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Music · head to head

iHeartRadio vs YouTube Music

iHeartRadio logo

iHeartRadio

Music

All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
YouTube Music logo

YouTube Music

Music

A new music streaming service from YouTube

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: iHeartRadio ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription; YouTube Music free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • They diverge on capability: iHeartRadio covers Live radio, YouTube Music covers Music streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which iHeartRadio and YouTube Music actually diverge.

Attributes where iHeartRadio and YouTube Music differ
AttributeiHeartRadioYouTube Music
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Founded20082005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Music).

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 iHeartRadio

  • Live radio
  • Custom stations
  • Podcasts
  • Events
  • Car systems
  • Account security

Only in YouTube Music

  • Music streaming
  • Music videos
  • Live performances
  • Personalization
  • Google services
  • Android Auto
  • Google account security
  • Family controls

Both cover

  • Smart speakers
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-speakers support

What people use each for

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

iHeartRadio

  • Streaming live AM and FM radio stations over the internetnot YouTube Music
  • Listening to podcasts and live sports commentarynot YouTube Music
  • Building music playlists on a paid tiernot YouTube Music

YouTube Music

  • Music streamingnot iHeartRadio
  • Video watchingnot iHeartRadio
  • Discoverynot iHeartRadio

Where each one falls short

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

iHeartRadio

  • Ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • Unlimited skips and unlimited playlist creation require a paid subscription
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • Any unused part of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is purchased
  • The iOS app requires iOS 15.0 or later

YouTube Music

  • Free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • User-uploaded content creates inconsistent audio quality and metadata compared to official releases
  • Limited music discovery and recommendation features compared to Spotify's AI-powered algorithms

Pricing, plan by plan

iHeartRadio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live radio
    • Podcasts
    • Ads
  • Plus$5.99/month
    • Unlimited skips
    • Offline playlists

YouTube Music

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad-supported listening
    • Music videos
  • Premium$11.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline downloads
    • Background playback
  • Family$18.99/month
    • Up to 6 accounts
    • Parental controls
  • Student$5.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • YouTube Premium included

Which should you pick?

Choose iHeartRadio if

  • You need live radio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want custom stations.
iHeartRadio review

Choose YouTube Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want music videos.
YouTube Music review

Questions people ask

Is iHeartRadio or YouTube Music better?
Neither clearly leads. iHeartRadio starts at Free and YouTube Music at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, iHeartRadio or YouTube Music?
iHeartRadio starts at Free and YouTube Music at Free.
Does iHeartRadio or YouTube Music run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use iHeartRadio for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is iHeartRadio best used for?
iHeartRadio is most often used for streaming live am and fm radio stations over the internet, listening to podcasts and live sports commentary, building music playlists on a paid tier. Of those, streaming live am and fm radio stations over the internet and listening to podcasts and live sports commentary are not what YouTube Music is typically brought in for.
What can iHeartRadio do that YouTube Music cannot?
iHeartRadio covers Live radio, Custom stations, Podcasts, Events. YouTube Music covers Music streaming, Music videos, Live performances, Personalization. Both handle Smart speakers, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

iHeartRadio: How much does iHeartRadio cost?

iHeartRadio does not publish pricing on their website. The service offers free podcast streaming with optional premium content for certain shows. A reference to 'Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content' is mentioned, but no pricing is provided. Customers must visit linked premium content pages for pricing information.

Source
YouTube Music: How much does YouTube Music Premium cost?

YouTube Music Premium costs $11.99 per month for individual subscriptions, $18.99 per month for family plans (up to 6 accounts), and $5.99 per month for students.

Source
YouTube Music: Does YouTube Music have a free tier?

Yes, YouTube Music offers a free version with access to music and music videos but includes occasional unskippable ads. Free users can create playlists and discover music but lack premium features like offline downloads.

Source
YouTube Music: What makes YouTube Music different from other streaming services?

YouTube Music uniquely provides access to official songs, music videos, live performances, remixes, and user-uploaded content not available on other platforms. Users can seamlessly switch between audio and official music videos.

Source
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Related pages

More on iHeartRadio

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