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Entertainment · head to head

Apple Music vs YouTube Music

Apple Music logo

Apple Music

Entertainment

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

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
YouTube Music logo

YouTube Music

Music

A new music streaming service from YouTube

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only YouTube Music 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; YouTube Music free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Music covers Offline downloads, YouTube Music covers Music videos.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Music and YouTube Music differ
AttributeApple MusicYouTube Music
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Macos, Windows, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryEntertainmentMusic
Founded20152005

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

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

Only in YouTube Music

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

Both cover

  • Music streaming
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Apple Music

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

YouTube Music

  • Music streamingnot Apple Music
  • Video watchingnot Apple Music
  • Discoverynot 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

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

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

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 Apple Music if

  • You need offline downloads.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web.
  • You also want spatial audio.
Apple Music review

Choose YouTube Music if

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

Questions people ask

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

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Music: Where can I find Apple Music pricing and subscription information?

Pricing details are not shown on the New section of Apple Music. Check the main Apple Music homepage or account settings for subscription tiers.

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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