Apple Music vs YouTube Music: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Apple Music is always ad-free with lossless and Spatial Audio on every plan and the Classical app included — but Apple lists no free plan. YouTube Music has a free tier, puts music videos and live performances next to songs, and offers a prepaid 12-month plan and a pause. Both have 100+ million songs, a family plan for six and a student plan.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Apple Music | YouTube Music |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | None listed | Yes, with ads |
| Audio | Lossless, Spatial Audio | Songs and videos |
| Family | You plus five | You plus 5 (13+) |
| Student plan | Includes Apple TV | Verified students |
Apple Music is built around audio quality and Apple devices, though it works on Android and Windows too. YouTube Music is built on YouTube — official songs plus the videos, covers and live performances that live there.
If you don’t want to read further
Lossless and Spatial Audio, the Classical app, Apple TV with Student — Apple Music. A free tier, music videos and live performances, pause — YouTube Music.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Free plan?
Apple Music
Apple’s plans page lists none — after the free month you pay or lose access.
YouTube Music
Yes — mixes and playlists work without a subscription.
If you won’t pay at all, YouTube Music.
Audio?
Apple Music
Lossless and Spatial Audio on every plan, plus Apple Music Classical.
YouTube Music
Songs plus videos — switch from audio to video with a tap.
For headphones and sound quality, Apple Music; for watching performances, YouTube Music.
Student bonus?
Apple Music
Apple TV included with the Student plan.
YouTube Music
A Student plan for verified students.
Apple Music Student adds Apple TV on top of the music.
Prepay or pause?
Apple Music
Monthly; Apple One bundles it with other Apple services.
YouTube Music
A prepaid 12-month Individual plan (no refund, no pause); monthly plans pause for 1–6 months.
For a break without canceling, YouTube Music.
Family plan rules?
Apple Music
You plus five through Family Sharing, each with their own library.
YouTube Music
You plus up to 5 members aged 13+ in your household.
YouTube Music requires everyone in one household.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
100+ million songs
Both catalogs are about the same size, with downloads on every paid plan.
A 1-month trial
For new or eligible new members on both.
No commitment
Monthly plans on both can be canceled any time.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You care about sound quality | Apple Music | Lossless and Spatial Audio on every plan. |
| You won’t pay for music | YouTube Music free tier | With ads. |
| You’re a student | Apple Music Student | Includes Apple TV. |
| You watch music videos and live sets | YouTube Music | Videos next to songs. |
- Cancel Apple Music at least 24 hours before the free month ends to avoid a charge.
- YouTube Music Premium doesn’t remove ads on regular YouTube.
- The 12-month YouTube Music plan can’t be refunded or paused.
- YouTube Music’s family plan is for one household, members aged 13+.
Where the facts come from
Sources: Apple’s US Apple Music pages and Apple Support, and music.youtube.com and YouTube Help for the US. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Apple Music or YouTube Music
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Music streaming” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — sound quality: Apple Music Individual
Apple Music Individual: Hi-Res (24-bit, up to 192 kHz) (5,0/5) · YouTube Music Individual: compressed audio only (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — spatial audio: Apple Music Individual
Apple Music Individual: yes (5,0/5) · YouTube Music Individual: no (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: YouTube Music Individual
Apple Music Individual: extra content types: 1 (3,0/5) · YouTube Music Individual: extra content types: 2 (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: Apple Music Individual
Apple Music Individual: 4,9 out of 5 (4,9/5) · YouTube Music Individual: 4,8 out of 5 (4,8/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: