So A month ago, I reviewed other music streaming services, looking for a replacement for my beloved Spotify, and boy, was it a promising ride particularly with Apple Music. So I decided to give it a try. The sleek and intuitive user interface, the smart algorithm that quickly picked up on my musical tastes, and the delightful animations – all these features made it seem like Apple Music might be my new go-to music streaming service. But after a month of testing, I found myself sticking with Spotify. Let me tell you why.
Apple Music: First Impressions
When I first started using Apple Music, I was very impressed. Trust me. The user interface was clean and visually appealing, arguably a lot better than Spotify’s static design. The animations added a nice touch of personality, making the experience feel more premium. Plus, the algorithm was quick to grasp my musical preferences, playing songs by my favorite artists and suggesting similar ones after just a few searches and one day in, I already had a fully stocked homepage with my favorite tunes. The “Top 100” playlists were a hit, offering me the latest music from both the UK and Zimbabwe, which was a nice touch.
However, as I continued using the service, a few shortcomings started to surface, particularly when compared to Spotify.
Cross-Device Playback
One of the biggest factors in my decision to stick with Spotify was the seamless integration with multiple devices. This is something I also gave strong emphasis on when I wrote the previous article, it’s a feature that I’m very much used to having and I can’t let it go. Both Apple Music and Spotify restrict playback to one device at a time, which makes sense – after all, you’re only one person, you can’t listen to music on two different devices at the same time. But here’s where Spotify shines: you can control playback across all your logged-in devices. For instance, I could start playing music on my TV and then use my phone or laptop to skip tracks, adjust the volume, or queue up a new playlist. This kind of flexibility isn’t available with Apple Music. Attempting to control playback from another device will simply stop the music, which can be pretty frustrating.
AI DJ and AI-Generated Playlists
Another standout feature of Spotify is its AI DJ and AI-generated playlists. These are real game-changers. The AI DJ curates music based on your listening habits, mood, and even the time of day, creating a highly personalized experience. It’s still in beta so it’s not yet perfect, but it works. Sometimes it plays the same selection over and over again, frustrating? Yes, but as soon as you reset it, it works well. And one more thing is that it’s not yet available on TVs, well at least for the one I have so there’s no AI DJ voice when I’m playing on the TV but it’ll be doing all the hard work in the background. The AI-generated playlists are similarly impressive, constantly updating with new tracks that fit your taste. Although I haven’t used these much since the AI DJ is perfect for me. Apple Music, on the other hand, doesn’t offer anything quite like this. While their algorithm is good at suggesting similar artists and genres, it doesn’t match the level of personalization that Spotify’s AI features provide.
Algorithm Accuracy
In my initial review, I praised Apple Music’s algorithm for quickly learning my preferences. And while it did a decent job initially, over time, I found it being a bit too broad in its selections, if you get what I’m saying. It often played tracks that had no real connection to my initial choices, despite trying to stay within the same genre or artist pool. This was a bit of a letdown, especially when I was in the mood for something specific. In contrast, Spotify’s algorithm seems to have a better handle on my tastes, consistently delivering playlists and recommendations that hit the mark.
Final Thoughts
So, after a month of using Apple Music, I’ve decided to stick with Spotify. The seamless cross-device playback, the impressive AI DJ, and the more accurate algorithm all played a part in my decision. Don’t get me wrong, Apple Music is still a fantastic service with a top-notch user interface and a vast music selection. If they could improve their cross-device functionality and fine-tune their algorithm a bit more, they’d be hard to beat. But for now, Spotify remains my go-to place for music streaming.
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As a longtime Spotify devotee, I’ve always considered it the go-to for all my music streaming needs. But lately, curiosity has gotten the better of me. With a plethora of competitors emerging and promising exciting features, I decided to take a detour from my usual green-and-black interface and dive into the world of other music streaming platforms.
Over the past few days, I’ve been exploring three major contenders: YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, putting them head-to-head with my beloved Spotify. Consider this my musical diary – a tech blog article where I’ll share my experiences, comparing the unique offerings, audio quality, and overall vibes of each service. I’ll be honest about the features I love, the ones that fall flat, and everything in between.
Whether you’re a fellow Spotify loyalist or simply curious about the alternatives, join me as I navigate this sonic landscape. It’s time to find out if Spotify still reigns supreme or if a new contender is ready to claim the throne. Let the music streaming showdown begin!
