Brace Yourself: Apple Music Replay vs Spotify Wrapped
The Battle for Music Streaming Supremacy
Brace yourself: It’s that time of year again, when music streaming platforms reveal our top (and most embarrassing) listening habits.
What’s the Difference?
Both Apple Music Replay and Spotify Wrapped results have arrived, and everyone is about to be sharing them on social media. Although the two generally provide the same information, one streaming platform’s offerings outshine the other.
Apple Music Replay
On Tuesday, Apple Music unveiled Apple Music Replay, through which users can access their top songs, albums, artists, playlists, genres, and stations. They can also access a year-end highlight reel and see if they are among the top listeners for their favorite artist or genre.
Spotify Wrapped
On Wednesday, just a day later, Spotify unveiled its Spotify Wrapped, which also shows users their top listening insights. However, this year, the company added a plethora of new features, including a new "My Wrapped AI Podcast," featuring two NotebookLM hosts discussing — or "unwrapping" — your music listening results from the previous year.
New Features
This is particularly noteworthy because Google’s NotebookLM Audio Overviews have repeatedly gone viral this year for transforming text into engaging podcasts. Some use cases include making dull information more engaging, such as class notes, textbook passages, articles, or research papers.
Other new features include a new Music Evolution data story, which showcases up to three musical phases that define your year in music, accompanied by a Music Evolution Playlist on the Wrapped feed and a new "longest listening streak" feature that shows how many days in a row you listened to an artist.
Subscription Costs
The subscription costs for both are very similar, with Apple Music costing $10.99 per month and Spotify $11.99 per month. However, Spotify does have a free version with some limitations, such as ads.
Accessing Apple Music Replay and Spotify Wrapped
How to Access Apple Music Replay
To access Apple Music Replay, go to your Apple Music app, click on the Search tab in the bottom right-hand corner, and tap Replay 2024. You can also visit the Replay website and sign into your Apple Music account.
How to Access Spotify Wrapped
To access your Spotify Wrapped, go to your Spotify app and tap the "Wrapped" tab on the home page, which will bring you to the experience. If it isn’t there, you may need to update your app to the latest version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both Apple Music Replay and Spotify Wrapped provide valuable insights into our music listening habits, Spotify’s offerings this year outshine Apple Music’s. With its new features, including the AI podcast and Music Evolution data story, Spotify has set a new standard for music streaming platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Apple Music Replay?
A: Apple Music Replay is a feature that provides users with their top songs, albums, artists, playlists, genres, and stations from the previous year.
Q: What is Spotify Wrapped?
A: Spotify Wrapped is a feature that provides users with their top listening insights, including their top songs, artists, and genres from the previous year.
Q: What are the new features in Spotify Wrapped this year?
A: The new features in Spotify Wrapped this year include a new "My Wrapped AI Podcast," a new Music Evolution data story, and a new "longest listening streak" feature.
Q: How much does Apple Music cost?
A: Apple Music costs $10.99 per month.
Q: How much does Spotify cost?
A: Spotify costs $11.99 per month, but it also has a free version with some limitations.
