If you’re looking for a music service that’s worth your time and money, there are a few different options out there. There’s the free Apple Music app, and the popular, paid Spotify service. Each one of them has its pros and cons. But which one is right for you?
It’s more popular than Apple Music
The latest report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that Apple has overtaken Spotify as the most popular music streaming service in the U.S. This can be attributed to the fact that both services are offering new features, including podcasts, and Apple has a bigger catalog of music.
While both apps have their strengths, there are a few differences that make Spotify the clear choice. Some of these include a larger catalog, better audio quality, and the ability to play the app on a variety of devices.
Spotify also offers a dedicated podcast section, which is a big step forward. There are a number of big-name podcasters available on the platform, including Joe Rogan and The Daily Show.
Apple Music also has a podcast section, but it is separate from the main music app. It allows you to browse your own music, listen to podcasts, and access public playlists.
Those who are heavy on playlists may find Spotify more convenient. It has a broader catalogue of songs, and it offers expertly-curated playlists. If you’re looking for more than just music, Spotify also has a nifty feature called Release Radar, which highlights the best tracks released in a given month.
Apple Music also has a unique way of suggesting what to listen to. Aside from the usual recommendations, the music app shows you what your friends are listening to.
While Apple has an edge on Spotify in the number of subscribers, it has a way to go. That being said, the company has announced plans to expand its algorithmic recommendations. And it has a web player in beta.
Both of these services have solid social media integrations. They’re easy to navigate, and the interfaces are uncluttered.
It offers personalized playlists based on your music taste
If you’re looking for a music service that offers personalized playlists, you have two options: Apple and Spotify. Both apps are built to understand your tastes in music and recommend songs that you’ll enjoy. However, whereas Apple focuses on sharing music, Spotify emphasizes curated playlists.
Although both apps use algorithms to identify your musical tastes, both apps use different methods to recommend songs. While Apple uses a combination algorithm to pull recommendations from past listening histories and your friend’s lists, Spotify uses a more personalized approach.
For example, Spotify’s Discover Weekly feature delivers a two-hour list of new, personalized music recommendations each Monday. The list is based on the songs that you’ve listened to recently, as well as your listening habits.
You can also save and reorder songs on your list. Additionally, you can search for songs, see what your friends are listening to, and follow artists.
Another great feature of the app is the ability to curate your own playlists. Once you create a playlist, you can share it with friends. It also allows you to create radio stations and collaborate with other users.
You can also use the Listen Now tab to find recommendations. However, this is not a feature that’s always on point. Some people don’t want to know what other people are listening to, while others may not care about lyrics.
With both apps, you can create playlists based on genre, artist, or activity. You can even skip to a certain lyric line in a song.
Lastly, both apps offer charts and global chart playlists. However, Spotify also has the added advantage of providing hand-picked playlists of the latest hits. Unlike Apple, you can preview a song before adding it to your list.
It has a logical and easily accessible sidebar menu layout
Apple and Spotify are not exactly the same size sex. That said, they do share some of the same properties. A good example is iCloud, which allows you to access your music library from anywhere, at anytime. This makes it easy to listen to your favorites while on the move.
The most interesting thing about both services is that they offer a wide range of curated and custom music content. For instance, you could have your own personalized radio station. Or, you could snag a bunch of tracks from your favorite artist, or vice versa. There are also playlists for a variety of genres, and even a few a la carte items. You can also use the same iCloud credentials to share your favorite tunes with a friend. So, it’s no wonder they are two of the most popular music apps in the country.
As you can probably tell by now, there’s no denying that the new Apple Music app is a notch above the competition in terms of both functionality and design. And if you’re the type who doesn’t mind shelling out for a good time, the newest incarnation is a worthwhile upgrade. Not to mention, a new look is always refreshing.
It has ads interrupting your playlists
There’s nothing more frustrating than playing your favorite tracks only to find a bunch of ads interfering with the enjoyment. This is especially true when you’re on the cheap. For instance, if you subscribe to Apple Music’s $4.99 per month tier, you can expect ads to erupt on your smartphone like the wind. And if you’re paying top dollar for Spotify’s Premium tier, the ad-free version of the service doesn’t exactly make you feel pampered. The good news is that it’s not the only ad-free music service out there, but the bad news is that ad-free versions are not always as well rounded as they claim to be. Fortunately, you can easily avoid the ad plague with a family subscription or two.
So what’s up with the aforementioned iPhone ad-free Apple Music service? Well, as you might imagine, the company has had a small but savvy ad business for a while, but that doesn’t mean it’s been stingy with its ad content. It’s also worth mentioning that the company’s ad-free mobile apps aren’t quite as robust as their desktop counterparts, although you’ll be hard-pressed to tell the difference. In addition, the company has made a few notable changes to Bluetooth restrictions in the last few months, including adding support for the latest wireless standards and snazz-ing up the audio quality of its latest wireless headphones.
It’s more ubiquitous on other platforms
With over ten million users worldwide, Spotify has become a top music streaming platform. It offers a wide range of music genres, and users can create, save, and share playlists. The service also has a robust podcast offering.
Spotify is free to download and use. The company is constantly growing its music library, with an estimated 80 million songs and over four billion playlists. Users can search for songs, listen to new releases, and follow friends. The company also offers a free ad-supported tier.
There is a subscription tier for those who want access to exclusive releases. Another feature is the ability to play songs on demand. The service is available on desktop and mobile devices. As of February 2022, Spotify is available in 184 countries.
The user interface is easy to navigate. Unlike Apple Music, Spotify has a clear, uncluttered design. Besides the main interface, users can also access many features from three different tabs.
The algorithm used by Spotify is similar to that of Google, in that it factors in user input and past listening history. This means that recommendations are more personalized. In addition, you can customize your search results with filters and sorting options.
You can also view your playlists and music history. You can share your Spotify Codes, which are like custom QR codes, with friends. These can be shared in messages or through a camera. Using the codes, you can share your favorites and listening habits with your friends.
There is also a collaborative playlist option. Spotify users can work together to create playlists and edit them.
The service has been around since 2008. As of March 2021, it has acquired Locker Room. Its goal is to offer a variety of sports, entertainment, and cultural programming.
