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Apple TV+ vs Spotify

Apple TV+ logo

Apple TV+

Media & Entertainment

Original stories from the most creative minds

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spotify logo

Spotify

Entertainment

Music for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Spotify has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple TV+ standalone subscription costs 12.99 USD per month after a 7 day free trial, with no lower priced tier; Spotify ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
  • They diverge on capability: Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, Spotify covers Music streaming.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple TV+ and Spotify differ
AttributeApple TV+Spotify
Starting price$9.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, WebWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryMedia & EntertainmentEntertainment
Founded20192006

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 TV+

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

Only in Spotify

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

Both cover

  • Gaming consoles
  • Macos support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Apple TV+

  • Original content streamingnot Spotify
  • Family entertainmentnot Spotify

Spotify

  • Music listeningnot Apple TV+
  • Podcast consumptionnot Apple TV+
  • Playlist sharingnot Apple TV+
  • Music discoverynot Apple TV+
  • Background musicnot Apple TV+

Where each one falls short

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

Apple TV+

  • Standalone subscription costs 12.99 USD per month after a 7 day free trial, with no lower priced tier

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

Apple TV+

$9.99/month
  • Apple TV+$9.99/month
    • All originals
    • 4K HDR
    • 6 family members

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 Apple TV+ if

  • You need apple originals.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
  • You also want 4k hdr.
Apple TV+ review

Choose Spotify if

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

Questions people ask

Is Apple TV+ or Spotify better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple TV+ starts at $9.99/month and Spotify at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple TV+ or Spotify?
Spotify has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $9.99/month for Apple TV+ and Free for Spotify.
Does Apple TV+ or Spotify run on more platforms?
Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web. Spotify runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use Spotify for free?
Yes. Spotify has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Apple TV+ starts at $9.99/month.
What is Apple TV+ best used for?
Apple TV+ is most often used for original content streaming, family entertainment. Of those, original content streaming and family entertainment are not what Spotify is typically brought in for.
What can Apple TV+ do that Spotify cannot?
Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. Spotify covers Music streaming, Podcast streaming, Playlist creation, Music discovery. Both handle Gaming consoles, Macos support, Web support.
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