So, let’s dig into each parameter and see which one wins the ultimate battle!
1. Subscription plans
I have shared the whole pricing chart for a better overview: Winner: Apple Music
2. Free trials
My mantra is – whenever in doubt, always opt for a free trial. And Apple Music is the ideal guinea pig in this case. There are multiple ways to get a long free trial of Apple Music. Normally, Apple provides a one-month free trial, but you can get 6 months free on a purchase of an eligible Apple device and 3 months free via Shazam. Winner: Apple Music
3. User interface
In this case, I can’t decide on a winner as the user experience completely depends on personal choices. As a long-term Apple user, I feel more homely at Apple Music. Winner: Tie
4. Music library
The majority of Apple Music’s music selections are curated in hundred categories under the ‘Browse’ area. Playlists like Today’s Hits, New Music Daily, and Daily Top 100 make it simple for fans of popular music like me to keep up with all the latest releases. Also, Apple Music offers many niche music with independent artist playlists, video playlists, and stations. Apple Music also helped me uplift my mood by offering curated mood playlists. The customization algorithm is terrific, as the app asks you to choose a few of your favorite artists when you sign up. Then using this data, Apple Music creates playlists, the daily mix, and updates the For You section with new releases to suit your tastes. Winner: Apple Music
5. Variety of curated content
Both services continue to provide their own distinctive brand of non-music material like videos, podcasts, talk shows, etc. Both services use curated material in a very similar way, assessing your listening patterns to create playlists that include both your favorite songs and brand-new music that they believe you’ll like. Also, both create and play playlists based on genre and even the time of day, such as selecting cheerful music to get you moving in the morning.
6. Streaming quality
When it comes to resolution and bit rate, Apple Music has excellent audio quality. It stands out because of its lossless streaming at up to 24-bit/192kHz and “CD-quality” at 16-bit/44.1kHz with True Hi-Res Audio. If lossless music is not your thing, Apple Music provides 256kbps AAC files for the highest quality. Besides, it uses the ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) format, which keeps the original audio file’s data to convert its music tracks to Lossless Audio. So, you will listen to the same form as when they were first recorded in the studio. Winner: Apple Music
7. Data usage
For the lossless options, I was charged between 720 and 2900 MB of data per hour at the highest settings on both platforms. Therefore, while in a poor network area, I faced some playback troubles because of the greater audio quality and increased data usage. There was latency and buffering that lasted for approximately 3–4 seconds.
8. Headphones experience
As most of the time I use my AirPods, Apple Music is my go-to music app. Winner: Apple Music
9. Offline listening
Winner: Apple Music
10. Music sharing
11. Integration and voice assistants
Siri is already my best friend, and with the Apple Music subscription, it has become my personal DJ. You manage playing songs, queue up tracks, research song details, add music to your library, play your favorite playlists, or even play something new using Siri. Apple Music has specific Siri features and automation for a better user experience. Winner: Tie
12. In-car experience
Winner: Apple Music
13. Additional features
Most of the features are the same on both music streaming platforms, such as immersive sound, Dolby Atmos, built-in equalizer, song lyrics, etc. But there are a few unique functions available.
Apple Music
Apple Music is dominating the music streaming services as it provides many more additional features, making it more valuable as a purchase. Apple Music highlights the narratives of artists in specific playlists under the Behind the Songs section. Additionally, I really like the Apple Replay, which compiles your most-heard songs in a year. Also, the Spatial Audio by Dolby Atmos gives listeners an even more immersive listening experience. One of the rare features is Saylists, which encourages better speech articulation for people with speech-sound disorders (SSD). Apple Music’s true area of expertise is radio. The Radio tab offers three flagship channels that stream live to 165 different countries: Music 1, Music Hits, and Music Country. Also, you can even tune in to foreign stations for the latest in sports, news, interviews, and talk shows. In addition, it provides specially selected music stations tailored to your listening preferences. For more personalization, I have created my own radio station on Apple Music. Moreover, the Radio tab has the most well-liked radio programs and playlists from earlier years archived. I also rely on Apple Music during my house parties, thanks to the Apple Music Sing karaoke feature. It’s more enjoyable to hit every beat thanks to 5 new lyrical features. You can sing hit songs with real-time lyrics and flexible voices that enable you to sing solo, duet, or backing harmonies. Additionally, with Apple Music Live, I enjoy concerts of my favorite artists from the comfort of my couch. You may watch all ongoing concert series to see unique performances that were live-streamed.
Final verdict
Both apps provide high-resolution lossless music and have huge library collections. You will also get a sizable quantity of video material and other distinctive elements like radio and live streams. So, in terms of providing a top-notch listening experience, both apps are still fairly competitive. It all comes down to personal choices and what’s more convenient for you.
Who should get Apple Music?
If you use iPhone and other Apple devices like me, Apple Music enables more seamless device connectivity. Also, its user interface is elegant, and the album covers are beautifully animated. Besides, Apple Music Radio is very useful to those who love listening to the radio. Also, it is ideal if you want highly customized playlists and unique music and video content. I hope that this evaluation has helped you make a decision. If you are still confused, you may sign up for a free trial version of both apps and give them a try. Explore more…
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