Apple Music vs. Napster - a comparison
In this comparison, we compare the two music streaming providers Apple Music and Napster. In addition to the range of offers, we also compare the contract terms and the music organization.
Apple Music: Apple's streaming service against its competitor Napster
Apple has been offering its streaming service since June 30, 2015, using its iTunes platform.
- Music selection: With 30 million songs, Apple Music includes as many songs as Spotify. With a few exceptions, you will find almost all the songs you want.
- Sound quality: The quality is decent at 256 kbps, if not outstanding. With a higher bit rate, the quality is better, but at the same time more data volume is consumed during streaming.
- Access: With iTunes there is a client for PC and Mac. There is also the pre-installed "Music" app for iPhone and iPad. Apple has also released the Apple Music app for Android.
- Playlists: You can organize your music in playlists, but you cannot share these playlists privately with your friends. You can make the lists publicly available via Facebook or Twitter. Music tracks can also be downloaded and accessed offline.
- Trial period: Apple Music can be tested for 3 months free of charge. If you do not cancel in time, the subscription will be renewed automatically.
- Cost: A single membership costs 9.99 euros per month. With family membership, six people get access for 14.99 euros per month.
Napster: music streaming compared to Apple Music
Napster is one of the largest streaming providers alongside Spotify and Apple Music.
- Music selection: With 34 million tracks, Napster includes even more songs than Apple Music and therefore leaves nothing to be desired.
- Sound quality: At 320 kbps, the sound quality is also higher than that of Apple. Of course, more data volume is used for streaming and offline storage requires more storage space.
- Access: As with Apple Music, there are apps for smartphones and tablets. There is also a client for Mac and Windows. In addition, there is also a web player that you can use completely without downloading. Napster is also integrated in some audio systems. These include entertainment systems from LG, Sonos and Logitech.
- Playlists: As with Apple Music, you can create unlimited playlists and make them available offline. You can also share playlists privately, but there is no embed code for your website. Unlike Apple Music, your own music cannot be imported using the automatic function.
- Trial period: You can only try Napster for free for one month. Here too, active termination is required.
- Costs: After the free month, Napster costs 9.95 euros per month.
Apple Music vs. Napster: conclusion
All in all, the facts speak for Napster: the music selection is larger, the quality better and there is a web player. However, if you are using a Mac and an iPhone anyway, you can look forward to the deep integration of Apple Music into the iOS and MacOS operating systems. The price also speaks for Apple Music if you have the opportunity to share the family account with friends or family. Then in the best case you pay an unbeatable price of only 2.50 euros per month.
How to set up family sharing on Apple Music can be read in the next practical tip.