Spotify vs YouTube Music: which Music streaming wins in 2026?
We tested Spotify and YouTube Music head-to-head on every criterion in our music streaming methodology. Here's the verdict.
Verdict
Spotify wins overall
Based on 5 music streaming criteria: Spotify wins 2, YouTube Music wins 0, 3 tied.
Spotify
Winner2
criteria won
YouTube Music
0
criteria won
Feature-by-feature
| Criterion | Spotify | YouTube Music | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual $/mo | 12.99 | 10.99 | Spotify |
| Family $/mo | 21.99 | 16.99 | Spotify |
| Lossless included | No (320 kbps lossy) | No (256 kbps AAC) | โ |
| Dolby Atmos / spatial | No | No | โ |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes (ad-supported) | โ |
Total cost of ownership
| Horizon | Spotify | YouTube Music | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months | $156 | $132 | YouTube Music |
| 24 months | $312 | $264 | YouTube Music |