Software Alternatives & Startups

Apple Music VS Substack

Compare Apple Music VS Substack and see what are their differences

Apple Music

Apple Music app combines your personal iTunes library with Apple's music subscription service. Music you have purchased from the iTunes store, or synced over from other sources, is available in the "Library" tab. Read more about Apple Music.

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Substack

With Substack, anyone can start a publication that combines a personal website, blog, and email newsletter or podcast. It's quick and simple.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Substack seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 106 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 106
Music Streaming popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Apple Music
Substack
Website apple.com substack.com
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Apple Music 8 features
Substack 6 features
  • Extensive Music Library
    Apple Music offers access to over 75 million songs, making it one of the largest music streaming libraries available.
  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem
    Seamlessly integrates with other Apple devices and services, such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and HomePod, offering a unified experience.
  • Offline Listening
    Allows users to download songs for offline listening, which is convenient for listening without an internet connection.
  • High-Quality Audio
    Offers high-quality audio streaming, including Lossless and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for an immersive listening experience.
  • Exclusive Content and Releases
    Provides access to exclusive content, early releases, and specially curated playlists from popular artists.
  • Radio Stations
    Features multiple live radio stations, including the globally broadcasted Apple Music 1, which features shows from top DJs and artists.
  • Family and Student Plans
    Offers family and student subscription plans, providing a cost-effective option for multiple users.
  • Siri Integration
    Fully integrates with Siri, allowing users to control their music via voice commands.

Possible disadvantages

  • Subscription Cost
    Monthly subscription fee may be considered pricey by some users compared to other streaming services.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Support
    While available on Android, the experience is optimized for Apple devices, which might be a drawback for non-Apple users.
  • Complex User Interface
    Some users find the app's interface complex and less intuitive compared to other streaming services like Spotify.
  • No Free Tier
    Unlike competitors such as Spotify, Apple Music does not offer a free, ad-supported tier.
  • Data Usage
    High-quality streaming options can consume substantial data, which may be an issue for those with limited data plans.
  • Library Management
    Users have reported issues with the way Apple Music manages local music libraries, sometimes mixing or overwriting files.
  • Curated Content Bias
    Curated exclusive content and playlists may not cater to all musical tastes, leading to a less personalized experience for some users.
  • Ease of Use
    Substack offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for writers to publish and monetize their newsletters.
  • Built-in Monetization
    Writers can easily charge readers for subscriptions, allowing for straightforward monetization.
  • Direct Audience Connection
    Substack allows writers to build a direct relationship with their audience via email, which can lead to a more engaged readership.
  • Discovery and Community
    Features like staff picks and recommendations help writers get discovered by new readers.
  • No Upfront Costs
    Substack does not charge upfront fees; instead, it takes a percentage of subscription revenues, making it easier to start.
  • Content Ownership
    Writers retain full ownership of their content, giving them more control over their work.

Possible disadvantages

  • Revenue Share
    Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenues, which can add up for writers with a large subscriber base.
  • Limited Customization
    The platform has limited customization options compared to building a custom website or using more flexible CMS options.
  • Dependency on Platform
    Relying on Substack means depending on its policies and infrastructure, which could pose risks if the platform changes its terms or features.
  • Competition
    As more writers join Substack, it can become challenging to stand out amidst the growing competition.
  • Email Deliverability
    Writers may face issues with email deliverability, as some newsletters may end up in spam folders.
  • Payment Processing Fees
    Besides Substack's fee, payment processors like Stripe also take a percentage, further reducing net earnings for writers.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Apple Music
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Apple Music is a strong option for music streaming, especially for those who are already users of Apple products or enjoy exclusive content and curated playlists.

Why this product is good

  • Apple Music is considered good due to its vast music library, high-quality audio, exclusive content, seamless integration with Apple devices, and curated playlists. It also offers features like offline listening and a user-friendly interface, making it an attractive option for many users.

Recommended for

  • Apple device users
  • People who appreciate curated playlists
  • Listeners seeking high-quality audio
  • Fans of exclusive artist content
  • Individuals who enjoy discovering new music

Overall verdict

  • Substack is a good choice for writers seeking autonomy and a straightforward way to monetize their content. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer working within the framework of a larger publication or those unfamiliar with the challenges of building and maintaining a subscriber base.

Why this product is good

  • Substack is a platform that allows writers, journalists, and content creators to publish and monetize their newsletters. It is praised for its ease of use, built-in subscription system, and direct-to-consumer model which enables writers to retain control over their audience and content. The platform has attracted both independent writers and established journalists seeking the freedom to monetize their work without traditional media constraints.

Recommended for

  • Independent writers and journalists
  • Content creators looking to monetize their work
  • Individuals seeking a direct relationship with their audience
  • Those who appreciate simplicity in publishing

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Apple Music 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Apple Music vs Spotify: Which is BEST in 2020?

More videos

  • - Do I REGRET SWITCHING to Apple Music? 1 Year Later!
  • - How Apple Music Finally Became Good

Monetizing Podcasts and Newsletters - Chris Best of Substack and Jonathan Gill of Backtracks

More videos

  • - E1016 Substack CEO Chris Best empowers writers via email newsletter platform, raised $15M from a16z
  • - Why EVERYONE should be on Substack | What it is, How it Works, $$$
  • - Beehiiv vs Substack (2024) - Which is Better?
  • - My Experience with SUBSTACK: An Honest Review of Substack

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Apple Music
Substack
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Apple Music and Substack. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Apple Music 5.0 · 1 review
Substack no reviews yet

View more

View more

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Apple Music 0 mentions
Substack 106 mentions

Tracking Apple Music since Mar 2021.

  • Sync any blog via API to Substack in one-click
    Name Type Required Description Cookie String Yes Substack.sid= (browser session cookie) Accept String Yes Application/json Origin String Yes Publication origin, e.g.... - Source: dev.to / 2 days ago
  • Benchmarking Qwen3.8 27B quantizations: 4-bit holds up, 1-bit collapses
    For anyone that would like to see more quantizations tested, I can highly recommend paying a few bucks for oobabooga's testing, which is published on his Substack: https://substack.com/@oobabooga. - Source: Hacker News / 22 days ago
  • Discovery of a new OpenAI agent message board
    Reminds me of this meme: https://substack.com/@tomasbjartur/note/c-323840878?r=6cjtqn. - Source: Hacker News / 26 days ago

View more

Alternatives to Apple Music and Substack

When comparing Apple Music and Substack, you can also consider the following products.