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Apple Music vs Apple TV+

Apple Music logo

Apple Music

Entertainment

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

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple TV+ logo

Apple TV+

Entertainment

Original stories from the most creative minds

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple TV+ has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Music individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month; Apple TV+ bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Music covers Music streaming, Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Music and Apple TV+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Music and Apple TV+ differ
AttributeApple MusicApple TV+
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Macos, Windows, Android, WebIos, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web
Founded20152019

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

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 Apple Music

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

Only in Apple TV+

  • Apple Originals
  • 4K HDR
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Family sharing
  • Downloads
  • Apple devices
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles

Both cover

  • Apple ID security
  • Family sharing controls
  • Ios support
  • Macos support

What people use each for

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

Apple Music

  • Music listeningnot Apple TV+
  • Music discoverynot Apple TV+
  • Playlist creationnot Apple TV+
  • Offline listeningnot Apple TV+
  • Family entertainmentnot Apple TV+

Apple TV+

  • Streaming exclusive TV shows and moviesnot Apple Music
  • Sports viewing (Friday Night Baseball, upcoming MLS and Formula 1 content)not Apple Music
  • Ad-free entertainmentnot Apple Music

Where each one falls short

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

Apple Music

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

Apple TV+

  • Bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch
  • Only 3 months free with Apple TV 4K hardware purchase, not a standalone free option

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Apple TV+

Free
  • Standard$12.99/month
    • 7-day free trial
    • Hundreds of exclusive shows and movies
    • New releases every week
  • Apple TV Plus with Peacock Bundle$14.99/month
    • Apple TV Plus (Premium tier)
    • Peacock Premium or Premium Plus
    • Save over 30% vs individual subscriptions

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Music if

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

Choose Apple TV+ if

  • You need apple originals.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
  • You also want 4k hdr.
Apple TV+ review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Music or Apple TV+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and Apple TV+ at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Music or Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Apple Music and Free for Apple TV+.
Does Apple Music or Apple TV+ run on more platforms?
Apple Music runs on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web. Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
Can I use Apple TV+ for free?
Yes. Apple TV+ has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month.
What is Apple Music best used for?
Apple Music is most often used for music listening, music discovery, playlist creation, offline listening. Of those, music listening and music discovery are not what Apple TV+ is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Music do that Apple TV+ cannot?
Apple Music covers Music streaming, Offline downloads, Spatial Audio, Lossless audio. Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. Both handle Apple ID security, Family sharing controls, Ios support, Macos support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Music: Where can I find Apple Music pricing and subscription information?

Pricing details are not shown on the New section of Apple Music. Check the main Apple Music homepage or account settings for subscription tiers.

Source
Apple TV+: How much does Apple TV Plus cost?

Apple TV Plus costs $12.99 per month after a 7-day free trial. The bundle with Peacock starts at $14.99 per month for combined access, saving over 30% compared to individual subscriptions.

Source
Apple TV+: Does Apple TV Plus offer a free trial?

Yes, Apple TV Plus includes a 7-day free trial before the $12.99 monthly subscription begins. The trial does not require a credit card. The bundle with Peacock offers no free trial or discounted introductory offers.

Source
Apple TV+: Can I share my Apple TV Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, Apple TV Plus lets you share your subscription with up to five family members for free through Apple's family sharing feature, allowing multiple household members to watch on different devices simultaneously.

Source
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