Spotify retains clear lead over Apple Music with 60M paid subscribers
Spotify on Monday announced that it has 60 million paid subscribers, keeping it well ahead of Apple Music in the on-demand music industry.

The company had just 50 million Premium subscribers as recently as March, Reuters noted. In June the company said it had over 140 million active users in total, which would imply at least 80 million people are listening to the company's free ad-based tier.
At last month's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple reported 27 million subscribers. Apple Music lacks any free listening option beyond a three-month trial.
Paid subscriptions generate more revenue than ads, however, and in fact Spotify has been working to convert more of its free customers to Premium, for its own sake and to appease record labels. Recent label negotiations have reportedly involved Spotify paying lower royalties, but agreeing to delay album access for ad-based customers.
The Swedish company is working towards an initial public stock offering, which the Financial Times claimed could happen as soon as the fourth quarter. Shares may appear on the New York Stock Exchange, Reuters said.
In recent months, Apple has been pushing original video content as a way of standing out from competitors like Spotify and Pandora. Its next big effort is ""Carpool Karaoke," coming Aug. 8. Spotify is reportedly looking into promoting podcasts, especially since that involves fewer label payments.

The company had just 50 million Premium subscribers as recently as March, Reuters noted. In June the company said it had over 140 million active users in total, which would imply at least 80 million people are listening to the company's free ad-based tier.
At last month's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple reported 27 million subscribers. Apple Music lacks any free listening option beyond a three-month trial.
Paid subscriptions generate more revenue than ads, however, and in fact Spotify has been working to convert more of its free customers to Premium, for its own sake and to appease record labels. Recent label negotiations have reportedly involved Spotify paying lower royalties, but agreeing to delay album access for ad-based customers.
The Swedish company is working towards an initial public stock offering, which the Financial Times claimed could happen as soon as the fourth quarter. Shares may appear on the New York Stock Exchange, Reuters said.
In recent months, Apple has been pushing original video content as a way of standing out from competitors like Spotify and Pandora. Its next big effort is ""Carpool Karaoke," coming Aug. 8. Spotify is reportedly looking into promoting podcasts, especially since that involves fewer label payments.
Comments
Spotify is a superior service with a vastly superior catalog and curation algorithms.
If you're listening on gear capable of an iota of reference- the quality is far superior as well.
Apple is at least 7 years behind. They have a lot of work to do to pry people away from other Services.
I know over 10 personally who switched to Spotify after trying a streaming service- Apple's free trial.
Apple wouldn't buy Spotify. They would buy Tidal for the hifi and MQA rights.
I've been a long time Spotify user (Paid) and made the switch over to Apple Music...couldn't be happier. I don't see why you wouldn't change to be honest.
Just because you and 5 of your buddies aren't interested doesn't mean shit. I love people like you who always compare the rest of the market to what you and a couple of friends think. Well I know a whole 6 people including myself that don't like so that means nobody in this world will like it!
So, Spotify is probably getting $3 buck per month from Rogers for my service.
There is so much lying and dishonesty in reporting and so called analysts that its kind of sickening.
Seamingly no one gives a crap about actual facts anymore.
Wherent they giving free subscriptions with New York Times accounts also. Sign up for NYT and get free Spotify premium account...you know they count these as paid subs
https://www.nytimes.com/subscriptions/Multiproduct/lp8FRL9.html
Then I got a free trial for Apple Music a few days ago, and gave it a whirl... this is so much better, the second time around. Pretty sure they've hooked me this time. Time will tell.