THE BETTER MUSIC PLATFORM: SPOTIFY, APPLE MUSIC OR YOUTUBE MUSIC

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I’ve had days when nothing felt right—until I hit play on a song. Suddenly, the music wraps around me like a blanket, and for a moment, everything makes sense. Whether I’m happy, sad, or somewhere in between, there’s always a song that speaks my mood. Music has this magic—no matter what, it’s always there, offering solace when words can’t.

Nowadays, Music has become such an essential part of our lives that most of us can't go a day or a minute without listening to music. It has become such a vital part of our lives. With the incorporation of music streaming platforms in our digitized world, music has become easier to reach and listen to. 

    Gone are those days when as a little girl, if I wanted to listen to music, I would have to tune to Channels 321-325 on DSTV, or wait for radio stations' music programs, or even download music from websites. Those were good times for real.

    With streaming platforms making access easier than ever, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. The three of the biggest contenders—Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music—offer unique features that attend to people's different listening habits. While personal preference plays a major role in choosing a streaming service, factors such as music discovery, sound quality, pricing, and user experience can help determine the best overall platform. And while all three are great options, one platform stands out as the best overall. Let's find which one it is, shall we?

   Let's start with Apple Music.

For listeners who care about high-quality audio, Apple Music stands out as the best choice. It offers lossless audio and spatial sound, this means that it preserves all the original details of a song and lets you experience music in a surreal form, as if the sound is coming from all around you, rather than just from your headphones or speakers. This is a major advantage for those using high-end headphones or sound systems. Apple Music also has some social features, such as the ability to follow friends and view their playlists

    Beyond sound quality, Apple Music stands out for its carefully curated content and exclusives. Unlike platforms that rely heavily on algorithms, Apple Music offers handpicked playlists crafted by music experts. This human touch ensures that the playlists feel intentional and well thought out, rather than just automated selections. Additionally, Apple Music often secures exclusive album releases, giving subscribers early access to new music before it appears elsewhere. For fans who love being the first to hear new tracks, this is a major advantage.

     Apple Music doesn't have the offer of free tier, so there's no chance for ads but also limits its usage by others.

     Next is, Youtube Music

YouTube Music has unique offers of a combination of music, video content, and personalized recommendations. One of its biggest strengths is its collaboration with YouTube. It gives users access to not just official songs but also music videos, live performances, remixes, covers, and fan-made content. This makes it the best platform for those who love discovering rare or alternative versions of their favorite tracks. This is something that traditional streaming services don’t offer.

    Another one of its strengths is its recommendation system. Because it pulls data from both YouTube and YouTube Music, its algorithm understands listening habits better than most streaming platforms. It suggests new songs based on search history, watch history, and even liked videos, making discovery feel intuitive and engaging. 

   I remember when I started with my music streaming journey, YouTube Music was my automatic go-to. I preferred it to others because of how effective its recommendations can be.

      YouTube Music’s free tier is one of the most generous but its downside is that the free tier doesn’t allow background play, meaning the app must stay open for continuous listening. One of its most frustrating qualities.

     One of the biggest advantages of a streaming platform is its ability to introduce users to new music. Here, Spotify takes the lead with its powerful AI-driven recommendation system.

One of its biggest strengths is its music discovery system, which is second to none. Features like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mixes create playlists tailored specifically to each user’s taste, introducing them to new music effortlessly. Unlike Apple Music, which relies more on curated playlists, or YouTube Music, which leans on video trends, Spotify’s algorithm feels like it truly understands what you love to listen to—even before you do. This I can testify to. 

      Another standout feature is Spotify’s free tier, which is the best among streaming platforms. Unlike Apple Music, which requires a paid subscription, and YouTube Music, which doesn’t allow background play on its free version, Spotify offers unlimited access to its vast music library, even with its ads. This makes it the most accessible option for users who want quality music streaming without a financial commitment. The platform also offers mood-based and activity-focused playlists, ensuring that users always have music that fits their moment.

     Also, Spotify makes it easy to follow friends, see what they’re listening to, share songs, and even collaborate on playlists. The real-time listening feature, Spotify Blend, lets users merge their tastes into one playlist, creating a fun and interactive way to enjoy music together.

    When it comes to user experience and accessibility, Spotify’s interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Whether you’re using the mobile app, desktop version, or web player, everything flows smoothly. The transition between devices is effortless, and with features like Spotify Connect, users can switch between speakers, phones, and smart devices without interruption. While Apple Music integrates well within the Apple ecosystem, it doesn’t match Spotify’s cross-platform flexibility, which works equally well on iOS, Android, Windows, and smart TVs.

    Spotify isn’t just a music streaming platform, it is a personalized, ever-evolving musical companion that keeps you engaged, introduces you to incredible new artists, and makes sharing music with friends effortless. I remember once upon a time I didn't want to even participate in the hype of Spotify, I became a hater for no reason. Then I saw everyone participating in the Spotify Wrapped and I wanted to have mine so bad. So I used it and now I've been addicted ever since. Now, I can’t imagine my music experience without it. For anyone who truly loves music, Spotify isn’t just the best choice, it’s the only choice.