Apple Music vs Qobuz
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Apple Music is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.3. Apple Music wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Qobuz on 1.
iPhone and Mac users who want high-quality audio without ads
Audiophiles and album listeners with good headphones or a hi-fi system
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Apple Music | Qobuz |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Music & Podcasts | Music & Podcasts |
| Category rank | #2 of 10 | #7 of 10 |
| Developer | Apple | Xandrie SA |
| Pricing | Subscription | Subscription |
| Usable for free | No | No |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Apple Music better than Qobuz?
Apple Music is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.3. Apple Music wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Qobuz on 1.
Which is cheaper, Apple Music or Qobuz?
Apple Music: No free tier; Individual $11.99/month in the US after a one-month trial. Qobuz: Studio Solo is $12.99 a month, or $10.83 a month billed yearly; students pay $4.99. On value for money, Qobuz scores higher.
Do Apple Music and Qobuz work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Web.
Which is more private, Apple Music or Qobuz?
Apple Music scores higher on privacy (8.9/10). No tracking per its App Store label. Purchases, location, contact info, search history, usage data and identifiers are linked to your Apple Account for features and recommendations. No ads.
Strengths and weaknesses
Apple Music
- Hi-res lossless and Dolby Atmos at no extra cost
- No ads and no cross-app tracking
- Still cheaper than Spotify Premium in the US
- No free tier beyond a trial
- Discovery and recommendations trail Spotify
- Works best if you own Apple hardware
Apple Music pairs excellent sound with tight Apple integration. Lossless, Spatial Audio and Apple Music Classical come at no extra cost, the synced lyrics view is a joy, and AutoMix blends tracks like a DJ. iOS 27 added a landscape player and a weekly Friends playlist. Recommendations still trail Spotify's, and there's no free tier. Get it if you live on iPhone, Mac and HomePod and care about sound.
Full Apple Music review
Qobuz
- Hi-res lossless audio on every plan
- Rich credits, reviews and liner notes
- Buy downloads you keep forever
- No free tier, only a trial
- Catalog can be thin for lesser-known artists
- App Store label lists tracking identifiers
Qobuz is the streaming service for people who care how music sounds and who made it. Every plan streams lossless FLAC up to 24-bit/192 kHz, and the app is packed with credits, reviews, digital booklets and editorial writing. You can also buy hi-res downloads to keep. Qobuz Connect controls hi-fi gear from brands like Naim and Denon. There's no free tier, and some listeners find the catalog thin for lesser-known artists.
Full Qobuz review
