When it comes to music, the top three are Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play. They all offer different features, pricing, and audio quality. These differences can be a deciding factor for you when choosing between these services.
Free, ad-supported tier
Spotify offers two different tiers of service. The free tier is ad-supported. While it does come with several limitations, it does give users the ability to skip songs and download playlists. In addition, it allows you to browse through over 50 million songs.
Spotify also offers a premium tier that is ad-free. You can download up to five tracks, create shared playlists, and cut your data usage. It is one of the most popular music services in the world. There are over 400 million active users.
Spotify is constantly updating its service and adding new features. The latest is the launch of the “Time Capsule” playlist for 16-year-old and up users. They have also introduced the COVID content advisory tab to stop the spread of disinformation.
Spotify is not the only streaming company to test a lower-priced subscription tier. For example, Apple Music offers Lossless for a price that is comparable to that of its Premium subscription.
Meanwhile, YouTube has made a splash with its free music streaming feature. However, YouTube has been found to delete unauthorized videos.
Although there are other music streaming services, the Spotify free tier isn’t as generous as competitors. Free users only have the ability to play six songs an hour, and are subject to ads. If you want to listen to more than that, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium account.
Spotify’s free ad-supported tier has its own advantages, and it’s a great option for some people. However, if you can’t afford the subscription tier, there are plenty of other options.
Another good way to find music on the go is by using the Spotify Kids app. It’s completely separate from the main service, but it comes with some kid-friendly features.
Lossless audio quality
Lossless audio quality is a term that many music streaming services have started using. Streaming apps like Spotify, Tidal, and Google Play Music offer users the ability to listen to high-resolution music.
These services offer high-resolution audio through a special feature called “Spatial Audio” which uses the Dolby Atmos technology. Spatial audio is used to create an immersive sound experience by using head-tracking. Thousands of tracks are now available in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.
Tidal, a service that has been a favorite among audiophiles, has been adding lossless audio. It offers songs at a minimum bit rate of 1,411 kbps. In response to the announcement from Apple, Tidal has raised the quality of its Premium tier to 1411 kbps.
Although lossless audio may sound better than compressed music, it requires a lot more data. A lossless file is about four or five times bigger than a compressed music file. However, this does not mean that it won’t work on a smartphone or Bluetooth speaker. The best way to check out lossless audio is by running a test with headphones on.
In addition to lossless audio, some songs in the Apple Music library are available in the Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio format. This technology allows artists to create songs that are immersive and provide the ability to hear different angles.
For now, the new lossless streaming feature is limited to select albums. You can also listen to lossless music on select Beats headphones with a W1 or H1 chip. There is no word on when these features will be available to everyone.
Even though it may seem like a disadvantage to some music lovers, lossless audio is a great option. It can make it easier to hear the details of high-pitched instruments.
Curated content
There are two big players in music streaming, and both offer a range of features. Both Spotify and Apple Music are able to recommend songs based on your preferences, and both boast a robust music library.
Spotify offers over 82 million tracks, while Apple Music has 90 million. Both apps are capable of streaming in lossless audio. The difference is that the Apple Music 256kbps tier consumes only 3-6MB per song, while the Spotify top notch 320kbps setting can be as much as 7-to-eight MB.
Spotify’s main focus is on music. It has hand-picked playlists of the latest hits, as well as the daily top 100, which showcases the best 100 current hits in over 115 territories.
The app also has a large collection of podcasts, which add depth and depth of content to the music platform. Users can choose between a free tier and a premium tier.
For some, the biggest draw of Spotify is its vast collection of podcasts, which includes titles from a variety of genres. The company also offers 7,170 audiobooks, which help users get a more thorough taste of a particular genre.
In addition to podcasts, Apple Music has a large library of music videos. The company also partners with artists for exclusive content. As a result, the company has a lot of music exclusives. These include Coldplay for Coldplay Reimagined and Justin Bieber for Changes.
Lastly, Apple Music has a radio station, which consists of music curated for a particular category. Some of its stations focus on sports, and others on cultural programming. Depending on the specific radio station, you can find a wide range of content.
In short, both Spotify and Apple Music offer some great perks, but the best overall value is found on Apple’s Premium subscription plan. Not only does it provide access to live performances, but it also includes bonus games console support.
Discovery features
When it comes to discovery, Spotify and Apple Music have both got their fair share of tricks up their sleeves. The two apps offer their own version of the curated recommendations that have become so common. However, they both work with a different set of algorithms, and despite their similarities, there are some important differences.
Firstly, Apple Music does not have a free tier. Unlike Spotify, you are not able to stream your music at full resolution through wireless speakers. But, you can still enjoy your favorite tracks from the comfort of your home or office.
Secondly, Apple Music is known for a variety of features, such as a large library, live radio, and expertly curated playlists. But, it lacks some of the best features of Spotify, including the Search by Lyrics feature.
Thirdly, Apple Music offers a more immersive experience. You can listen to music, watch radio stations, and even participate in podcasts on your phone or tablet. It also works with Sonos, Xbox, and other devices. And it integrates with Siri.
Lastly, Apple Music has a lot of exclusive content. As part of its new partnership with Billboard, it has curated 124 playlists. Moreover, it’s introducing Replay, a feature that resurfaces the most popular tracks from throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a more personalized experience, you might want to try Spotify’s assisted playlist creation. Here, you can use the song title, artist name, or genre as a starting point. This makes it easier for you to create a unique playlist, and you can preview songs before you add them to the Library.
In conclusion, if you are a music lover, you should give both apps a try. While they have their own specialized features, they both use algorithms to understand your musical tastes and recommend playlists you’ll like.
Pricing
One of the most popular music sharing services today is Spotify. With over four million titles and 82 million tracks, Spotify offers a rich content library and a variety of plans.
It also supports a wide range of devices. Users can stream songs on-demand, listen in the browser, and access playlists. The app is easy to navigate and uncluttered. Streaming is available at three different rates. In addition, it supports Google Wear OS wearables.
Apple Music’s catalog is larger and it features high-profile exclusives. This makes it a better deal for a premium subscription. However, it is not as device-agnostic as Spotify. Some devices, like wireless speakers, cannot receive full-resolution audio.
Another advantage of Apple Music is its lossless streaming. Lossless audio allows listeners to hear the music as it was intended. But, like with Spotify, you must have a DAC and good headphones to experience the full range of fidelity.
Unlike Spotify, Apple Music does not offer a free tier. It does offer a six-month trial, but you must subscribe after this period. If you are interested in trying out the platform for the first time, you can use the three-month trial.
There are a few extra perks available with some subscription plans. Specifically, the Family Premium plan includes Spotify Kids. This means that children can curate their own profile.
In addition to its extensive catalogue of music, Spotify also offers podcasts and audiobooks. These add to the depth of the service.
On top of all of these features, Spotify’s user experience is better. Spotify’s interface is cleaner, more intuitive, and allows for easier playlist management. Moreover, there is no limit to the number of songs saved.