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YouTube vs YouTube Music

YouTube logo

YouTube

Software

Video sharing and streaming platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
YouTube Music logo

YouTube Music

Software

A new music streaming service from YouTube

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: YouTube youTube Premium/Music subscriptions bill through the App Store with a stated auto-renewal clause: renewal charges are applied within 24 hours of the current period ending unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before that point, and no price figure is disclosed in the listing itself.; YouTube Music free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • They diverge on capability: YouTube covers Video hosting, YouTube Music covers Music streaming.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where YouTube and YouTube Music differ
AttributeYouTubeYouTube Music
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consolesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2005).

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 YouTube

  • Video hosting
  • Live streaming
  • Content discovery
  • Creator tools
  • Analytics
  • Social media
  • Creator tools
  • Third-party apps

Only in YouTube Music

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

Both cover

  • Google services
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

YouTube

  • Video sharingnot YouTube Music
  • Content marketingnot YouTube Music
  • Educationnot YouTube Music
  • Entertainmentnot YouTube Music
  • Live streamingnot YouTube Music

YouTube Music

  • Music streamingnot YouTube
  • Video watchingnot YouTube
  • Discoverynot YouTube

Where each one falls short

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

YouTube

  • YouTube Premium/Music subscriptions bill through the App Store with a stated auto-renewal clause: renewal charges are applied within 24 hours of the current period ending unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before that point, and no price figure is disclosed in the listing itself.

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

YouTube

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited video watching
    • Basic video uploads
    • Community features
  • YouTube Premium$11.99/month
    • Ad-free videos
    • Background play
    • YouTube Music included

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 YouTube if

  • You need video hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want live streaming.
YouTube 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 YouTube or YouTube Music better?
Neither clearly leads. YouTube 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, YouTube or YouTube Music?
YouTube starts at Free and YouTube Music at Free.
Does YouTube or YouTube Music run on more platforms?
YouTube runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles. YouTube Music runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use YouTube for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is YouTube best used for?
YouTube is most often used for video sharing, content marketing, education, entertainment. Of those, video sharing and content marketing are not what YouTube Music is typically brought in for.
What can YouTube do that YouTube Music cannot?
YouTube covers Video hosting, Live streaming, Content discovery, Creator tools. YouTube Music covers Music streaming, Music videos, Live performances, Personalization. Both handle Google services, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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 YouTube

More on YouTube Music

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