Amazon Music vs YouTube Music: Which Music Streaming App is Right for You?
Amazon Music is ideal for Prime members who want ad-free music and podcasts at no extra cost, plus an option for a vast on-demand library with Unlimited. YouTube Music shines for those who love music videos, live performances, and personalized mixes with a huge catalog of official songs and user-generated content. Both apps offer free tiers with ads, but their strengths cater to different listening habits.
Amazon Music: Songs & Podcasts
- Rating
- ★ 3.94
- Downloads
- 100,000,000+
- Developer
- Amazon Mobile LLC
YouTube Music
Recommended- Rating
- ★ 4.51
- Downloads
- 5,000,000,000+
- Developer
- Google LLC
We're changing the way you discover and play the music you love. Listen free to music and podcasts with ads—no credit card required. Prime members can enjoy all the music + top podcasts ad-free. Want more benefits? Get 100 million songs on-demand, ad-free top podcasts, and audi…
Pros
- Ad-free music and top podcasts for Prime members at no additional cost
- Includes audiobooks with Amazon Music Unlimited subscription
- Seamless integration with Amazon Alexa devices
- No credit card required for free ad-supported tier
- High-quality audio streaming options available
Cons
- Lower user rating (3.93) compared to competitors
- Free tier includes ads and limited skips
- Music catalog is smaller than YouTube Music's library
Connecting you to the world of music: ● Music content including live performances, covers, remixes and music content you can’t find elsewhere ● Thousands of curated playlist across many genres and activities Get personalized music, perfect for every moment: ● Personalized…
Pros
- Extensive catalog including live performances, covers, and remixes
- Highly personalized playlists and activity mixes
- Seamless integration with YouTube platform
- Higher user rating (4.51) and over 5 billion installs
- Offline downloads available for Premium subscribers
Cons
- Free tier includes ads and limited background play
- Requires Premium subscription for offline listening and ad-free experience
- May consume more data due to video content
Final Verdict
Our pick: YouTube Music
YouTube Music is the better choice for most users due to its higher rating (4.51 vs 3.93), massive install base, and superior music discovery through personalized mixes and activity-based playlists. Its integration with YouTube provides access to rare live tracks and covers not found elsewhere. Amazon Music is a strong contender for Prime members who want a seamless ad-free experience without extra cost, but its lower rating and smaller library limit its appeal. For the best overall music streaming experience, go with YouTube Music.
Amazon Music: Songs & Podcasts Screenshots
Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.
YouTube Music Screenshots
Official app screenshots from the Google Play Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has a higher rating?
YouTube Music has a significantly higher rating of 4.51 compared to Amazon Music's 3.93.
Can I download music for offline listening?
Both apps offer offline downloads, but YouTube Music requires a Premium subscription, while Amazon Music allows offline downloads with Prime or Unlimited subscriptions.
Do both apps have ads?
Yes, both have free ad-supported tiers. Amazon Music offers ad-free listening for Prime members and with Unlimited; YouTube Music removes ads with Premium.
What are the device requirements?
Both apps run on Android 5.0+ and require a stable internet connection. YouTube Music may need more storage for video caching.
Which app should I choose?
Choose YouTube Music for its vast catalog, personalized mixes, and higher ratings. Choose Amazon Music if you are a Prime member wanting ad-free music and podcasts without extra cost.