Source-backed analysis8
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
8 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Apple Music Review
Apple's music streaming service: 100M+ songs, lossless and Spatial Audio
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- macOS
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Apple Music suits iPhone, Mac and HomePod owners and anyone who wants lossless audio at no extra charge, and the app holds 4.9/5 on the US App Store from over 3.2 million ratings. The trade-offs are that there is no free tier and that Apple raised US prices in July 2026.
Best for: Apple device owners who want a music app built into iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod and CarPlay
Skip it if: People who only want a free, ad-supported tier: Apple Music has none
Pros
- Over 100 million songs, ad-free, with offline downloads
- Lossless and Spatial Audio are included at no extra cost
- Apps for iOS, Android, Windows and the web, plus support for Sonos, Alexa, PlayStation and Xbox
Cons
- No free tier; only a one-month trial (three months with an eligible new Apple device)
- From 17 July 2026, US prices rose: Individual from $10.99 to $11.99/month, Family from $16.99 to $19.99/month
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- The Student plan bundles Apple Music Classical and Apple TV at no extra cost
- The iOS app scores 4.9/5 from more than 3.2 million US App Store ratings
Cons
- Listening data is kept for up to two years after cancellation and shared in aggregate with labels and artists
Best for
- Listeners who prioritise audio quality: lossless up to 192 kHz and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio on compatible hardware
- Families (up to five people) or students who want a cheaper option than Individual
Skip it if
- Anyone hoping for Hi-Res Lossless straight from a phone, since Apple says it needs external gear such as a USB DAC
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What is Apple Music?
Apple Music is Apple's subscription music streaming service. According to Wikipedia, it launched on 30 June 2015 in 100 countries alongside iOS 8.4 and replaced Beats Music. Apple's page says the library holds over 100 million songs, with no ads and offline listening. Besides iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod and CarPlay, it runs on Android, Windows, the web and third-party devices such as Sonos, Alexa, PlayStation and Xbox.
Key features
On audio, Apple lists lossless up to 48 kHz, Hi-Res Lossless from 48 to 192 kHz (which needs external equipment such as a USB DAC) and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on compatible hardware, though not every track supports it. Apple Music Sing adds time-synced lyrics, adjustable vocals and a duet view. Subscriptions also include Apple Music Classical, AutoMix, Concerts Near You and radio. According to Wikipedia, lossless launched in June 2021 at no extra cost.
Pricing and value
Apple's US page lists Individual at $11.99/month, Family at $19.99/month (up to five people) and Student at $6.99/month, with the first month free for new subscribers. Digital Music News reports that Apple raised prices on 17 July 2026, citing rising licensing costs: Individual from $10.99 to $11.99 and Family from $16.99 to $19.99. Apple's Vietnam page lists 65,000 VND/month for Individual, 99,000 VND for Family and 35,000 VND for Student, also with a free first month. Activating an eligible new Apple device unlocks a three-month trial.
More analysis
Privacy and trade-offs
Apple Music collects listening activity, library data and profile information to personalise recommendations and pay royalties. This data is kept while you subscribe and for up to two years after cancellation. Labels, artists and chart compilers receive aggregated data. Profiles are public by default, so it is worth checking the privacy settings. There is also no free tier.
Who it's for and how it compares
Apple Music fits best for people already on Apple devices or who care about audio quality. Spotify offers an ad-supported free tier; YouTube Music is strong on video and covers; Tidal and Amazon Music also offer high-quality audio; Deezer is another alternative. If budget comes first, compare prices and free tiers before deciding.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Student
Personal$6.99/mo/user
For verified college students, at the student price for up to four years; includes everything in Individual plus Apple Music Classical and Apple TV at no extra cost.
Individual
Personal$11.99/mo/user
Over 100 million songs, ad-free, offline downloads, lossless and Spatial Audio; includes the Apple Music Classical app.
Family
Personal$19.99/mo
Up to five people via Family Sharing, each with their own account and library; includes everything in Individual.
- Free plan limits
- The Apple Music page lists no free tier. New subscribers get the first month free, or three months after activating an eligible new Apple device.
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial · no credit card
Cancellation & refunds
Apple publishes no Apple Music-specific refund policy. Its support page says you can request a refund for a subscription at reportaproblem.apple.com; only some purchases qualify, eligibility varies by country, and an update usually follows within 24–48 hours. Subscriptions renew monthly until you cancel them in account settings.
