Compared: Apple Music Voice Plan versus Individual Plan versus Family Plan

Posted:
in General Discussion edited December 2021
After an announcement in October, and roll-out in early December, there are now three different Apple Music subscription tiers. Here are the differences between them.

Credit: Apple
Credit: Apple


The less expensive Apple Music Voice Plan can be had for $4.99 a month. Apple's latest subscription tier offers access to the full Apple Music catalog to anyone -- with the one caveat being that the catalog can only be accessed via Siri voice commands

The differences between Voice, Individual, and Family Apple Music subscriptions

Voice PlanIndividual PlanFamily Plan
Price$4.99$9.99$14.99
Apple Music CatalogYesYesYes
Dolby Atmos/Spatial Audio
NoYesYes
Lossless audioNoYes
Yes
Third-party platform supportNoYesYes
Family SharingNoNoYes
In-App UIStripped-down UIFull UIFull UI
Basically, the Voice Plan is a pared-down version of Apple Music that only allows users to interact with the streaming platform via voice commands.

On the Voice Plan, you'll get access to the full range of Apple Music, including 90 million songs, 30,000 pre-populated playlists, genre stations, and Apple Music Radio. The catch is that you can't interact with any of these elements through a traditional user interface.

In other words, you can ask Siri to play anything -- including individual tracks or playlists. But you won't be able to search for and play a specific track through the iPhone's or Mac's Music app.

You won't have a full UI in the Voice Plan. Open up the Apple Music app, and you'll basically be greeted only with voice command suggestions and a list of recently played tracks. There will be a section instructing users on how to optimize Siri with Apple Music.

The Apple Music Individual Plan provides the traditional Apple Music experience, and also includes premium features like lossless audio and Dolby Atmos.

The only difference between the Individual Plan and the Family Plan is that the latter subscription allows you to provide up to five other family members their own Apple Music account for $14.99 a month.

Additionally, there's also a Student Plan available only to students that costs $4.99 a month but is otherwise identical to the Individual Plan.

What devices can use Apple Music Voice Plan?

You can use the Apple Music Voice Plan on any device that includes Siri, such as an iPhone, Homepod mini, Apple Watch, MacBook Pro, or Apple TV.

If you have a pair of AirPods, you can also use Siri voice commands to control playback on a connected device.

However, you won't be able to use the Voice Plan with third-party integrations with Apple Music for Amazon Echo or Apple Music for Samsung Smart TVs.

What features are available on the Apple Music Voice Plan?

As stated earlier, you can play any track, album, or playlist on the Voice Plan. You won't be limited by skips either.

In addition, Apple has also significantly expanded the number of themed playlists available on Apple Music. That means you'll be able to ask Siri for the perfect playlist for a hike, dinner party, or relaxing before bed.

Apple says that users will be able to get "original shows, concerts, and exclusives" on the Apple Music Voice Plan, but it isn't currently clear how that will work without a full user interface.

What features are not available on the Apple Music Voice Plan?

Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, Lossless streaming, Music Videos, and lyrics are not available on the Apple Music Voice Plan.

Again, you also won't be able to navigate to specific genres, artists, or playlists from within an app. Controlling Apple Music on the Voice Plan can only be done through Siri voice commands.

Users also won't be able to download tracks to their personal library on the Voice Plan. It'll be streaming only, and tough luck if you don't have an internet connection.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    The individual plan should be $4.99.
    williamlondonelijahgjcs2305
  • Reply 2 of 11
    So, just wondering: if my iPhone 13 pro max is in my BMW connecting wirelessly to CarPlay, will an Apple Voice plan work?

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 11
    How does the Apple One plan fit into all this? Do I have to pay extra to ask Siri to play a playlist now?
    williamlondon
  • Reply 4 of 11
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,148member
    Users also won't be able to download tracks to their personal library on the Voice Plan. It'll be streaming only, and tough luck if you don't have an internet connection. 
    Yes I will be sticking with the family plan. I download music on my work phone for when out of wifi range as work has limited downloads on 4G.And it wouldn’t be right for taxpayers to pay for my personal downloads.

    anyway, Apple Music has this bug where if you haven’t used Apple Music for a day or two offline playing of a downloaded track stops right on 15 seconds.  Some people claim it is Dolby atmos, so I have that turned off. I have observed that what works is to switch to mobile data for a few seconds and then turn it off again.  That seems to let Apple Music phone home and check you have a live account.  It has been present for months, and is very annoying if you are driving

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 11
    jamnap said:
    So, just wondering: if my iPhone 13 pro max is in my BMW connecting wirelessly to CarPlay, will an Apple Voice plan work?

    Yes.
    watto_cobraGeorgeBMac
  • Reply 6 of 11
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    The Family plan is included in my Apple One plan -- which includes such things as Fitness+, Apple TV+, 2Tb iCloud storage, Arcade, etc....  So, the effective price comes down quite a bit.

    Prior to that I had the Family plan -- which, for $5.00 a month provided my grandson with access to Apple Music.   He has used it extensively on a daily basis for years now.  It was one of the best deals ever -- but Apple One kind of tops even that.
    Appleishwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 11
    The Family plan is included in my Apple One plan -- which includes such things as Fitness+, Apple TV+, 2Tb iCloud storage, Arcade, etc....  So, the effective price comes down quite a bit.

    Prior to that I had the Family plan -- which, for $5.00 a month provided my grandson with access to Apple Music.   He has used it extensively on a daily basis for years now.  It was one of the best deals ever -- but Apple One kind of tops even that.
    Apple One is completely a no brainer. I literally laughed out loud when they presented this GUI-less tier. I am not the audience for this.
    watto_cobrallama
  • Reply 8 of 11
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,273member
    jamnap said:
    So, just wondering: if my iPhone 13 pro max is in my BMW connecting wirelessly to CarPlay, will an Apple Voice plan work?


    Don't see why it wouldn't.
  • Reply 9 of 11
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,273member
    The individual plan should be $4.99.

    And why exactly is that? Other than you just want it to be less expensive.
    williamlondonllama
  • Reply 10 of 11
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,273member
    entropys said:
    Users also won't be able to download tracks to their personal library on the Voice Plan. It'll be streaming only, and tough luck if you don't have an internet connection. 
    Yes I will be sticking with the family plan. I download music on my work phone for when out of wifi range as work has limited downloads on 4G.And it wouldn’t be right for taxpayers to pay for my personal downloads.

    anyway, Apple Music has this bug where if you haven’t used Apple Music for a day or two offline playing of a downloaded track stops right on 15 seconds.  Some people claim it is Dolby atmos, so I have that turned off. I have observed that what works is to switch to mobile data for a few seconds and then turn it off again.  That seems to let Apple Music phone home and check you have a live account.  It has been present for months, and is very annoying if you are driving


    Wish you could download download music to older iPods too. I get why you can't, though.
  • Reply 11 of 11
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,273member
    Appleish said:
    The Family plan is included in my Apple One plan -- which includes such things as Fitness+, Apple TV+, 2Tb iCloud storage, Arcade, etc....  So, the effective price comes down quite a bit.

    Prior to that I had the Family plan -- which, for $5.00 a month provided my grandson with access to Apple Music.   He has used it extensively on a daily basis for years now.  It was one of the best deals ever -- but Apple One kind of tops even that.
    Apple One is completely a no brainer. I literally laughed out loud when they presented this GUI-less tier. I am not the audience for this.
    It depends on which services you actually need. I pay the yearly rate for Apple Music, ATV+ and $1/month for 50GB if iCloud. That comes out to about the same as Apple One Individual without the recurring monthly charges. No need for a family plan as it's just two of us.

    beowulfschmidt
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