Spotify vs YouTube Music comparison
The starting price is the same for both. Compare the conditions in the table below.
Spotify and YouTube Music compared side by side in Music streaming.
Spotify
World's No. 1 music streaming service. Strengths are ad-supported free listening and recommended playlists
What is good
- Free listening with ads
- Lossless sound included in Premium at no extra charge
- Student plan is cheap at ₩6,600
What could be better
- No Family plan in Korea
- Basic cannot save for offline
YouTube Music
Music app included in YouTube Premium. Offers official tracks plus covers and live videos
What is good
- One YouTube Premium subscription covers ad-free video and music
- Tracks only on YouTube, such as covers and live versions
- Recommendations based on YouTube watch history
What could be better
- No family or student plan in Korea
- Up to 256kbps, no lossless
At a glance
Highlighted rows are where they differ.
| Item | SpotifyVisit site | YouTube MusicVisit site |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ≈$9.03+ (₩11,990)Official price | ≈$9.03+ (₩11,990)Official price |
| Free tier | Free plan available | Paid only |
| Lossless audio | Supported | Not supported |
| Best quality | Lossless FLAC up to 24bit/44.1kHz (Premium, excluding Basic) / Free up to about 160kbps | Up to 256kbps (AAC/Opus), no lossless |
| Offline playback | Some plans only | Supported |
| Family plan | None | None |
| Family plan details | No Family plan in Korea. Duo for 2 people at the same address is ₩17,985 | Family plan not available in Korea (official customer center). No student plan either |
| Korean music | Average. Kakao Entertainment tracks were missing at the 2021 launch but were restored in March of the same year. Domestic chart features are weak | Strong (estimated). Besides official tracks, has many tracks not found in other apps, such as music videos, covers, live versions and fan videos. Contract status with Korean distributors could not be confirmed officially |
| Number of tracks | More than 100 million tracks (official) | About 100 million tracks (2022 outside report, no latest official figure) |
| Good for |
| People who watch a lot of YouTube (YouTube Premium at ₩14,900 covers video and music at once) |
| Type | Music streaming | Music streaming |
| Company | Spotify, Sweden | Google(YouTube), United States |
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Prices and benefits may change. Check the official site before you pay.
Prices converted at 1 USD = ₩1,327.84 (2026-10-20). Original price shown in brackets. Taxes as listed by each provider.