Key Takeaways
1. Improved Music Discovery: Apple Music’s new “Playlist Playground” feature enhances song discovery, competing effectively with Spotify’s “Discover Weekly.”
2. Superior Sound Quality: Apple Music offers higher sound quality with “Hi-Res Lossless” and Dolby Atmos, surpassing Spotify’s recent lossless audio launch.
3. Competitive Pricing: Apple Music is cheaper at $10.99 compared to Spotify’s $12.99, especially beneficial for users within the Apple ecosystem.
4. Better User Interface: Apple Music’s user interface is visually appealing and user-friendly, while Spotify’s interface is more social media-like and less cohesive.
5. Fairer Artist Compensation: Apple Music pays higher royalties per stream than Spotify, making it a more artist-friendly platform.
The ongoing arguments in technology seem like they will never end—there are so many examples. You have Android vs iOS, team red vs team green, Azure vs AWS, and many more. Music streaming is another hot topic, with two major players in the US (let’s not include YouTube Music for now). With the latest update of iOS 26.4, I’m happy to say I’ve made my decision. For context, I’ve been a longtime user of Spotify over Apple Music, but it always felt like a trade-off: I chose Spotify for its user interface and the chance to discover new songs, while I used Apple Music for its higher sound quality. However, in 2026, I believe Apple has finally addressed the “discovery gap,” and considering all factors—the technology, pricing, and ethics—Spotify is no longer the top choice.
A New Player in Discovery
Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” used to be its biggest strength. But with the introduction of “Playlist Playground” in iOS 26.4, the competition is more balanced than ever. Although I haven’t tried it myself yet (it’s only available in the US), it looks promising. Unlike Spotify’s algorithm, Playlist Playground leverages on-device intelligence to create a 25-song playlist from a simple text prompt—like “a synth-heavy playlist with moody songs.” It’s quick, it’s precise, and I hope it gives me more control over my music curation, which was previously Spotify’s domain.
Sound Quality Matters
When it comes to sound quality, Apple wins by a landslide. Spotify just launched its lossless audio tier at the end of 2025, but it feels like it came too late. While Spotify’s lossless audio reaches 24-bit/44.1 kHz, Apple Music’s “Hi-Res Lossless” goes up to 24-bit/192 kHz (I stick with the former since I don’t have the right equipment). Then there’s Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio—although I usually keep it off, it is a cool feature. Spotify still struggles with immersive audio, which is a dealbreaker for those who care about sound quality. Plus, as of March, Spotify Lossless isn’t even available in India, making my decision much easier.
Pricing Changes the Game
Pricing used to be similar between the two services, but Spotify’s recent price increases have altered the situation. As of early 2026, a Spotify Premium Individual plan in the US has risen to $12.99. In contrast, Apple Music remains at $10.99 and includes “Apple Music Classical” and high-resolution audio at no extra cost. If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple One bundle, which includes TV+, Arcade, and 50 GB of iCloud storage, makes the music service feel nearly free.
From a visual perspective, I think it’s not even close, but that might be because I’m using iOS. Spotify looks nearly the same across both platforms, but Apple Music on Android is quite different from iOS. Apple’s new user interface is gorgeous, featuring full-screen artwork that colors the entire display to match the album’s mood. In comparison, Spotify has opted for a TikTok-style vertical feed for some reason—the home feed feels more like a social media platform, which aligns with the company’s focus on that aspect. Additionally, Apple Music includes a karaoke/sing-along feature that works smoothly for the most part, while Spotify’s lyrics tab doesn’t even come close.
Treatment of Artists
Lastly, what really pushed me over the edge was how these companies treat the musicians. Apple Music pays about $0.01 per stream, which is nearly two to three times the $0.003 – $0.005 average rate that Spotify offers. Being a premium-only service means Apple doesn’t have to drain royalties to support a large “free” ad-supported tier. Moreover, Spotify has used generative AI for features like daylists and the 2024 Wrapped, which didn’t sit well with some users.
Certainly, neither of these giants is perfect. Spotify is still reeling from the backlash of its “podcasting-first” strategy, facing ongoing protests about misinformation on platforms like the Joe Rogan Experience. Meanwhile, Apple is under scrutiny from global regulators, having recently faced a hefty €1.8 billion fine for “anti-steering” practices that allegedly disadvantage competitors like Spotify.
But when you look at the app on your phone today, the choice seems clear. Apple Music offers better sound, greater value, and now, with Playlist Playground and “Concerts Near You,” improved song discovery. If you’ve been sticking with Spotify out of habit and have been thinking of switching—now’s the time. Apple Music makes it simple to transfer your albums and playlists from Spotify too.
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