Is Apple Music better than Pandora? (Sound Quality/Price)

We always try to access the best music streaming platforms like Apple and Pandora Music, now the question is Apple Music better than Pandora?

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Let’s have a comparison and contrast between Pandora and Apple Music, examining factors like library size, sound quality, pricing, and overall user experience.

Apple Music vs Pandora – What is Better in 2024?

Apple Music vs. Pandora: which one is better and why? We had this debate yesterday while having dinner, all friends together.

One group praised the features of Pandora like its free ad-supported tier, compatibility, and more, while the other was in favor of Apple Music due to its library size having more than 90 million songs, sound quality, and many others.

This debate went on for almost an hour and guess who won?

Understand the basic concept of Apple Music and Pandora

Apple Music and Pandora are two popular music streaming services that allow users to access vast libraries of songs online.

While both platforms aim to provide music according to each listener’s taste, they differ significantly in their approaches and features.

Knowing each service’s core functionality can help determine which fits your listening needs better.

Apple Music’s Concept

Apple Music is Apple's streaming service that gives you access to over 100 million songs, exclusive content, and playlists picked just for you by music experts and your favorite artists. You can enjoy radio stations tailored to your tastes and watch music videos or live streams whenever you want. It's like having an endless music collection in your pocket!

Pandora Music’s Concept

Pandora is a free music app that helps you make your own radio stations with songs or artists you like. Just tell Pandora what you like, and it will play similar tunes it thinks you'll enjoy. With Pandora, you can discover new music and listen to a huge library of songs on your phone or computer, all for free!

Apple Music vs Pandora comparison

Features	Apple Music
Price	$9.99/month individual $14.99/month family $4.99/month student
Library	90 million songs
Sound Quality	256kbps (standard) Lossless/Dolby Atmos (premium)
Device Support	iOS, Android, Mac, PC, smart TVs, cars, consoles
Music Discovery	Editor-curated playlists Recommendations based on your library

Features	Pandora
Price	Free with ads $4.99/month Pandora Plus $9.99/month Pandora HiFi
Library	50 million songs
Sound Quality	192kbps (free tier) 320kbps (Plus subscription) Lossless (HiFi subscription)
Device Support	iOS, Android, web player, some TV and cars
Music Discovery	Music Genome Project analyzes song attributes Custom radio stations

While Apple Music and Pandora stream music, Apple has a vast catalog of over 90 million songs compared to Pandora’s radio-style approach based on your tastes.

Let’s compare Pandora and Apple Music to Analyze the Variances.

Pandora and Apple Music stand out as the two most widely used music streaming services in today’s era. While they share some basic features, important differences between these two streaming giants are worth examining.

Analyzing the key variances between Pandora and Apple Music can help consumers make an informed choice.

Library Size & Song Selection

Regarding sheer volume, Apple Music boasts a significantly larger library than Pandora. Apple Music offers a massive collection of more than 90 million songs for you to enjoy, covering various genres, decades, and artists.

Pandora’s exact music library size isn’t publicly disclosed, but estimates suggest it falls within the range of around 50 million songs. Apple Music’s massive catalog gives it an edge for listeners who value deep cuts, obscure artists, and comprehensive access.

However, Pandora shines when it comes to music discovery. The service’s Music Genome Project analyzes songs based on hundreds of attributes, allowing Pandora to recommend tracks based on specific qualities. So, while Apple may have more total songs, Pandora offers smarter personalization.

Sound Quality

Both streaming services offer different sound quality depending on your plan. Apple Music listeners can choose between standard quality or lossless high-resolution audio up to 256 kbps with Dolby Atmos for a premium subscription.

Pandora provides standard quality streaming up to 192 kbps on its free tier, high-quality streaming on its Plus subscription, and lossless streaming on its HiFi-tier subscription.

So when it comes to sheer audio quality, Apple Music and Pandora both offer lossless streaming on their high-end plans. However, Apple Music’s base sound quality may be better than Pandora’s free tier. Listeners who care most about pristine sound will be satisfied with either service’s top subscription.

Pricing

One area where Pandora holds a distinct advantage is its free ad-supported tier, which grants full access to its music catalog. Apple Music is not available for free and the pricing for individual plans starts at $9.99.

Here is how the pricing breaks down:

Pandora: Free with ads, $4.99/month for Pandora Plus ad-free, $9.99/month for Pandora HiFi lossless audio
Apple Music: $10.99/month for individuals, $15.99/month for six people in family plans with lossless audio, $5.99/month for students

While budget-conscious listeners may flock to Pandora for the free option, both services offer substantial value at roughly $10/month for their standard plans. Apple Music’s student discount also makes it very affordable for eligible students.

Music Discovery

Regarding recommending new music you’ll love, Pandora has always excelled. Right from the start, the Music Genome Project has powered Pandora’s ability to parse the precise qualities that make up a song and match tracks to a listener’s taste.

Pandora can instantly generate a custom radio station packed with similar music by choosing an artist or song you enjoy. Apple Music also provides thoughtful recommendations but leans more heavily on human music experts and editors.

Playlists like “New Music Daily” are curated by Apple Music’s team. For Your recommendations, rely on your existing library and listening patterns. Apple Music can still suggest enjoyable new music, just not as tailored to your taste profile as Pandora’s approach.

So, while Apple Music has vastly more songs overall, Pandora is superior at using your preferences to pluck the perfect tunes from its catalog.

Supported Devices

Apple Music holds a slight edge in device support when accessing each service. The Apple Music app can be used across iOS, Android, Mac, PC, smart TVs, cars, gaming consoles, and more. Pandora has some TV and car options on iOS, Android, and PC web players.

Apple Music’s native integration into the Apple ecosystem makes it especially convenient for those using iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and more. Pandora, however, is more universally accessible for non-Apple users.

Both services can be accessed across the most common smartphone and computer platforms.

Final Thoughts:

Both Apple Music and Pandora offer excellent, yet different, music streaming experiences. Apple Music shines more regarding its massive 90 million song library and integration with the Apple ecosystem. But Pandora’s strengths are also not less, like its highly personalized music recommendations, smoother interface, and free streaming option.

The ideal choice comes down to user priorities around library size, music discovery, sound quality, pricing, ease of use, and device support. If I give my verdict between the two, I will go with Apple Music because I want the most comprehensive catalog and huge collection of media library features.

However, there’s no definitively superior option; it all depends on the type of listener and their needs. But both Apple Music and Pandora deliver high-quality music streaming overall.