Spotify vs YouTube Music: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Both have a free tier, a family plan for six, a student plan and a free month for new members. Spotify Premium adds 15 hours of audiobooks a month, a Duo plan and managed accounts for kids on Family; YouTube Music Premium adds music videos and live performances, a prepaid 12-month option and pausing for 1–6 months.
Option A
$12.99/moPremium Individual
Official price before tax: $12.99
Price checked
Spotify Premium price and plans
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 | Spotify Premium | YouTube Music |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Audiobooks | 15 h/month | No |
| Family members | Up to 6, kids’ managed accounts | You + 5, aged 13+ |
| Duo plan | Yes | No |
| Prepaid 12 months | Monthly plans | Individual |
Spotify is the default for many listeners; YouTube Music draws on YouTube’s huge catalog of official tracks, videos and live recordings.
If you don’t want to read further
Audiobooks, a two-person plan or kids under 13 on the family plan — Spotify. Music videos, live versions or the option to pause — YouTube Music.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Audiobooks?
Spotify Premium
15 hours a month on Individual and for the plan manager on Duo and Family.
YouTube Music
Not included.
Audiobook listeners get more from Spotify.
Videos and live performances?
Spotify Premium
Music-first, plus audiobooks.
YouTube Music
Switch from audio to video with a tap; videos and live performances in the catalog.
If you watch as much as you listen, YouTube Music.
Who can be on the family plan?
Spotify Premium
Up to 6 accounts at one address, with parental controls and managed accounts for kids.
YouTube Music
You plus up to 5 members aged 13+ in your household; monthly plans can be paused for 1–6 months.
For younger kids, Spotify Family.
Yearly option?
Spotify Premium
Monthly plans.
YouTube Music
A prepaid 12-month Individual plan — no refund, no pause.
Only YouTube Music lets you prepay a year.
Plans for two?
Spotify Premium
Duo, at the same address.
YouTube Music
No Duo; Family covers you plus up to 5.
Couples have a cheaper tier with Spotify.
AI listening help?
Spotify Premium
DJ on Premium.
YouTube Music
Ask Music on mobile for Premium members.
Both add AI picks.
Top audio quality?
Spotify Premium
Lossless up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz.
YouTube Music
Up to 256 kbps AAC/OPUS.
For sound quality, Spotify.
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.
A free tier
Both can be used free with limits.
Family for six, same household
Both require family members to live together.
A free month
Both for new or eligible members.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You listen to audiobooks | Spotify Premium | 15 hours a month. |
| You also want ad-free YouTube | YouTube Premium | It includes YouTube Music Premium. |
| You stop listening for months at a time | YouTube Music | Pause for 1–6 months. |
| Kids under 13 in the family | Spotify Family | Managed accounts for kids. |
| You want your own files in the app | YouTube Music | Upload up to 100,000 songs from the web. |
- YouTube Music Premium doesn’t remove ads on YouTube itself.
- The 12-month YouTube Music plan can’t be refunded or paused.
- Spotify Duo and Family require the same address.
- Spotify’s free month is for people who haven’t tried Premium.
Where the facts come from
Sources: Spotify’s US Premium pages and YouTube Music’s US help and plan pages. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Spotify Premium 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: Spotify Premium Premium Individual
Spotify Premium Premium Individual: lossless (24-bit / 44.1–48 kHz) (4,0/5) · YouTube Music Individual: compressed audio only (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: YouTube Music Individual
Spotify Premium Premium Individual: extra content types: 1 (3,0/5) · YouTube Music Individual: extra content types: 2 (4,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: