Apple Music
by Apple · Music & Audio · Streaming
Apple's music streaming service with lossless audio, Spatial Audio, and deep Apple ecosystem integration.
Quick Answer: Apple Music has a verified Real Score of 4.3/5 based on 102,000 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.6/5. Highly recommended by verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 102,000 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Apple Music's App Store rating is 0.3 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Lossless and Spatial Audio
- Deep Apple integration
- Large library
- No free tier ads
Common Complaints
- No free tier
- Discovery not as good as Spotify
- Android experience is lesser
- Social features limited
Verified Reviews (20)
Lossless audio is incredible
Listening to albums in lossless (ALAC) quality through good headphones reveals details you've never noticed. The sonic difference from Spotify's 320kbps is audible. Included at no extra cost.
Spatial Audio with AirPods is immersive
Dolby Atmos tracks through AirPods Pro create a 3D soundstage that's genuinely immersive. Music feels like it surrounds you. Once you hear it, regular stereo feels flat.
Apple ecosystem integration is seamless
Siri, HomePod, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods - Apple Music works perfectly with every Apple device. "Hey Siri, play my favorites" just works. The ecosystem integration is unmatched.
Discovery doesn't match Spotify
Apple Music suggests music but it doesn't have Spotify's uncanny ability to find exactly what you'll love. Discovery is Apple Music's biggest weakness. The algorithm needs work.
Library size is on par with Spotify
100+ million songs with constant additions. Most artists and albums available on Spotify are on Apple Music too. The catalog gap that existed years ago has closed.
Classical Music app is a separate win
Apple Music Classical is a separate dedicated app for classical music with proper metadata (conductor, orchestra, soloist). For classical fans, this attention to the genre is unmatched.
Android app is second-class
The Apple Music Android app works but doesn't match the iOS experience. Slower, less reliable, and missing some features. If you're on Android, Spotify or YouTube Music are better choices.
Radio stations are well-curated
Apple Music 1 and genre-specific radio stations with human DJs provide curated listening that algorithms can't replicate. Zane Lowe's show still breaks new artists. Human curation matters.
Lyrics view is beautiful
The real-time lyrics display with animated text that highlights as the song plays is visually stunning. The implementation is the best in any music app. Lyrics feel like part of the experience.
iCloud Music Library syncs your own music
Uploading your own music files and having them available on all devices through iCloud is valuable. For music not on streaming (rare tracks, bootlegs), this fills the gap.
No free tier means no trial without commitment
Spotify lets you use the free tier forever. Apple Music has a trial then requires payment. This barrier means fewer people try it. A limited free tier would help adoption.
Best for Hi-Fi audio
Lossless (up to 24-bit/192kHz), Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos - all included in the standard subscription. For audio quality, Apple Music is objectively the best value in streaming.
SharePlay for listening together
Listening to music simultaneously with friends through SharePlay during FaceTime is social listening done right. Reacting to songs together in real-time creates shared experiences.
Sing mode with vocal isolation
The karaoke mode that isolates and reduces vocals while showing lyrics is perfect for singing along. Real-time vocal isolation technology that actually works. Fun feature.
Playlist creation is less intuitive
Creating and managing playlists in Apple Music is more cumbersome than Spotify. The playlist management UX needs improvement. Spotify makes playlist creation frictionless by comparison.
$6 student plan is great value
Apple Music student plan at $6/month includes Apple TV+ subscription. For students, getting music streaming plus streaming TV for $6 is exceptional value.
Music Videos are included
Apple Music includes music videos as part of the subscription. No switching to YouTube for the video version. The video integration within the music experience is clean.
Artist profiles are informative
Artist pages with bios, discography, similar artists, and editorial playlists provide context beyond just the music. Understanding the artist enhances the listening experience.
Apple One bundle makes it affordable
Apple One with Music, TV+, Arcade, iCloud, and Fitness+ at $17/month makes each individual service cheap. If you use multiple Apple services, the bundle is compelling.
The audiophile's streaming choice
If audio quality is your priority, Apple Music is the clear choice. Lossless audio at no extra cost, Spatial Audio for supported tracks, and no compressed streaming tiers. Quality-first approach.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026