Confused about YouTube's music offerings and how they compare to Spotify? This comprehensive comparison breaks down YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and Spotify Premium to help you choose the best service for your needs.
The Services Explained
YouTube Premium ($13.99/month)
The full package: ad-free YouTube videos, background play, offline downloads, AND YouTube Music Premium included.
YouTube Music Premium ($10.99/month)
Standalone music streaming. Like Spotify but with music videos and YouTube's massive library of covers, live performances, and remixes.
Spotify Premium ($10.99/month)
The most popular music streaming service. 100M+ songs, excellent discovery algorithm, podcasts included.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | YouTube Premium | YouTube Music | Spotify Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $13.99 | $10.99 | $10.99 |
| Ad-free videos | ✅ | ❌ | N/A |
| Music streaming | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Music videos | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Offline downloads | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Podcasts | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audio quality | 256 kbps | 256 kbps | 320 kbps |
| HiFi/Lossless | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (HiFi tier) |
| Discovery algorithm | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Library size | 100M+ | 100M+ | 100M+ |
When to Choose YouTube Premium
- You watch a lot of YouTube videos
- You want ONE subscription for videos AND music
- You value music videos and live performances
- You want to support creators directly
When to Choose YouTube Music
- You're already in Google's ecosystem
- You want access to remixes, covers, and live versions
- You prefer the YouTube Music interface
- You don't watch much YouTube video content
When to Choose Spotify
- Music discovery is important to you
- You want the best audio quality (320 kbps / HiFi)
- You love curated playlists (Discover Weekly, etc.)
- You use it for podcasts too
- You share playlists with friends who use Spotify
🎯 Our Verdict
For video + music: YouTube Premium gives the most value.
For music only: Spotify Premium has better discovery and audio quality.
For budget: Use Mod APKs to get both free.
The Free Alternative
Both YouTube and Spotify have excellent Mod APKs available that unlock premium features for free. You can enjoy ad-free music on both platforms without paying anything.