It's no secret that streaming music is on the rise. In fact, a recent study showed that more than half of all Americans now stream music. While there are many streaming services to choose from, Spotify and Amazon Music are two of the most popular. So which one is better? Let's take a closer look.
The Overview
Spotify's history in a nutshell
The company was founded in 2006 in Sweden by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. It launched in the United States in 2011. Today, Spotify has more than 190 million monthly active users, including 96 million paying subscribers.
Amazon music's history in a nutshell
Amazon Music is a streaming service that comes bundled with an Amazon Prime membership. It launched in the United States in 2007. Today, Amazon Music has more than 55 million monthly active users.
The Differences
There are several key differences between Spotify and Amazon Music. Perhaps the most obvious is that Spotify is available as a standalone app, while Amazon Music is only available to those with an Amazon Prime membership.
Another key difference is that Spotify offers a free, ad-supported tier, while Amazon Music does not. This means that anyone can sign up for Spotify and listen to music for free, with ads. On the other hand, you need an Amazon Prime membership to even use Amazon Music.
Finally, one of the biggest differences is that Spotify integrates with many third-party apps and devices, while Amazon Music does not. This means that you can use Spotify on devices like Sonos speakers and Android Wear watches. You can also control Spotify with voice commands through Siri and Alexa. However, Amazon Music only works with Amazon's own Echo speakers.
Compatibility and Availability
Compatibility
Spotify is available on a wide variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs. It also works with many third-party devices, like Sonos speakers, Android Wear watches, and car stereos.
Amazon Music is only available on Amazon's own Echo speakers.
Availability
Spotify is available in more than 60 countries.
Amazon Music is available in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.
Interface
Spotify has a clean and simple interface. You can easily browse by artist, album, or genre, or you can use the search bar to find specific songs. Spotify also provides curated playlists, which are a great way to discover new music.
Amazon Music has a more cluttered interface. It can be difficult to find specific songs, and there is no search bar. Amazon Music also lacks curated playlists. However, one neat feature is that you can see lyrics for songs on Amazon Music.
User Experience
Spotify offers an excellent user experience. The app is well-designed and easy to use. Spotify also has a huge selection of songs, and it's easy to find new music to listen to.
Amazon Music offers a good user experience, but it's not as good as Spotify. The app can be difficult to navigate, and the selection of songs is not as large. However, one nice feature is that you can see lyrics for songs on Amazon Music.
Performance and features
Spotify has a few features that set it apart from other streaming services. First, Spotify offers a free, ad-supported tier. This means that anyone can sign up for Spotify and listen to music for free. Second, Spotify integrates with many third-party apps and devices. This means that you can use Spotify on devices like Sonos speakers and Android Wear watches. You can also control Spotify with voice commands through Siri and Alexa.
Amazon Music has one key feature that sets it apart from other streaming services: Amazon Music is included with an Amazon Prime membership. This means that you get access to Amazon Music without having to pay anything extra.
Verdict
Spotify is the better streaming service because it offers a free, ad-supported tier, has a clean and simple interface, integrates with many third-party apps and devices, and has an excellent user experience. Amazon Music is a good streaming service, but it's not as good as Spotify.
Free Subscription
Spotify offers a free, ad-supported subscription. This means that you can listen to music for free, but you will have to listen to ads.
Amazon Music does not offer a free subscription. You must have an Amazon Prime membership to even use Amazon Music.
Pricing & Plans
Spotify has two paid plans: Spotify Premium and Spotify Family. Spotify Premium costs $9.99/month, and it gives you ad-free listening, offline mode, and high-quality audio. Spotify Family costs $14.99/month, and it lets up to six family members use Spotify Premium.
Amazon Music has three paid plans: Amazon Music Unlimited, Amazon Music HD, and Amazon Music Prime. Amazon Music Unlimited costs $7.99/month for Echo devices and $9.99/month for non-Echo devices. It gives you access to millions of songs, ad-free listening, offline mode, and hands-free listening. Amazon Music HD costs $12.99/month for Echo devices and $14.99/month for non-Echo devices.
Spotify is the better value because it offers a free, ad-supported tier and two paid plans that are both cheaper than Amazon Music's paid plans. Amazon Music is more expensive than Spotify, but you get access to Amazon Music with an Amazon Prime membership.
Subscription perks
SpotifyPremium subscribers can listen to music ad-free, download songs for offline listening, and listen to high-quality audio. Spotify Family subscribers can have up to six family members use their account.
Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can listen to millions of songs ad-free, download songs for offline listening, and listen to hands-free listening. Amazon Music HD subscribers can listen to millions of songs in high-definition audio. Amazon Music Prime subscribers can listen to millions of songs ad-free and with hands-free listening.
Spotify has better perks for its subscription plans than Amazon Music. Spotify offers ad-free listening, offline mode, and high-quality audio for all users. Spotify Family subscribers also get access to six accounts. Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers get ad-free listening, offline mode, and hands-free listening. Amazon Music HD subscribers get high-definition audio. Amazon Music Prime subscribers also get ad-free listening and hands-free listening.
Better audio quality
Spotify streams music at a bitrate of 320kbps. This is considered high-quality audio.
Amazon Music streams music at a bitrate of 256kbps. This is considered standard audio quality.
