YouTube Music vs Spotify vs Apple Music: which music app should you choose?

YouTube Music suits listeners who want music alongside YouTube uploads, Spotify is a strong all-rounder for music and podcasts, and Apple Music appeals to subscribers seeking lossless audio and an ad無

At a Glance

AppRatingInstallsPrice
YouTube MusicGoogle LLC
4.55,000,000,000+Free
4.31,000,000,000+Free
4.6100,000,000+Free
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How We Compared Them

YouTube Music, Spotify, and Apple Music all stream large music catalogs, offer personalized discovery, and support offline listening for subscribers. Their free options differ: YouTube Music and Spotify include ads, while Apple Music has no free tier.

The comparison below looks at their catalogs, discovery features, offline listening, pricing signals, and Google Play figures to help you choose the service that fits your listening habits.

How we compared them

We compared the apps using their Google Play ratings, install counts, listed prices, in-app purchase ranges, and ad status, alongside the features and trade-offs described for each service. Ratings and installs are store figures, not measures of sound quality or catalog completeness.

Google Play figures were read on November 7, 2026. Spotify declares that it shares approximate location, device or other IDs, and other info, and collects several categories including app interactions and email address. It says data is encrypted in transit and users can request deletion. No comparable data-safety details are included here for YouTube Music or Apple Music.

YouTube Music

Google LLC

4.5Out of 5

listeners who want official tracks, videos, and YouTube music uploads together

Get it onGoogle PlayDownload on theApp Store

YouTube Music’s clearest advantage is its close connection to YouTube, which gives listeners access to a broad mix of music and music-related uploads. Personalized playlists and offline playback for premium subscribers make it useful for discovery and listening away from a connection.

The free version includes ads and has limited offline access, so Spotify is a better fit for free listening with a broader podcast focus, while Apple Music avoids ads but requires a subscription. YouTube Music can also miss niche artists, and occasional glitches are a trade-off.

Rating
4.5
Installs
5,000,000,000+
Category
Music & Audio
Price
Free

Pros

  • YouTube integration brings music and related uploads together
  • Personalized playlists support music discovery
  • Premium includes offline playback and ad-free listening

Cons

  • Free listening includes ads and limited offline access
  • Some niche artists may be unavailable

Spotify: Music and Podcasts

Spotify AB

4.3Out of 5

listeners who want a familiar music and podcast service

Get it onGoogle PlayDownload on theApp Store

Spotify combines music and podcasts in one app, making it the most direct choice of these three for people who regularly switch between songs and spoken episodes. It also offers personalized playlists, offline downloads for subscribers, and a user-friendly interface.

Its free version contains ads and limits skips, and offline downloads require a subscription. Apple Music offers lossless audio options, while YouTube Music connects more directly with YouTube uploads. Spotify also declares collection and sharing of multiple categories of user data on Google Play.

Rating
4.3
Installs
1,000,000,000+
Category
Music & Audio
Price
Free

Pros

  • Music and podcasts share one app
  • Personalized playlists and music discovery
  • Offline downloads available with a subscription

Cons

  • Free listening includes ads and limited skips
  • Declares collection and sharing of multiple data categories

Apple Music

Apple

4.6Out of 5

subscribers prioritizing lossless audio and an ad-free catalog

Get it onGoogle PlayDownload on theApp Store

Apple Music is the only one of these three that offers lossless audio options and does not contain ads. Its extensive catalog, curated playlists, personalized recommendations, and offline listening for subscribers make it a strong option for listeners who want a paid, music-focused service.

There is no free tier like Spotify’s or YouTube Music’s, and a subscription is needed for offline listening. Its integration is strongest with Apple devices, which may make it less appealing on other platforms; occasional song-availability issues are another trade-off.

Rating
4.6
Installs
100,000,000+
Category
Music & Audio
Price
Free

Pros

  • Lossless audio options
  • No ads
  • Curated playlists and offline listening for subscribers

Cons

  • No free tier for ongoing music listening
  • Device integration favors Apple users

Our Picks

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these music apps has a free option?

YouTube Music and Spotify offer free versions with ads. Apple Music does not offer a free tier for ongoing music listening.

Which app is best for podcasts?

Spotify is the clearest choice here because it combines music and podcasts in one app.

Which service offers lossless audio?

Apple Music offers lossless audio options among these three.

Can I listen offline with these apps?

All three support offline listening for subscribers. YouTube Music’s free version has limited offline access.

About This Comparison

This comparison is independent and for informational purposes only. We do not own, develop, or distribute Unlimiteds. All names, logos, and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Developer details are provided for reference; please contact the developer through the links listed on this page.