Verified comparison
Spotify vs Apple Music
Apple Music has the lower verified U.S. monthly price for individual and family plans, while Spotify adds a two-person Duo plan, included audiobook listening on eligible Premium plans, and a student Hulu benefit. If free ad-supported listening already works for you, choose neither paid plan.
Last checked 2026-09-02 · U.S. public pricingMake it specific
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Best fit for this use case
Apple Music
Ad-free music streaming with lossless and Spatial Audio, Apple Music Classical, and individual, family, and verified-student plans.
Visit Apple Music (official site opens in a new tab)Selected from editorial use-case fit only. Affiliate compensation is not an input.Apply what you learned
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Side by side
The decision matrix
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What to compareSpotifyApple Music
Individual monthly charge$12.99$11.99
Core paid music experienceAd-free music, offline downloads, playback in any order, and lossless audio on compatible devicesAd-free music, offline downloads, lossless audio, Spatial Audio, curated playlists, and Apple Music Classical
Verified student charge$6.99 monthly with Hulu where offered$6.99 monthly with Apple TV access
Two-person optionDuo is $18.99 monthly for two people at the same addressNo dedicated two-person plan; Family is $19.99 monthly
Family option$21.99 monthly for up to six people at the same address$19.99 monthly for up to six people through Family Sharing
Household personalizationDuo and Family members receive separate Premium accountsFamily members receive separate libraries, recommendations, and playlists
Audiobook benefit15 hours monthly for Individual and the plan manager on Duo or Family; Student has none, and add-ons cost extraNo audiobook listening allowance is listed as an Apple Music plan benefit
Audio qualityLossless music included with Premium on compatible content and devicesLossless and Spatial Audio included where content and devices are compatible
Classical listeningClassical music is available in the main Spotify catalogA dedicated Apple Music Classical companion app is included with every plan
Free listeningAd-supported Spotify service is availableApple Music describes paid plans and limited free radio, not a comparable on-demand free tier
Important limitationsDuo and Family require one address; included audiobook hours go only to the plan manager and expire monthly. Separately purchased top-ups last 12 months and require an eligible subscriptionFamily Sharing and student verification apply; compatible equipment is needed for some audio formats; Apple One is separate
- Only plan managers receive included audiobook hours on Duo and Family
- Household verification and offer terms apply
- No dedicated two-person plan
- Student eligibility expires and Apple One is a separate bundle
Provenance
Sources and verification
- Spotify Premium (opens in a new tab)Official source · U.S./USD · verified 2026-08-30 · effective date not publishedSupports: price, household conditions, student eligibility, audiobook limitsEvidence: Official Spotify U.S. Premium page was observed with standard recurring prices; temporary trials and offers were excluded.
- Your Premium benefits (opens in a new tab)Official source · U.S./USD · verified 2026-09-02 · effective date not publishedSupports: ad-free music, offline listening, playback control, lossless audio, audiobook eligibilityEvidence: Official Spotify U.S. support page documents current Premium playback benefits, compatible-device limits, and which plan roles receive included audiobook listening.
- Spotify Audiobooks (opens in a new tab)Official source · U.S./USD · verified 2026-08-30 · effective date not publishedSupports: current price, included listening hours, add-on conditionsEvidence: Official Spotify U.S. Audiobooks page was observed with current recurring prices and add-on conditions.
- Audiobooks in Premium plans (opens in a new tab)Official source · U.S./USD · verified 2026-09-02 · effective date not publishedSupports: eligible Premium plans, plan-manager access, monthly expiration, add-on conditionsEvidence: Official Spotify U.S. support page documents audiobook eligibility, household-plan access, monthly hour expiration, and recurring add-on rules.
- Audiobooks Access launch (opens in a new tab)Official source · U.S./USD · verified 2026-08-30 · effective 2024-03-01Supports: price, launch date, included hoursEvidence: Official Spotify newsroom announcement documents the U.S. launch price and date for Audiobooks Access.
- Apple Music (opens in a new tab)Official source · U.S./USD · verified 2026-08-30 · effective date not publishedSupports: price, family sharing, student eligibilityEvidence: Official Apple Music page was observed with U.S. recurring prices; the introductory free period was excluded.