Spotify has better audio quality than Amazon Music because it streams music at a higher bitrate. Spotify's 320kbps audio is high-quality, and Amazon Music's 256kbps audio is standard quality.
Offline mode
Spotify offers an offline mode for its Premium subscribers. This means that you can download songs and listen to them without an internet connection.
Amazon Music offers an offline mode for its Unlimited and Prime subscribers. This means that you can download songs and listen to them without an internet connection.
Verdict: Which is more worth it?
Spotify is more worth it than Amazon Music because it is cheaper and has better audio quality. However, Amazon Music is included with an Amazon Prime membership, so it may be more worth it for you if you are already an Amazon Prime member.
Who Has Better Content?
Amount of music content
As of July 2022, Spotify has a library of over 50 million songs. As of September 2011, Amazon Music has a library of over 60 million songs.
Spotify and Amazon Music both have a large amount of music content. As of July 2022, Spotify has a library of over 50 million songs, and as of September 2021, Amazon Music has a library of over 60 million songs.
Podcasts
Spotify offers podcasts in addition to music. As of June 2022, there are over 700,000 podcasts on Spotify. Amazon Music does not offer podcasts.
If you're interested in podcasts, Spotify is the better option because it offers them in addition to music. As of June 2022, there are over 700,000 podcasts on Spotify. Amazon Music does not offer podcasts.
Spotify is the better option for content because it offers a larger library of songs and also has podcasts. Amazon Music has a larger library of songs, but it does not have podcasts.
Content variety
Spotify and Amazon Music both offer a wide variety of content. Spotify has music, podcasts, and video, while Amazon Music has music and video.
Feature comparison
Spotify and Amazon Music both offer a wide variety of features.
Spotify has ad-free listening, offline mode, high-quality audio, and family accounts.
Amazon Music has ad-free listening, offline mode, hands-free listening, and high-definition audio.
Monthly cost
Spotify costs $9.99/month for an individual account, $14.99/month for a family account, and $4.99/month for a student account. Amazon Music Unlimited costs $9.99/month for an individual account, $7.99/month for an Amazon Prime member, and $3.99/month for an Amazon Music HD subscriber.
Spotify is more expensive than Amazon Music if you are not an Amazon Prime member. If you are an Amazon Prime member, Amazon Music is cheaper than Spotify. However, Spotify offers a student discount, which makes it cheaper for students.
Song catalog size
Spotify has a library of over 50 million songs, while Amazon Music has a library of over 60 million songs.
Amazon Music has a larger song catalog than Spotify.
High-fidelity music
Spotify offers high-quality 320kbps audio, while Amazon Music offers standard 256kbps audio.
Spotify has better audio quality than Amazon Music because it streams music at a higher bitrate. Spotify's 320kbps audio is high-quality, and Amazon Music's 256kbps audio is standard quality.
Notable features
Spotify has ad-free listening, offline mode, high-quality audio, and family accounts. Amazon Music has ad-free listening, offline mode, hands-free listening, and high-definition audio.
Spotify is more worth it than Amazon Music because it is cheaper and has better audio quality. However, Amazon Music is included with an Amazon Prime membership, so it may be more worth it for you if you are already an Amazon Prime member.
If you're interested in podcasts, Spotify is the better option because it offers them in addition to music. As of June 2022, there are over 700,000 podcasts on Spotify. Amazon Music does not offer podcasts.
Platforms supported
Spotify is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. Amazon Music is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Fire OS.
Spotify is available on more platforms than Amazon Music. Spotify is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. Amazon Music is only available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Fire OS.
Additional Features
Spotify has a social feature called "Follow" that lets you follow other users and see what they're listening to. Amazon Music does not have this feature.
Which Should You Go For?
In general, Spotify is the better choice. It's cheaper, has a higher-quality streaming option, follows other users on social media, and is available on more platforms. However, if you're an Amazon Prime member, Amazon Music may be the better choice for you because it's included in your Prime membership. If you're interested in podcasts, Spotify is the better option because it offers them in addition to music. As of June 2022, there are over 700,000 podcasts on Spotify. Amazon Music does not offer podcasts.
Conclusion
Spotify is a better choice than Amazon Music because it is cheaper, has better audio quality, follows other users on social media, and is available on more platforms. However, if you're an Amazon Prime member, Amazon Music may be the better choice for you because it's included in your Prime membership.
FAQ
Is Amazon music cheaper than Spotify?
If you are an Amazon Prime member, Amazon Music is cheaper than Spotify. However, Spotify offers a student discount, which makes it cheaper for students.
Does Amazon music have same music as Spotify?
No, Amazon Music has a different song catalog than Spotify. Spotify has a library of over 50 million songs, while Amazon Music has a library of over 60 million songs.
Which music service is best?
There is no definitive answer to this question. It depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Is Spotify free with Amazon Prime?
No, Spotify is not free with Amazon Prime. However, Amazon Music is included with an Amazon Prime membership.
Is Amazon Music any good?
Yes, Amazon Music is a good music streaming service. It has a library of over 60 million songs and offers ad-free listening, offline mode, hands-free listening, and high-definition audio.
Why are some songs not available on Amazon Music?
Some songs are not available on Amazon Music because they are not available in the Amazon Music catalog. Spotify has a larger catalog of songs than Amazon Music.
