Comparison · Music streaming
Spotify or Apple Music: which one to pay for in India
On price alone, Apple Music and Spotify are neck and neck in India: Apple Music Individual costs ₹139 a month and Spotify Premium Standard costs ₹139 a month, with student plans at ₹69 and ₹69. The real differences are elsewhere. Apple includes lossless and Dolby Atmos audio in every plan and has a six-person family plan. Spotify keeps a free tier, sells a yearly prepaid plan, and has replaced its old Duo and Family plans with Premium Platinum for up to three people at one address. This comparison covers plans, sound quality, cost per person and the apps themselves, so you can pick once and stop switching.
- Apple Music
- ₹139/month
- Spotify Standard
- ₹139/month
- Lossless audio
- Apple: all plans
Apple Music plans on Subspace right now
| Plan | Price | Members | Per member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Plan | ₹59 | — | — |
| Individual Plan | ₹119 | — | — |
| Family Plan | ₹179 | — | — |
| Apple Music | ₹699 | — | — |
Join an existing group or start your own on the Apple Music groups page.
Spotify plans on Subspace right now
| Plan | Price | Members | Per member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Plan - 1 Day | ₹7 | — | — |
| Mini Plan - 1 Week | ₹25 | — | — |
| Platinum ( Monthly ) | ₹120 | — | — |
| Individual Plan - 1 Month | ₹129 | — | — |
| 2 Months Family plan | ₹179 | — | — |
| Family Plan - 1 Month | ₹199 | — | — |
| Spotify Platinum | ₹300 | — | — |
| Individual Plan - 3 Months | ₹389 | — | — |
Join an existing group or start your own on the Spotify groups page.
Plans and prices in India
Spotify in India now lists only three Premium plans: Standard, Platinum and Student. Duo, Family, Mini and Lite are gone. Apple Music has Individual, Student and Family, each with a free first month for new subscribers.
| Plan type | Apple Music | Spotify |
|---|---|---|
| Single account | Individual, ₹139/month | Premium Standard, ₹139/month |
| Pay for a year upfront | Not listed on apple.com/in | ₹1,390 prepaid, no auto-renew |
| Student | ₹69/month, verification needed | ₹69/month, verification needed |
| Several people | Family, ₹229/month, you + up to 5 via Family Sharing | Platinum, ₹299/month, up to 3 accounts at one address |
| Lossless audio | Included in every plan | Platinum only |
| Free tier | No | Yes, with ads and limits |
| New-subscriber offer | First month free | Intro offer for people who never had Premium |
Sound quality: Apple Music vs Spotify
Apple Music streams lossless audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz on every plan, and Hi-Res Lossless up to 24-bit/192 kHz if you connect an external DAC. Many tracks are also mixed in Dolby Atmos spatial audio, which plays on recent iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TV 4K.
Spotify Standard and Student stream at up to about 320 kbps, which is compressed but very good. Lossless (up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz) is part of Premium Platinum only.
Before paying for lossless, check how you listen. Bluetooth earbuds compress audio again on the way to your ears, so most people can’t hear the difference on them. Lossless matters with wired headphones, a DAC or a good home speaker setup.
What each person pays per month
For one person the two are level. The gap opens up when you share: Apple’s Family plan covers six people for ₹229, while Spotify Platinum covers three for ₹299. Spotify’s yearly prepaid plan is the cheapest solo option if you’re happy to pay upfront.
Shared plans divided by the maximum number of people allowed. Yearly prepaid = ₹1,390 ÷ 12. Prices as of 12 Oct 2026.
| Apple Music Individual | ₹139 |
|---|---|
| Spotify Standard | ₹139 |
| Spotify Standard, yearly prepaid | ₹116 |
| Spotify Platinum ÷ 3 | ₹100 |
| Apple Music Family ÷ 6 | ₹38 |
| Student plans (both) | ₹69 |
Apps, devices and discovery
Spotify runs almost everywhere: Android, iPhone, web, smart TVs, speakers and consoles, and Spotify Connect lets you control playback across them. Its recommendations and podcast library are its biggest strengths. Platinum adds an AI DJ, AI playlist creation and DJ-software support.
Apple Music is at its best on an iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods or HomePod, but it also has a proper Android app on Google Play. Every plan includes Apple Music Classical and real-time lyrics through Apple Music Sing.
Both carry large Bollywood, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and international catalogues. Search for five artists you play most in each app’s free trial before committing.
Which one to choose
- iPhone user who cares about audio: Apple Music. Lossless and Atmos cost nothing extra.
- Android user, heavy podcast listener or wants a free fallback: Spotify.
- Family of four to six: Apple Music Family is the cheapest per head.
- Two or three people at one address who want lossless: Spotify Platinum.
- Students: both cost the same; pick on apps and catalogue.
You can also split a plan with others on Subspace: see the Apple Music groups and Spotify groups, or read Apple Music vs YouTube Music.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Spotify or Apple Music?
Apple Music is better for sound quality and family value: lossless and Dolby Atmos come with every plan, and Family covers six people for ₹229/month. Spotify is better for podcasts, device support, recommendations and having a free tier.
Apple Music vs Spotify sound quality: which sounds better?
Apple Music, on paper. It streams lossless up to 24-bit/48 kHz on all plans and Hi-Res up to 24-bit/192 kHz with a DAC. Spotify Standard tops out around 320 kbps; lossless needs Premium Platinum. On Bluetooth earbuds the difference is hard to hear.
Is Spotify Premium cheaper than Apple Music in India?
Monthly, they cost the same: ₹139 for Spotify Standard and ₹139 for Apple Music. Spotify’s yearly prepaid plan at ₹1,390 makes it slightly cheaper per month if you pay upfront.
Does Spotify still have a Family or Duo plan in India?
No. Spotify’s India page lists only Premium Standard, Platinum and Student. Platinum, at ₹299/month, covers up to three accounts at the same address.
Can I use Apple Music on Android?
Yes. Apple Music has an Android app on Google Play, and Apple Music Classical works on Android 6 or later.
Which one has a free version?
Only Spotify. Spotify Free plays music with ads and some playback limits. Apple Music has no free tier, just a free first month for new subscribers.
Ready? Join a group and split the cost
Apple Music costs ₹139/month and Spotify Premium Standard ₹139/month in India. Compare sound quality, family and student plans.
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Facts on this page were last checked on 2026-10-12. Prices and plans change; the final amount shows before you pay.