Best for YouTube-connected discovery
YouTube Music vs Spotify vs Apple Music: which music app should you choose?
YouTube Music suits video-linked discovery, Spotify is the versatile pick for music and podcasts, and Apple Music fits listeners who want an ad-free, curated catalog.
At a glance
| App | Google Play | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 YouTube MusicGoogle LLC | 4.5 out of 57,720,055 ratings | Free | Yes$0.05 - $999.99 per item | Teen | |
 Spotify: Music and PodcastsSpotify AB | 4.3 out of 536,547,581 ratings | Free | Yes$4.99 - $203.88 per item | Teen | |
 Apple MusicApple | 4.6 out of 5741,045 ratings | Free | Yes$5.99 - $199.99 per item | Teen |
Ratings and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 11, 2026. Listings change over time.
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How we compared them
All three apps stream large music catalogs, offer personalized or curated ways to find tracks, and support offline listening in some form. Their biggest differences are Spotify’s emphasis on podcasts and cross-platform use, YouTube Music’s connection to YouTube, and Apple Music’s ad-free listening experience.
This comparison looks at their Google Play ratings, reach, pricing signals, ads, features, and trade-offs to help you choose the service that fits how you listen.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play figures read on November 11, 2026: ratings and rating counts, install ranges, free-to-download status, in-app purchase ranges, and whether each app contains ads. These figures describe the Google Play presence and do not establish that paid plans cost the same in every region.
We also weighed each app’s stated strengths and trade-offs, including catalog access, discovery, offline listening, audio quality, and ecosystem integration. Spotify declares that it shares and collects several categories of information; its Google Play data safety section says data is encrypted in transit and can be deleted on request. No data safety details were supplied for the other two apps, so we do not compare their privacy practices.
Best forYouTube-connected music discovery
YouTube Music
Google LLC
- Google Play
- 4.5 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 5B+
- Age rating
- Teen
YouTube Music’s strongest distinction is its connection to Google services and YouTube’s broad music ecosystem, making it a natural fit for listeners who discover tracks through videos and personalized playlists. Google Play shows 5,000,000,000+ installs and a 4.5 rating from 7,720,055 ratings, the largest install range of these three.
Offline playback and high-quality streaming are available, but an ad-free experience requires a subscription and the free offering is more limited. The app can also use significant data, and occasional crashes or regional restrictions may be drawbacks.
What we like
- YouTube and Google service integration
- Offline playback available
- Personalized playlists and high-quality streaming
What to know
- Ad-free listening requires a subscription
- Regional restrictions and occasional crashes
Best formusic and podcasts across platforms
Spotify: Music and Podcasts
Spotify AB
- Google Play
- 4.3 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 1B+
- Age rating
- Teen
Spotify is the broadest all-rounder for listeners who want music and podcasts in one app, with personalized discovery and cross-platform integration. It has the largest rating count here, with 36,547,581 Google Play ratings, and its free version makes it easy to start without a subscription.
The free tier includes frequent ads and limited skips, while offline listening is for Premium users. Some songs or artists may be unavailable, lyrics vary by region, and mobile streaming can use substantial data. Spotify also declares collecting and sharing several types of user information, though it says data is encrypted in transit and deletion can be requested.
What we like
- Music and podcasts in one app
- Personalized playlists and recommendations
- Cross-platform integration
What to know
- Free listening has ads and limited skips
- Offline listening requires Premium
Best forad-free listening and curated radio
Apple Music
Apple
- Google Play
- 4.6 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 100M+
- Age rating
- Teen
Apple Music is the only one of the three marked as containing no ads on Google Play, and it combines a large catalog with curated playlists and radio. Its 4.6 rating is the highest of the three, though it has a smaller install range at 100,000,000+.
Offline listening and high-quality streaming are available, and integration with Apple devices is a strength. The trade-off is a subscription cost and a limited free version; the app’s iOS-first design may also feel less natural to some Android users, and occasional bugs or gaps in song lyrics can frustrate.
What we like
- No ads indicated on Google Play
- Curated playlists and radio
- Apple device integration and offline listening
What to know
- Subscription cost and limited free access
- iOS-first design and occasional app bugs
Which one should you pick?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: YouTube Music, Spotify, or Apple Music?
Choose YouTube Music for YouTube-connected discovery, Spotify for music and podcasts across platforms, or Apple Music for an ad-free service with curated playlists and radio.
Which of these music apps has the highest Google Play rating?
Apple Music has the highest rating at 4.6, followed by YouTube Music at 4.5 and Spotify at 4.3. These figures were read on November 11, 2026.
Can you listen offline with these apps?
All three offer offline listening. YouTube Music and Apple Music support offline playback, while Spotify reserves offline listening for Premium users.
Which app has ads?
Google Play marks YouTube Music and Spotify as containing ads, while Apple Music is marked as not containing ads. YouTube Music requires a subscription for an ad-free experience, and Spotify’s free version includes ads.
Reviewed compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details and prices are shown for reference and can change.