Software · head to head
Apple Music vs Netflix
Apple Music
Software
All the ways you love music. All in one place.
- From
- $10.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; Netflix the entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device
- They diverge on capability: Apple Music covers Music streaming, Netflix covers Video streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Music and Netflix actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Music | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99/month | $6.99/month |
| Platforms | Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web | Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices |
| Founded | 2015 | 1997 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Apple Music
- Music streaming
- Spatial Audio
- Lossless audio
- Curated playlists
- Radio stations
- Music discovery
- Cross-device sync
- Siri
Only in Netflix
- Video streaming
- Multiple profiles
- Personalized recommendations
- Original content
- Multi-device support
- Parental controls
- Auto-play next episode
- Smart TVs
Both cover
- Offline downloads
- Cloud deployment
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple Music
- Music listeningnot Netflix
- Music discoverynot Netflix
- Playlist creationnot Netflix
- Offline listeningnot Netflix
- Family entertainmentnot Netflix
Netflix
- Streaming films and series on demand across TVs, phones and browsersnot Apple Music
- Downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devicesnot Apple Music
- Playing Netflix mobile games included with a subscriptionnot 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
Netflix
- The entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device
- 1080p and two simultaneous streams require the Standard plan
- 4K Ultra HD, HDR and spatial audio are restricted to the Premium plan, which allows 4 streams and 6 download devices
- Netflix states an account is for people who live together in a single household, so viewers outside the home need a paid extra member slot
- Plan prices and availability differ by country and change when Netflix is bought through a partner package or add-on
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
Netflix
$6.99/month- Standard with ads$6.99/month
- All but a few movies and TV shows
- Unlimited ad-free series and movies
- Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
- Standard$15.49/month
- All Netflix movies and TV shows
- Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
- Watch in HD
- Premium$22.99/month
- All Netflix movies and TV shows
- Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
- Watch in Ultra HD
Which should you pick?
Choose Apple Music if
- You need music streaming.
- You work on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web.
- You also want spatial audio.
Choose Netflix if
- You need video streaming.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
- You also want multiple profiles.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Music or Netflix better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and Netflix at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Music or Netflix?
- Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and Netflix at $6.99/month.
- Does Apple Music or Netflix run on more platforms?
- Apple Music runs on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web. Netflix runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
- 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 Netflix is typically brought in for.
- What can Apple Music do that Netflix cannot?
- Apple Music covers Music streaming, Spatial Audio, Lossless audio, Curated playlists. Netflix covers Video streaming, Multiple profiles, Personalized recommendations, Original content. Both handle Offline downloads, Cloud deployment, Ios support.