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India Today
05-08-2025
- Business
- India Today
Spotify vs YouTube Music and Apple Music: Top features, India prices, everything else compared
Spotify remains a strong option for its mix of features YouTube Music, on the other hand, offers great value for the price Apple Music is appealing for those in the Apple ecosystem If you enjoy streaming music in India, chances are you've looked at Spotify, YouTube Music, or Apple Music at some point. All three services offer huge song libraries, ad-free listening on paid plans, and features like offline playback. But there are important differences in pricing, features, and what you actually get for your money. Spotify has recently increased its subscription prices in India for the first time since launching in 2019, while YouTube Music continues to offer one of the most affordable premium plans, and Apple Music packs in lossless audio and spatial sound for the same price as its rivals. If you're wondering which one is right for you, here's a breakdown of each service in detail. Spotify: Top features and pricing Spotify Premium in India now costs Rs 139 per month for the Individual plan, Rs 179 for Duo, Rs 229 for Family, and Rs 69 for Student. This is a bump from the earlier prices of Rs 119, Rs 149, Rs 179, and Rs 59, respectively. Spotify says the increase is due to rising costs and is part of a global price adjustment. Despite the change, Spotify remains a strong option for its mix of features. Premium subscribers get ad-free music, offline downloads, and higher-quality audio than the free version. The app also learns your taste over time, offering highly personalised recommendations and curated playlists. Features like 'Concerts Near You' and 'Upcoming Releases' make it easy to stay connected with your favourite artists, while the 'Music Following Feed' gives updates from musicians you follow. Whether you go for the Individual, Duo, Family, or Student plan, the core experience remains smooth and focused on discovery. YouTube Music: Top features and pricing YouTube Music is available for free with ads, but its Premium version removes interruptions and adds background playback and offline downloads. It's priced at Rs 99 per month, making it cheaper than Spotify's Individual plan. You can also get YouTube Premium for Rs 129 per month, which includes all the YouTube Music Premium features plus ad-free videos, background playback, and offline viewing for YouTube itself. There are family plans too â€' Rs 149 for Music Premium and Rs 189 for YouTube Premium, covering up to six members. Key features of YouTube Music include personalised mixes, curated playlists, an audio-only mode to save data, and the ability to switch between audio and video versions of a song. It's especially appealing if you already watch a lot of YouTube content, as the Premium bundle offers more value. Apple Music: Top features and pricing Apple Music keeps things simple with three plans: Rs 99 per month for Individual, Rs 149 for Family (up to six accounts), and Rs 49 for Student. It offers over 100 million songs, thousands of playlists, and exclusive content, all ad-free. Standout features include Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for an immersive soundstage, Lossless Audio for the highest fidelity, and real-time lyrics. Apple Music also includes a dedicated classical music app, Apple Music Classical, for those with a taste for orchestral works, plus Apple Music Sing for karaoke-style sessions. Integration with Siri makes it easy to control playback hands-free, and features like Crossfade and AutoPlay keep the music flowing without awkward pauses. Which one is right for you? Ultimately, the best choice is the one that fits your lifestyle. Each service has its strengths, so your choice really depends on your listening habits and priorities. If you love discovering new music and want playlists that feel tailor-made for you, Spotify's recommendation system is hard to beat. It's also ideal if you follow artists closely and like staying updated on their latest releases or upcoming concerts. YouTube Music, on the other hand, offers great value for the price, especially if you already spend time watching videos on YouTube. The Premium bundle essentially gives you two services in one, making it a solid pick for those who want both music and video benefits. Apple Music is the clear winner for those who care about audio quality above all else, thanks to Lossless and Spatial Audio support. It's also appealing if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, with seamless integration across devices and Siri voice control. If you have a family or share with friends, its Family plan is competitively priced and generous in features. If you enjoy streaming music in India, chances are you've looked at Spotify, YouTube Music, or Apple Music at some point. All three services offer huge song libraries, ad-free listening on paid plans, and features like offline playback. But there are important differences in pricing, features, and what you actually get for your money. Spotify has recently increased its subscription prices in India for the first time since launching in 2019, while YouTube Music continues to offer one of the most affordable premium plans, and Apple Music packs in lossless audio and spatial sound for the same price as its rivals. If you're wondering which one is right for you, here's a breakdown of each service in detail. Spotify: Top features and pricing Spotify Premium in India now costs Rs 139 per month for the Individual plan, Rs 179 for Duo, Rs 229 for Family, and Rs 69 for Student. This is a bump from the earlier prices of Rs 119, Rs 149, Rs 179, and Rs 59, respectively. Spotify says the increase is due to rising costs and is part of a global price adjustment. Despite the change, Spotify remains a strong option for its mix of features. Premium subscribers get ad-free music, offline downloads, and higher-quality audio than the free version. The