Music streaming services have become one of the staples in our digital experience. These types of services have revolutionized the way we consume our favorite music and support our artists.

Among the vast options available, YouTube Premium and Spotify Premium stand out as the big players in the industry. If you are seeking ad-free music and exclusive content that are accessible on both Android and iOS devices, these platforms are the answers.

However, with the increasing subscription prices, consumers must be wise in choosing the best platform for them. Both YouTube Premium and Spotify Premium promise the best entertainment service for their users.

Here are some factors to consider between the two music streaming services to help you find the best one for your lifestyle:

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Content Offerings

YouTube Premium provides access to all content on YouTube without any interruption of ads. The platform also offers exclusive viewing for YouTube Originals series and movies. However, the platform does not have a dedicated music library and is dependent on the artists who upload their music on YouTube.

Likewise, Spotify has ad-free access to its vast music and podcast library. Users can create playlists and scan through millions of albums even those that were published way back. There is also video content that is now available to selected artists and creators.

Audio Quality

Due to its close integration with YouTube, the Premium service does not have a standardized bitrate for audio playback. Users can stream on YouTube but the quality will be reliant on the original recording quality or depending on the resolution they set for videos.

On the contrary, Spotify Premium offers a higher bitrate compared to its free version and other streaming services. The standard streaming quality is 320kbps which allows music to project a high-quality listening experience.

Offline Library

Both services allow users to download content for offline listening. Subscribers are free to create their offline playlist which they can consume even without the internet.

However, YouTube Premium users can take advantage of this feature. Subscribers can download more than music tracks. For instance, other videos can be downloaded on a higher resolution as free YouTube offers only up to 360p for downloaded files. Some videos are also only downloadable for Premium subscribers.

Subscription Price

Both services offer different subscription tiers for their consumers. YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month for individuals while the family plan, which can cater to up to five members, only costs $22.99 per month. A student plan is also offered for $7.99 per month.

Spotify Premium currently costs $10.99 per month for individuals. The Duo plan is available for $14.99 while the Family plan, which handles up to six members, costs $16.99 per month. A student discount is also offered for $5.99 per month.

User Interface

YouTube users will have better familiarity with its Premium services as it is the same. The experience will be the only difference as the subscription will open a wide range of content.

As for Spotify, its app is fairly straightforward and intuitive, allowing users to explore different artists and creators. There are also hidden interactive features that add more to the experience.

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