Software · head to head
Netflix vs Spotify
The short version
- Only Spotify has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Netflix the entry plan caps video at 720p and allows one simultaneous stream and one download device; Spotify ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
- They diverge on capability: Netflix covers Video streaming, Spotify covers Music streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Netflix and Spotify actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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 Netflix
- Video streaming
- Multiple profiles
- Personalized recommendations
- Original content
- Multi-device support
- Parental controls
- Auto-play next episode
- Smart TVs
Only in Spotify
- Music streaming
- Podcast streaming
- Playlist creation
- Music discovery
- Social sharing
- Cross-device sync
- Audio quality options
- Spotify Connect
Both cover
- Offline downloads
- Gaming consoles
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Netflix
- Streaming films and series on demand across TVs, phones and browsersnot Spotify
- Downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devicesnot Spotify
- Playing Netflix mobile games included with a subscriptionnot Spotify
Spotify
- Music listeningnot Netflix
- Podcast consumptionnot Netflix
- Playlist sharingnot Netflix
- Music discoverynot Netflix
- Background musicnot Netflix
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
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
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 Netflix if
- You need video streaming.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices.
- You also want multiple profiles.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Netflix or Spotify better?
- Neither clearly leads. Netflix starts at $6.99/month and Spotify at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Netflix or Spotify?
- Spotify has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $6.99/month for Netflix and Free for Spotify.
- Does Netflix or Spotify run on more platforms?
- Netflix runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Streaming-devices. 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. Netflix starts at $6.99/month.
- What is Netflix best used for?
- Netflix is most often used for streaming films and series on demand across tvs, phones and browsers, downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devices, playing netflix mobile games included with a subscription. Of those, streaming films and series on demand across tvs, phones and browsers and downloading titles for offline viewing on a limited number of devices are not what Spotify is typically brought in for.
- What can Netflix do that Spotify cannot?
- Netflix covers Video streaming, Multiple profiles, Personalized recommendations, Original content. Spotify covers Music streaming, Podcast streaming, Playlist creation, Music discovery. Both handle Offline downloads, Gaming consoles, Cloud deployment, Web support.