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Spotify vs. YouTube Music: I paid for both servicesand this one gave me better value
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Music streaming services are surprisingly not one-size-fits-alland one service might be better for your needs than another. If you're moving between Spotify and YouTube MusicSpotify offers higher-quality streamingsocial featuresand several AI-powered featureswhile YouTube offers subscribers a simpler experience and integration with YouTube Premium.
Also: Spotify vs. Apple Music: I've used both music streaming servicesand 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
| 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 defaultSpotify Premium streams music at up to 256 kbpswhich falls within the AAC codec's range. Most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between this bitrate and any higher one. HoweverSpotify Premium also supports up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC lossless audio.
Also: I tested Sony and Bose's best headphones for months - how my buying advice has changed in 2026
If you consider yourself an audiophile and want easy access to higher-quality streamingSpotify has more options than YouTube Music.
2. You like sharing music
Spotify has several social featuresincluding SharePlay on iOSSpotify WrappedJamsintegration with Discord and TikToksocial recommendationsand the ability to follow your friends on Spotify. If you follow friends on Spotifythe app can generate blended playlists that feature both of your favorite songslet you see each other's activityor let you start a listening party and listen together in real-time.
Also: Spotify's new Page Match feature fixes my biggest frustration with audiobooks - here's how
Aside from sharing musicSpotify is integrated with Discord to game and chat with your friends while listening to music together. On TikTokyou can easily save songs from the video-sharing app to your Spotify library. In addition to social appsSpotify Tap is integrated with several consumer audio productsletting you launch and listen to the app without opening your phone.
3. You want several AI-powered features
Spotify integrates AI into many of its playlist creation and music discovery featuresincluding Spotify-made recommendations based on your interests and Instant Playlistswhich generate playlists from prompts. Spotify also offers Prompted Playlistswhich also create playlists from a promptbut the feature refreshes the songs daily or weekly.
Also: Spotify's Prompted Playlists feel like a smarter way to discover music - how it works
Spotify subscribers can also access an AI DJ that recommends older songs you may have forgotten about and suggests new genresplaylistsand artists you may be interested in.
You should choose YouTube Music if...
1. You are a YouTube fanatic
You can bundle an ad-free YouTube Premium and YouTube Music subscription together for $13.99/mowhich is $1 more per month than an individual Spotify subscription.
Also: How I download YouTube videos for free - 2 easy and reliable methods to do it
If you spend a lot of time on YouTube and often look up live performancesofficial music videosor more obscure songs that aren't on mainstream streaming platformsYouTube Music may be the better choice for you.
2. You want a simple streaming service
If AI DJsthird-party app integrationvarying bitratesand a deluge of playlists sound too complicated for youYouTube Music is up your alley. The main allure of YouTube Music is that subscribers can listen ad-freedownload songs for offline listeningand switch between audio and video with ease.
Writer's choice
I prefer Spotify to YouTube Music. I enjoy Spotify's music discovery featuresand the service provides several mixes across genresartistsvibesand languages to expand your musical palate. Additionallythe YouTube Music platform has a very simple and bare-bones user experiencewhich I don't like.