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Phoenixx

Suspended
Jul 3, 2015
377
556
I've used all three. I really enjoyed Spotify, but felt it was time for a change and tried out Goggle Play Music. When I had used it for a couple of months and it was time to switch back, I found the Spotify had increased their prices. Rather than pay the extra, I went to Apple Music. I must admit that I'm quite enjoying it. When it first came out it was a disorganised mess, but it's actually improved quite a bit since then.
 

miknos

Suspended
Mar 14, 2008
940
793
It depends on your use.

If you like to listen to the same songs often, paying for streaming is unnecessary. Drop your (up to) 50k songs to GPM and you'll have all your songs available everywhere without paying for it.

For music discovery, Spotify seems like the best choice (among most users). You can use it for free. Audio quality is decent (mp3 160kbps If I remember correctly). You won't be able to save songs for offline listening though.



If you don't mind paying a monthly subscription, Apple Music is my favourite. I tried all three (Spotify, GPM and Apple Music) for 3 months each. Apple Music improved a lot with iOS 10 by the way. I could go into details on why I prefer X to Y but since all services have months for you to try it for free, there is no reason to not do it. You'll find the one you like the most.

Good luck
 
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5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
What is YouTube Red?

I have a trial subscription to Google Play Music and I found there was something about it that I can't really articulate that pulled me into trying new artists and music and watching videos. I was more of a stick in the mud with Apple Music.

But one accidental test I had, Apple Music passed and Google failed. All I wanted to do was play Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" (don't judge, I am the mother to a tween girl hosting other tween girls at our house). I tried searching for it on Google Play first and for some reason all I could get was a bunch of music videos, not the track. We just wanted the song to add to a play list for the girls. Anyway, if the track did come up, frankly the interface was so busy none of us could find it.

So I switched over to Apple Music and of course fetched it instantly.

Siri integration is a bonus in IPhone. But I also use a Note 7 and OK Google verbal commands seem to work with Google Play but not Apple Music. Bummer.
 

Michael Goff

Suspended
Jul 5, 2012
13,329
7,422
What is YouTube Red?

I have a trial subscription to Google Play Music and I found there was something about it that I can't really articulate that pulled me into trying new artists and music and watching videos. I was more of a stick in the mud with Apple Music.

But one accidental test I had, Apple Music passed and Google failed. All I wanted to do was play Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" (don't judge, I am the mother to a tween girl hosting other tween girls at our house). I tried searching for it on Google Play first and for some reason all I could get was a bunch of music videos, not the track. We just wanted the song to add to a play list for the girls. Anyway, if the track did come up, frankly the interface was so busy none of us could find it.

So I switched over to Apple Music and of course fetched it instantly.

Siri integration is a bonus in IPhone. But I also use a Note 7 and OK Google verbal commands seem to work with Google Play but not Apple Music. Bummer.

No ads on YouTube and some special shows only available for people with Red.
 
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Tech198

Cancelled
Mar 21, 2011
15,915
2,151
Google Play, hands down. I found Apple Music to be an unintuitive mess and their suggestions to me weren't very good. I love how I am able to upload my entire library for free to Google so that I have access to it, either to stream or download for offline use, on any of my devices or computers. Install their Music Manager app on your computer and it'll automatically upload anything you add to your music library on that computer, even in iTunes. I also like integration of the functionality previously from Songza. I also have Chromecasts (both video and audio versions) scattered throughout the house and much prefer using them vs. AirPlay as I can play simultaneously to all of them if I choose. No Chromecast support in Apple Music.

Oh, and I'm presently using mostly Apple hardware. That should give you a better idea on my feelings about Apple Music. ;)

Not really.... Your using Mac products :)
 

ag29

macrumors 6502
Oct 7, 2014
284
85
I like Google Music, but it's only because the interface just seems so much easier to navigate.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
Some day tech companies will realize "not USA" has a majority of the money.
That's like saying "Some day Samsung will stop testing products in Korea. Google and Apple introduce products in the US because it's easy and local.

That's leaving aside the political piece, too. I'm sure Google is much more concerned about regulation in the European market.
 

co.ag.2005

macrumors 68020
Jun 17, 2009
2,365
1,810
Fort Worth, TX
What is YouTube Red?

I have a trial subscription to Google Play Music and I found there was something about it that I can't really articulate that pulled me into trying new artists and music and watching videos. I was more of a stick in the mud with Apple Music.

But one accidental test I had, Apple Music passed and Google failed. All I wanted to do was play Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" (don't judge, I am the mother to a tween girl hosting other tween girls at our house). I tried searching for it on Google Play first and for some reason all I could get was a bunch of music videos, not the track. We just wanted the song to add to a play list for the girls. Anyway, if the track did come up, frankly the interface was so busy none of us could find it.

So I switched over to Apple Music and of course fetched it instantly.

Siri integration is a bonus in IPhone. But I also use a Note 7 and OK Google verbal commands seem to work with Google Play but not Apple Music. Bummer.

I believe Taylor Swift is exclusive to Apple Music, thus your inability to find her on Google Play Music. She's not on Spotify either.
 
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5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
I believe Taylor Swift is exclusive to Apple Music, thus your inability to find her on Google Play Music. She's not on Spotify either.
Ah, that makes sense! Thanks. I just thought their interface was completely borked.

Well I guess as long as I have to be hostess to tween girls on a regular basis I'd better stick to Apple Music then. At least until they outgrow their Taylor Swift phase.
 
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Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
Anybody use either or the other? which do you prefer?

Have both and use them regularly on iOS.

I prefer the interface and usability of Google Play Music, in addition I already have thousands of uploaded remixes and rare b-sides in Google Play music.

I keep an Apple Music account because it has some albums not available in Google Play Music. There are very comparable, but Apple has a tiny advantage in terms of catalog size.

However, I can cancel my Apple Music account and be fine, but I will always have a Google Play Music account.
 
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M5RahuL

macrumors 68040
Aug 1, 2009
3,469
2,133
TeXaS
GPM ! esp since it's bundled with YT Red ! And I watch ALOT ( 15+ GB per month on LTE ) of YT !
 

Shelleyldiaz

Suspended
Sep 19, 2016
48
6
United States
In a lot of ways, Apple Music and Google Play Musiccover a lot of the same ground. They both work on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, and both let you manage local or purchased music for free.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
If I had to pick one, it's GPM for two reasons
1) inclusion of YouTube Red
2) Better Sonos integration in the Sonos app

I do love the exclusives of Apple Music
 
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