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YouTube Music Review
YouTube Music blends official tracks and albums with music videos, live performances, remixes, covers, podcasts, and a short-form Samples feed designed for rapid discovery, drawing on the broader YouTube ecosystem (what you can listen to). This breadth is its key differentiator versus audio‑only rivals.
YouTube reports that combined YouTube Premium and YouTube Music memberships surpassed 100 million worldwide (including trials). That was last officially disclosed in February 2024; as of November 2025 there has been no newer official update (Reuters). Note that this figure combines two products and includes users on free trials, so it is not directly comparable to single‑product, paid‑only counts from some competitors.
YouTube Music is available on the web and in Android/iOS apps, with tight integration across Google surfaces including Nest speakers and displays, Android Auto, and Wear OS for on‑device downloads and playback. Premium features are also included within the broader YouTube Premium bundle (learn about YouTube Premium).
YouTube Music Packages Compared
| YouTube Music Free | YouTube Music Premium | YouTube Music Family | YouTube Music Student | |
| Price | Free | $10.99/mo. (Individual, US) | Available; pricing varies by region (see official page) | Available to eligible students (see official page) |
| Free trial length | Always available (ad‑supported) | Varies by offer | Varies by offer | Varies by offer |
| Song skipping available | Unlimited with ads | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
How We Evaluated YouTube Music
We focused on factors most buyers compare across services: pricing, discovery features, catalog scope, device integration, trial availability, and audio quality (including whether lossless or spatial/immersive formats are offered). YouTube Music differentiates with native music videos, live programming, and short‑form discovery via Samples, plus podcasts and creator content from the YouTube ecosystem (content overview).
For audio fidelity, YouTube Music streams up to 256 kbps AAC and does not offer a lossless tier (quality settings). By contrast, Apple and Amazon include lossless up to 24‑bit/192 kHz at no extra cost (Apple Lossless; Amazon HD/Ultra HD), and Spotify’s base Premium tops out at 320 kbps with a paid lossless add‑on rolling out in select markets (audio quality; lossless add‑on).
YouTube Music vs. Other Music Streaming Services
| YouTube Music Premium | Amazon Music Unlimited | Apple Music | Deezer | Spotify | |
| Premium starting monthly price | $10.99/mo. | $10.99–$11.99/mo. | $10.99/mo. | Varies by plan | $11.99/mo. |
| Free trial length | Varies by offer | Varies by offer | Varies by offer | Varies by offer | Varies by offer |
| Highest sound quality | Up to 256 kbps AAC (no lossless tier) | Lossless up to 24‑bit/192 kHz (HD/Ultra HD included) | Lossless up to 24‑bit/192 kHz (ALAC) | Lossless (CD‑quality FLAC) | Up to 320 kbps (lossy); lossless via add‑on in select markets (details, news) |
| Number of songs | 80 million+ official songs (source) | Not disclosed | 100 million+ (source) | Not disclosed | 100 million+ (source) |
| Number of subscribers | 100 million (combined Premium + Music; includes trials; last official Feb 2024) (YouTube, Reuters) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed here (competitors typically report paid‑only, single‑product figures) |
Key YouTube Music Considerations
A visual alternative
Unlike most audio‑only apps, YouTube Music natively supports music videos and creator content alongside official tracks, remixes, and live recordings (content overview). The TikTok‑style Samples feed provides short, auto‑playing previews with one‑tap actions to save, queue, or start a radio—reducing the friction from “preview” to “add.”
Live performance videos
YouTube continues to invest in tentpole livestreams and feature depth. Coachella 2025 streamed globally on YouTube with multiple stage feeds, multiview on TVs, real‑time chat, and integrated merch/artist storefronts (details), reflecting a maturing live‑music experience that complements YouTube Music’s catalog.
User experience and custom recommendations
Personalization starts by selecting favorite artists/genres and builds through likes and listening history. Auto‑updated personalized mixes (e.g., Discover Mix, New Release Mix, Supermix) surface relevant new and familiar tracks on a rolling basis (mixes). You can also start a station from any song or artist to explore adjacent catalogs (Start radio), and playback persists as you browse with minimized video/audio continuity.
Cross‑device access is straightforward across Google surfaces—Nest speakers/displays (set defaults), Android Auto (in‑car controls), and Wear OS (on‑watch downloads)—and Premium benefits are also available via the YouTube Premium bundle (overview).
New music discovery
YouTube Music aligns with industry trends that emphasize short‑form previews and algorithmic personalization. The Samples feed and seeded radios (Start radio) work alongside personalized mixes (Discover/New Release) to surface new artists. Global research indicates short‑form/social platforms are major discovery channels, particularly for younger listeners (IFPI 2024; Luminate/Billboard). Competitors are adding AI controls—e.g., Spotify’s AI Playlists and AI DJ—which illustrate where YouTube Music could further expand user steerability.
Comprehensive free service
The ad‑supported free tier lets you build libraries and playlists and play full albums with interruptions. If fidelity is a priority, note that YouTube Music tops out at 256 kbps AAC and does not offer lossless or a spatial/immersive music catalog (quality settings). By comparison, Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited include lossless up to 24‑bit/192 kHz and widely support Dolby Atmos/Spatial Audio on compatible devices (Apple Lossless/Spatial; Amazon HD/Ultra HD; Dolby Atmos Music).
The Bottom Line
YouTube Music is compelling if you value video‑native music listening, creator content, and seamless integration across Google devices and services (Nest; Android Auto; Wear OS). YouTube reports 100 million combined Premium + Music memberships including trials (last official update Feb 2024), underscoring strong momentum.
Trade‑offs: the last on‑record catalog size is 80 million+ official songs (source)—with added breadth from videos, remixes, and live content—but there’s no lossless or Atmos/Spatial tier (quality). If you prioritize maximum audio fidelity at the base price, Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited are stronger fits; if you want best‑in‑class discovery/social features, Spotify remains excellent (lossless via add‑on in select markets). For listeners who also watch a lot of YouTube, bundling YouTube Music within YouTube Premium can deliver standout overall value.
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