Apple Music — Apple's music streaming service with over 100 million songs and lossless/spatial audio, from $11.99/month.
By Noahlast updated pricing verified
Apple Music screenshots & video
Apple Music in 20 seconds
Best for: iPhone and Mac users who want music streaming integrated into their existing Apple devices
Pricing: From $6.99/month (Student) or $11.99/month (Individual); no permanent free tier, only a one-month trial.
- Apple Music Individual plan is $11.99/month with a first month free for new subscribers.
- Family plan is $19.99/month for up to six people; Student plan is $6.99/month and includes Apple TV+.
- Apple One bundles Apple Music with other Apple services starting at $19.95/month.
- There is no permanent free tier, only a one-month trial for new subscribers.
- Apple Music includes lossless and Spatial Audio streaming at no extra cost on every paid plan.
Limitations: No permanent free, ad-supported tier.; Windows and Android apps are less polished than the native Apple experience.; Recommendation algorithm is viewed by many switchers as less refined than Spotify's.
Top alternatives: Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer — full list
What is Apple Music?
Apple Music is Apple's streaming service, offering on-demand access to a large catalog alongside curated playlists, exclusive radio stations (Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, Apple Music Country), artist interview shows, and music videos. It supports lossless and Spatial Audio playback for subscribers with compatible hardware, and integrates directly with iOS, macOS, and the Apple TV app rather than requiring a separate music library manager. The Individual plan runs $11.99/month, with the first month free for new subscribers. The Family plan is $19.99/month and covers up to six people with individual listening profiles. The Student plan is discounted to $6.99/month and includes Apple TV+ access at no extra charge. Apple also offers Apple Music Radio, a limited free ad-supported radio experience without a subscription, and bundles the full service inside Apple One alongside iCloud+, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and other services starting at $19.95/month, which is typically cheaper than subscribing to each service separately.
Apple Music is Apple's on-demand music streaming service, bundling curated playlists, live radio stations, artist interviews, music videos, and Spatial Audio support for individuals, families, and students who want streaming built into the Apple ecosystem alongside iTunes-purchased libraries. The Individual plan is $11.99/month with a first month free for new subscribers, Family is $19.99/month covering up to six people, and Student is $6.99/month bundled with Apple TV+ at no extra cost; Apple One bundles Apple Music with other Apple services starting at $19.95/month. There is no permanent free tier, only the first-month trial. Apple Music runs on web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Standout feature: Lossless and Spatial Audio streaming included at no extra cost across every paid tier, rather than gated behind a premium add-on the way some competitors structure hi-fi audio.
Biggest weakness: No permanent free tier (only a one-month trial), and the experience on non-Apple platforms like Windows and Android is generally considered less polished than Apple's own apps or than Spotify's cross-platform experience.
Pros
- Lossless and Spatial Audio included free on every paid plan.
- Deep integration with iOS, macOS, and Apple TV, including Siri voice control and Apple Watch playback.
- Student plan bundles Apple TV+ at no additional cost.
- Apple One bundle can be cheaper than subscribing to Apple Music and other Apple services separately.
Cons
- No permanent free, ad-supported tier; only a one-month trial for new subscribers.
- Windows and Android apps are generally considered less polished than the native iOS/macOS experience.
- Family plan requires Apple's Family Sharing setup, which can be a barrier for households not otherwise in the Apple ecosystem.
- Playlist and recommendation algorithm is viewed by many switchers as less refined than Spotify's.
Apple Music pricing
From $6.99/mo · verified from the vendor's pricing page
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $11.99/mo | First month free for new subscribers; full catalog access, lossless and Spatial Audio. |
| Family | $19.99/mo | One month free for new subscribers; up to six people, individual profiles and recommendations. |
| Student | $6.99/mo | First month free for new subscribers; requires eligible student verification, includes Apple TV+ at no extra cost. |
| Apple One (bundle) | $19.95/mo | Bundles Apple Music with up to five other Apple services (Apple TV+, Arcade, Fitness+, News+, iCloud+); price varies by which services are included. |
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