app also learns your taste over time, offering highly personalised recommendations and curated playlists. Features like 'Concerts Near You' and 'Upcoming Releases' make it easy to stay connected with your favourite artists, while the 'Music Following Feed' gives updates from musicians you follow. Whether you go for the Individual, Duo, Family, or Student plan, the core experience remains smooth and focused on discovery. YouTube Music: Top features and pricing YouTube Music is available for free with ads, but its Premium version removes interruptions and adds background playback and offline downloads. It's priced at Rs 99 per month, making it cheaper than Spotify's Individual plan. You can also get YouTube Premium for Rs 129 per month, which includes all the YouTube Music Premium features plus ad-free videos, background playback, and offline viewing for YouTube itself. There are family plans too â€' Rs 149 for Music Premium and Rs 189 for YouTube Premium, covering up to six members. Key features of YouTube Music include personalised mixes, curated playlists, an audio-only mode to save data, and the ability to switch between audio and video versions of a song. It's especially appealing if you already watch a lot of YouTube content, as the Premium bundle offers more value. Apple Music: Top features and pricing Apple Music keeps things simple with three plans: Rs 99 per month for Individual, Rs 149 for Family (up to six accounts), and Rs 49 for Student. It offers over 100 million songs, thousands of playlists, and exclusive content, all ad-free. Standout features include Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for an immersive soundstage, Lossless Audio for the highest fidelity, and real-time lyrics. Apple Music also includes a dedicated classical music app, Apple Music Classical, for those with a taste for orchestral works, plus Apple Music Sing for karaoke-style sessions. Integration with Siri makes it easy to control playback hands-free, and features like Crossfade and AutoPlay keep the music flowing without awkward pauses. Which one is right for you? Ultimately, the best choice is the one that fits your lifestyle. Each service has its strengths, so your choice really depends on your listening habits and priorities. If you love discovering new music and want playlists that feel tailor-made for you, Spotify's recommendation system is hard to beat. It's also ideal if you follow artists closely and like staying updated on their latest releases or upcoming concerts. YouTube Music, on the other hand, offers great value for the price, especially if you already spend time watching videos on YouTube. The Premium bundle essentially gives you two services in one, making it a solid pick for those who want both music and video benefits. Apple Music is the clear winner for those who care about audio quality above all else, thanks to Lossless and Spatial Audio support. It's also appealing if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, with seamless integration across devices and Siri voice control. If you have a family or share with friends, its Family plan is competitively priced and generous in features. Join our WhatsApp Channel
India Today
06-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
YouTube is testing combo premium plan for two, in India price to start at Rs 219
YouTube is reportedly testing a new subscription option that lets two users share a single Premium or Music Premium plan — and India is among the few countries selected for this test. If you and someone in your household have been thinking about getting Premium but found the family plan a bit much, this two-person combo could be the sweet spot. The plan is aimed at offering better value while keeping accounts separate, and it's now live for select users in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The Premium two-person plan starts at Rs 219 per month in India, while the Music Premium version is priced at Rs to Moneycontrol, both users need to be at least 13 years old, have Google accounts, and belong to the same Google Family Group. While this isn't the same as a full-fledged family plan (which costs Rs 299 a month and allows up to five members), it offers a cheaper alternative for two people living together — whether that's couples, siblings, or flatmates. Image source: Moneycontrol YouTube has confirmed the experiment, saying it's exploring new ways to offer more value and flexibility for subscribers. A spokesperson told Moneycontrol, 'We're experimenting with new ways to provide greater flexibility and value to our YouTube Premium subscribers, including offering a two-person Premium plan option, allowing two people to share a subscription at a reduced cost.' The current individual Premium plan costs Rs 149 a month in India, while the student and family plans are priced at Rs 89 and Rs 299 respectively. On the Music Premium side, individual plans are Rs 119, family plans Rs 179, and student plans Rs 59 per new two-person model could directly compete with Spotify Duo, which also offers a joint subscription for two users under one plan. This could appeal to cost-conscious users who still want a premium experience without paying for a full family recent months, YouTube has made it clear that it's serious about growing its subscription base. Google increased the price of YouTube Premium in India last August, with hikes ranging from 12 per cent to 58 per cent, depending on the plan. The platform also rolled out Premium Lite in markets like the US, Germany, and Australia — this version removes ads but doesn't offer downloads or background play, and music-related content still includes of March 2025, YouTube had crossed 125 million subscribers globally across Premium and Music Premium services. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet, noted during the April 2025 earnings call that subscriptions are now a big part of their business. In total, Alphabet has over 270 million paid subscriptions across services like YouTube and Google One.
