Spotify vs Apple Music vs YouTube Music: A Listener's Guide

Choosing a music streaming service can feel overwhelming. Each platform has its own strengths, pricing model, and user experience. Here is a straightforward comparison of the three biggest players to help you understand the landscape.

Spotify is the market leader with over 600 million users. Its algorithmic recommendations (Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mix) are widely considered the best in the industry. The free tier is generous, and Premium costs around 11 euros per month. Audio quality maxes out at 320 kbps on the premium tier, with a lossless option rolling out gradually.

Apple Music appeals to listeners who value audio quality and tight integration with the Apple ecosystem. It offers lossless audio and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos at no extra cost. The library is comparable to Spotify at over 100 million tracks. Pricing starts at 11 euros per month with no free tier, though there is a generous trial period.

YouTube Music is the dark horse. Its biggest advantage is access to the enormous YouTube catalog, including live performances, remixes, covers, and unofficial content you will not find anywhere else. The premium tier removes ads and enables background play. Pricing is similar to competitors at around 11 euros per month.

For artists and curators, the takeaway is clear: your audience is everywhere. Some prefer Spotify for its playlists, others choose Apple Music for its audio quality, and many go with YouTube Music for its breadth of content. A universal link ensures you reach all of them.

That is exactly what SongPort does. Instead of forcing your audience onto one platform, you give them the freedom to listen wherever they are most comfortable. It is better for the listener and better for you as a creator.