Amazon Music or Apple Music in India: How to Choose

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I made a comparison table of Amazon Music and Apple Music for listeners in India, covering price, catalogue, sound quality on AirPods Pro and voice control. I have rewritten it as a decision guide, keeping my original impressions and adding what to check now that prices and features have changed.

For a long time I could not decide which music service gave the best sound for a reasonable price. So I put together a simple comparison, based on my own use, for readers choosing between the two in India.

What did my 2021 comparison find?

• Price: Amazon Music came with Prime, so I counted roughly half the Prime fee as the cost of music. Apple Music was a separate subscription and worked out more expensive for me.
• Catalogue: Amazon felt larger. Apple Music needed more regional music.
• Sound on AirPods Pro: I heard a little graininess on beats and vocals with Amazon, and clearer sound with Apple Music.
• Voice: Alexa needed the app open on my iPhone, but recognised songs a little better. Siri was excellent for English songs and weaker for regional titles.

My verdict then was simple: Amazon Music if budget comes first, Apple Music if sound quality matters more than cost.

What has changed since then?

Prices and plans in India have changed more than once, and both services have added lossless and spatial audio options. Amazon's music offering is also split between what Prime includes and the separate Unlimited plan. Check the current plans on each service before relying on any older figures, including mine.

How should you choose today?

• Already pay for Prime? Try the music it includes before paying for anything else.
• Use an iPhone and AirPods? Apple Music fits more smoothly, with Siri and automatic device switching.
• Listen mostly to regional music? Search for your favourite artists and albums on both before deciding.
• Care about audio quality? Compare the same songs on the same headphones during free trials.

Is there a case for other services?

Yes. Spotify, YouTube Music and Indian services such as JioSaavn have strong regional catalogues and different pricing. The same checks apply.

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