Apple Music has been the go-to choice for Apple enthusiasts for years, neatly fitting into the company’s ever-popular ecosystem. Yet, Deezer is rising as a serious contender in the world of music streaming, ready to give Apple Music a run for its money.
So, which one deserves a spot in your earbuds? Let’s dive into the ultimate Deezer vs. Apple Music comparison and see which service harmonizes best with your music tastes.
Deezer vs Apple Music Breakdown
| Feature | Apple Music | Deezer |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $10.99/month | $11.99/month |
| Content Library | 100+ million songs, 30,000+ playlists, 100,000+ stations | 90+ million songs, 32,000+ stations, 160,000+ podcasts |
| Sound Quality | Spatial Audio, Lossless Audio | FLAC (HiFi) |
| UI & Navigation | Seamless for Apple users, but sometimes clunky | Clean, user-friendly, |
In a nutshell, Apple Music slightly takes the crown in this battle. The main reasons? Apple Music offers superior sound quality, a larger library, and tighter integration with Apple’s ecosystem. If you’re a die-hard Apple fan, this is the better choice for you. However, Deezer makes a strong case with its stellar discovery and sharing features, and more flexible subscription options. If you’re not tied to the Apple universe, Deezer’s got a few extra tricks up its sleeve.
Deezer vs Apple Music: Pricing
When it comes to pricing, Deezer and Apple Music are pretty much neck and neck. However, it all depends on what you’re looking for.
Deezer
Deezer offers a free version with ads and some limitations—like shuffle-only play—perfect for anyone not ready to commit. If you’re looking for full access, Deezer Premium costs $11.99/month. But the real kicker is Deezer’s Duo and Family plans, where you get deals if you pay annually. You can pay $9/month for Deezer Premium or $18.25/month for Deezer Family with an annual subscription.
Apple Music
Apple Music doesn’t have a free version, but it does offer a 6-month free trial if you purchase certain Apple devices—a sweet deal if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem. Its monthly fee is $10.99, and you don’t have to worry about extra charges for high-quality audio. Simple, straightforward pricing with no hidden fees.
Conclusion: Who Wins?
If a free version is important to you, Deezer is your best bet. But, if you’re focused on getting the most for your buck in terms of audio quality, Apple Music pulls ahead by a small margin, especially for Apple users. But overall, both services are fairly priced, so it’s a matter of personal preference.
Deezer vs Apple Music: Content Library
When it comes to content variety, Apple Music holds a slight edge.
Apple Music
Apple Music boasts an impressive 100+ million songs, 30,000+ expertly curated playlists, and 100,000+ live and on-demand radio stations. But what really sets Apple Music apart is its massive classical music library, with more than 5 million tracks, making it the go-to choice for classical aficionados.
Deezer
Deezer, though slightly behind, offers a respectable 90+ million tracks. It had over 120 million songs until recently, but trimmed about 26 million from its catalog to clean up fake artist entries and low-quality tracks. Deezer also has around 32,000+ stations and over 160,000 podcasts, offering diverse content for its listeners.
Winner: Apple Music
While Deezer’s catalog is robust, Apple Music’s sheer volume, variety, and exclusive classical music collection give it the edge here. It’s the platform to choose if a diverse library is important to you.
Deezer vs Apple Music: Sound Quality
Sound quality is where things get a bit more competitive, and the winner isn’t clear-cut.
Apple Music
Apple Music takes sound quality seriously. It introduced Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio, delivering an immersive listening experience. With Lossless Audio, you get CD-quality audio (16-bit, 44.1 kHz), and even higher-quality options (24-bit, 48 kHz) for most tracks. It’s a step up for audiophiles who crave richer sound.
Deezer
Deezer counters with its own HiFi tier, streaming music in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format, at 16-bit, 44.1 kHz—equivalent to CD quality. It ensures no compression loss and lets you enjoy tracks with depth and clarity. However, Deezer discontinued its Deezer 360 spatial audio feature in 2022, leaving it without the immersive listening experience that Apple Music now provides.
Winner: Apple Music
Both platforms offer CD-quality audio, but Apple Music’s broader range of high-resolution audio options, including Spatial Audio, edges it ahead for audiophiles.
Deezer vs Apple Music: User Interface & Navigation
When it comes to user experience, it’s all about simplicity vs. ecosystem.
Apple Music
Apple Music’s interface is sleek and functional, perfect for Apple device users. The service integrates seamlessly across iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and even your Apple Watch. With features like SharePlay and animated album artwork, Apple Music is all about blending the physical with the digital. That said, some users have found the drop-down menus and navigation to be slightly cumbersome when managing playlists or searching for songs.
Deezer
Deezer offers a more universal experience, designed for a variety of devices and operating systems. Its user interface is clean and easy to navigate, whether you’re on iOS, Android, or desktop. The standout feature? Flow, which personalizes your music recommendations based on your listening habits. Whether you’re in the mood for something new or want to explore a specific genre, Deezer makes it easy to discover music.
Winner: Tie
If you’re entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Music takes the cake for seamless integration. But if you value simplicity and cross-platform flexibility, Deezer wins in terms of accessibility and ease of use.
Deezer vs Apple Music: Content Discovery & Sharing
When it comes to discovering new music and sharing with friends, Deezer has some unique tricks up its sleeve.
Apple Music
Apple Music is like the perfect chef, mixing classic songs into flawless playlists that feel tailored to you. You can discover new music through curated playlists and the Explore section. SharePlay lets you jam with friends via FaceTime, while your shared playlists are automatically updated in real time.
Deezer
Deezer is an adventurous guy, constantly experimenting and pushing the envelope. The Flow feature learns your taste and keeps feeding you fresh music suggestions, making it one of the best for music discovery. Add to that the Deezer Shaker feature, which lets you create dynamic playlists by shaking your phone (yep, it’s that fun), and you have an experience that’s all about surprise and delight.
Winner: Deezer
Deezer stands out for its fun and personalized Flow feature and its Shaker tool, which really brings the joy of discovery into the fold.
Deezer vs Apple Music: Ease of Access
Deezer edges out Apple Music here, particularly for non-Apple users.
Apple Music
Apple Music requires you to sign up with your Apple ID, locking it into Apple’s ecosystem. For anyone already using Apple devices, this is a breeze, but it can feel restrictive for those not invested in Apple products.
Deezer
Deezer gives you a bit more freedom. You can sign up with an email or a social media account—no need for an Apple ID. It’s also available in over 180 countries, making it a more globally accessible option.
Winner: Deezer
Deezer’s wider availability and easier sign-up process make it more accessible for a broader audience, especially if you’re not already using Apple devices.
Deezer vs Apple Music: Supported Devices
Both services boast a wide range of supported devices, but Deezer pulls ahead with its comprehensive device compatibility.
Apple Music Supported Devices
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV
- Apple Watch, HomePod, CarPlay
- Android, PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Roku
- Samsung TV, LG Smart TV, Alexa, Sonos, and more
Deezer Supported Devices
- Desktop, Android, Apple (iOS)
- Apple Watch, Garmin, Wear OS, and more
- Amazon Echo, Sonos, Bose, Google Home, LG TV, and more
Winner: Deezer
Deezer’s support for a wider array of devices, including high-end sound systems and smart home devices, gives it an edge for users looking for compatibility across platforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Apple Music is a stronger contender overall due to its higher sound quality, larger library, and seamless integration with Apple devices. However, Deezer shines with its better music discovery features, flexible sign-up options, and broader accessibility for non-Apple users.