In this era of music streaming services, a plethora of platforms have been created to give users access to unlimited music on the go. Top companies like Apple, Amazon and Google have their own dedicated platforms for music but one player has been on top of the rest for several years now — Spotify.

According to data from Spotify, they are world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with more than 640 million users, including 252 million subscribers in more than 180 markets. While Spotify (launced in 2008) currently dominates the music space, Google’s YouTube Music, created in 2015 is opportunistically going to become the next big thing — the signs are there already.

Both Spotify and YouTube Music Premium offer enticing features, but the later argueably stands out currently as the better choice for many users. If you’ve been weighing your options, here are seven compelling reasons why YouTube Premium might be worth your switch.

Wider Library, Exclusive Content

Capitalizing on its direct connection to Youtube and Google’s age-long database, YouTube Music Premium includes a vast library of user-uploaded content, live performances, remixes, and covers, which are often unavailable on Spotify. This makes it a treasure trove for consumers who love to listen to particular versions, especially live performaces, not found anywhere else but on Youtube.

Seamless Music and Video Integration

Ever wanted to watch a music video and then switch to just the audio without missing a beat? YouTube Premium allows you to do just that. The platform seamlessly integrates YouTube Music with its vast library of videos, making it easy to switch between formats.

Spotify, on the other hand, focuses solely on audio, which can feel limiting if you’re someone who enjoys visual content alongside your music.

Better Music Recommendation

Thanks to YouTube’s powerful recommendation algorithms and a vast database, YouTube Music Premium excels in suggesting new artists, songs, and niche content tailored to user preferences. Spotify’s algorithm is pretty solid too but recently users have found Youtube Music’s to edge slightly better down to the fact that it dosen’t box users in a repetitive cycle.

Additionally, when you play songs from (Searching/Speed dial/Quick picks/Trending in shorts), the app brings up a different now playing screen where you can change the playlist recommendaton algorithm. In the above screen, you can see options like “Familiar”, “Discover”, “Popular”, “Deep cuts” etc. These things are provided to help you explore your music taste and does indeed make the app more exciting.

Better Audio Quality Experience

When you switch listening from Spotify to Youtube Music, the first thing you notice is the difference in audio quality. Songs are clearer, louder and have more bass quality on Youtube Music. Spotify’s highest quality setting streams at 320kbps, while YouTube Music’s maxes out at 256kbps yet when you play songs at the same set volume, Youtube music’s quality comes out better —there is a noticeable difference.

Here’s what one reddit user had to say on the observable audio difference:

Comment
byu/hollchri325 from discussion
inspotify

In practical use, youtube music slightly sounds better.

Value for Money — Youtube Better

Let’s talk about the cost; Both services are generally similar in pricing for individual plans ($9.99–$10.99/month), Spotify tends to have slightly more affordable family plans ($16.99 vs. $14.99 for YouTube Music). YouTube Premium’s pricing might seem a bit steep at first glance but when you consider all it offers —ad-free videos, YouTube Music, exclusive content, background playback, and offline downloads— it’s clear that you’re getting a lot for your money.

Spotify Premium is slightly cheaper but only covers music and podcasts. For those who want a comprehensive entertainment package, YouTube Premium offers more bang for your buck.

Conclusion

While Spotify remains a fantastic platform for music lovers, YouTube Premium takes the crown for its all-encompassing features. From ad-free experiences to exclusive content and seamless integration between music and video, it’s a subscription that offers unmatched versatility and value.

If you’re ready to switch, give YouTube Premium a try today and see for yourself.