Head-to-head
Spotify vs Apple Music
Spotify
75
Winner
Spotify
Apple Music
65
Spotify is generally preferred for its free tier and better integration with car systems, while Apple Music is favored by users who prioritize a seamless Apple ecosystem experience and a clean, ad-free listening environment for paid users.
Full reviews: Spotify · Apple Music
Spotify offers a robust free tier, though it comes with ads and playback limitations, and is praised for its car integration. Apple Music provides a premium, ad-free experience for subscribers, but users report issues with its shuffle algorithm and some missing features compared to competitors.
Head to head
Spotify Spotify users appreciate the extensive music library, podcasts, and audiobooks, with some noting it has music Apple Music doesn't R17. However, some free users are frustrated by limitations like not being able to pick specific songs or having a limited number of skips R20R24. There are also complaints about AI-generated content in playlists R3R25 and repetitive shuffle algorithms R34.
Apple Music Apple Music users praise its vast music choices and the ability to see song credits, artist bios, and birthplaces . However, some users report missing popular songs or demos found on other platforms . There are also requests for features like sorting by 'most played' and better playlist management . The lack of podcasts is a noted drawback for some R75.
Spotify Spotify is generally seen as easy to use, with users appreciating features like music continuing to play when exiting the app R12 and good integration with Apple CarPlay and steering wheel controls R23. However, some users dislike recent UI changes, such as the removal of the swiping feature or the placement of AI chatbot features R25. There are also reports of the app being glitchy and slow, with loading issues R1R4R16R34.
Apple Music Apple Music is described as very easy to use for making playlists and finding music . However, recent GUI changes are criticized for being less functional, with volume controls buried and the random shuffle option harder to find . Users also report issues with the app forcing autoplay of random music in cars or with headphones R64R99 and difficulties with shuffle functionality .
Spotify Spotify users report significant reliability issues, including music sputtering and skipping R4, connectivity problems even with good WiFi R16, and the app randomly stopping playback R34. Some users experience crashes and the app forcing re-logins for paying members R33.
Apple Music Apple Music also faces reliability concerns, with users reporting the app stopping playback on student accounts , going offline despite having data , and downloaded music being wiped . Some users experience glitchy sound .
Spotify Spotify offers a free tier, which is a major draw, but free users are constantly interrupted by repetitive ads R10R15R18 and have limited functionality like restricted skips and inability to choose specific songs R6R20. Premium users sometimes still experience ads or issues with family plans . The $12.99 price for premium is considered ridiculous by some R7.
Apple Music Apple Music is a paid-only service, with users complaining about the cost R67R111 and the inability to listen to music without paying R70. Some users feel it's overpriced, especially when compared to Spotify's free option R111. There are also complaints about losing playlists and songs after canceling a free trial .
Spotify Spotify was once praised for its new music recommendations, but recent reviews indicate a decline, with the app now mostly suggesting music similar to what users already listen to, or 'AI slop' R3R25R51. The 'DJ' feature is also criticized for replaying the same 30 songs R34.
Apple Music Apple Music's algorithm for recommendations and playlists is a significant point of criticism, with users calling it 'not very good' . Many feel that Spotify's weekly recommendations are far superior, providing a 'bounty' of quality new music compared to Apple Music's 'bargain bin finds' .
Pick Spotify if
you want a free music streaming option with a vast library, are willing to tolerate ads and playback limitations, or prioritize seamless integration with car systems like Apple CarPlay R23.
Pick Apple Music if
you are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, prefer an ad-free premium experience, and are willing to pay for the service, despite some reported issues with shuffle algorithms and missing features .
Evidence note: Many of Spotify's negative reviews stem from the limitations and ads of its free tier, which is a common point of friction for non-paying users. Apple Music, being a paid-only service, naturally has reviews from users who have already committed to paying, leading to a different skew in feedback.
Frequently asked
Does Spotify have a free option?
Is Apple Music free to use?
Which app has better music recommendations?
Do these apps work well with car systems?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R3] Spotify AI Slop: Spotify keeps filling my suggested play lists with AI slop. Bummed because I used to enjoy this app a lot, seems like now the suggestions aren’t great and I wish I could opt out of AI music.
- [R17] Spotify BETTER THAN APPLE MUSIC: IT HAS MUSIC THAT APPLE MUSIC DOESNT HAVE 🥹✌️
- [R20] Spotify i’m starting to not like it but i still like it PLEASE READ: i like this app but it’s getting to a point where i think it’s annoying bc why would you need premium for clicking a song like i want to play a song that is not on my playlist but instead i have to pay to hear a song that i’m not listening to but no i have to pay and yes ik that premium is better content compared to the basic but i wish
- [R24] Spotify Premium: I don’t like having to pay for the songs I pick and being able to skip luckily my grandma has premium but it’s still a little weird
- [R1] Spotify Remove create button: There is no point in this remove it right now. Or I’m going to Apple Music. The si features. Nothing loads anymore.
