Best for Google integration
YouTube Music vs Spotify vs Apple Music: which music app should you choose?
YouTube Music suits listeners who value Google integration and personalized discovery, Spotify is the strongest all-rounder for music and podcasts, and Apple Music appeals to subscribers seeking a cur
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | 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) | Android, iOS | Teen |
 Spotify: Music and PodcastsSpotify AB | 4.3 out of 536,547,581 ratings | Free | Yes ($4.99 - $203.88 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
 Apple MusicApple | 4.6 out of 5741,045 ratings | Free | Yes ($5.99 - $199.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
YouTube Music, Spotify, and Apple Music all stream music, support playlists, and offer offline listening. Each has a free Google Play download, but their approaches differ: YouTube Music connects closely with Google services, Spotify combines music with podcasts, and Apple Music focuses on its music catalog and curated playlists.
This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings and install counts alongside their features and trade-offs to help you choose the right fit.
How we compared them
We compared Google Play ratings, install counts, prices, ads, and in-app purchase ranges, using figures read on November 7, 2026. Store ratings and installs indicate reach and user feedback, but they do not establish which service has the best catalog or experience for an individual listener.
We also considered the features and limitations described for each app, including discovery, playlists, offline listening, audio quality, and platform integration. Spotify's Google Play data safety declaration says it shares and collects specified categories of information, encrypts data in transit, and allows users to request deletion; no comparable declaration was supplied for the other two.
YouTube Music
Google LLC4.5 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for Google users who want personalized music discovery
YouTube Music pairs personalized playlists and recommendations with integration across Google services, making it a natural choice for listeners already in that ecosystem. Its Google Play rating is 4.5, and it has 5,000,000,000+ installs.
It offers offline playback and high-quality audio options, but an ad-free experience requires a subscription. Its library is described as more limited than competitors', and some songs lack lyrics; occasional crashes and regional restrictions are also potential drawbacks.
- Price
- Free, with ads
What we like
- Google services integration
- Personalized playlists and recommendations
- Offline playback for downloaded songs
What to know
- Ads unless you subscribe
- Some songs lack lyrics, with regional restrictions on content
Spotify: Music and Podcasts
Spotify AB4.3 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for listeners who want music and podcasts together
Spotify is the most balanced pick for people who want both music and podcasts in one app, backed by an extensive music library and personalized playlists. It has the largest install count here, at 1,000,000,000+, and works across platforms.
The free version includes ads and limited skips, while offline listening and high-quality audio are available features. Its Google Play rating is 4.3; the declared data practices include sharing and collecting several categories of information, though data is encrypted in transit and users can request deletion.
- Price
- Free, with ads
What we like
- Music and podcasts in one app
- Extensive library and personalized playlists
- Cross-platform use and offline listening
What to know
- Free listening has ads and limited skips
- Subscription costs can be high
Apple Music
Apple4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for listeners who prioritize curated music and Apple integration
Apple Music combines a large music library, curated playlists, and high-quality streaming, with particularly useful integration for people who use Apple devices. It has the highest Google Play rating of these three, at 4.6, and supports offline listening.
The app has no ads, but full access requires a subscription and an Apple ID. Its free version has limited features, and the interface may feel cluttered; lyrics are not available for every song.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- No ads
- Apple device integration
- Curated playlists and offline listening
What to know
- Full access requires an Apple ID and subscription
- Cluttered interface and lyrics not available for every song
Which one should you pick?
Best for music and podcasts
Spotify: Music and Podcasts
Best for an ad-free experience
Apple Music
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
Apple Music has the highest rating among these three at 4.6, followed by YouTube Music at 4.5 and Spotify at 4.3.
Which app is best for podcasts?
Spotify is the clearest choice if you want podcasts alongside music in the same app.
Can you listen offline with these apps?
All three support offline listening: YouTube Music for downloaded songs, and Spotify and Apple Music through their offline listening features.
Which of these apps has no ads?
Apple Music is the only one of the three marked as containing no ads. YouTube Music and Spotify include ads.