Comparison

Apple Music vs Spotify: which one fits you?

Both cost about the same per month. The differences that actually matter are the free tier, sound quality, discovery, and which ecosystem you already live in. Here is the honest version, plus how to take your playlists with you if you switch.

Side by side

The differences that matter.

Apple MusicSpotify
Price feelSimilar monthly price; can be bundled with Apple OneSimilar monthly price; free ad-supported tier exists
Sound qualityLossless and Spatial Audio includedHigh quality streaming; strongest on convenience
Discovery and playlistsGood curation, human-edited playlistsBest-in-class discovery, algorithmic playlists, social sharing
EcosystemDeep Siri, HomePod, Watch, and iPhone integrationRuns well on nearly every platform and speaker
Free optionTrial onlyFree tier with ads

Short version: audiophiles and Apple-hardware households lean Apple Music. Discovery lovers, social listeners, and mixed-device homes lean Spotify.

Switching either way?

Your playlists can come with you.

Playlists are the main thing keeping people locked in, and they do not have to be. A review-first transfer checks every song for a match at the destination before anything is created: safe matches, risky versions, duplicates, and missing songs are all visible first, with video or track previews so you can confirm with your own ears.

FAQ

The questions people actually ask.

Is Apple Music cheaper than Spotify?

Individual plans cost about the same. The differences show at the edges: Spotify has a free ad-supported tier, and Apple Music can work out cheaper if you bundle it with other Apple services through Apple One.

Is Apple Music better than Spotify?

Depends what you value. Apple includes lossless and Spatial Audio and integrates with Siri and HomePod. Spotify wins discovery, playlists, social features, and device coverage. Neither is better for everyone.

Can I move my playlists if I switch?

Yes. Check them with a review-first transfer so you can see exactly which songs match at the destination before anything is created.

Do I lose my liked songs?

They do not move by themselves, but you can export them as a playlist and transfer that. See the Liked Songs guide for the workaround.