In today’s world, music streaming services have become an integral part of our daily lives. Two giants in this industry are Spotify and Google Play Music. Both platforms offer users the ability to listen, share, and download songs, music clips, and podcasts. The question is, which one should you choose? In this article, we’ll delve into the differences between these two music streaming services, Google Play Music vs Spotify to help you make an informed decision.
Google Play Music vs Spotify
Compatibility
Google Play Music is a web-based podcast and music streaming service, available on various devices including Android, iPhone, iPad, Google Home, Chromecast, Android TV, Google smartwatch, and computers. However, it limits authorizations to 10 devices, allowing you to download music for offline listening.
On the other hand, Spotify is a versatile music streaming and media services provider available on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, game consoles, and smartwatches. It’s limited to 5 devices.
Pricing and Library Uploads
Both Google Play Music and Spotify offer free features, including the ability to store and stream a substantial number of songs. Google Play Music’s free service allows users to store and stream up to 50,000 songs, discover and subscribe to podcasts, and receive song recommendations. For ad-free listening and more song options, you can subscribe for $9.99/month, $14.99/month for a family plan, or free with YouTube Premium, which offers a 30-day free trial.
Similarly, Spotify provides free features, allowing users to create and share playlists. Subscription options include $9.99/month for an individual plan, $14.99/month for a family plan, and $4.99/month for students, including Hulu and Showtime. Spotify also offers a 3-month free trial.
Related Search: Spotify Free vs Premium
Sound Quality
Google Play Music offers excellent sound quality, supporting audio quality up to 320 kbps on both subscribed and uploaded music. In contrast, Spotify’s default streaming quality is 160 kbps, but with a premium subscription, you can enable 320 kbps streaming. Notably, Spotify doesn’t support WAV files or uncompressed audio.
Social Sharing
When it comes to social sharing, Spotify takes the lead. It allows users to share music on various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or send music directly to other Spotify users. In contrast, Google Play Music lacks support for social sharing.
Offline Playback of Music
Google Play Music supports offline playback, offering an extensive range of playlists to download and play offline. Moreover, it comes bundled with YouTube Premium, providing access to more music clips. In contrast, Spotify users must purchase a premium plan to listen to music offline.
Related Search: The Ultimate Guide to Downloading Music from Spotify
Availability Factor
Google Play Music’s official subscription is available in selected territories and regions, limiting accessibility for some users. In contrast, Spotify is available worldwide, making it the winner in this category.
Discovering Music
Both platforms offer impressive ways to discover new music. Google Play Music displays top charts, press releases, new album releases, music stations, artist searches, and more. Spotify also excels in music discovery, making them competitive in this aspect.
Best Features
While both platforms have their unique offerings, Spotify boasts a developer portal, whereas Google Play Music supports unofficial APIs and podcasts. The choice ultimately depends on your preferences and needs.
Money Matters
Google Play Music’s pricing is quite affordable, with a single account subscription at around $9 and a family plan at $14. In contrast, Spotify provides its premium support for $9, but the free account offers limited features, primarily shuffle play.
Trial Periods
Spotify offers a generous three-month free trial, allowing users to explore the application thoroughly. Even after the trial ends, you can still listen to music with some limitations, such as shuffle play and ads between songs. Google Play Music, however, offers a shorter 30-day trial, followed by an ad-supported radio.
Music Library Size
Both Spotify and Google Play Music provide access to an extensive library of over 40 million songs and podcasts. Google Play Music takes a lead by allowing users to upload up to 50,000 songs, whereas Spotify’s limit is 10,000 songs.
Music Quality
Both platforms offer a sound quality of 320 kbps, ensuring a high-quality listening experience.
Design and Interfaces
Google Play Music’s interface follows Google’s design standards, offering an intuitive and user-friendly experience. However, on many new Android devices, Google Play Music has been replaced by YouTube Music, which provides a similar experience.
Spotify, on the other hand, offers a more mature app with additional features. Its dark-themed design is visually appealing, but preferences may vary.
Conclusion
The choice between Google Play Music and Spotify depends on your personal preferences, usage, and location. Both platforms have their strengths and unique features, making them valuable options in the world of music streaming.
If you’d like to explore further details, you can visit the official websites of Google Play Music and Spotify.
FAQs
Ques. Which music streaming service has a larger music library, Google Play Music, or Spotify?
Ans. Google Play Music offers a larger music library, allowing users to upload up to 50,000 songs.
Ques. What is the sound quality of music on Google Play Music and Spotify?
Ans. Both platforms offer a sound quality of 320 kbps, providing a high-quality listening experience.
Ques. Are there any social sharing features on Google Play Music and Spotify?
Ans. Spotify excels in social sharing, allowing users to share music on various social media platforms. Google Play Music lacks support for social sharing.
Ques. Can I use Google Play Music and Spotify for free?
Ans. Both platforms offer free features, but for an ad-free and enhanced experience, you can subscribe to premium plans.
Ques. How many devices can I authorise on Google Play Music and Spotify?
Ans. Google Play Music allows up to 10 authorised devices, while Spotify permits up to 5 devices.
