Compared to Spotify, YouTube Music is underrated and underappreciated. But it shouldn’t be.
YouTube Music deserves way more credit than it gets. This underdog of the streaming world matches Spotify in all areas that counts, and even beats it in some ways.
Yes, there are other platforms that offer lossless sound quality. But if you’re not into that or just want something for casual listening or finding new music, switching to YouTube Music isn’t just smart—it’s obvious.
Let’s take a closer look at why:
YouTube Just Has More Content. Period.
YouTube Music‘s biggest advantage is the sheer volume and variety of its content.
Based on their websites, both Spotify and YouTube Music have over 100 million songs. But I can confidently claim that YouTube Music has more. And, that’s becaudes YouTube Music doesn’t stop at officially releases.
It offers more variety and includes user content like remixes, live shows, demos, and rare tracks you can’t find elsewhere. It’s enough to satisfy even the nerdiest of music enthusiasts.
Personally, I used Spotify for over five years before switching to Apple Music. But, even to this day, I still find myself turning to YouTube Music to enjoy those rare Taku Iwasaki soundtracks (e.g., Origin: Spirits of the Past and Black Butler) that somehow still aren’t available on other major streaming platforms.
YouTube Music’s appeal isn’t just about obscure finds either. You also get to listen to the audio of practically any video on YouTube, whether it’s concert footage, covers, or even fan edits.
Spotify might be better for podcasts and audiobooks, which could appeal to those who want more than music. But if you’re in it for the music, YouTube Music’s unique library is much better than Spotify’s. And, YouTube Music recently added podcasts, so it’s catching up in that area too.
Pretty Much the Same Sound Quality
Spotify offers slightly better sound quality on paper—320 kbps versus YouTube Music’s 256 kbps. But let’s be honest: Most of us, especially casual listeners, won’t notice the difference between the two.
The sound is practically indistinguishable unless you have very expensive headphones, a great speaker setup, or really good ears. Some users even prefer YouTube Music’s audio quality, claiming it sounds clearer despite the lower numbers.
Currently, neither platform offers Hi-Fi streaming, though there are rumbles that this will change for Spotify soon. (But, let’s be real, they’ve been saying that for years.)
That said, not everyone is into Hi-Fi 24/7. So, unless you’re breaking out your $1,000 headphones every time you listen, YouTube Music’s sound quality more than holds its own.
The Premium Advantage
Above everything, the real value of YouTube Music lies in its bundled deal with YouTube Premium, which gives you a three-for-one deal.
For just $13.99 a month, you get ad-free YouTube, YouTube Music Premium, and even access to YouTube Originals. Compare that to Spotify’s $10.99, and it’s clear who’s offering more bang for your buck.
Think about it—if you’re already paying for Spotify and another service like Netflix or Hulu, why not combine music and video under one roof? Granted, YouTube may not have the same extensive selection as other video streaming giants, it still offers a decent amount of content if you know where to look.
Plus, there are ZERO ads, which, I must say, is a huge deal in itself for someone who likes scrolling through random YouTube videos.
With YouTube Premium, you can watch videos without ads, play videos in the background (great for multitasking), and watch exclusive content, all for just a few extra dollars.
The cost-effectiveness here is impossible to ignore, especially for those of us who spend a decent amount of time on YouTube.
Underrated Discovery and Personalization
Spotify is often praised as the best for finding new music. And, while that’s still somewhat true, YouTube Music is pretty good too.
The platform has steadily upped its game, offering features like Your Music Tuner, which lets you fine-tune custom radio stations by selecting specific artists and filters. It also has mood-based mixes, like the “Workout Supermix” or “Focus Supermix,” for specific listening situations—perfect for the gym or studying.
And, for those who like discovering music visually, YouTube Music has a Samples tab, essentially TikTok for music, offering short clips to introduce new songs and artists.
So, although Spotify’s AI DJ might have an edge, YouTube Music is rapidly catching up, and its discovery tools are more than sufficient for finding your next favorite track. (Besides, I don’t really use AI DJ myself as the song suggestions are kinda too repetitive).
I was initially neutral about YouTube Music’s discovery features when I was new to the app. But after some time using the platform, I was impressed with how well it caught on to my tastes.
For instance, I mentioned earlier how I use YouTube Music to listen to my favorite rare Taku Iwasaki tracks. Thanks to YouTube Music’s discovery algorithm, that habit of mine led to discovering more obscure Ghibli music, like Joe Hisaishi’s Castle in the Sky OST, which I couldn’t find elsewhere.
Familiar Interface
If you’re worried about feeling lost after years of using Spotify, don’t be. Switching from Spotify to YouTube Music is easier than you might think.
Spotify’s design might look a bit smoother, but YouTube Music’s interface is always improving. Any differences you notice won’t be big problems and won’t stop you from enjoying your music.
Trust me, you’ll get used to it quickly, and soon, it’ll feel as natural as using Spotify. That’s because, I had my reservations as well when I first tried it out. But it’s all very intuitive – almost just different colors!
Overall, It Makes More Sense
To put it simply, YouTube Music offers more for less.
Its library is unmatched in terms of variety, covering everything from official tracks to rare and user-uploaded content. It almost makes Spotify’s selection feel limited by comparison.
Most casual listeners will not notice the minor difference in sound quality, and the bundled benefits of YouTube Premium make it a steal for anyone who uses YouTube regularly.
On top of that, YouTube Music’s discovery tools, like personalized mixes and the “Samples” tab, do a great job of keeping your music fresh and exciting. The familiar interface also means switching from Spotify is easy—no learning curve here.
So, if you’re not obsessed with audiophile-grade sound, why pay more for less?