As you might be aware, Apple and Spotify are the two most popular music services in the world. Both have millions of subscribers worldwide, and both have a lot to offer. However, the differences between them can be quite pronounced. Here are some things you should know about them.
Streaming quality
Among the many music streaming services, Spotify and Apple Music offer different features and quality. Both services offer a diverse catalogue of music. While some of the playlists on the Apple Music platform are very similar to each other, the playlists on Spotify are very unique.
There are two tiers on Spotify, the free tier and the premium tier. The free tier offers ad-supported service. However, the Premium tier allows users to select the audio quality of their songs.
The Spotify Premium tier also has a low-data mode, which uses 75% less data allowance. This is beneficial for those who use mobile data to stream songs. Also, users can “like” unlimited number of songs. Nevertheless, the ads are unskippable on the app. And you may need to turn on muting on the web version of the Spotify application.
With more than 80 million tracks and 4 billion playlists, Apple Music offers a wide variety of content. However, its library is a little smaller than Spotify’s. As a result, there aren’t as many personalized playlists on the Apple Music platform.
Apple Music’s Hi-Res Lossless service is a great option for audiophiles. However, this format requires the purchase of a high-quality DAC. That’s because Apple Music streams at 256kbps. This equates to 3-6MB per song. Fortunately, you can still enjoy the songs in full audio quality if you upgrade to the Premium tier.
In addition to the free and Premium tiers, there is a free tier for non-subscribers. In this version, you can browse a selection of new releases, favorites, and playlists. Additionally, you can choose to skip songs, or you can manage your queue.
Another rumor suggests that Spotify is planning to launch a lossless hi-fi tier. This new tier will be available by the end of 2021.
Music libraries
If you’re in the market for a new music service, you might be wondering which family music library is better – Spotify or Apple. They both offer vast libraries of songs and podcasts. But they have different approaches to curation. And they each have their own strengths.
While Apple Music has an impressive catalog of songs and audiobooks, it’s Spotify that has the most streamlined and intuitive user experience. It’s also a more device-agnostic option. That means you can use it on iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Windows Phone, and you can even play it on TVs.
For starters, it’s easier to find new music with the Radio Feature. You can set it to play songs based on different genres, themes, and moods. This feature will also resurface the most played tracks over the course of a year.
Another useful feature is the Replay feature. By resurfacing the most popular tracks of the year, Replay lets you hear your favorite songs again.
Both services have expertly curated playlists. However, it’s Apple Music that has a more robust, iCloud-based library. The library features over 70 million songs and exclusive content. Moreover, Apple has been known to curate music in ways that appeal to individual tastes.
Apple’s main discovery tool is Just Ask Siri. It is also designed to suggest songs based on your activity.
Apple’s iCloud Music Library will match your songs to their iTunes catalogue, so you can play tunes across all your devices. Plus, you can upload up to 100,000 songs.
Spotify has a free ad-supported tier. However, it’s Premium subscribers enjoy access to extras. These include a Premium Student plan with access to Hulu and SHOWTIME. Also, they can access a Family Premium plan with access to Spotify Kids.
Payouts to labels
Spotify has become a central figure in the way music is streamed globally. With over 150 million paying users and 340 million active monthly users, the Swedish audio streaming platform has established itself as one of the top players in the industry.
Spotify offers a variety of plans for its subscribers. A free version of the service is available to all, whereas a Premium plan requires a monthly fee. In addition to being ad-free, the Premium subscription also pays artists and distributors.
According to a report from Loud & Clear, artists with seventy-five thousand listeners on a regular basis would earn about ten thousand dollars in royalties a year. However, this number is not exact. That’s because the distribution process varies from distro to distro.
On average, artists receive around $0.004 per stream. The average per-stream rate is dependent on many factors, including the amount of streams the artist receives and the location of the lister base. For example, US listeners get about $0.0039 for every stream they receive.
However, the average payoff per stream is not a very useful statistic when comparing services. It’s a good idea to use other data, such as total streams or total revenue, to get a more accurate picture.
Spotify has paid out $7 billion in royalties to rights holders and musicians last year. That was double the amount it paid out in 2017. So, what does a Spotify royalty payment actually entail?
Spotify distributes the money to record labels, distributors, rights holders, and other entities. Each party receives a percentage of the money. Depending on the type of music, the royalties may vary. Typically, the most significant part goes to the label or distributor.
Support for voice assistants
Spotify, one of the world’s largest music streaming services, is pushing its Google Home Mini in the hopes of locking in casual users. Its latest incarnation, which launches on November 1, will include a free Google Home Mini. But how well does Spotify play with the Google Assistant?
The Google Assistant does a great job of recognising voice commands, but that’s just the beginning. While the assistant can recognize the main features of the Spotify app, it won’t do any of the complex tasks like playing tracks or adding them to a playlist. That’s where the Spotify Voice assistant comes in.
The voice assistant isn’t as feature-rich as Alexa or Siri. However, the Spotify app does a decent job of recognizing voice commands. So, it’s easy to make a playlist, play your favorite songs, and even stream music to built-in AirPlay devices. And it has a few tricks up its sleeve.
For example, the Spotify app can display the name of your friends on a list. You can also make Spotify your default music player on an Android device. All you need to do is link your Spotify account to the assistant. If you’re already a Premium subscriber, you can skip the setup process.
Another good feature is Spotify Connect. This enables you to play Spotify songs on your stereo without pause. A dongle is necessary, but it can be plugged into a receiver or a tabletop speaker.
Finally, if you’re an Android user, the Google Assistant can be used to control the Spotify app. Just head to Settings and tap on “Apps.” At this point, you should see Spotify listed among the other apps.
Free tier
Apple Music and Spotify are two of the most popular music streaming services in the world. They are similar, but their features and libraries vary greatly. You should compare both services based on your preferences.
Both are known for offering great content and exclusives. The key difference between them is their overall experience. Streaming services are a convenient way to access music. However, each service has its own pros and cons. For example, a free trial may be a good option for someone who’s new to a service, but long-term users may find the experience too limited.
Compared to other streaming services, such as Tidal or Amazon Prime Music, Spotify is a bit more streamlined. There’s no up-front payment, and you don’t need to install a third-party app to transfer your existing library.
Apple Music also offers an impressive library, including a few million songs. It’s also been known to release exclusive albums and tracks, giving listeners a more bespoke experience.
Apple also boasts better sound quality. The company is able to deliver Dolby Atmos audio. Plus, it gives listeners more control over discovery.
Unlike Spotify, Apple Music allows you to download songs to play offline. You can save up to 10,000 songs on up to five devices.
Another feature that makes Apple Music unique is its curated radio station. With this, you can enjoy music from the likes of Zane Lowe, Zane Lowe’s Beats One, and more.
Another advantage of Apple Music is its seamless integration with iOS. You can use it on your iPhone or iPad, and it works on other mobile devices such as the Xbox One. Alternatively, you can also use it on the Sonos system, Fitbit smartwatches, and numerous smart TVs.