YouTube Music vs. Spotify: So alike, but which is best?

When it comes to choosing the right music streaming service, the options can be overwhelming. Spotify and YouTube Music are two major players in the industry, each boasting libraries of over 100 million songs and offering similar plans. But which one is better?

User interface and devices

Spotify, established in 2008, has had time to refine its user interface, making it one of the best in the industry. It can be accessed through various platforms, including web browsers and mobile and desktop apps for multiple operating systems. The interface is divided into three main areas: Home, Library, and Search, each serving different functions to enhance the user experience. The web and desktop versions of Spotify offer a similar interface, making it convenient for users across different devices.

On the other hand, YouTube Music’s user interface is also well-designed and visually appealing, with sections for Home, Explore, Library, and Search. While it may not have as many access points as Spotify, it still offers a seamless experience for users. The integration with Google services adds an extra layer of convenience for those already using Google products.

Both Spotify and YouTube Music offer similar organization and discovery tools, but Spotify stands out with its visually appealing design and deeper content suggestions. Additionally, Spotify provides more connectivity options compared to YouTube Music.

Winner: Spotify

Library and discovery

Both Spotify and YouTube Music offer extensive music libraries, so the number of tracks is no longer a deciding factor. Spotify’s library includes over five million podcast titles and now includes audiobooks as well. Spotify excels in helping users discover new content through various features and recommendations.

Many of these features have been pioneered by Spotify. The “Made for [your name here]” category is a dynamic space for users who prefer to rely on algorithms. Playlists like Discover Weekly, Daily Mixes, and Release Radar are popular choices when you’re unsure of what to listen to. Additionally, Spotify offers auto-generated mixes, playlists, and radio station recommendations based on your preferences. The platform also highlights new episodes of podcasts and audiobooks.

In contrast, YouTube Music’s library is extensive, offering a wide range of content. While it lacks audiobooks, it has recently added podcasts for U.S. users. However, when it comes to music discovery, Spotify excels with its diverse range of features and recommendations.

In terms of features and functions, both Spotify and YouTube Music offer similar capabilities, such as creating playlists, liking songs, and connecting to various devices. While Spotify allows collaborative playlists and hosts the popular Wrapped event, YouTube Music offers its own year-end Recap feature. Functionally, both services are on par with each other.

When it comes to sound quality, Spotify technically offers better sound quality than YouTube Music. While both services have yet to offer lossless or high-resolution formats, Spotify’s premium tiers provide higher quality audio compared to YouTube Music.

In terms of pricing, both Spotify and YouTube Music offer free versions with limitations such as ads and restricted skipping. Spotify’s premium plans range from $6 to $20 per month, catering to individual users, couples, families, and students. On the other hand, YouTube Music’s free version allows unlimited skipping after 5 seconds but has more intrusive ads. Ultimately, Spotify emerges as the winner in terms of sound quality, pricing, and overall features. Fortunately, the YouTube Music app now allows you to play music in the background while your lock screen is active or while using other apps, a feature that was previously unavailable. Upgrading to YouTube Music Premium, similar to Spotify, eliminates all ads, enables downloads, and provides full-service features. Subscription plans are as follows:

– Individual: $11 per month (or $3 more per month with a YouTube Premium membership)
– Family: $17 per month (or $6 more per month with a YouTube Premium membership)
– Student: $5.50 per month (or $2.50 more per month with a YouTube Premium membership)

When it comes to pricing, Spotify and YouTube Music are fairly evenly matched, with their Individual plans costing just over $10. Therefore, we consider this a tie. While Spotify offers a convenient Duo tier for a specific demographic, YouTube Premium subscribers can take advantage of their memberships to access a great add-on, something Spotify cannot provide.

Verdict
Spotify is the world’s most popular music streaming service, boasting over 600 million users, 236 million of whom are paying subscribers. Although YouTube Music and YouTube Premium have a substantial subscriber base of over 100 million, it is not enough to surpass Spotify’s well-designed platform for music discovery, podcasts, and new features.

While YouTube Music and Spotify offer similar library sizes and music quality, Spotify provides a more polished experience and additional features for the same price. If you are already a YouTube Premium subscriber, adding music for a few extra dollars is a wise choice. However, if you are not interested in flashy UI or podcasts, YouTube Music may be more suitable for you.

Winner: Spotify

Publisher: DailyTech