YouTube Music vs Apple Music
Apple Music sounds better and costs the same as YouTube Music on its own. YouTube Music wins if you already pay for YouTube Premium.
- Individual
- $11.99/mo
- Duo
- Not offered
- Family
- $18.99/mo
- Student
- Not checked yet
- Max quality
- 256 kbps AAC
- Lossless
- No
- Hi-res
- No
- Catalog
- Official tracks plus remixes, covers and live sets
- Free tier
- Yes, with ads
- Podcasts
- Yes
- Lyrics
- Yes
- Social
- Collaborative playlists
- Artist payout
- Pro-rata
- Individual
- $11.99/mo
- Duo
- Not offered
- Family
- $19.99/mo
- Student
- $6.99/mo
- Max quality
- Hi-res lossless up to 24-bit/192 kHz
- Lossless
- Yes
- Hi-res
- Yes
- Catalog
- 100M+ tracks
- Free tier
- No, trial only
- Podcasts
- Limited
- Lyrics
- Yes
- Social
- Shared playlists, friend activity
- Artist payout
- Pro-rata
Price
Both are $11.99 a month for one person after 2026 increases (Apple, YouTube). Family is $18.99 on YouTube Music and $19.99 on Apple Music. YouTube Premium at $15.99 adds ad-free YouTube.
Price calculator
Not checked yet: SoundCloud. Left out until we confirm current prices.
US prices, checked Sep 26, 2026. Yearly figure is 12 months at the monthly rate.
Sound quality
Apple Music includes lossless up to 24-bit/192 kHz and Dolby Atmos. YouTube Music tops out at 256 kbps AAC.
Catalog and features
YouTube Music has live versions, covers and music videos from all of YouTube, and it works on almost any device. Apple Music has synced lyrics, strong editorial playlists and radio, and works best on iPhone, Mac and HomePod.
Verdict
Pick Apple Music for sound quality and the Apple ecosystem. Pick YouTube Music if you pay for YouTube Premium or want the live and cover versions.