Spotify vs. YouTube Music: I paid for both services, and this one was more worth it
Source: ZDNet
Music streaming services are surprisingly not one‑size‑fits‑all, and one service might be better for your needs than another. If you’re moving between Spotify and YouTube Music, Spotify offers higher‑quality streaming, social features, and several AI‑powered features, while YouTube offers subscribers a simpler experience and integration with YouTube Premium.
Also: Spotify vs. Apple Music: I’ve used both music streaming services, and my choice is clear
I’ve swapped between Spotify and YouTube Music and compared their features to help you decide which is best for you.
Features
| Feature | Spotify | YouTube Music |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99/mo (individual plan) | $10.99/mo (individual plan) |
| Lossless audio | Yes | No |
| Bundle? | No | Yes |
| Spatial audio | No | No |
You should choose Spotify if…
1. Audio quality is important to you
By default, Spotify Premium streams music at up to 256 kbps using the AAC codec. Most people wouldn’t notice a difference between this bitrate and higher ones. Spotify Premium also supports up to 24‑bit/44.1 kHz FLAC lossless audio.
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If you consider yourself an audiophile and want easy access to higher‑quality streaming, Spotify has more options than YouTube Music.
2. You like sharing music
Spotify includes several social features: SharePlay on iOS, Spotify Wrapped, Jams, integration with Discord and TikTok, social recommendations, and the ability to follow friends. You can generate blended playlists with friends, see each other’s activity, or start a real‑time listening party.
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Spotify is also integrated with Discord for gaming and chat while listening, and TikTok lets you save songs directly to your library. The Spotify Tap feature works with compatible audio hardware, letting you launch playback without opening the phone app.
3. You want several AI‑powered features
Spotify uses AI for playlist creation and music discovery, including AI‑generated recommendations, Instant Playlists (generated from prompts), and Prompted Playlists that refresh daily or weekly. Subscribers can also access an AI DJ that suggests older tracks, new genres, playlists, and artists.
Also: Spotify’s Prompted Playlists feel like a smarter way to discover music – how it works
You should choose YouTube Music if…
1. You are a YouTube fanatic
You can bundle an ad‑free YouTube Premium and YouTube Music subscription for $13.99/mo, just $1 more than an individual Spotify plan.
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If you spend a lot of time on YouTube watching live performances, official music videos, or obscure tracks not found on other platforms, YouTube Music may be the better choice.
2. You want a simple streaming service
If AI DJs, third‑party app integration, varying bitrates, and a flood of playlists feel overwhelming, YouTube Music offers a straightforward experience: ad‑free listening, offline downloads, and seamless switching between audio and video.
Writer’s choice
I prefer Spotify to YouTube Music. I enjoy Spotify’s music discovery features, and the service provides several mixes across genres, artists, vibes, and languages to expand your musical palate. The YouTube Music platform feels very simple and bare‑bones, which isn’t my preference.