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Amazon Music vs Spotify

Amazon Music logo

Amazon Music

Software

Unlimited music for every moment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spotify logo

Spotify

Software

Music for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Spotify ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Music covers HD audio, Spotify covers Podcast streaming.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Amazon Music and Spotify differ
AttributeAmazon MusicSpotify
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, EchoWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
Founded20072006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Spotify

  • Podcast streaming
  • Playlist creation
  • Music discovery
  • Social sharing
  • Offline downloads
  • Cross-device sync
  • Audio quality options
  • Spotify Connect

Both cover

  • Music streaming
  • Web 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 Spotify
  • Listening to podcasts and Audible audiobooks in one appnot Spotify
  • Offline playback for subscribersnot Spotify

Spotify

  • Music listeningnot Amazon Music
  • Podcast consumptionnot Amazon Music
  • Playlist sharingnot Amazon Music
  • Music discoverynot Amazon Music
  • Background musicnot 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

Spotify

  • Ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
  • Lossless streaming tops out at 24-bit/44.1 kHz
  • The Duo plan at $18.99 a month covers two people and the Family plan at $21.99 covers a household, with no per-seat option between them

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Music

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

Spotify

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad-supported music
    • Shuffle play
    • Limited skips
  • Premium$9.99/month
    • Ad-free music
    • Play any song
    • Unlimited skips
  • Family$15.99/month
    • 6 Premium 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 Spotify if

  • You need podcast streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want playlist creation.
Spotify review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Music or Spotify better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Music starts at Free and Spotify at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Music or Spotify?
Amazon Music starts at Free and Spotify at Free.
Does Amazon Music or Spotify run on more platforms?
Amazon Music runs on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo. Spotify runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use Amazon Music for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Spotify is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Music do that Spotify cannot?
Amazon Music covers HD audio, Podcasts, Alexa integration, Echo devices. Spotify covers Podcast streaming, Playlist creation, Music discovery, Social sharing. Both handle Music streaming, Web support.
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