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Amazon Music vs Apple Music

Amazon Music logo

Amazon Music

Music & Audio Apps

Unlimited music for every moment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Music logo

Apple Music

Entertainment

All the ways you love music. All in one place.

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Amazon Music has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Music amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks; Apple Music individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Music covers HD audio, Apple Music covers Offline downloads.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Music and Apple Music actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Music and Apple Music differ
AttributeAmazon MusicApple Music
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, EchoIos, Macos, Windows, Android, Web
CategoryMusic & Audio AppsEntertainment
Founded20072015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Music

  • HD audio
  • Podcasts
  • Alexa integration
  • Echo devices
  • Fire TV
  • Alexa
  • Amazon account security
  • Family controls

Only in Apple Music

  • Offline downloads
  • Spatial Audio
  • Lossless audio
  • Curated playlists
  • Radio stations
  • Music discovery
  • Cross-device sync
  • Siri

Both cover

  • Music streaming
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Music

  • On-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakersnot Apple Music
  • Listening to podcasts and Audible audiobooks in one appnot Apple Music
  • Offline playback for subscribersnot Apple Music

Apple Music

  • Music listeningnot Amazon Music
  • Music discoverynot Amazon Music
  • Playlist creationnot Amazon Music
  • Offline listeningnot Amazon Music
  • Family entertainmentnot Amazon Music

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Music

  • Amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks
  • Unlimited skips require the Amazon Music Unlimited subscription
  • Subscriptions bought through iTunes renew automatically each month unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • The account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of each membership period
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.0 or later

Apple Music

  • Individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Music

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited selection
    • Ads
  • Unlimited$9.99/month
    • Full catalog
    • HD audio

Apple Music

$10.99/month
  • Individual$10.99/month
    • 100+ million songs
    • Ad-free listening
    • Offline downloads
  • Family$16.99/month
    • Up to 6 accounts
    • Individual profiles
    • Parental controls

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Music if

  • You need hd audio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo.
  • You also want podcasts.
Amazon Music review

Choose Apple Music if

  • You need offline downloads.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web.
  • You also want spatial audio.
Apple Music review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Music or Apple Music better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Music starts at Free and Apple Music at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Music or Apple Music?
Amazon Music has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Amazon Music and $10.99/month for Apple Music.
Does Amazon Music or Apple Music run on more platforms?
Amazon Music runs on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo. Apple Music runs on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web.
Can I use Amazon Music for free?
Yes. Amazon Music has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month.
What is Amazon Music best used for?
Amazon Music is most often used for on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers, listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app, offline playback for subscribers. Of those, on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers and listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app are not what Apple Music is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Music do that Apple Music cannot?
Amazon Music covers HD audio, Podcasts, Alexa integration, Echo devices. Apple Music covers Offline downloads, Spatial Audio, Lossless audio, Curated playlists. Both handle Music streaming, Ios support.
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