Privacy
According to Apple Music's data and privacy page, the service records listening activity (songs and videos you play, add or favourite, duration, device), library data, profile details, approximate location and IP address, plus account and payment information. Apple uses this to personalise recommendations, send notifications, build city charts and pay royalties. Listening, library, playlist and search data is kept while you subscribe and for up to two years after cancellation. Labels, publishers, artists and chart compilers receive aggregated, non-personal data, including real-time engagement figures. Contacts are sent to Apple only as shortened, encrypted hashes. The page does not describe selling personal data. Your handle, name, photo and follower lists are visible to everyone by default, but you can limit who sees your listening activity and playlists.
Apple Music alternatives
Frequently asked questions
How much does Apple Music cost in Vietnam?
According to Apple's Vietnam page: Individual 65,000 VND/month, Family 99,000 VND/month and Student 35,000 VND/month (US prices are $11.99, $19.99 and $6.99/month). New subscribers get the first month free, after which the plan renews automatically until you cancel.
Does Apple Music have a free tier?
No. The Apple Music page lists no free tier. New subscribers get a one-month trial, and activating an eligible new Apple device gives three months.
Is Apple Music available on Android and Windows?
Yes. Apple's page lists Android and Windows apps plus a web version at music.apple.com. According to Wikipedia, the Android app launched in November 2015 and a Windows beta appeared in January 2023.
Does Apple Music offer lossless audio?
Yes. Apple lists lossless up to 48 kHz and Hi-Res Lossless up to 192 kHz, but Hi-Res needs external equipment such as a USB DAC. According to Wikipedia, it launched in June 2021 at no extra cost.
Review evidence & sources8
Scores
- Ease of use
- 8.4
- Features
- 8.5
- Value for money
- 7.2
- Performance
- 7.8
- Support
- 6.8
- Privacy & security
- 6.9
Why this score
A 4.9/5 US App Store score from over 3.2 million ratings, built into Apple devices, with Android, Windows and web apps as well.
Why this score
100M+ songs, lossless up to 192 kHz, Spatial Audio, time-synced lyrics, Apple Music Sing, AutoMix, radio and the bundled Classical app. No free tier, unlike Spotify.
Why this score
Lossless and Spatial Audio carry no surcharge, the Student plan bundles Apple TV, and regional prices are published (for example, Individual is 65,000 VND/month in Vietnam and $11.99 in the US). Marked down for having no free tier and for the July 2026 US price rise, which Apple attributed to licensing costs.
Why this score
The latest iOS version, 3.18, shipped on 27 October 2026, and the app supports high-resolution audio. There is no independent stability data, so the score is held back.
Why this score
Apple documents how to change or cancel a plan and how to request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com, but there is no Apple Music-specific refund policy and no independent review of support quality, so the score stays mid-range.
Why this score
The Apple Music data page spells out what is collected and for how long, does not mention selling personal data, and sends contacts only as hashes. Marked down because listening data is kept for up to two years after cancellation, profiles are public by default, and labels and artists receive aggregated engagement data, including in real time.
What users say
- App Store (United States)4.9/5 · 3,258,021
Sources
- Vendor-providedApple Music official page (US)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedApple Music official page (Vietnam, VND prices)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedApple Music data and privacyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedApple Support: change or cancel a subscriptionNov 10, 2026
- storeiTunes Lookup API (rating, version, languages, screenshots)Nov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: Apple Music (history and milestones)Nov 10, 2026
- pressDigital Music News: Apple Music price increase (2026-07-17)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedApple Support: request a refund for apps or content bought from AppleNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Apple
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 2015
- Category
- Entertainment
Capabilities
- Works offline
- Mobile app
- Integrations
Platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- macOS
Interface languages
- English
- Vietnamese
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Spanish
- French
- Korean
- German
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Thai
- Indonesian
Integrations
- Shazam
- Sonos
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Nest
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- CarPlay
Support
- Help center
Change history
- Price.Apple raises US prices citing rising licensing costs: Individual from $10.99 to $11.99, Family from $16.99 to $19.99.
- Update.According to Wikipedia, Apple Music reaches 94 million subscribers.
- Feature.Apple Music Classical launches on iOS; the Android version follows on 30 May 2023.
Full change history (8)
- Price.In the US, Individual rises $1 to $10.99/month and Family rises $2 to $16.99/month.
- Feature.Lossless audio and Dolby Atmos roll out at no extra cost (announced on 17 May 2021).
- Feature.The web player launches in beta.
- Feature.The Android app launches.
- Launch.Apple Music launches in 100 countries with iOS 8.4; Beats Music subscriptions are migrated and Beats Music shuts down.
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