Apple Music: Price, Subscription and Free Trial
Apple Music is one of the most popular music streaming platforms in the world. Launched in 2015 by Apple Inc., it offers unlimited access to over 100 million songs, personalized playlists, and live radio stations. Discover everything you need to know about Apple Music in this article: its benefits, pricing, and different subscription options.
Summary
- What is Apple Music?
- Apple Music: Prices and Subscriptions
- Apple Music's flagship features
- Comparison with other streaming services
- Why choose Apple Music?
What is Apple Music?
Apple Music is a music streaming service that allows users to stream songs, albums, playlists, and even music videos to their devices. Available in over 167 countries, it includes exclusive features such as personalized recommendations, live radio stations like Apple Music 1, and a music library of songs you've purchased or downloaded.
Launched on June 30, 2015, Apple Music quickly established itself as a solid alternative to Spotify and Amazon Music. Thanks to its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem (Siri, iCloud, AirPlay), the user experience is optimized for those who own Apple products.
Apple Music: Prices and Subscriptions
Apple Music Free
Although Apple Music is a paid service, a free trial is available upon signing up. This offer allows new users to try out the platform for one month at no cost, and sometimes up to six months free with the purchase of certain Apple products. This provides access to all features, including downloading music for offline listening and access to 100 million songs.
However, to continue using the service beyond this period, you must subscribe to a subscription.
Apple Music subscription
Apple Music offers several subscription options to suit all budgets and user types:
- Student Plan: Starting at âŹ5.99 per month, this offer is reserved for students enrolled in an eligible higher education institution. It offers all the features of Apple Music at a reduced rate.
- Individual Subscription: The standard option costs âŹ10.99 per month. This subscription offers full access to the ad-free platform, as well as all Apple Music radio stations.
- Family Subscription: Available for âŹ16.99 per month, this subscription allows up to six family members to enjoy the service on their own devices, with personalized music recommendations for each.
Users can manage their Apple Music subscription directly from their Apple device, or through the platform's website.
Apple Music's flagship features
1. Huge music catalog
With over 100 million songs, Apple Music has one of the richest catalogs of any music streaming platform. Users can explore new releases, rediscover classics, and discover exclusive tracks.
2. Personalized playlists and radio stations
Apple Music stands out for its expertly curated playlists and recommendations based on user tastes. Additionally, live radio stations, such as Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Country, broadcast 24/7 from around the world.
3. Compatibility and integration
Apple Music is seamlessly integrated with Siri, allowing you to control music playback with your voice. Additionally, the service is compatible with iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and even PlayStation and Xbox.
4. Audio quality
Apple Music offers superior audio quality with 256 kbps AAC playback options, as well as Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless streaming for audiophiles.
Comparison with other streaming services
In terms of pricing, Apple Music is in the same range as its main competitors, such as Spotify and Amazon Music. However, what sets Apple Music apart is the Apple ecosystem and its exclusive features, such as integration with Siri, lossless streaming, and original video content.
For example, while Spotify offers a free, ad-supported version, Apple Music doesn't have a free version (aside from the free trial). This may be a turnoff for some users, but the superior audio quality and lack of ads make the Apple Music experience more seamless and immersive.
Why choose Apple Music?
If you already own Apple products, Apple Music is probably the best choice for you, thanks to its integration with iCloud, Siri, and AirPlay. Additionally, if you're a music lover looking for exceptional sound quality, lossless streaming might be a deciding factor.
Apple Music also offers a wide range of exclusive content, including videos, artist interviews, and live concerts, making it a must-have platform for music fans.
Finally, the Apple Music Family subscription at âŹ16.99 per month allows each family member to benefit from a personalized experience, making it an affordable option for large households.
In conclusion, Apple Music stands out for its extensive music catalog, personalized playlists, and seamless integration with Apple devices. With different subscription options available, whether for students, families, or individual users, there's a plan to suit every music lover. So, why not take advantage of a free Apple Music trial to discover all its features before committing to a subscription?
Artist Compensation on Apple Music
An important aspect to consider when talking about music streaming is artist compensation . Apple Music adopts a pay-per-play model. Unlike some services that offer free, ad-supported options, Apple Music only offers paid subscriptions, allowing for a better redistribution of revenue to artists.
Artist compensation on Apple Music works proportionally. In other words, artists are paid based on the number of streams they generate on the platform. Apple Music pays out around âŹ0.01 per stream, which may seem low at first glance, but can represent substantial income for artists with a large fan base.
Additionally, thanks to its ad-free model and paid subscriptions, Apple Music is often perceived as fairer in terms of artist compensation compared to other platforms that offer free listening.
How Does Apple Music Influence Artists' Careers?
Apple Music's algorithm also plays a crucial role in promoting artists, especially independent artists. Thanks to editorial playlists and personalized recommendations, new artists have a chance to be discovered by a wide audience. This can significantly increase the number of streams and, consequently, the artists' revenue.
