Both cost the same at full price. Both have 100M+ tracks. So which one is worth your money — and which wins when you factor in price, sound quality, discovery, and platform?
| Feature | Spotify | Apple Music |
|---|---|---|
| Full price | $10.99/mo | $10.99/mo |
| SubSplit price | from $1.50 | from ₦1,050 |
| Catalogue size | 100M+ tracks | 100M+ tracks |
| Audio quality | up to 320kbps | Lossless + Spatial Audio |
| Music discovery | Best in class (algorithm) | Editorial/curated |
| Podcasts | Yes, extensive | Limited |
| Android app | Excellent | Good (not as polished) |
| iOS integration | Good | Deep system integration |
| Offline downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | Yes (with ads) | No |
| Web player | Yes | Yes (limited) |
| Smart TV / console | Most platforms | Apple TV, limited others |
| Family plan | Yes | Yes |
| Student discount | Yes | Yes |
This is the clearest difference between the two. Apple Music streams lossless audio (ALAC) up to 24-bit/192kHz and Dolby Atmos spatial audio on supported tracks — at no extra cost on the standard subscription.
Spotify's maximum quality is 320kbps Ogg Vorbis. Spotify HiFi (lossless) has been promised but still hasn't rolled out properly in most markets as of 2026.
For most people using standard earphones or Bluetooth speakers, the difference is hard to hear. But if you have good headphones or a proper speaker setup, Apple Music's lossless streaming is noticeably better.
Spotify's recommendation algorithm is the best in the streaming industry. Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mixes, and Blend all use your listening history to surface music you'll actually like — and they're consistently good.
Apple Music relies more on editorial curation — human-made playlists, radio stations, and genre mixes. These are good, but they're not personalised the same way. If discovering new music is important to you, Spotify has a clear edge.
Spotify works on every platform imaginable — Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony), game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), Alexa, Google Home, and more.
Apple Music works on Apple devices natively, Android (decent app), Windows (via iTunes or the Apple Music app), and a limited web player. If you use anything other than Apple devices, Spotify is significantly more convenient.
Spotify has invested heavily in podcasts and now hosts millions of them, including exclusive shows. Apple Podcasts is a separate app on Apple devices. If you want music and podcasts in one app, Spotify is the better choice.
Both Spotify and Apple Music charge $10.99/month for the individual plan. On SubSplit, both are available at much lower prices — Spotify from $1.50/month, Apple Music from ₦1,050/month. Neither has a meaningful price advantage over the other at full price.
Bottom line on price: Pay full price and they're identical. Get either on SubSplit and you save up to 87% on both.
You use Android, Windows, or non-Apple devices. You love discovering new music through personalised playlists. You also listen to podcasts. You want a free tier to try first. You use multiple platforms and need one app everywhere.
You're in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, AirPods). You care about audio quality and have good headphones. You want lossless and spatial audio at no extra cost. You prefer human-curated playlists over algorithms.
Whichever you choose, you don't need to pay full price. Both Spotify Premium and Apple Music are available on SubSplit at significantly better prices.
Spotify or Apple Music — both available at better prices on SubSplit.
Is Spotify or Apple Music better for sound quality?
Apple Music wins — it streams lossless audio (ALAC up to 24-bit/192kHz) and Dolby Atmos spatial audio at no extra cost. Spotify's maximum is 320kbps, with lossless still not widely available.
Does Spotify or Apple Music have a bigger catalogue?
Both have over 100 million tracks, so catalogue size is effectively equal. The difference is curation — Spotify's algorithm-driven recommendations are widely considered better.
Which is cheaper — Spotify or Apple Music?
Both cost $10.99/month at full price. On SubSplit, both are available at significantly lower prices — Spotify from $1.50/month and Apple Music from ₦1,050/month.
Can I use Apple Music on Android?
Yes — Apple Music has an Android app. It works well but isn't as polished as on iOS. Spotify's Android app is generally considered better.
Which is better for discovering new music?
Spotify. Its Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mixes are widely considered the best personalised music discovery in the industry.