Look, I get it. Spotify is the "cool" choice. It’s the one everyone talks about when December rolls around and those colorful Wrapped cards take over your social media feed. It feels like the universal language of music streaming. But honestly? If you’re actually listening to the music—like, really listening—the tide has shifted.
The debate over why is apple music better than spotify isn't just about brand loyalty or which green icon looks better on your home screen. It’s about the raw data hitting your eardrums and how the service actually treats the people making the songs.
The Sound Quality Gap Is Real (And Free)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Lossless audio. For years, Spotify has been teasing a "HiFi" tier. We’ve heard the rumors, seen the leaked screenshots, and waited. And waited.
Apple just went ahead and did it.
Right now, an Apple Music subscription gives you access to their entire catalog in ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). We’re talking resolutions ranging from 16-bit/44.1 kHz (CD quality) all the way up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Spotify, even on its highest "Very High" setting, tops out at 320kbps. That is lossy compression, period.
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You’ve probably heard people say you can’t tell the difference on basic earbuds. Kinda true, kinda not. If you’re using $20 gas station headphones, sure, it’s all the same. But the moment you plug in a decent pair of wired cans or even use high-end wireless gear with a good DAC, the difference is startling. Apple’s tracks have more "air" around the instruments. The bass doesn't just thump; it has texture.
Then there's Spatial Audio.
Apple’s integration of Dolby Atmos isn't just a gimmick. When you’re listening to a track mixed specifically for it, the soundstage opens up. It feels like you’re sitting in the middle of the studio rather than having two speakers blasted directly into your skull. Spotify has basically nothing that competes with this level of immersion.
The "Podcast Clutter" Problem
Have you opened Spotify lately? It’s a mess.
One day you want to hear the new Kendrick Lamar track, and suddenly you’re being shoved toward a three-hour Joe Rogan episode or a true-crime series you never asked for. Spotify has pivoted so hard into being an "audio platform" that the music feels like a secondary citizen.
Apple Music is for music.
The interface stays focused. You get your library, your radio stations, and your playlists. There’s a separate app for podcasts. There’s a separate app for classical music (which, by the way, is incredible if you’re into that—it actually handles the complex metadata of movements and conductors properly).
It feels like a digital record store rather than a noisy social media feed. If you’re the type of person who finds the "TikTok-ification" of apps exhausting, Apple’s minimalist approach is a breath of fresh air. It’s cleaner. It’s more deliberate.
Why Is Apple Music Better Than Spotify for Artists?
This is the part most people ignore because it doesn’t affect their daily commute, but it matters. The economics of streaming are pretty brutal for anyone who isn't a global superstar.
Generally speaking, Apple Music pays a significantly higher royalty rate per stream than Spotify.
- Apple Music: Roughly $0.01 per stream.
- Spotify: Somewhere between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream.
Basically, an artist needs way more plays on Spotify to buy a cup of coffee than they do on Apple. This is largely because Spotify has a massive free tier supported by ads, which drags down the average payout. Apple doesn't do "free." You're either in or you're out. For the artist, that means every single play is a paid play. If you actually care about the sustainability of the musicians you love, the math favors the Apple ecosystem every time.
Human Curation vs. The Algorithm
Spotify’s "Discover Weekly" is legendary. It’s the gold standard for algorithmic discovery. I won't lie and tell you Apple’s algorithm is better—it’s not. But Apple does something else: Human editorial.
Apple’s playlists feel like they were made by a person who actually likes music, not just a bunch of code trying to keep you from hitting the "skip" button. Their radio stations, like Apple Music 1 (formerly Beats 1), feature actual DJs like Zane Lowe who provide context, interviews, and a human touch.
There is something special about hearing a real person introduce a track. It makes the experience feel less like a utility and more like a hobby.
The Practical "How-To" for Switching
If you're stuck in the Spotify ecosystem, the thought of moving five years of playlists feels like a nightmare. It's not.
Don't try to do it manually. Use a tool like SongShift or TuneMyMusic. These apps connect to both accounts and mirror your entire library in about ten minutes.
Actionable Steps to Optimize Your Experience:
- Check your settings: If you switch to Apple Music, go to Settings > Music > Audio Quality and turn on "Lossless." It's off by default to save data.
- Try the Discovery Station: Apple recently added a "Discovery Station" that finally competes with Spotify’s algorithm. It’s surprisingly good at finding stuff you actually like.
- Use the Classical App: If you have an Apple Music sub, the Classical app is free. Even if you aren't a "classical person," the high-res recordings there are the best way to test your speakers.
At the end of the day, Spotify is a tech company that happens to sell music. Apple Music feels like a music service built by people who happen to make tech. That distinction might seem small, but once you hear the difference in a 24-bit master, you won't want to go back.