger selection of music than most of its competitors with 60 million songs. And it comes in at roughly the same price.
If youre already hooked into the Apple ecosystem with your library synced up in iTunes, it really is a no-brainer to try out Apple Music. You can add up to 100,000 songs to the apps streaming library via iCloud Music Library. The ability to have all of your purchased music and an extensive streaming library in one place is hugely convenient for music lovers.
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Music is a no brainer.
Listening to your own music on Apple Music is completely free, as are the 24-hour internet radio stations. This can be a great way to discover new music. But be warned that it will chew through data if youre not connected to WiFi.
A better way to discover new music is with the subscriber-only For You section, although its admittedly a hair behind Spotify and YouTube Musics algorithms. Still, the recommendations can be solid if youre not looking for anything too outside of the mainstream.
The streaming quality is also good, but if youre a true audiophile you might want to consider other options. Tidal, , and Deezer are currently the leaders for sound quality, but the tradeoffs are fewer features and a lack of integration with a wider ecosystem.
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Are There Any Alternatives
The obvious alternatives include: Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, Deezer and Tidal. Each of these services allow you to not only stream music but also keep listening when offline, though you’ll need a paid subscription for access to offline-listening as well as other premium features. You can learn more about all these services by checking out the following Pocket-lint round-ups:
How To Set An Annual Subscription On Apple Music
Keep in mind if youre a new client of Apple Music you have to buy a monthly subscription. Its all about access to the settings of the Apple Music app. Without the subscription, you cant change it.
If you are an existing user of Apple music, the thing is much easier and you can skip the point about creating account.
To change your subscription plan go to Membership Settings in Apple Music app and switch to the annual plan. Your bank account will be charged for one year and youll get access to unlimited music and playlists. See how easy is that?
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What The Voice Plan Might Be Good For
People who find themselves using Apple devices throughout their daily lives should at least consider this new plan tier. Also, the type of device you want to listen to music on could dictate the value of this less expensive tier.
HomePod mini is already a screen-less device that only works through voice. Apple Music subscribers who only, or primarily, use the music service through HomePods mini should consider switching.
People who listen to music heavily through Apple Watch while exercising should also consider this plan to save money. The Apple Music app on the watch shows some visuals, but searching for music is voice-driven.
I’ve never stopped on a run to change the music playing from my Apple Watch. I’ve only done it through Siri. I typically listen to podcasts or a single, curated playlist, but occasionally I will ask Siri to put something new on, and it has worked fine in the past.
AirPlay will still be available to send music to non-Apple devices. You will just have to start playing your music by asking Siri.
I think this new voice plan is an excellent option for casual music listenerspeople who might not follow new music releases very closely but don’t want to hear ads and want to be able to turn on music at a moment’s notice. This $5 a month music plan accomplishes that.
Backing Up Your Music Library
Though we store more and more of our music online these days, a hard-copy backup is still the gold standard for keeping your data safe. And if you use Apple Music or iCloud Music Library, the best way to do that is still iTunes.
There are a few ways to back up your iTunes library it’s essential to choose one and regularly back up so that you won’t have to worry about your local copy getting lost or damaged. My music â at least for me â is one of those must-backup items I don’t want to have to manually re-build or re-buy thousands of tracks.
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