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Amazon Music vs. Apple Music
Apple Music delivers 100+ million songs with Lossless and Hi‑Res Lossless (up to 24‑bit/192 kHz ALAC) and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos included at no extra charge on supported devices. It’s tightly integrated across iPhone/iPad/Mac, Apple TV, HomePod, CarPlay, Android, and a fully supported web player. If you already use multiple Apple services, Apple One bundles can reduce the effective cost of Apple Music (Apple Music; About Lossless).
Amazon’s music offering spans two tiers: Amazon Music Prime (included with Prime) and Amazon Music Unlimited (full on‑demand). Prime’s included tier is largely shuffle-based with select on‑demand “All‑Access” playlists, while Unlimited unlocks complete on‑demand playback and premium audio (HD/Ultra HD and Spatial formats) across a 100+ million‑track catalog. Typical U.S. pricing: Unlimited Individual about $10.99/month for Prime members or $11.99 without Prime; Family commonly $17.99; Student $5.99. Alexa/Echo and Fire TV integrations are a core advantage (the music streaming industry; Amazon Music Unlimited; Amazon Prime).
Amazon Music Unlimited vs. Apple Music Overview
Amazon offers a budget Single‑Device plan that plays only on one Echo or Fire TV (about $5.99/month). To listen on multiple devices or outside that single device, upgrade to an Unlimited Individual plan (typically $10.99/month with Prime or $11.99 without). Apple Music’s Individual plan is $10.99/month, with Family and Student options available on both platforms (Amazon Music Unlimited; Apple Music).
Best value
For full on‑demand listening, Apple Music’s Individual plan is $10.99/month, while Amazon Music Unlimited is typically $10.99/month for Prime members or $11.99 without Prime. Family plans are $16.99 (Apple) versus about $17.99 (Amazon), and both offer Student plans at $5.99. Each service markets 100+ million tracks and includes lossless/hi‑res and Spatial/Atmos at no extra charge on supported hardware (Apple Music; Apple Lossless and Spatial; Amazon Music Unlimited).
Prime members get Amazon Music Prime included (shuffle‑heavy with select on‑demand All‑Access playlists) and pay less for Unlimited; broader Prime benefits are separate from music and priced via Amazon Prime. If you already use multiple Apple services, Apple One bundles can lower the effective cost of Apple Music. In short: Apple has the cheaper Family plan and deep Apple‑ecosystem integrations; Amazon offers a Prime‑friendly path and excellent Alexa/Echo value for households.
Mobile and desktop interfaces
Apple Music’s navigation centers on Listen Now (personalized mixes and picks), Browse, Radio, Library, and Search. Apple also provides a fully supported web player at music.apple.com with search, library, playlists, Apple Music Radio, and lyrics. Note that web playback streams in AAC 256 kbps; Lossless and Dolby Atmos aren’t supported on the web and require the Apple Music app on supported devices (own web player; Lossless details).
Amazon’s app uses a dark theme with Home/For You, Library, and voice controls via Alexa for hands‑free commands and discovery. Prime’s included tier emphasizes shuffle and personalized All‑Access playlists; Unlimited adds full on‑demand playback, HD/Ultra HD, and immersive formats on supported devices (Amazon Music Unlimited).
Both services are available on iOS and Android devices, with desktop apps and web players for broader access.
Music discovery
Apple surfaces personalized recommendations in Listen Now (e.g., New Music, Favorites, Chill, Get Up, and Friends mixes), plus a Discovery Station, Autoplay that extends your queue, artist/track stations, and extensive editorial playlists. Recommendations reflect your listening, favorites, and skips, with curation layered throughout (Apple Music user guide).
Amazon highlights personalized stations, mixes, and All‑Access playlists on Home/For You for quick starts; Alexa voice prompts also help explore similar artists, eras, or moods. Prime’s All‑Access playlists offer limited on‑demand within the included tier, while Unlimited provides full on‑demand control across the catalog (Amazon Music Unlimited; Amazon Prime).
Social sharing
Apple Music supports collaborative playlists systemwide (added in iOS 17.4) with emoji reactions on tracks, lyric sharing, and real‑time co‑listening via SharePlay in FaceTime or Messages (iOS 17.4 release notes; share lyrics). Amazon Music supports link sharing and unique voice‑driven sharing via Alexa—say “Alexa, share this song with [contact]”—and also participates in TikTok’s “Add to Music App” handoff so songs discovered on TikTok can be saved to Amazon Music (Alexa song sharing; TikTok Add to Music App).
The Bottom Line
Both services now deliver 100+ million tracks and include lossless/hi‑res and Spatial/Atmos on supported devices without an add‑on fee. Choose Apple Music if you want the cheapest Family plan and deep integration across Apple devices—potentially at a discount via Apple One. Choose Amazon Music Unlimited if your home revolves around Alexa/Echo or you want the Prime‑included tier for casual, mostly shuffle listening, with an upgrade path to full on‑demand. For device compatibility, see Amazon’s guidance for your favorite devices, and confirm current plan details on the official pages (Apple Music; Amazon Music Unlimited; Prime).
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