Music is a big part of our lives today, and choosing the right streaming platform can make a big difference in how we enjoy it. Two of the most popular platforms are Spotify and Apple Music. Both offer millions of songs, but they each focus on different things. This article looks at my experience with these platforms and why people choose one over the other, even though they have different strengths.
My search for better sound
Recently, I started looking for a better way to enjoy music and audio. I researched in-ear monitors (IEMs) and earphones, hoping to find the best sound quality for my budget. I also wanted to know which music app would give me the best sound experience. Since I use Spotify every day, I thought it might have settings for high-quality sound. But after looking into it, I was surprised to find that Spotify didn’t have an easy option for high-quality or lossless audio.
Trying Apple Music for high-quality sound
That’s when I decided to give Apple Music a try. Since I already had an iPad, it was easy to subscribe and set up. Apple Music immediately impressed me with its option to stream lossless audio, which means much higher quality sound than what Spotify offers. I could choose to stream high-quality music on Wi-Fi or even on mobile data.
Quality vs. Convenience: The big question
This left me wondering: Why do so many people still prefer Spotify when Apple Music sounds better?
Price and Availability: Interestingly, Apple Music is actually cheaper than Spotify, but many people still prefer Spotify because of its features and the belief that Apple Music only works on Apple devices. However, Apple Music works on Android phones too, like my Pixel.
Social and Sharing features: What really makes Spotify stand out is its social features. You can share playlists(Blend), see what your friends are listening to, and discover new music together. Spotify also works smoothly across different devices. For example, I can start a song on my TV and switch to my phone to control it. This makes Spotify really easy to use, especially when I’m moving between devices.
Streaming speed vs. Sound quality: Spotify is also faster at streaming music, even on slower internet connections. It doesn’t need a lot of data to play songs, which is great when you’re traveling or don’t have a fast internet connection. On the other hand, Apple Music’s high-quality streaming uses more data and needs a fast connection to avoid buffering. I noticed this especially when my mobile data ran out much quicker with Apple Music compared to Spotify.
Two platforms for different needs
After using both, I realized that each platform has its strengths. For daily use, I stick with Spotify because of its speed, convenience, and social features. But when I want to enjoy music with the best sound quality, I switch to Apple Music.
What my community thinks
When I asked my design community, most people said they prefer Spotify for its ease of use and social features. But even those who love Spotify agreed that Apple Music has much better sound quality.
Final thoughts: Choosing the right service for you
Choosing between Spotify and Apple Music depends on what you value more. If you want fast streaming, social features, and easy use across different devices, Spotify is the way to go. But if you care more about sound quality and don’t mind using more data or needing a stronger internet connection, Apple Music will give you the best audio experience.
For me, both platforms have their place. I use Spotify when I need something quick and reliable and Apple Music when I want to enjoy every detail of a song. It’s about finding the right balance based on your needs.