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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
YouTube tests shared Premium plan for two users at Rs 219 per month: Report
YouTube is piloting a new subscription plan that allows two users to share Premium or Music Premium membership. According to a MoneyControl report, the Google-owned video streaming platform is testing the plan in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong with select users. The new two-person YouTube Premium subscription is priced at Rs 219 per month in India. In comparison, the existing family plan—supporting up to five users—is priced at Rs 299 per month. For Music Premium, the duo plan is reportedly being offered at Rs 149 per month. A YouTube spokesperson told MoneyControl: 'We're experimenting with new ways to provide greater flexibility and value to our YouTube Premium subscribers, including offering a two-person Premium plan option, allowing two people to share a subscription at a reduced cost.' YouTube's focus on subscription revenue YouTube has been actively working to increase its subscription-based revenue, moving beyond its traditional reliance on advertising. As part of this shift, the platform has cracked down on ad blockers and raised Premium subscription prices across several markets. In India, subscription prices were hiked by 12 to 58 per cent in August 2024, depending on the plan, according to MoneyControl. YouTube Premium: Plan overview Individual plan – Rs 149 per month Benefits: Ad-free experience, access to Music Premium and YouTube Premium Limitations: Single user only; must be 13+ with a Google Account Two-person sharing plan – Rs 219 per month (pilot phase) Benefits: Same as individual plan Limitations: Can invite one more person from the same household; both users must be 13+ and have Google Accounts Family plan – Rs 299 per month Benefits: Same as above, extended to six users Limitations: All members must reside in the same household, be 13+ with Google Accounts Student plan – Rs 89 per month Benefits: Same as individual plan
Mint
05-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
YouTube reportedly tests new two-person premium plan in India: Eligibility, pricing and details
YouTube has begun piloting a new subscription tier allowing two users to share a Premium or Music Premium membership, with the trial currently underway in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Moneycontrol has reported. Reportedly, the initiative marks the Google-owned platform's latest effort to expand its subscription business as it looks to reduce its reliance on advertising revenue. Under the trial, YouTube is offering the two-person Premium plan in India for ₹ 219 per month, while the Music Premium equivalent is priced at ₹ 149 per month, the publication added. To qualify, both subscribers must be at least 13 years old, hold a Google account, and belong to the same Google family group. Confirming the development, a YouTube spokesperson told Moneycontrol: 'We're exploring new ways to offer more flexibility and value to our Premium members, including testing a two-person Premium option, allowing two people to share a subscription at a lower price.' Currently in India, individual YouTube Premium plans are priced at ₹ 149 per month, while student and family plans cost ₹ 89 and ₹ 299 respectively. For Music Premium, the monthly rates are ₹ 59 for students, ₹ 119 for individuals, and ₹ 179 for families. The new plan is expected to appeal to couples, roommates, or any two people sharing a household who wish to save on subscription costs while maintaining separate user profiles. The move mirrors similar offerings by other streaming platforms, including Spotify's Duo plan. YouTube has been actively pushing its subscription services, recently increasing prices in India by up to 58 per cent across various tiers in August 2024. The company has also intensified its crackdown on ad blockers worldwide. 'Subscriptions are a key pillar of our business,' Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai noted during the company's April 2025 earnings call. 'We continue to broaden our subscription portfolio, including the recent expansion of our Premium Lite pilot in the US, providing users a new way to watch most YouTube videos without ads.' Premium Lite, currently available in the United States, Australia, Germany, and Thailand, offers ad-free viewing across categories like gaming, cooking, and education, but excludes music videos, Shorts, and background play. First Published: 5 May 2025, 04:41 PM IST
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
YouTube brings cheaper subscription tier to US with no ads, except for music
By Kenrick Cai SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Alphabet's YouTube on Wednesday rolled out a $7.99 monthly subscription service that is ad-free for most videos, except music, to create a plan to compete more directly with offerings from Netflix and Disney. The "Premium Lite" plan is aimed at customers who rarely watch music videos or listen to music. YouTube is a major player in the streaming music world, but the online video company has a substantial number of watchers who rarely use that function and may gravitate to the new service. YouTube's existing $13.99 Premium plan has no ads, including for music, while a separate $10.99 plan offers ad-free music videos and other videos with ads, essentially the reverse of the new plan. The new option fills a demand YouTube has been noticing for several years among users who already pay for other music streaming subscriptions. That dynamic is particularly apparent in the United States, where the market is led by Spotify and streaming offerings from Apple and Amazon. John Harding, a vice president of engineering, said the main focus of the new plan is to tap into a "much larger set of people" who otherwise might not consider paying for YouTube. "We didn't feel that we really got it matching the tier for users that don't need the music content, and so that's where this revision comes in," said Jack Greenberg, the product director for YouTube Premium. The company began testing Premium Lite last year in Australia, Germany and Thailand. The preliminary data showed a new user base of first-time subscribers paying for Premium Lite, Harding said, with some later upgrading to Premium. More people upgraded than the amount downgrading to the cheaper plan. YouTube announced Wednesday that it had eclipsed 125 million paying subscribers, up from 100 million in January 2024, though those figures include users who are signed up for temporary free trials. Ads comprise the majority of YouTube's revenue, accounting for $36 billion of Alphabet's $350 billion in overall 2024 revenue. But subscriptions are increasingly contributing to sales. Alphabet is secretive about sharing YouTube's subscription-based revenue, but CEO Sundar Pichai stated during an October call about the company's third-quarter results that YouTube's combined ad and subscription revenue surpassed $50 billion over the previous four quarters. Chief business officer Philipp Schindler also stated last year that subscriptions were boosting the bottom line for both YouTube and its content creators. Some details regarding the U.S. launch of Premium Lite were first reported by Bloomberg in February. YouTube in 2023 hiked the price of Premium and Music Premium by $2 and $1, respectively. Sign in to access your portfolio
