Spotify vs Apple Music royalties (2026): which pays artists more?
Last updated June 2026 · ~5 min read
Apple Music pays more than twice as much per stream — but Spotify usually has more listeners. So which actually earns you more? Here's the honest comparison, with calculators for both.
The headline numbers
| Spotify | Apple Music | |
|---|---|---|
| Per-stream rate (2026) | ~$0.004 | ~$0.01 |
| Free tier? | Yes (dilutes payout) | No (all paid) |
| Royalties for 1M streams | ~$3,000–$5,000 | ~$10,000 |
| Audience size | Larger | Smaller |
| Model | Pro-rata pool | Pro-rata pool |
Rates as of 2026 and vary by listener country; both report through your distributor. Verify with your statements.
Why Apple Music pays more per stream
Both platforms split a monthly revenue pool among rights holders by share of streams. The difference is what fills the pool: Apple Music has no free, ad-supported tier, so every stream comes from a paying subscriber. Spotify's huge free tier brings in less per listener, dragging its per-stream average down to about $0.004 versus Apple's ~$0.01.
But Spotify usually wins on volume
Spotify is the larger platform in most markets, so even at a lower rate it can deliver more total streams — and therefore, often, more total dollars. The right question isn't "which pays more per stream" but "where does my audience listen, and how much do I earn on each?"
Run your own numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Apple Music or Spotify pay more?
Per stream, Apple Music (~$0.01 vs ~$0.004). But Spotify's larger audience often means more total streams, so total earnings depend on where your listeners are.
Should I pick one platform?
No — distribute to both via DistroKid/TuneCore/CD Baby for one flat fee. There's no reason to leave either platform's royalties on the table.
How many streams to make $1,000?
Roughly 250,000 on Spotify (~$0.004) or 100,000 on Apple Music (~$0.01). Both calculators show this live.