Spotify vs. Apple Music on CarPlay: A Comparison
When it comes to enjoying your favorite music while driving, both Spotify and Apple Music have emerged as two of the top contenders. However, when you add Apple CarPlay into the equation, the experience can take on a whole new dimension. CarPlay allows seamless integration of your smartphone with your car's infotainment system, making it easier than ever to listen to music, navigate, and even answer calls—all hands-free.
But with so many options, how do you decide between Spotify and Apple Music when it comes to CarPlay? In this article, we’ll compare these two music streaming giants based on key factors such as features, user experience, sound quality, and app performance on CarPlay.
What is CarPlay?
Before diving into the specifics of Spotify and Apple Music, let’s briefly understand what Apple CarPlay is and why it's so important.
Apple CarPlay is a system designed by Apple to bring your iPhone experience to your car's dashboard. It allows you to access maps, make calls, send messages, and listen to music via your car’s infotainment system. This integration makes driving safer and more convenient, as it minimizes the need to handle your phone while driving.
What is Spotify?
Spotify has revolutionized music streaming since its launch in 2008. As one of the leading music services worldwide, it offers users access to millions of songs, podcasts, and playlists. Spotify’s personalized recommendations, curated playlists, and ability to discover new music make it a fan favorite. With the free tier (ad-supported) and premium options, it offers flexibility for a wide range of listeners.
What is Apple Music?
Apple Music, launched in 2015, is Apple’s answer to music streaming. It provides users with access to over 70 million songs, curated playlists, radio stations, and more. Apple Music focuses heavily on integration with the Apple ecosystem, allowing users to sync their music across devices easily. With features like Apple Music 1 radio and exclusive content, Apple Music offers a robust and immersive experience.
Spotify on CarPlay: User Experience
When using Spotify on CarPlay, the app's interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. The large touch interface makes it simple to browse playlists, albums, and radio stations while on the road. Spotify also integrates well with voice control, so you can ask Siri to play a specific song, album, or playlist.
One of the standout features is the ability to switch between multiple playlists and genres seamlessly. Spotify’s interface is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring you can access your music with minimal distraction. Whether you're driving on highways or stuck in traffic, Spotify’s clean interface ensures you can enjoy music without the hassle.
Apple Music on CarPlay: User Experience
Apple Music’s experience on CarPlay is equally impressive. It takes full advantage of the Apple ecosystem, allowing seamless integration with your iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices. The user interface is familiar to anyone who uses Apple products, offering easy access to your music library, playlists, and the curated "For You" section.
One of the key advantages of using Apple Music on CarPlay is its deep integration with Siri. Simply ask Siri to play a specific artist, album, or genre, and it will instantly start playing. The interface also offers suggestions based on your listening history, making the experience even more personalized.
Music Quality and Sound Experience
When it comes to music quality, both Spotify and Apple Music are top contenders, but there are some key differences.
✓ Spotify
The audio quality on Spotify depends on your subscription level. With Spotify Free, you get a lower bitrate of 160 kbps, while Spotify Premium offers up to 320 kbps. The quality is decent but may not be as rich or crisp as what you get with Apple Music.
✓ Apple Music
Apple Music offers a high-quality listening experience with a standard bitrate of 256 kbps for AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) files. Additionally, Apple Music also supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos for users with compatible devices, offering a more immersive experience with supported tracks.
While both platforms deliver solid sound quality, Apple Music may have the edge if you’re looking for a richer, more immersive experience.
User Interface and Ease of Use
Both Spotify and Apple Music offer sleek, easy-to-use interfaces on CarPlay, but there are some subtle differences.
✓ Spotify
The app has a clear and user-friendly design that focuses on functionality. With easy access to your playlists, recommendations, and the search feature, Spotify ensures you can quickly find what you want.
✓ Apple Music
Apple Music, being part of the Apple ecosystem, offers a more cohesive design across Apple devices. The app’s user interface feels intuitive, especially for users already familiar with Apple’s design language.
Both apps are easy to navigate on CarPlay, but Apple Music’s seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem can make it a smoother experience for Apple device users.
Music Library and Content Availability
When it comes to content availability, both services offer extensive libraries, but there are some differences in exclusivity and features.
✓ Spotify
Spotify offers over 70 million tracks, along with a vast selection of podcasts. Spotify is particularly known for its curated playlists, which make discovering new music easy. Spotify’s podcast library is also a big plus for users who enjoy both music and spoken-word content.
✓ Apple Music
Apple Music offers an equally impressive music catalog, boasting over 70 million songs. However, Apple Music also has exclusive content, including albums, documentaries, and radio shows that you won’t find on Spotify. Apple Music also integrates seamlessly with iTunes, so you can access your purchased songs from years ago.
While both platforms offer extensive libraries, Apple Music's exclusive content gives it a slight edge if you're after something unique.
Offline Listening Capabilities
Both Spotify and Apple Music allow you to download songs for offline listening, which is perfect for road trips or areas with poor network coverage.
✓ Spotify
With a Spotify Premium account, you can download up to 10,000 songs across five devices. The downloaded music is available for offline listening without using your mobile data.
✓ Apple Music
Apple Music also allows offline listening with a subscription. You can download music directly to your device for offline use. The library is available to sync across all your Apple devices, making it convenient for Apple ecosystem users.
In terms of offline capabilities, both services offer ample options for music lovers on the go.
Voice Control and Integration
Both platforms offer voice control through Siri, but Apple Music has the advantage here due to its deep integration with the Apple ecosystem
✓ Spotify
Spotify works with Siri, but the voice command features aren’t as smooth as Apple Music’s native integration. You can still ask Siri to play specific songs or playlists, but the results may not always be as precise as with Apple Music.
✓ Apple Music
Apple Music’s integration with Siri is seamless, allowing users to control playback, ask for specific songs, and even control other functions like volume and song skipping with ease. The voice control system is designed to work flawlessly within the Apple ecosystem.
Customization and Personalization
✓ Spotify
Spotify is well-known for its highly personalized recommendations, which are driven by algorithms that learn your listening habits. The "Discover Weekly" playlist and daily mixes are standout features for discovering new music.
✓ Apple Music
Apple Music also offers personalized recommendations, but it focuses more on curated playlists and human-driven selections. The "For You" section is tailored to your tastes, and Apple Music uses your listening history to recommend new tracks and albums.
Both services excel at personalization, but Spotify's algorithm-based recommendations are a bit more robust in terms of variety.
Pricing and Subscription Plans
When choosing between Spotify and Apple Music on CarPlay, pricing can be an important factor to consider.
✓ Spotify
Spotify offers a free tier (ad-supported) and a Premium subscription that costs $9.99 per month. The Premium tier provides additional features like offline listening, higher sound quality, and ad-free listening.
✓ Apple Music
Apple Music offers a similar pricing structure, with a $9.99 per month plan. Apple Music also provides family plans and discounts for students, making it an affordable option for many.
Both services offer competitive pricing, with similar subscription models. The price of monthly plans for both music streaming services may vary from country to country
Conclusion
When choosing between Spotify and Apple Music on CarPlay, the decision largely depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you value personalized recommendations and discoverability, Spotify might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and enjoy exclusive content, Apple Music could be the ideal option for you.
For a more comprehensive look at music apps for CarPlay, check out Apple CarPlay Best Audio Music Apps 2025 for more recommendations.
FAQs
1. Which app offers better sound quality on CarPlay, Spotify or Apple Music?
Apple Music offers higher-quality sound, particularly with its support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.
2. Can I use voice control with both Spotify and Apple Music on CarPlay?
Yes, both apps work with Siri, but Apple Music offers more seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem.
3. Is there a free version of Apple Music available?
Apple Music offers a free trial, but it requires a subscription for continued access to its full features.
4. Which app is better for discovering new music?
Spotify excels in discovering new music through personalized playlists and recommendations like "Discover Weekly."
5. Can I listen to music offline with both apps on CarPlay?
Yes, both Spotify and Apple Music allow you to download music for offline listening.