Apple Music vs Spotify:Which is searched more?
In September 2026, Spotify had more branded searches than Apple Music among music streaming services worldwide. Spotify had about 68 million branded searches, while Apple Music had 4.1 million. Spotify made up 64.2% of all music streaming service searches we track, and Apple Music accounted for 3.9%. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Is Apple Music or Spotify more popular in search?
Compare the services people stream music on. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of searches by month for Spotify, Apple Music. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Spotify | YouTube Music | Apple Music | Amazon Music | Deezer | Qobuz | Tidal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 63.3% | 28.3% | 4.7% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.51% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 64.1% | 28.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.42% | 0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 64.1% | 28.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.52% | 0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 64.1% | 28.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.52% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 63.3% | 28.3% | 4.7% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.51% | 0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 63.7% | 28.5% | 4.7% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.34% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.2% | 28.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.35% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 64.3% | 28.8% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.95% | 0.35% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 65% | 29.1% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.96% | 0.29% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 60.7% | 33.2% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.33% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 60.1% | 32.9% | 3.6% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.33% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 64.2% | 28.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.28% | <0.01% |
How has the Apple Music and Spotify comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Spotify was ahead of Apple Music in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Music’s share of searches among music streaming services worldwide moved from 4.7% to 3.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5M to 4.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spotify’s share of searches among music streaming services worldwide moved from 63.3% to 64.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 68M.
How did search popularity change for music streaming services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Spotify gained share of searches among music streaming services worldwide, from 60.1% to 64.2%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple Music worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 5M to 4.1M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Music’s and Spotify’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple Music
1 branded search term
- apple music
Spotify
1 branded search term
- spotify
Other head-to-heads among music streaming services
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.