Spotify vs YouTube Music: Which One is Better? (In-Depth Analysis 2024)

Sep 20, 202429 mins read

Spotify vs YouTube Music: Which streaming platform is right for you? Discover the key differences and similarities in this comprehensive comparison.

Are you trying to decide between Spotify and YouTube Music for your music streaming needs? Both platforms offer unique features, but which one is right for you? In this blog post, Spotifyapkmodwill compare Spotify vs YouTube Music, highlighting their key differences and similarities to help you make the best choice.  

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Spotify vs YouTube Music  

YouTube Music vs Spotify is a common comparison among users trying to figure out which platform suits them best. YouTube Music is a music streaming service by YouTube. It offers access to a wide range of music, including both official songs and user-generated content. You can create and share playlists, explore new artists, and watch music videos. It’s available on Android, iOS, and web browsers.  

Spotify is one of the largest music streaming services in the world, offering unlimited access to a vast library of music and podcasts. You can create playlists, get personalized recommendations, and see what your friends are listening to. Spotify is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and web browsers.  

Key Differences Between Spotify and YouTube Music  

Can't decide between Spotify and YouTube Music? Let's break down the key differences to help you choose the perfect music streaming service:   

Criteria  

Spotify  

YouTube Music  

Purpose  

Music and podcast streaming  

Music and video streaming  

Music Library  

Over 100 million songs and podcasts  

Over 100 million songs, including music videos  

Audio Quality  

Up to 320 kbps for Premium  

Up to 256 kbps for Premium  

Free Plan  

Ad-supported, with limited skips  

Ad-supported, unlimited skips  

Premium Plan  

From $9.99/month  

From $9.99/month, free with YouTube Premium  

User Interface  

Sleek, user-friendly  

Simple, integrated with YouTube  

Standout Features  

Smart playlists, podcasts  

Switch between music and video seamlessly  

Device Support  

Available on multiple platforms  

Mobile app and web browser only  

Search Features  

Search by artist, album, podcast  

Search by song, video, or album  

Offline Features  

Download music for offline listening  

Download music for offline listening  

Audio Quality  

Audio quality is a key factor when choosing a streaming platform. Both Spotify vs YouTube Music offer multiple audio quality settings, but Spotify has a slight edge with its five options compared to YouTube Music’s four.  

YouTube vs Spotify sound quality comparison:   

Audio Quality Setting  

Spotify  

YouTube Music  

Automatic  

Varies by speed  

N/A  

Low  

24 kbps  

48 kbps  

Normal  

96 kbps  

128 kbps  

High  

160 kbps  

256 kbps  

Very High / Always High  

320 kbps  

256 kbps (fixed)  

While Spotify supports a maximum bitrate of 320 kbps for Premium users, YouTube Music tops out at 256 kbps. For most listeners, the difference may not be noticeable unless they are using high-end audio equipment.  

Winner: Spotify  

spotify-sound-quality-1.JPG

User Interface  

Both apps feature dark-themed interfaces, but Spotify vs YouTube Music show differences in usability. Spotify’s polished design, including eye-catching album art and detailed playlist descriptions, provides a better experience.  

Feature  

Spotify  

YouTube Music  

Mobile app design  

Sleek, polished  

Simplistic  

Desktop app  

Resizable sidebar  

No dedicated app  

Cross-device support  

Seamless with Spotify Connect  

Chromecast supported but less smooth  

Spotify’s desktop app stands out with a resizable sidebar and drag-and-drop features, while YouTube Music relies on a less interactive web player. YouTube Music’s search results are more comprehensive, showing songs, albums, and related videos, but Spotify wins with its better overall design and device integration.  

Winner: Spotify  

spotify-user-interface.JPG

Content Variety  

Both YT Music vs Spotify offer over 100 million tracks, but YouTube Music shines when it comes to unofficial content like covers, remixes, and user-uploaded material.  

Content-Type  

Spotify  

YouTube Music  

Official music library  

Yes  

Yes  

User-uploaded content  

Limited  

Extensive  

Podcasts  

5 million+  

Limited  

Videos  

No  

Yes (Music videos, concerts)  

For rare and niche content, YouTube Music is the go-to option, thanks to its integration with YouTube’s video library. However, if you're interested in podcasts or audiobooks, Spotify offers a wider variety.  

Winner: YouTube Music  

Music Discovery  

Both Spotify vs YouTube Music apps help users discover new music through personalized playlists and recommendations.  

Discovery Feature  

Spotify  

YouTube Music  

Personalized playlists  

Daily Mixes, Release Radar  

My Mix, Discover Mix  

AI DJ  

Yes  

No  

Related playlists  

Limited  

Extensive  

Spotify’s AI DJ is a unique feature that acts as a personal radio host, introducing new songs and artists. Is YouTube Music better than Spotifywhen it comes to music discovery? While offering strong recommendations, YouTube Music doesn’t have the same level of interactive discovery features as Spotify.  

Winner: Spotify  

spotify-vs-apple-music-music-discovery.JPG

Free Plan Comparison  

Free users experience significant differences between the two platforms. Spotify Free restricts users to six skips per hour, while YouTube Music allows unlimited skips and offers ad-skipping.  

Feature  

Spotify Free  

YouTube Music Free  

Skips  

6 per hour  

Unlimited  

Ad-skipping  

No  

Yes (after 5 seconds)  

Background play  

Yes  

No (mobile only)  

YouTube Music Free offers a more flexible listening experience, with fewer restrictions on skips and ad-skipping. However, Spotify allows background play on all platforms, a crucial feature for many users.  

Winner: YouTube Music  

Premium Plans & Pricing  

Spotify vs YouTube Music both offer similar pricing, but Spotify provides more options, including Duo and Mini plans for budget-conscious users.  

Plan  

Spotify  

YouTube Music  

Individual  

$10.99/month  

$10.99/month  

Family  

$16.99/month  

$16.99/month  

Student  

$5.99/month  

$5.99/month  

Additional plans  

Duo, Mini  

None  

Spotify’s variety of plans, including Premium Duo and Mini, offers more flexibility, especially for families or couples looking to share accounts.  

Winner: Spotify  

Additional Features  

Spotify offers more advanced features like Smart Shuffle and Crossfade, which enhance the listening experience by smoothly transitioning between songs. YouTube Music, however, supports local file playback and excels with its video content.  

Feature  

Spotify  

YouTube Music  

Song lyrics  

Yes (scrolling)  

Yes (static)  

Smart Shuffle  

Yes  

No  

Local file playback  

Yes (manual setup)  

Yes (automatic detection)  

Spotify also stands out with its Wrapped feature, which gives users a year-end review of their listening habits. YouTube Music offers a Recap, but it’s not as engaging.  

Winner: Spotify  

Which Should You Choose?  

If you’re all about audio and want access to a broad range of podcasts along with music, Spotify is likely your best choice. It has a larger presence across different platforms, higher audio quality, and better music discovery features. Plus, if you’re an audiophile, the upcoming Hi-Fi feature might be worth the wait.  

On the other hand, if you enjoy music videos and already use other Google services, YouTube Music might be the better option for you. It integrates perfectly with YouTube, and its free version allows unlimited skips, giving you a more flexible experience.  

Conclusion  

Spotify vs YouTube Music are excellent platforms, but they cater to slightly different audiences. If you’re focused on audio quality, podcasts, and seamless music discovery, Spotify is the way to go. However, if you want access to music videos and prefer Google’s ecosystem, YouTube Music might be a better fit.  

Take advantage of their free trials to see which one aligns better with your preferences!