4 key differences between Apple and Spotify lossless audio

Do you have it yet? Spotify recently announced that they’re adding lossless audio to their premium tier. Some users should see the in-app notification right now, letting you know the service is coming. Lossless audio is rolling out to over 50 countries over the coming months.

While Spotify is just now adding a lossless option via the FLAC file format, Apple Music added its ALAC lossless file format in 2021, alongside a feature Spotify still doesn’t offer. Let’s talk about that and more as we compare the costs and features of Spotify Premium against Apple Music.

4

Wallet wars

Let’s crunch some numbers

Let’s start with what is likely the most important factor in deciding which route to take: pricing. The difference between Apple Music and Spotify Premium breaks down like this:

Although Spotify offers more options, including an ad-supported free tier, Apple’s options are generally cheaper. That said, nothing beats free. That’s a moot point, though, because this is about a comparison of the services with a focus on lossless audio, which you’ll have to subscribe to Spotify Premium to access.

Some perks here are worth noting. With Apple, you can pay $19.99 for the Apple One individual bundle, which adds access to Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+, which gives greater value than any perks Spotify currently offers, but is only relevant if you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Apple Music is available on Android, and there are Android users who enjoy the service, according to comments on various forums. On the other hand, student subscribers to Spotify will get Hulu access included for their $5.99 a month.

3

Wins and lossless

Specs matter

Credit: Reddit

Who has the larger catalog? Which service sounds better? These are important questions to answer if you want your money’s worth. Both Apple and Spotify claim to have around 100 million songs, although Apple claims to have the largest streaming library available to consumers. If you’re on a metered cellular plan, you’ll need to be mindful of the amount of lossless audio you’re streaming.

Currently, Spotify’s “Very High” (320kbps), music setting uses around 0.144GB per hour, but when you get the green light to manually update your account for lossless, that figure will jump to around 1GB per hour. Sounds like a lot until you find out that Apple’s two different lossless formats consume roughly 2GB and 8GB per hour.

Which brings us to our next detail: audio quality. Spotify’s lossless audio goes up to 24-bit/44.1kHz, which is a little bit better than CD-quality (16-bit/44.1kHz). That will be good enough for the vast majority of listeners, but for those with discerning ears, both of Apple’s lossless options are higher quality. Apple’s standard lossless files are 24-bit/48kHz, and their Hi-Res Lossless files are a huge 24-bit/192kHz, so Apple is the audio quality winner here, by no small margin.

If you’re using Bluetooth earbuds or headphones, those differences won’t matter because of Bluetooth’s limitations. If you choose to invest in the proper gear to take advantage of having lossless audio file access, that is when those number differences may come into play. Once I have access to Spotify’s lossless, I’ll be A/B testing and writing up my review, so I’ll let you know what my thoughts are on the difference in quality at that time.

Both services allow for offline playback of music, which can serve as a workaround for the heavy data usage. Simply download your favorite playlists for offline playback when connected to WiFi to conserve your data, if you aren’t on an unlimited data plan. Even if you have an unlimited data plan, consider making a habit of downloading playlists, as your plan is only conditionally unlimited in most cases. For example, my carrier is T-Mobile in the United States, and I regularly get close to, or exceed, my 50GB of 5G data. Doing so kicks me into the lower-speed cellular connection until my next billing cycle starts.

2

Location, location, location

It’s all about access

Last up on this list, let’s talk access. Apple Music and Spotify are available on almost every operating system, mobile, and desktop device. Laptops, tablets, MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, etc. But one area where Spotify has Apple beat is its ability to connect to various streaming boxes and smart home speakers through a feature called Spotify Connect. It allows your streamer or smart speaker to connect directly to Spotify over WiFi.

Generally, you use your phone or other mobile device to control Spotify remotely, while the streamer or speaker itself connects directly to the service. I reviewed a BlueOS-compatible Bluesound Pulse 2i stereo hi-fidelity speaker, and the experience was transcendent. With a speaker like this that has built-in WiFi, you’re going to get the maximum benefit of lossless audio access because you’re not trying to push those large files from a phone or laptop to that speaker via something like the lower bandwidth Apple AirPlay or Google Cast technologies.

1

Dance to the beat…

Of your own drum

Credit: Spotify

Ultimately, the Spotify versus Apple lossless debate may come down to which service’s user experience you prefer. It’s long been known that Spotify’s recommendation algorithm is top-tier, though some say it’s declined a bit in recent years. Spotify also has strong social features, which Apple has also put some effort into developing, and other features like the often viral Spotify Wrapped that may be the deciding factor for you. In addition, Spotify offers audiobooks and podcasts accessible from a single app, whereas Apple’s music and podcast apps are separate.

Still, there are those who prefer Apple’s interface and curated playlists like “I Miss Golden Age Hip-Hop,” or live “radio” stations like Apple Music 1, so which service is better overall is really subjective, with no clear winner.

Do you have a favorite lossless service? Are you an Apple Music user who’s thinking about switching to Spotify now that lossless has been launched? Let us know in the comments below!