When it comes to enjoying streaming music, we have all kinds of services at our disposal. There is no doubt that Spotify is the great reference, but other alternatives have gained ground. So we have prepared a complete comparison in which we will answer the million-dollar question: YouTube Music vs Spotify: Which is better?
We will look at the strengths and weaknesses of each platform so you know if it is better hire Spotify or bet on YouTube Music.
Tidal, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Premium… When it comes to enjoying our favorite music and podcasts, we have a wide variety of platforms. Although it is clear that two giants dominate the market: Spotify and YouTube Music.
Both boast a very complete catalogue, with music collections, custom algorithms and features for discovering new music. However, choosing between these two services is not always easy.
Factors such as sound quality, user interface, available content, and subscription options are key to deciding which one best suits your needs. But, Which one to choose? YouTube Music or Spotify?
The music library: variety and exclusive content
To answer the million-dollar question, it's time to look at how they differ in terms of variety and exclusive content. When it comes to quantity, both Spotify and YouTube Music offer impressive catalogues, each with more than 100 million songs. However, There are important differences in the type of content you can find.
For starters, Spotify focuses on official and professionally produced music. From big hits to niche tracks, its library is carefully curated. In addition, it offers a wide variety of exclusive podcasts, audiobooks, and thematic playlists. In this way, If you're looking for all the music from an artist you like, you'll always find it on Spotify.
YouTube Music, on the other hand, has a great advantage in integrating content from the YouTube platform. This means that you will not only find official music, but also remixes, live versions, covers and content uploaded by users. For example, If you're looking for rarities like hard-to-find soundtracks or home recordings from artists, YouTube Music can't be beat in this regard.
So if you value the availability of exclusive content or are interested in exploring unique recordings and unofficial versions, YouTube Music is the best option. But if you prefer a more organized experience with access to podcasts and audiobooks, Spotify has the edge.
Sound Quality: Which Sounds Better?
We've already seen that Spotify wins when it comes to official content, but YouTube Music will allow you to find other types of music content, remixes and more that aren't on Spotify. So let's go for the second point: acoustic quality.
In this area, Spotify offers a technical advantage by allowing a maximum bitrate of 320 kbps in its Premium plan., while YouTube Music reaches up to 256 kbps. Note that both platforms limit the quality in their free plans: Spotify up to 160 kbps and YouTube Music to 128 kbps.
Yes, it doesn't make much sense for Amazon Music or Apple Music to offer lossless audio and these platforms are still so far behind. And the arrival of Spotify Hi-Fi is not expected for a few years yet...
But, in summary Spotify offers better quality. Additionally, the green platform optimizes the loading of songs, offering almost zero waiting times even on slower connections. In contrast, YouTube Music tends to take a couple of seconds longer to load high-quality tracks, which can be annoying if you're used to fast transitions.
For audiophiles or those who use high-end sound equipment, Spotify is the most solid choice. However, the difference in quality may not be noticeable to most users.
User Interface and Device Experience
Moving on to the visual section, although we can already tell you that Spotify wins hands down. To start with, Spotify has a polished and feature-rich interface. And There is one big advantage over YouTube Music: its desktop app.
On the desktop version, the drag-and-drop system makes it easy to organize playlists, and the sidebar is fully resizable. Plus, The Spotify Connect system allows you to seamlessly switch between devices connected to the same network.
YouTube Music, on the other hand, lacks a dedicated desktop app, limiting itself to a web player. While its mobile design is functional, it lacks some of the advanced options found on Spotify. However, it does offer one unique advantage: You can switch between the audio track and the video clip of a song with a single click. And that's a great point to keep in mind.
In short, in terms of design and usability, Spotify takes the prize. However, if you enjoy watching music videos and audiovisual content, YouTube Music adds a special touch to your experience. Come on, if you are a music video lover, don't miss this platform.
Music discovery and recommendations
Both platforms are known for their smart algorithms, designed to recommend songs, playlists and artists based on your listening habits. Both Spotify and YouTube Music have effective systems, but Spotify wins in this section, standing out for its Discover Weekly and daily personalized playlists.
These recommendations are usually accurate, and over the years the algorithm has become more perfect at adapting to your tastes. I've been using Spotify for years and it's scary how effective it is. YouTube Music, on the other hand, is integrated with YouTube and can offer more varied suggestions that include songs related to your searches and views on the platform.
We already told you that, If you're switching from Spotify to YouTube Music, be aware that their algorithm may seem less refined compared to Spotify, especially if you're looking for consistency.
Pricing and subscription options
In Spain, both platforms have similar prices, but let's look at their differences:
Spotify
- Individual: €10,99/month.
- Duo: €14,99/month.
- Family: €17,99/month (up to 6 accounts).
- Student: €5,99/month.
YouTube Music
- Individual: €11,99/month.
- Family: €17,99/month (up to 6 accounts).
- Student: €6,99/month.
One plus point of YouTube Music is that for an additional 3 euros you can access YouTube Premium, which removes ads on YouTube and allows background playback, which is especially useful if you use the video platform frequently.
Spotify vs YouTube Music: Our Conclusion
If you're just looking for a music streaming service, Spotify is better value for money. But if you're a regular YouTube user, a YouTube Music Premium subscription may offer you more value.
