YouTube Music vs Spotify: Top features compared

In the ever-evolving landscape of music streaming, two giants stand out: YouTube Music and Spotify. Each platform boasts a vast library, personalised recommendations, and a range of features designed to enhance your listening experience. But which one is right for you? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of their key features to help you make an informed decision. 

YouTube Music vs Spotify: Music library and discovery

Both platforms boast impressive libraries, with each claiming to host over 100 million tracks. However, YouTube Music has an edge in terms of content diversity. It not only offers official songs and albums but also includes live performances, remixes, covers, and even user-generated content, thanks to its integration with YouTube. Spotify, on the other hand, focuses primarily on official releases and boasts a more extensive catalogue of podcasts and audiobooks. 

ALSO READ: Uploading songs to Spotify: A quick guide

When it comes to music discovery, both platforms offer curated playlists, radio stations, and personalised recommendations. YouTube Music’s algorithm is known for its ability to surface lesser-known artists and genres, while Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist has garnered a loyal following for its uncanny ability to introduce users to new music they’ll love. 

YouTube Music vs Spotify: User interface and experience

Spotify’s user interface is sleek, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Its dark mode is particularly pleasing to the eye, and its layout makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. YouTube Music’s interface, while functional, can feel a bit cluttered at times, and its light mode can be harsh on the eyes. 

One advantage YouTube Music has over Spotify is its integration with YouTube. This means you can seamlessly switch between listening to music and watching videos, and you can even save videos to your library for offline viewing. 

YouTube Music vs Spotify: Sound quality

Spotify offers superior sound quality compared to YouTube Music, particularly for premium subscribers. Spotify’s highest quality setting streams at 320kbps, while YouTube Music maxes out at 256kbps. For most listeners, the difference may not be noticeable, but audiophiles will appreciate the extra fidelity that Spotify offers. 

YouTube Music vs Spotify: Pricing and plans

In India, both platforms offer a variety of plans tailored to local preferences. Spotify’s premium plan starts at Rs 119 per month for individuals, while a duo plan for two users costs Rs 149 per month. They also offer a family plan for up to six users at Rs 179 per month, and a student plan at Rs 59 per month. 

YouTube Music Premium, on the other hand, is available for Rs 99 per month for individuals and Rs 149 per month for a family plan (up to five members). An attractive offering is the YouTube Premium membership, which includes YouTube Music Premium and ad-free YouTube for Rs 129 per month. 

YouTube Music vs Spotify: Other features

Both platforms offer social features, allowing you to follow friends, share playlists, and see what others are listening to. Spotify has a more robust social experience, with features like collaborative playlists and group listening sessions. YouTube Music, on the other hand, allows you to create shared playlists with up to six people. 

ALSO READ: YouTube Music will soon have you humming into your phone to search for music

Another notable feature of YouTube Music is its offline mixtape. This automatically downloads a selection of songs based on your listening habits, ensuring you always have something to listen to even when you’re offline.

So, which platform should you choose? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you prioritise sound quality and a sleek interface, Spotify might be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a wider range of content, including live performances and user-generated videos, and you value the integration with YouTube, then YouTube Music might be a better fit. 

Both platforms offer free trials, so you can try them out and see which one you prefer before committing to a subscription. With so much great music available at your fingertips, there’s never been a better time to be a music fan.