Apple Music review

Apple Music gives the most sound quality per dollar of the big mainstream services. The $11.99 Individual plan includes the whole catalog of more than 100 million songs in lossless audio, which Apple labels Lossless up to 48kHz and Hi-Res Lossless from 48kHz to 192kHz. Thousands of tracks are also mixed in Dolby Atmos, and Apple says they play on any headphones through the latest Apple Music app. The plan also includes the separate Apple Music Classical app, real-time lyrics and the Apple Music Sing karaoke mode. Students pay $6.99 with Apple TV included, and the Family Plan shares everything with up to five other people for $19.99. The catch is hardware: Hi-Res Lossless needs an external USB DAC, and wireless earbuds will not carry full lossless detail. There is no free on-demand tier, only free radio. Apps exist for Android, Windows, Sonos and smart TVs, but the experience is most complete on iPhone, Mac and Apple TV 4K.

Who it is for

Listeners who want lossless and Dolby Atmos sound at a standard price, on Apple devices or Android.

Price

Individual $11.99 per month; Student $6.99; Family $19.99.

An individual monthly subscription is just $11.99 per month after your free trial.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Over 100 million songs, ad-free and available for offline listening
• Lossless up to 48kHz and Hi-Res Lossless from 48kHz to 192kHz
• Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on compatible devices
• Apple Music Classical app included in Individual, Student and Family plans
• Apple Music Sing with real-time lyrics and adjustable vocals

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless included at the standard $11.99 price
• Strength: Thousands of Dolby Atmos tracks playable on any headphones
• Strength: Family Plan covers up to six people for $19.99
• Weakness: No permanent free on-demand tier
• Weakness: Hi-Res Lossless needs an external USB DAC
• Weakness: Some features work best inside Apple's own devices

Key facts

• Individual plan: $11.99 per month
• Top audio quality: Hi-Res Lossless up to 192kHz
• Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos
• Catalog: Over 100 million songs
• Free trial: 1 month for new subscribers

Where it ranks

Apple Music is No. 1 in our Best Music Streaming Services verdict.