Best for music videos
YouTube Music vs Spotify vs Apple Music: which streaming app should you choose?
Choose YouTube Music for music videos and discovery, Spotify for its mix of music and podcasts, or Apple Music for high-quality audio and an ad-free listening experience.
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube MusicGoogle LLC | 4.5 out of 57,720,055 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.05 - $999.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
 Spotify: Music and PodcastsSpotify AB | 4.3 out of 536,547,581 ratings | Free | Yes ($4.99 - $203.88 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
 Apple MusicApple | 4.6 out of 5741,045 ratings | Free | Yes ($5.99 - $199.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 8, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
All three apps stream large music libraries, offer personalized recommendations, and reserve offline listening for subscribers. Their main differences are the extras: YouTube Music connects songs with music videos, Spotify brings podcasts into the same app, and Apple Music focuses on audio quality and Apple-device integration.
This comparison looks at their features, trade-offs, and Google Play figures so you can decide which one fits your listening habits.
How we compared them
We compared each app’s music and other content, recommendations, offline listening, and the strengths and trade-offs of its free and paid options. We also considered Google Play ratings, install counts, prices, in-app purchase ranges, and whether each app contains ads.
Store figures were read from Google Play on 2026-11-08. Spotify’s declared data safety details are included where relevant: it says it shares approximate location, device or other IDs, and other info; collects several categories including location, IDs, app interactions, search history, installed apps, user-generated content, email address, and user IDs; encrypts data in transit; and lets users request deletion. No data safety details are available here for the other two apps.
Best formusic-video fans and listeners who value discovery
YouTube Music’s clearest advantage over Spotify and Apple Music is its connection between audio tracks and YouTube videos. Its broad catalog and listening-based recommendations also make it a strong choice for finding new music and building personalized playlists.
The free version includes ads, and offline downloads require Premium, so it is less convenient for uninterrupted or offline listening without a subscription. Streaming over mobile data can also use a lot of data, and occasional performance bugs may be a drawback.
What we like
- Music videos alongside audio tracks
- Personalized playlists and recommendations
- Broad range of music genres
What to know
- Free listening includes ads
- Offline downloads require Premium
Best forlisteners who want music and podcasts in one app
Spotify: Music and Podcasts
Spotify AB
- Google Play
- 4.3 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
Spotify combines a large music library with podcasts, giving it a broader audio focus than YouTube Music or Apple Music. Its personalized playlists, cross-platform syncing, and familiar interface make it a flexible option across devices.
The free tier has frequent ads and limits skips, while offline listening requires Premium. Song availability varies by region, and streaming quality can depend on the connection.
What we like
- Music and podcasts in one app
- Personalized playlists and recommendations
- Cross-platform syncing
What to know
- Free tier has ads and limited skips
- Offline listening requires Premium
Best forsubscribers seeking high-quality audio and Apple integration
Apple Music pairs a large song library with high-quality audio streaming, making it a strong fit for listeners who prioritize sound quality. It also integrates well with Apple devices, and it contains no ads, unlike the free tiers of YouTube Music and Spotify.
Its free version has limited features, and full functionality requires an Apple ID. Offline listening is for subscribers, and the Android app may occasionally have bugs.
What we like
- High-quality audio streaming
- No ads
- Strong integration with Apple devices
What to know
- Free version has limited features
- Full functionality requires an Apple ID
Which one should you pick?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is best for listening to music and podcasts?
Spotify is the clearest fit if you want music and podcasts in one app. YouTube Music and Apple Music focus more on music.
Can you download music for offline listening?
All three offer offline listening for subscribers. YouTube Music and Spotify require Premium for downloads, while Apple Music offers downloads to subscribers.
Which app has an ad-free experience?
Apple Music contains no ads. YouTube Music and Spotify include ads in their free versions.
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
Apple Music has the highest rating among these three at 4.6, followed by YouTube Music at 4.5 and Spotify at 4.3.
About this comparison
AppCompare compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details are shown for reference and can change.