YouTube Music vs Spotify is a common debate today. Many Indians are confused about which one is better. Both offer songs, playlists, and music discovery tools. Some prefer video features, while others want podcasts.
Here, I will compare both apps deeply and clearly. It includes features, pricing, sound, and more. Let’s help you choose the best music app today.
also read: These 10 Spotify Missing Essential Features Offers Great Value
YouTube Music vs Spotify: Music Library and Unique Content
YouTube Music vs Spotify starts with the music library. Both platforms offer over 100 million total tracks. YouTube Music includes songs, remixes, live shows, and covers. It also has user-made content from regular YouTube. You can enjoy a wide range of unique music.
Spotify offers songs, albums, and also many popular podcasts. It is perfect for users who love podcasts too. You can listen to comedy, talk shows, and interviews. There are over five million podcast titles on Spotify.
YouTube Music does not offer any podcasts at all. But it shows top music videos on your homepage. You can watch and listen to trending music easily. You can even check global music video charts.
Spotify also has some music videos available inside. But these videos are not shown on the homepage. You will see them only while searching for artists.
YouTube Music is better for music lovers who like videos. Spotify is best if you love podcasts more.
Plans, Prices, and Free Benefits
YouTube Music vs Spotify comparison is not complete without pricing. Let’s explore the free plans and premium prices now.
Spotify’s free plan only allows shuffled music playing. You can skip six songs every one hour. You cannot choose songs freely except in Daily Mixes. Ads interrupt music from time to time during listening. Audio quality is also limited to 160kbps only.
YouTube Music’s free plan lets you play any song. You can skip as many songs as you want. However, the music stops if you close the app. You can’t use other apps while playing music. Audio quality is lower than Spotify at 128kbps. It also includes ads between music playback.
For Indian users, both offer low-priced premium plans. Spotify offers more plan types than YouTube Music.
Spotify Premium India Plans:
- Individual plans cost ₹119 per month.
- Duo plan (2 people) costs ₹149 per month.
- Family plan (6 people) costs ₹179 per month.
- The student plan is cheapest at ₹59 per month.
YouTube Music Premium India Plans:
- Individual plans cost ₹99 per month.
- Family plan (5 people) costs ₹149 per month.
- YouTube Premium costs ₹129 monthly with added features.
YouTube Premium removes ads on all YouTube videos. It includes YouTube Music Premium in the same price. You can watch videos without ads and use background play. It also allows video downloads to watch offline later.
Spotify sometimes gives a free 3-month premium trial. YouTube Music also offers trials but often shorter ones.
YouTube Music offers value with ad-free YouTube video viewing. But Spotify offers more flexible plans and student pricing.
Discovery and Listening Experience
Music discovery is very important in daily use. Here, YouTube Music vs Spotify shows some clear differences.
Spotify is excellent in music discovery features. You get “Discover Weekly” with 30 new songs weekly. You also get six Daily Mixes based on your habits. These playlists improve as you keep using the app.
Spotify also offers curated playlists for every mood and genre. You can find workout, study, romance, and travel playlists. Country-based charts show popular songs in over 60 nations. You can explore public playlists created by other users.
YouTube Music also gives some good recommendation tools. You get Discover Mix, New Release Mix, and My Supermix. My Supermix includes 100 songs from various genres you like.
But the number of playlist types is more on Spotify. There are more moods, genres, and discovery tools available. YouTube Music also gives mood-based playlists, but fewer.
Spotify makes it easier to explore new artists and songs. YouTube Music gives lesser-known content, including indie and live shows.
Let’s now compare the user interfaces of both apps. Spotify has a dark mode and clean app design. It is simple to find songs, albums, or playlists quickly.
YouTube Music looks slightly cluttered compared to Spotify. Its light mode can be harsh on the eyes at night. But it has one powerful feature, video switching.
You can change any song into video within the app. You can save that video offline and watch it anytime. This video and audio switching is smooth and seamless.
Audio, Devices, and Other Features
Audio quality is another major part of this debate. YouTube Music vs Spotify is close, but Spotify wins here.
Spotify Premium offers up to 320kbps audio streaming. YouTube Music Premium reaches only 256kbps in maximum quality. For many, this difference may not matter much. But for audiophiles, Spotify’s extra clarity is valuable.
Spotify also allows users to adjust audio settings easily. Both apps support low, medium, and high audio modes.
Spotify has desktop apps for Windows and macOS systems. You can use it easily on any computer or tablet.
YouTube Music only runs on browsers for desktop access. There is no separate app for PC or Mac users.
Spotify works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice assistants. You can say “Play Bollywood songs” using smart speakers.
YouTube Music only works with Google Assistant and Siri. It cannot work with Alexa devices like Amazon Echo speakers.
Spotify has better platform and device support overall.
Spotify has more social features than YouTube Music. You can follow friends and see what they’re playing. You can share playlists and join listening sessions together.
Spotify shows how many people follow an artist or playlist. This helps you discover trending music or popular playlists.
YouTube Music also allows playlist sharing and shows artist subscribers. But it does not show what friends are currently listening to.
Spotify has unique features like crossfade and gapless playback. Crossfade lets songs flow without pause between tracks. Gapless playback removes silent gaps at the end of songs.
YouTube Music does not offer these advanced playback options. However, it has one special tool, the Offline Mixtape. It auto-downloads music based on your listening history. You’ll always have songs ready without needing the internet.
As We Conclude
YouTube Music vs Spotify is a close competition. Each app has strong features and unique benefits. Spotify offers better discovery, audio, and podcast support. It has more playlists, better social tools, and device compatibility.
YouTube Music shines in video content and remix variety. It’s perfect for YouTube Premium users. Try both apps using free trials. Then choose what suits your needs the best.
