Spotify and YouTube Music are the two largest streaming services in the age of digital melodies. Both are streaming platforms that transform the way we consume and relish music and contain a massive number of music libraries and personalized playlists. But the query is Spotify vs YouTube Music which is best and wins the battle of the beats? However, selecting between the two can be challenging due to differences in content diversity and subscription choices. This guide will prove to be helpful for you to choose the best one according to your needs.
What is Spotify?
Spotify is a Swedish music listening platform that enables its users to enjoy songs and podcasts even audiobooks on the go. It has become one of the most renowned streaming applications in the world and was officially launched in 2008. It contains almost 433 million monthly interacting users and 182 million paying subscribers. Navigating through its interface is very easy and it permits you to browse its massive library by categories and artists. On your listening habits, it also contains a personalized playlist and even you can build your own to share with your friends and siblings. The most significant thing about Spotify is that it is officially available on Google PlayStore.
What is YouTube Music?
YouTube Music is also a streaming application and is like a backstage pass to the world of music. Its true magic lies in the extraordinary access to music videos and remixes. It was first launched in 2015 by the mighty YouTube and keeps more than 90 million tracks and eliminates the need for separate music and video apps. Like Spotify vs YouTube Music offers both paid and free tiers. Its premium version unlocks background play while the free version contains ads and limited attributes. It also works with the Google ecosystem and authorizes you to cast your tunes on your Smart TV. It is also officially present on Google PlayStore like Spotify.
Spotify vs YouTube Music – Pros and Cons
Some of the benefits and drawbacks of Spotify and YouTube Music are as follows:
Pros of Spotify:
- It provides a massive music library with exclusive podcasts and curated playlists.
- Contains an intuitive and clean interface with a primary focus on music discovery.
- Provides high-quality options up to 320kbps and lossless options for pro users.
- Spotify also furnishes its users with seamless crossovers and uninterrupted playback.
- You can also share your favorite playlists on different social media platforms with Spotify.
- It is dedicated to desktop apps and has broader hardware compatibility.
Cons of Spotify:
- It does not provide any visual elements or music videos for the listening experience.
- It requires a separate Spotify Premium APK for background play on the YouTube app.
- Its free tier does not contain offline music just offers shuffle play.
- Spotify holds 160kbps of quality in its free tier.
Pros of YouTube Music:
- It keeps a huge library of music videos and live performances.
- It supplies background play on the YouTube app and also a seamless casting to Smart TVs.
- It delivers a visual interface with music videos and artist channels.
- It also provides a free tier like Spotify but with limited attributes.
- It also presents unique attributes like smart home integration and spatial audio.
Cons of YouTube Music:
- It does not hold music discovery algorithms and curated playlists like Spotify.
- It delivers lower audio quality than Spotify Premium of up to 256kbps.
- A separate YouTube application is required for the dedicated podcast library.
- It does not provide social sharing attributes and cross-platform integration.
- It supplies a restricted compatibility with some older devices.
- If you are only audio listeners then you might feel cluttered in its interface.
FAQs About Spotify vs YouTube Music
Do both Spotify and YouTube Music offer a free tier?
Yes, both platforms present a free tier but with some limited options like shuffle play and ads interrupting your listening experience.
Which one has better audio quality?
Spotify gives better audio quality than YouTube Music in its premium deck and it also takes the crown for audiophiles with its lossless quality options.
What about social sharing and playlists?
Spotify permits you to share your favorite playlists directly to social media platforms while YouTube Music lacks dedicated social sharing qualities but you can share music videos like any YouTube content.
Wrapping it Up
The winner of the battle between Spotify vs YouTube Music entirely depends on personal preferences. If you want to stream on a platform that supports many devices and is compatible with many platforms for social sharing then Spotify is your champion. On the other hand, if you find a platform with live performances and remixes then YouTube Music best suits you. However, YouTube Music does not reach the height of Spotify in the sense of music and podcasts.