
Premium subscription-only music streaming with lossless audio and curated playlists.
Apple users, audiophiles, artists seeking higher payouts, and those valuing sound quality over free access
Dual-tier streaming service with free ad-supported option and integrated music videos.
Budget-conscious listeners, casual music fans, YouTube creators, Google ecosystem users, and those wanting integrated music video access
Apple Music pays artists 14% more per stream ($0.006-$0.010) due to its subscription-only model, while YouTube Music offers free ad-supported listening with lower per-stream rates ($0.002-$0.004 on free tier) but better video integration and discovery through YouTube.
Choose Apple Music if you prioritize audio quality, artist support, and seamless Apple device integration—the lossless audio and higher per-stream payouts make it ideal for audiophiles and those in the Apple ecosystem. Choose YouTube Music if you want free listening options, integrated music videos, and discovery tied to YouTube's massive video catalog, making it better for casual listeners and those already invested in Google services.
Choose Apple Music if
Apple users, audiophiles, artists seeking higher payouts, and those valuing sound quality over free access
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| Metric | Apple Music | YouTube Music | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Subscribers | 100M+ | — | — |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | Apple Music | — | — |
| Total Global Users(millions) | Apple Music | — | — |
| Artist Payment Per Stream(USD) | Apple Music | — | — |
| Maximum Audio Bitrate |
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The Best Streaming Services in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Cutting Cable
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Choose YouTube Music if
Budget-conscious listeners, casual music fans, YouTube creators, Google ecosystem users, and those wanting integrated music video access
| Apple Music |
| — |
| — |
| US Market Share(percent) | Apple Music | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)(EUR) | €12.99 | — | — |
| Artist Royalty Per Stream(USD) | $0.007 | — | — |
| Individual Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $10.99 | $11.99 | -8% |
| Average Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD) | $0.008 (blended average) | $0.007 (blended average) | +14% |
| Family Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $16.99 | $17.99 | -6% |
| Per-Stream Artist Payment (Paid Tier)(USD) | $0.006-$0.010 | $0.006-$0.012 | -11% |
| Free Tier Per-Stream Payment(USD) | Not applicable | $0.002-$0.004 | — |
| Blended Average Per-Stream Rate(USD) | $0.006-$0.010 | $0.005-$0.009 | +14% |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 1000+ million | 1000+ million | — |
| Average Per-Stream Payout(USD) | $0.007 | $0.007 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium)(USD) | $13.99 | $13.99 | — |
| Average Song Catalog Size(millions) | 100+ million tracks | 100+ million tracks | — |
| Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps) | 256 kbps | 256 kbps | — |
| Song Library Size(million songs) | 100+ million | 100+ million | — |
| Monthly Premium Subscription Cost(USD) | $11.99 | $11.99 | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
Apple Music
$0.006-$0.010🏆
YouTube Music
$0.005-$0.009 (blended average)
Apple Music
Subscription-only, no free tier
YouTube Music
Ad-supported free tier available🏆
Apple Music
Lossless audio (up to 24-bit/192kHz)🏆
YouTube Music
AAC 256kbps standard (no lossless)
Apple Music
Editorial curation + Shazam integration
YouTube Music
YouTube video ecosystem integration
Apple Music
Seamless with Apple devices (iPhone, Mac, AirPods)
YouTube Music
Seamless with Google devices (Android, Smart Speakers)
Apple Music
Separate purchase or Apple TV+
YouTube Music
Native YouTube video integration included🏆
Apple Music
Available on all plans🏆
YouTube Music
Premium subscribers only
Apple Music pays 14% more per stream on average. Apple Music's subscription-only model generates $0.006-$0.010 per stream, while YouTube Music averages $0.005-$0.009 blended (with free-tier streams at $0.002-$0.004). This difference stems from Apple having no free tier—all streams come from paying users.
