Spotify vs. YouTube Music: Which is better?
Spotify and YouTube Music are the supreme platforms for music streaming, but which is better? It’s difficult to tell which is better because both have fine sound quality, a better user interface, and good content quality. When you are a casual listener and a loyal music lover, you have a great experience choosing the right platform.
Now comparing both services of music, like sound quality, music library, prices, plans, and more. So let’s compare Spotify vs YouTube Music in 2025!
What is Spotify ?
Spotify is a famous music and podcast streaming app in which users can enjoy a wide range of music and podcasts. That’s not enough; it also has features in which they categorize their playlists, and users can discover preference-based music. Spotify offers both free and premium plans, with some added exclusive features in its premium plan. Its compatibility with all devices like Android, iOS, PC, Mac, and TV, and it is the most used streaming app in the world with over 500 million users.
What is YouTube Music ?
YouTube Music is the best alternative to Spotify and is also a music streaming app developed by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google. Users can enjoy a vast range of music, songs, playlists, along with music videos also and other related content. There are two versions: the first YouTube Music free plan, and the second is the YouTube Music premium, which is a paid version.
Spotify vs. YouTube Music: Which is better?
When you ask me which is better, Spotify vs YouTube Music, it’s difficult to decide who the winner is in this battle. Every music lover has their own taste to check music, some test their sound quality, some users check the interface and design, and a few check music discovery, which songs are preferred by streaming apps. Here, I compare both apps by their free features and premium features.
Free Features
In the Spotify free version, you can skip songs 6 times in one hour, and you can only listen to specific playlists that Spotify prefers for you. However, one feature is good while listening to music, you can use your phone in the background.
The unlimited skipping of songs that we do not like is the best free feature of YouTube Music. However,
the worst feature of YouTube Music is that you cannot listen to songs in the background. When you switch windows, you cannot listen to music.
YouTube Music
When you compare both in free features, yt music is the winner due to its few extra valuable features
Pricing and Plans
| Plans | Spotify | YouTube Music |
| Individual | 11.99$ | 13.99$ |
| student | 5.99$ | 7.99$ |
| family | 19.99$ | 22.99$ |
Spotify has one extra plan for a duo (couple). Now, if we buy individually, it may cost 10.99$, but with the duo plan share 16.99$ for both couples.
The best benefit to buying a YouTube music plan is that it is free with a YouTube subscription. You can also watch ad-free YouTube videos. Yt music has no plan for couples.
Spotify
In comparing price and plans, Spotify is the winner due to its extra duo features for couples.
User interface and design
If you want to bond with users, then you will improve your user interface and design. Both Spotify and yt music are trying their best to fulfill users’ needs and create a more user-friendly experience, and below we compare both designs.
If you want a smooth and intuitive interface, then Spotify is best for you. Spotify helps users discover music and playlists quickly. Spotify is user-friendly due to its consistent dark-themed design and minimalism. The “now playing” screen shows you lyrics if available, album art, playback control, and quick access to the device.
YouTube Music is best for those who enjoy both video and audio, but slightly less refined UI. The unavailability of a desktop app is the biggest advantage of YouTube Music.YouTube has an edge over Spotify, presenting you with the search result history. Lastly, the layout can also feel cluttered due to the mixture of music videos and songs.
Spotify
In terms of user interface and design, Spotify stands out for its glossy design and smooth navigation.
Sound Quality
When we talk about music, how can we forget its sound quality? Not every music streaming app relies on sound quality because sound quality is everything. Normally, it’s distracted when you’re on that where low internet.
Spotify Premium sound quality ranges from 28kbps to 320kbps. Spotify adjusts sound quality automatically according to the user’s internet connection.
YouTube Music Premium has the lowest range is 48kbps and the highest range is 256kbps. Normally, 256kbps is good in sound quality, but Spotify has an edge in range. Even on YouTube music free version is not equivalent in sound quality to Spotify.
Spotify
In terms of user interface and design, Spotify stands out for its glossy design and smooth navigation.
Music Discovery
Your emotions are based on your mood. For the past few days, I have been bored and tired, so I just opened Spotify, and it suggested some songs that relax me. These music apps are designed so you can listen to every song in New Tune.
Every Monday and Friday, Spotify Discover “weekly music” and updates new song releases from artists you follow. Release Radar, Discover Mix, and Your Mixtape are the features of Spotify. These features are built using advanced algorithms and listening behaviour.
YouTube features for discovering new songs are “Discover Mix”,” New Release Mix”, “ Your Mixtape”, which suggest you can always listen best music. It is ideal for the user whose ideal is to explore a variety of video and music content.
Spotify
I think it will be difficult to tell who has won because both have good music discoveries, but Spotify wins with its advanced algorithm..
Music Library
“When emotions and words fail,” music always finds a way to speak. This music can change your emotions. Both Spotify and YouTube Music have huge collection libraries, but some minor differences between them, which we explained below:
With 100 million tracks and 50 million podcasts, and audiobooks in the library, it’s a massive, comprehensive library among other music streaming apps. .
YouTube also has 100 million tracks in its database, but not available podcast in all countries. Now he added a podcast, which is only available in the USA.
Spotify
I think it will be difficult to tell who has won because both have good music discoveries, but Spotify wins with its advanced algorithm..
Premium Additional features
Now let’s dive into Additional Premium Features, they have insufficient features to attract users on our side, and users are likely to be active on these music platforms.
Spotify
In terms of premium additional features, Spotify leads again due to its extra premium features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
To Wrap Up
After I completely explained about both streaming apps by using facts and figures, you are still confused about Is Spotify is better than YouTube Music? Then my answer is “YES,” absolutely. Spotify has been offered some extra features and good quality in music streaming, playlists, and podcasts. The one good thing about this platform is only focuses on audio, that what it has more users than YouTube Music.