Spotify Free vs. Spotify Premium
Feature
Spotify Free
Spotify Premium
Music Library
Full access to Spotify’s entire music catalog
Full access to Spotify’s entire music catalog
Audio Quality
Limited to lower quality audio (up to 160kbps)
Higher quality audio (up to 320kbps)
Ads
Yes, frequent audio and visual ads interrupt listening
No ads
Offline Listening
Not available
Available (download songs, albums, and playlists)
On-Demand Playback
Limited on mobile devices (shuffle play only for playlists and albums)
Unlimited skips and on-demand playback on all devices
Device Compatibility
Wide range of devices (smartphones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, etc.)
Wide range of devices (smartphones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, etc.)
Social Features
Connect with friends, see what they’re listening to, collaborative playlists
Connect with friends, see what they’re listening to, collaborative playlists
Personalized Playlists
Available (Discover Weekly, Daily Mix, etc.)
Available (Discover Weekly, Daily Mix, etc.)
Other Features
Spotify Radio, podcasts, lyrics
Spotify Radio, podcasts, lyrics, Spotify Connect
Spotify vs. Amazon Music
Feature
Amazon Music Free
Amazon Music Prime
Amazon Music Unlimited
Music Library
Limited to ad-supported playlists and stations
100 million songs
100 million songs
Audio Quality
Standard definition
Standard definition
HD, Ultra HD, Spatial Audio
Ads
Yes
No
No
Offline Listening
Not available
Available (for downloaded playlists and stations)
Available (download songs, albums, and playlists)
On-Demand Playback
Limited (only on select playlists and stations)
Shuffle play only
Unlimited skips and on-demand playback on all devices
Device Compatibility
Wide range of devices
Wide range of devices
Wide range of devices
Podcasts
Limited selection
Largest catalog of ad-free top podcasts
Largest catalog of ad-free top podcasts
Other Features
None
None
Lyrics, offline playback, unlimited skips
Let’s talk about Amazon Music. Now, I have to admit, this might not be a fair comparison because I only tested the version that comes bundled with Amazon Prime, not the full-fledged Unlimited version. But since Amazon touts this as a major perk of Prime membership, I’m including it in my showdown. Price-wise, it’s a steal if you’re already a Prime subscriber. But if you’re not? The cost becomes, well, let’s just say a bit unreasonable. And from what I experienced, Amazon Music Prime pales in comparison to Spotify. Even Spotify’s free version feels more polished and user-friendly. So, I’m giving Amazon Music Prime a generous 4 out of 10. It earns those points for its seamless Alexa integration and the bliss of ad-free listening. But honestly, the design feels underwhelming and outdated for 2024, and the overall experience simply doesn’t match up to Spotify’s intuitive interface and vast music library.
Spotify vs. YouTube Music
Feature
YouTube Music Free
YouTube Music Premium
Music Library
Full access to YouTube Music’s catalog
Full access to YouTube Music’s catalog
Audio Quality
Lower quality audio
Higher quality audio
Ads
Yes, frequent audio and video ads
No ads
Offline Listening
Not available
Available (download songs and playlists)
On-Demand Playback
Limited (shuffle play only)
Unlimited skips and on-demand playback
Device Compatibility
Wide range of devices
Wide range of devices
Background Play
Not available
Available
Other Features
Create playlists, access personalized mixes
Lyrics, audio-only mode
Okay, let’s dive into YouTube Music. Now, I don’t want to be harsh, but the user interface feels a bit like it was designed by a college student as a side project. It’s cluttered and overwhelming, to the point where even Amazon Music’s interface feels more polished.
But let’s talk about the actual music experience. On the free version, YouTube Music surprisingly doesn’t hold back too much. You get a decent amount of freedom, but the lack of background play is a major drawback.
However, if you’re a premium subscriber who doesn’t mind the clunky UI, YouTube Music truly shines. The name YouTube Music isn’t just for show. It boasts an unmatched selection of music content, automatically pulling up music videos for almost every song. Sure, other platforms offer music videos too, but YouTube Music’s collection is simply unbeatable.
And here’s where it gets interesting: YouTube Music learns from your YouTube history, tailoring music suggestions to your taste. I was impressed by how accurate the algorithm was at recommending songs I actually enjoyed. The personalized playlists are also top-notch, rivaling even Spotify’s curated selections. In fact, my frustration with Spotify’s increasingly repetitive playlists was a major reason for exploring other platforms.
Overall, YouTube Music’s algorithm is comparable to Spotify’s, not necessarily better. But the sheer volume and variety of music content, combined with those spot-on recommendations and personalized playlists, make it a strong contender.
Considering all this, I’d give YouTube Music a solid 8 out of 10. It loses points for the messy interface, but the unparalleled music selection and impressive algorithm make it a fantastic choice for music lovers who prioritize content over aesthetics.
Spotify vs. Apple Music
Feature
Apple Music Free
Apple Music Premium
Music Library
Limited access (cannot play specific songs on demand)
Full access to Apple Music’s entire music catalog
Audio Quality
Not applicable (cannot play songs)
High quality audio (up to 256kbps AAC)
Ads
Not applicable (cannot play songs)
No ads
Offline Listening
Not applicable (cannot play songs)
Available (download songs, albums, and playlists)
On-Demand Playback
Not available
Unlimited skips and on-demand playback on all devices
Device Compatibility
Limited (only on devices with Siri)
Wide range of devices (Apple devices, Android, etc.)
Social Features
Not available
Connect with friends, share playlists, see what they’re listening to
Personalized Playlists
Not available
Available (For You, Favorites Mix, New Music Mix, etc.)
Other Features
Limited to radio stations and Beats 1
Apple Music Radio, lyrics, music videos, Spatial Audio, Lossless Audio
Finally, we’ve saved the best for last: Apple Music. Right from the start, it’s clear this is a premium app. The user interface is sleek and intuitive, on par with Spotify’s or perhaps even better. It’s minimalist, with delightful animations that add a touch of personality – something Spotify, with its static interface, sadly lacks (no offense, Spotify, but it’s true).
In just a few days of use, Apple Music’s algorithm already seemed to grasp my musical preferences. This is impressive, considering it’s a new platform for me. It was playing songs by my favorite artists and suggesting similar ones after just a few searches. I was also impressed by the “Top 100” playlists, which were initially tailored to the UK (where I’m located) but allowed me to switch to Zimbabwean charts with ease. These playlists are refreshed daily, keeping the music fresh and engaging.
Now, let’s address the cross-device playback. It’s important to note that this limitation isn’t unique to Apple Music. Spotify also restricts playback to one device at a time. However, with Spotify, you can seamlessly control playback on one device from another. For example, I can start playing music on my TV and then use my phone or laptop to skip tracks, adjust volume, or even queue up a new playlist. Apple Music doesn’t offer this flexibility. You can only cast from an Android device to a Chromecast, and attempting to control playback from another device will simply stop the music.
In comparison, YouTube Music and Amazon Music offer more flexible cross-device playback. YouTube Music allows seamless control from any device logged into your account, while Amazon Music requires an Alexa device for voice control.
Despite this drawback, Apple Music still earns a 9 out of 10. The UI is top-notch, the algorithm is intelligent, and the music selection is vast. If Apple could match the cross-device functionality of Spotify or YouTube Music, it would easily be a perfect 10.
Conclusion
Feature
Spotify Premium
Apple Music
YouTube Music Premium
Amazon Music Unlimited
Price
£9.99/month (individual)
£10.99/month (individual)
£10.99/month (individual)
£9.99/month (individual) for Prime members, £10.99/month for non-Prime members
Music Library
70+ million songs
100+ million songs
100+ million songs
100+ million songs
Audio Quality
Up to 320kbps
Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless (up to 192kHz/24bit)
Up to 256kbps
HD, Ultra HD, Spatial Audio
Ads
No
No
No
No
Offline Listening
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
On-Demand Playback
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Device Compatibility
Wide range of devices
Wide range of devices
Wide range of devices
Wide range of devices
Social Features
Connect with friends, see what they’re listening to, collaborative playlists
Connect with friends, share playlists, see what they’re listening to
No
No
Personalized Playlists
Discover Weekly, Daily Mix, Release Radar
For You, Favorites Mix, New Music Mix, etc.
Create radio from songs, personalized mixes
My Discovery Mix
Other Features
Spotify Radio, podcasts, lyrics, Spotify Connect
Apple Music Radio, lyrics, music videos, Spatial Audio
Lyrics, audio-only mode
Lyrics, offline playback, unlimited skips
After my musical odyssey through Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Apple Music, it’s time for my final verdict.
While each platform has its unique strengths and weaknesses, Apple Music surprisingly emerged as a strong contender for my personal favorite. Despite its cross-device playback limitations and the absence of an AI DJ (which Spotify recently introduced), Apple Music’s sleek interface, intuitive design, and impressive algorithm make it a worthy rival to Spotify.
Ultimately, the choice of music streaming service boils down to individual preferences and budget. If you prioritize an extensive music catalog and seamless cross-device playback, YouTube Music might be your jam. If you’re already deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, Amazon Music Prime could be a convenient option. But for those seeking a premium, visually appealing experience with top-notch recommendations, Apple Music might just steal your heart.
As for me? I think I might just stick with Apple Music for now, even with its flaws. It’s a testament to how far Apple has come in the music streaming space, offering a compelling alternative to my longtime favorite, Spotify. But hey, that’s just my two cents. The beauty of the music streaming world is that there’s something for everyone. So, explore, experiment, and find the perfect soundtrack for your life.
