Spotify streams songs at three different rates (96kbps, 160kbps and 320kbps) all in the Ogg Vorbis format, though the highest caliber is limited to paid Premium subscribers. Last year Apple Music updated its entire catalogue, which is now encoded using ALAC in resolutions ranging from 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD-quality) up to 24-bit/192kHz ( hi-res audio quality). Previously, standard-quality Apple Music tracks were 256kbps AAC files, the same format as tracks purchased from iTunes. We also continue to add innovative features that make Apple Music the world’s best listening experience.'Īn individual subscription to Apple Music costs: $10.99 / £10.99 / AU$12.99 per month.Īpple Music's student plan went up by $1 per month, so it's now $5.99 (£5.99 / AU$5.99), as opposed to Spotify's student plan, which is $4.99/month.

You can find full instructions for this on the Apple support site.Īpple has just increased its prices, and has commented that the new pricing structure is due to an 'increase in licensing costs, and in turn, artists and songwriters will earn more for the streaming of their music. Note that signing up the Apple Music annual plan is a bit of an arcane process: you first need to sign up to a monthly plan, then switch to annual billing in the app or through your Apple device's account settings. It includes the Duo Mix playlist, an automatically produced set of tunes based on the users' listening habits. Spotify also offers a Premium Duo package, aimed at 2-person households. Premium comparison for the full rundown of differences. However, Spotify's free option will interrupt your listening with recorded ads, as well as ads within the app, while paying for the Premium tier will get rid of both. The pricing for Spotify and Apple Music was very similar, with one big difference: the former offers a free starting tier.

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