Apple Music is one of the best streaming services out there, but there’s another one that might be even better. Spotify offers a lot of the same things that Apple does, but it also has a few features that Apple doesn’t. These are just a few of the reasons that you should choose Spotify over Apple music.
Social media integration
If you want to stream music on your smartphone or computer, there are a lot of choices. The biggest two are Apple Music and Spotify. Both have their strengths, but there are some features in each that make it stand out. Hopefully, these differences will help you decide which service is best for you.
Spotify has been a leader in the streaming music market since its release in 2008. It has a free tier that allows users to stream content, but it is also available for a monthly subscription. You can follow artists, create playlists, and listen to new albums. However, it does not offer the same social features that Apple offers.
In June 2015, Apple announced a direct-to-fan social tool called Connect. This was the earliest attempt to build a large-scale music community. At the time, Connect had zero users, but it had the potential to become a big player.
The newer, more advanced Apple Music app has a similar “Home” page. It shows you the latest releases, upcoming concert dates, and artist spotlight playlists. There’s also an artist-specific feature called Chill Mix, which is a playlist of your favorite tracks.
But it is Spotify’s integration with social networking sites that makes it so much better. When you add an artist to your friends list, you’ll get alerts when that artist releases a new song. You can also share music with your friends. Additionally, you can listen to your favorite songs in private. Unlike TikTok, you can do this without signing in with a Facebook account.
Apple Music is more expensive than Spotify, but it offers many of the same features. Plus, it has a larger library. That’s 45 million songs to choose from. With Apple, you can also download songs to listen to offline.
Ultimately, Apple Music is a worthy competitor. However, if you’re not already using Apple products, it might be easier to start with Spotify. You can use it on Android or iOS, and it isn’t a limited app. Lastly, it is easy to access a wide range of genres.
Streaming quality
If you’re interested in getting started with music streaming, you should consider one of two services: Spotify and Apple Music. These two services are very similar in that they offer both unlimited playback and access to a large catalog. But there are some key differences between the two, including pricing and user base.
As the name suggests, Spotify is a subscription service. However, there is a free tier for non-subscribers. There are also two subscription options, Premium and Premium Duo. The Premium Duo costs $13 (PS13, AU$16) per month, which includes both Hulu and Showtime. You can also pay $9.99 for a subscription that includes unlimited downloads.
Unlike most music services, you can enjoy music on a variety of devices, including Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, and Sonos. Streaming is also available on wearables such as the Samsung Gear S and Google Wear OS.
There are two types of playlists: curated and collaborative. The former uses Spotify’s proprietary algorithm to pick the best tracks for you, while the latter is based on what you like and what your friends are listening to.
Spotify offers the option of streaming at three different bitrates: 160kbps, 320kbps, or 256kbps. It also allows users to save music at the same bitrate as the streams. For the highest quality, you need to subscribe to the Premium option.
Although Apple Music does offer lossless audio, you can’t experience it in full resolution through wireless speakers. This is because the current Bluetooth technology doesn’t have enough bandwidth for high-resolution audio. In the future, though, Apple might change this.
Regardless of which service you choose, you should make sure to have a good music player. Apple Music has an excellent UI and offers hands-off playlists, but Spotify has a more personalized experience.
Finally, you should know that both services have limitations. Spotify offers a maximum of ten thousand songs that can be downloaded at once. This is up from the earlier limit of 10,000. Similarly, the streaming quality varies depending on your connection. Using a connection that is fast enough to stream lossless audio is essential.
Find new music
If you are looking for a better way to discover new music, consider Spotify. Not only do they offer a lot of songs, but they also provide a number of features that make it easy to connect with artists.
They’ve made it easier to find new music by incorporating an algorithm that learns from your listening habits. This feature enables them to create a personalised playlist based on the music you like. You can listen to this music in the browser, or on an Apple or Android mobile device.
Spotify has an ad-supported free version, but there are also paid subscriptions. While the ads are unskippable on the app, they can be muted when they appear on the web player. The free tier has limitations, though, including no downloading of music.
Spotify has a lot of third-party integrations. Some of them allow you to share your playlists with other people. Others let you browse music in your own library. There’s also a built-in podcast section.
In addition, you can access songs in your library or playlists directly from the search bar. The Search by Lyrics feature is available in both Spotify and Apple Music. It helps you locate a song with lyrics, which isn’t always possible on Spotify.
When you hear a new song, you’ll receive a notification. You can also create a playlist with your friends and follow their music. Another feature allows you to create a radio station. And, if you’re a subscriber, you can save and listen to music at the same bitrate you use when you stream.
Lastly, Spotify has a lot of third-party options, including Sonos, Fitbit, Xbox, and Garmin wearables. However, Spotify’s support for Bluetooth is limited, so you won’t be able to play your music through wireless headphones.
While it’s not quite as robust as Spotify, Apple Music is a solid option. It offers a large catalog and expertly curated playlists. Moreover, it can be paired with the Shazam app, which allows you to recognize the lyrics of songs.
Although both services offer a range of features, there’s no denying that Spotify is a better way to discover new music.
Similarities to Apple Music
Apple Music and Spotify are both popular music sharing services. However, they are slightly different. They offer a number of unique features.
For starters, Apple Music offers an enhanced experience, allowing users to play songs, albums, and playlists on any iOS device. Its library is extensive. The service also offers a graphical equalizer. There are even options for streaming music to WiFi-enabled speakers and computers.
The service is also known for its curated radio. Listeners can choose from stations, which feature hosts and a variety of playlists. This helps the user discover new music. Unlike Spotify, Apple does not support collaborative playlists.
Apple Music is integrated with the iTunes library. It’s easy to search for your favorite songs. You can also see what your friends are listening to. As a result, the service caters to approximately 15% of global listeners.
Apple Music also has a number of exclusive content services. Users can enjoy music videos, podcasts, and documentaries. In addition, there are special song classes and genres. Also, users can save entire albums and stream them to televisions. These features are available for free.
Spotify has long been known as the premier music service. Its free tier offers over 40 hours of music. Those who pay a premium subscription can access over 90 million songs.
Although Apple Music has a huge library, its music recommendations are not as powerful. If you want a more personalized experience, you should consider assisted playlist creation. The service uses your favorite artists’ titles and playlists to build a customized selection.
The service also supports Apple’s Siri. Users can ask the voice assistant to look up lyrics or to start playing a certain song. Additionally, users can publish their listening history to Facebook.
In addition to these features, Apple Music boasts a robust integration with the Apple ecosystem. Its library is split into hundreds of genres, making it easier for users to find their favorite types of music. One unique feature is Replay, which automatically resurfaces the most-played tracks throughout the year.
Spotify offers a free tier with limited functionality. A Premium subscription unlocks a number of features, including a unified play button and hand-picked playlists.