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Entertainment · head to head

Apple Music vs Mixcloud

Apple Music logo

Apple Music

Entertainment

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

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mixcloud logo

Mixcloud

Music & Audio Apps

The home of audio culture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Mixcloud 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; Mixcloud the free Basic tier is limited to 10 show uploads and 10 track uploads
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Music covers Music streaming, Mixcloud covers DJ mixes.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Music and Mixcloud differ
AttributeApple MusicMixcloud
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Macos, Windows, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryEntertainmentMusic & Audio Apps
Founded20152007

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 Apple Music

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

Only in Mixcloud

  • DJ mixes
  • Podcasts
  • Radio shows
  • Streaming
  • Artist tools
  • Social media
  • Payment systems
  • Creator controls

Both cover

  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Apple Music

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

Mixcloud

  • Hosting DJ mixes and radio shows on a licensed platform that pays artist royaltiesnot Apple Music
  • Live streaming DJ sets without copyright takedownsnot Apple Music
  • Earning from listeners through tips and subscriptionsnot 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

Mixcloud

  • The free Basic tier is limited to 10 show uploads and 10 track uploads
  • Unlimited uploads, private uploads, scheduling uploads, disabling comments and hiding play counts all require Pro
  • Live streaming video and audio requires Pro; the Basic tier cannot live stream
  • Monetization through Tips and Subscriptions is Pro only
  • Listener insights, tagging hosts and embedding a show player on your own site are Pro only
  • Basic audio uploads are capped at 64kbps AAC+, with 160kbps Opus HQ audio reserved for Pro
  • Free listening includes ads and offline listening requires the separate Premium for listeners subscription
  • The brand and radio station commercial packages start at $3,000 per month

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

Mixcloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Listening
    • Ad-supported
  • Plus$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline listening

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 Mixcloud if

  • You need dj mixes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want podcasts.
Mixcloud review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Music or Mixcloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and Mixcloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Music or Mixcloud?
Mixcloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Apple Music and Free for Mixcloud.
Does Apple Music or Mixcloud run on more platforms?
Apple Music runs on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web. Mixcloud runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Mixcloud for free?
Yes. Mixcloud 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 Mixcloud is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Music do that Mixcloud cannot?
Apple Music covers Music streaming, Offline downloads, Spatial Audio, Lossless audio. Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, Podcasts, Radio shows, Streaming. Both handle Ios support.
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