- [R4] Spotify Connectivity issues: This past year my Spotify music has been spuddering and skipping. I checked with my service as well as WiFi both issues did not seem to be connected to the issues I was facing. I followed online suggestions of clearing cash on the app and messing with setting to lower the quality of the music for better loading. Nothing has seemed to fix the issue. I was always a download your
- [R12] Spotify Alright: I love how I can exit the app but the music still plays! But I think they added more adds🥲
- [R16] Spotify Very disappointed: Well I already had a whole paragraph and some written out but it just got deleted. Been using Spotify for awhile started not working. I’ve tried everything and I mean EVERYTHING (from just waiting to see if it was a temporary problem to deleting the app in general and redownloading) and nothing works. Whenever I try to open the app it instantly says “something went wrong check y
- [R33] Spotify Keeps making me relogin: I am a paying member of this app, yet it keeps randomly making me login again, and have to pay for a new subscription, which is highly annoying, especially during times of stress when I need my music. Please get this fixed and get me my account back. Thank you.
- [R34] Spotify Glitchy: Very glitchy and slow. Randomly stops playing music and will not start back until hours later. DJ does nothing but replay the same 30 songs. The only reason I even have this is because it links to my Discord. Apple Music is Far superior. And if changes aren’t made soon, I am canceling my subscription.
- [R6] Spotify Dictating the music order for free account: Can you guys please dont dictate the order of our music while were using free account because it gets kind of frustrating when we try to listen to our songs in the order of our choosing and you guys choose to dictate it.
- [R7] Spotify Price: $12.99 is ridiculous
- [R10] Spotify The semi great Spotify.: Spotify is great in many ways, but the things that really bother me are the repetitive ads of the same ridiculous commercials, and the amount of commercials that interrupt the music
- [R15] Spotify review: so many ads
- [R25] Spotify Disgusting filth: Moving their new ai slop chatbot to where the comment bar was to trick people into accidentally using the ai features on the app is the most disgusting foolish thing they could have done. I will be canceling my plan and moving to Apple Music or just start pirating my music from now on.
- [R51] Spotify New music recommendations: What i used to love about Spotify is that it was amazing for finding new music that you may not have found on your own. I’m not sure what’s changed in the back end but Spotify now only seems to recommend songs that are already very similar to what you listen to. I could get that anywhere, may be time to switch to YouTube music.
- [R18] Spotify Ads: This is an overall good app but when I’m listening to music then get 5 10 minute long ads it’s kinda annoying.
- [R67] Apple Music I’m broke: Costs money
- [R70] Apple Music Disappointed: So, there is no free option. If you are not subbed you can’t even look for songs to buy to add to your phone. They will go in and delete what’s downloaded to your phone and iCloud without your permission. They did that to me.
- [R105] Apple Music Why do you take my music: You force upgrades and now all my music is locked because I don’t pay you for the privilege to listen to music I own,.
- [R111] Apple Music Overpriced: This app is too overpriced, wasting this much money sucks per month. And not only that but you can’t even listen to music without paying at least just make it so we can listen to music without paying a couple ads without having to pay so much money
- [R23] Spotify Very happy with Spotify: Integrates with Apple CarPlay better than other music apps. Integrates with steering wheel controls better than other music apps, whether it’s music or an audio book. My favorite feature: Just hold the steering wheel *next or previous* meaning the left/right arrow buttons and you rewind/ff 15 seconds. So easy. Spotify just does it better.
- [R64] Apple Music WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH ME: Stop insisting your app upon me! I am not even logged in nor do I have an account. It was on my iPhone when I got it and now when I get in my car my phone randomly plays the most horrendous music. How embarrassing is it getting into your car to have Cardi b blast when your family is with you. I don’t listen to that ghetto trash. STOP FORCING YOURSELF ON ME. Deleted
- [R75] Apple Music No podcasts?: Sucks there’s no podcasts and also you can’t click the shuffle button through CarPlay
- [R99] Apple Music Stop auto play: It's a fine app, but whenever i turn on my car or power on my headphones apple music decides to play a random song. Not what I was last listening to in the app. And not even the audio app i was last using. Apple music is forcing itself into my ears and there's no way to stop auto play other than deleting the app.
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store