In contrast, Apple Music streams at 256kbps at standard, but can drop down to 64kbps to save data if you enable the High Efficiency setting. Spotify lets you choose between 24kbps, 96kbps, 160kbps, and 320kbps. Spotify also offers a Duo plan for couples, which is cheaper if only two of you are signing up.įor the audiophiles out there, this is likely to be the most important category for you, and it's one where there's actually a considerable difference between the two services.īoth services offer a range of audio quality settings, to help you find the right balance between high-fidelity audio and streaming data charges. In contrast, Spotify only asks that you each have the same address linked to your account. With Apple Music, you all need to be part of the same iCloud Family Sharing group.

So it's only worth considering if you only ever listen to music through a HomePod.īoth services let you link six accounts for a discounted family plan. The cheapest Apple Music option is the Apple Music Voice plan, but this plan is severely limited and only lets you play music through Siri commands.

Mobile users can only listen in shuffle mode, with six skips per day.

It's not possible to download music for offline listening.

Adverts appear in the app and play after every few songs.

However, when that trial ends, Spotify is the only service that lets you keep listening for free forever on its ad-supported tier. You can try out either service for free with a one-month free trial. Apple Music and Spotify offer a range of subscription plans at similar price points, with each service offering a standard individual plan for $9.99/month and Apple offering a discounted rate if you sign up for an annual plan at $99/year.

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