YouTube Music vs Apple Music
YouTube Music
Google's music streaming service with integrated YouTube video content and free ad-supported tier.
Budget-conscious listeners, Android users, content creators, musicians wanting video exposure, and those prioritizing music discovery over audio fidelity.
VS
Apple Music
Apple's premium music streaming service emphasizing lossless audio quality and tight ecosystem integration.
Apple ecosystem users, audiophiles seeking lossless quality, artists wanting maximum per-stream compensation, and listeners who prioritize curated playlists over algorithmic discovery.
Short Answer
YouTube Music excels at music discovery through video integration and offers free ad-supported listening, while Apple Music delivers superior lossless audio quality (up to 192kHz) and pays artists 14% more per stream through its subscription-only model.
Our Verdict
Choose YouTube Music if you value music discovery through videos, want free ad-supported listening, and benefit from YouTube ecosystem integration. Choose Apple Music if sound quality is your priority, you use Apple devices extensively, and you want to support artists with higher per-stream payments—the lossless audio quality at 192kHz is unmatched in the streaming industry.
YouTube Music5
10Apple Music
Choose YouTube Music if
Budget-conscious listeners, Android users, content creators, musicians wanting video exposure, and those prioritizing music discovery over audio fidelity.
Key Differences at a Glance
🔹
Per-Stream Payment to Artists: Apple Music wins ($0.006-$0.010 average vs $0.005-$0.009 average)
🧠
Free Tier Availability: YouTube Music wins (Yes - ad-supported with full catalog vs No - subscription only)
🔊
Maximum Audio Quality: Apple Music wins (192kHz lossless ALAC vs 320kbps Opus (lossy))
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | YouTube Music | Apple Music | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 1000+ million | — | — |
| Average Per-Stream Payout(USD) | $0.007 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Premium)(USD) | $13.99 | — | — |
| Average Song Catalog Size(millions) | 100+ million tracks | — | — |
Key Differences
YouTube Music
Attribute
Apple Music
$0.005-$0.009 average
Per-Stream Payment to Artists
$0.006-$0.010 average🏆
Yes - ad-supported with full catalog🏆
Free Tier Availability
No - subscription only
320kbps Opus (lossy)
Maximum Audio Quality
192kHz lossless ALAC
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Last updated: May 6, 2026AI generated
