Apple Music and Amazon Music stand out as two widely used music streaming services. These platforms have both common features and distinctions. Although Amazon Music has a longer history, Apple Music has seen a continuous rise in popularity since its introduction.
In this article, we have made a comparison between Amazon Music and Apple Music in various aspects to help you choose the best.
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Price and plans
Amazon Music Unlimited is the go-to subscription for music enthusiasts. Priced at $8.99 per month for regular individuals, it’s crucial to factor in the $139 annual Prime membership cost. Prime members can opt for a $89 annual Unlimited subscription. Students pay $4.99 monthly, while Prime members with an Amazon Echo speaker enjoy a $3.99 monthly rate (tied to one speaker). The Family Plan, covering six accounts, is available at $14.99 per month.
Comparatively, Apple Music has no free tier and recently raised its prices. The standard individual plan is now $10.99 per month, with the student plan at $5.99. Apple Music Family subscription, accommodating six accounts, is priced at $16.99 per month, making it pricier than Amazon Music Unlimited.
Availability
Apple Music is not just limited to web browsers and iOS/Android apps; it’s also accessible on various Apple devices like Apple TV 4K, Apple HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple Watch, and Apple CarPlay. However, unlike Spotify’s CarThing, you can’t add CarPlay to your existing car because it needs to be built into the vehicle.
Similarly, Amazon Music operates with a similar system called Alexa Auto, which also requires built-in compatibility. Alternatively, you have the option to enhance your current vehicle by adding Echo Auto, a compact device that enables you to play Amazon Music while on the road. Additionally, Amazon Music supports a wide array of devices, including the Fire TV range of media streamers and various Amazon Echo speakers.
Audio quality
In terms of audio quality, Apple Music stands out for its exceptional resolution and bit rate. It offers lossless streaming at up to 24-bit/192kHz, delivering CD quality at 16-bit/44.1kHz with True Hi-Res Audio. For those who prefer a different option, Apple Music also provides 256kbps AAC files, ensuring the highest quality.
What sets Apple Music apart is its use of the ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) format. This format preserves the original data of the audio file, ensuring that the music tracks maintain the same form as when they were initially recorded in the studio.
Similarly, Amazon Music also boasts high-resolution Ultra HD support and lossless audio with a comparable bitrate. However, for the best quality on an iPhone, users may need an external DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) for the Hi-Res Lossless tier. Additionally, Amazon Music allows users to choose their preferred audio quality, ranging from 48 Kbps to 320 Kbps.
Music Library
Amazon Music provides access to a library of 100 million songs, but if you opt for Amazon Music Unlimited, you can enjoy them without being limited to shuffle mode.
Similarly, Apple Music offers a collection of over 100 million songs along with its own set of podcasts. Exclusive releases limited to specific platforms are becoming less common, so you won’t miss out on new launches regardless of which service you choose; you’re likely to find the same songs on both platforms.
Variety of curated content
Both Apple Music and Amazon Music approach curated content in a similar manner, analysing your listening patterns to create playlists that combine your favourite tracks with new music they believe you’ll enjoy. Both platforms also can generate and present playlists based on genres and even the time of day. For instance, they may offer a collection of lively songs to help wake you up in the morning.
One distinction between the two services lies in their approach to radio or a radio-like experience. Apple Music’s Apple Music 1 operates as a typical digital radio station. On the other hand, Amazon Music offers DJ Mode, which, although not live radio, incorporates commentary from a celebrity host into a playlist of tracks curated by that host.
User Interface
Apple Music sticks to the familiar Apple style in its user interface: it’s clean, light, and simple. On the other hand, Amazon Music takes inspiration from Spotify, featuring light text on a dark background and smaller tiles.
Both applications use a similar strategy by separating personalised and non-personalised content recommendations into different screens. You can switch between these screens using a lower taskbar in both apps. If you’re looking to discover new music quickly, you might find the more organised genre-based layout of Amazon Music’s Find page appealing. However, in general, there’s little practical difference between the two.
A brief comparison chart
Below we have created a comparison to help you choose which one is best for you quickly:
| Aspect | Apple Music | Amazon Music Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $10.99/mo (Individual) $5.99/mo (Student) $16.99/mo (Family, 6 accounts) | $8.99/mo (Individual) $4.99/mo (Student) $14.99/mo (Family, 6 accounts) $3.99/mo (Echo device owners) |
| Audio Quality | Lossless at up to 24-bit/192kHz, ALAC format (Apple Lossless) | High-resolution Ultra HD, up to 24-bit/192kHz, Various quality settings (48 Kbps to 320 Kbps) |
| Device Compatibility | iOS, Android, Apple devices, Apple CarPlay, Web browsers | iOS, Android, Amazon Echo, Fire TV, various Amazon devices |
| Library Size | Over 100 million songs | Over 100 million songs |
| Curated Content | Personalised playlists based on listening habits, curated playlists | Personalised playlists based on listening habits, curated playlists |
| Exclusive Content | Apple Music 1 digital radio station | DJ Mode with celebrity commentary, curated playlists |
| User Interface | Clean, light, and simple design | Inspired by Spotify, dark background with smaller tiles |
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