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As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Best Streaming Services 2026: Netflix vs Disney Plus vs HBO Max
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| Attribute | Apple Music | |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Subscribers | 100M+ | — |
| Audio Quality (Max) | 24-bit Lossless | — |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | Apple Music | — |
| Total Global Users(millions) | Apple Music | — |
| Artist Payment Per Stream(USD) | Apple Music | — |
| Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps) | Apple Music | — |
| Lossless Audio Included | Apple Music | — |
| Lossless Audio Maximum Quality(bit/kHz) | 24-bit/192 kHz | — |
| Web Player Maximum Bitrate(kbps) | Data unavailable | — |
| Maximum Audio Quality(bit depth/sample rate) | Lossless 24-bit/192kHz | AAC 256kbps (lossy) |
Show 4 more attributesMaximum Audio Quality(kbps/lossless) 320 kbps standard — Maximum Audio Bitrate(kbps) 256 kbps — HiFi/Lossless Audio Support No — Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio Limited — | ||
| Free Tier Available | Apple Music | — |
| Monthly Subscription Price (Standard Tier)(EUR) | €12.99 | — |
| Individual Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $10.99 | $11.99 |
| Family Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $16.99 | $17.99 |
| Free Tier Availability | None (subscription required) | Ad-supported free tier |
Show 2 more attributesMonthly Subscription Cost (Premium)(USD) $13.99 — Monthly Premium Subscription Cost(USD) $11.99 — | ||
| US Market Share(percent) | Apple Music | — |
| Spatial Audio Support | Apple Music | — |
| AI Playlist Generation | Native with natural language prompts | — |
| Offline Downloads Access(tier) | All subscription tiers | Premium subscribers only |
| Music Video Integration(availability) | Separate purchase/Apple TV+ | Native integration included |
| Offline Downloads Supported(boolean) | Yes (Premium members) | — |
Show 1 more attributeYouTube Integration Yes (seamless) — | ||
| Artist Royalty Per Stream(USD) | $0.007 | — |
| Apple Ecosystem Integration | Full (Siri, Watch, HomePod, CarPlay) | — |
| Cross-Platform Availability | iOS, macOS, Android, Web, Windows | — |
| Artist Page Song Visibility | Complete track counts and listings | — |
| UI Redesign (2026) | Split-view Now Playing redesign rolling out | — |
| Maximum Audio Bitrate/Quality(kbps or kHz) | 192kHz lossless ALAC | 320kbps Opus (lossy) |
| Average Per-Stream Artist Payment(USD) | $0.008 (blended average) | $0.007 (blended average) |
| Per-Stream Artist Payment (Paid Tier)(USD) | $0.006-$0.010 | $0.006-$0.012 |
| Free Tier Per-Stream Payment(USD) | Not applicable | $0.002-$0.004 |
| Blended Average Per-Stream Rate(USD) | $0.006-$0.010 | $0.005-$0.009 |
| Free Ad-Supported Tier(available or not) | No - subscription required | Yes - full catalog with shuffle |
| Artist Monetization Barrier | Wider access via Partner Program | — |
| Native Apple Device Support(platforms supported) | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple TV | Android, Wear OS, web browser only |
| Discovery Algorithm(data source type) | Shazam data + editorial curation + listening habits | YouTube ecosystem video performance + watch history |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 1000+ million | — |
| Average Per-Stream Payout(USD) | $0.007 | — |
| AI DJ Adoption Rate(percent) | Not available | — |
| Session Length Boost from AI Features(percent increase) | Data not available | — |
| Integrated Podcast Content | YouTube-hosted only | — |
| Video/Shorts Integration | Primary growth engine via YouTube Shorts | — |
| Content Types Supported(formats) | Audio + Video (music videos, official content, shorts) | — |
| Song Library Size(million songs) | 100+ million | — |
| Artist Upload Restrictions(approval process) | Requires YouTube Partner Program verification | — |
| Artist Monetization Features (2026)(count) | Ad revenue sharing, Super Chat, channel memberships | — |
| Average Song Catalog Size(millions) | 100+ million tracks | — |
| Google Ecosystem Integration(platforms) | Deep (Google Assistant, Workspace, Search, Android) | — |
| Artist Payout Structure | Standard streaming splits | — |
Apple MusicSide-by-side comparison of numeric attributes