Comparing Six Music Streaming Services: Prices, Free Tiers, Audio Quality and Student Plans

Music subscriptions can have similar monthly prices while differing in what you can do for free, how families can share them, and the requirements for high-quality audio. We compare Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, LINE MUSIC and AWA using the same criteria.

This article is based on official information for Japan checked on October 24, 2026. Prices are the regular listed amounts and exclude limited-time promotions. Conditions vary by signup channel, existing subscription and student verification, so also check the ongoing price and eligibility on the signup screen. This is not a ranking based on listening tests across every device or hands-on subscriptions to every plan.

Comparing Monthly Prices

The table mainly compares standard individual plans at the prices shown on official websites. Amazon's Standard and Unlimited plans are listed separately, with Prime member prices alongside them. A lower price in the student or family column is available only if you meet the eligibility requirements.

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Note 1: At the time of checking, the student price shown in Amazon Music's official signup information did not match its FAQ. We therefore do not state a definitive amount here. Note 2: LINE MUSIC's family plan is not sold through LINE STORE, so its in-app monthly price is listed.

Pricing sources: Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Standard / Amazon FAQ / YouTube Music / LINE MUSIC / AWA. Amazon Standard's family plan was also checked.

Compare In-App Billing and Annual Plans Separately

YouTube Music's Japanese App Store listing shows ¥1,450 per month for individuals and ¥2,180 for families, different from its web prices. LINE MUSIC costs ¥1,080 per month for the standard plan and ¥580 for students when purchased in the app. AWA's standard in-app monthly price is also ¥1,080. Check where you subscribe separately from which app you use to listen.

Annual options include YouTube Music's 12-month web plan at ¥10,800, without automatic renewal; LINE MUSIC's standard web plan at ¥9,600; and AWA's standard web plan at ¥9,800. Dividing an annual price by 12 does not make it a monthly plan payable at that amount each month. If you expect to use a service long term, compare payment methods and renewal conditions as well.

Sources: YouTube Music's listed iOS prices / YouTube Music's web plans / LINE MUSIC pricing by purchase channel / AWA pricing

YouTube Music's family plan can be shared with up to five family members who live at the same address as the family manager, for a total of six people including the manager. Everyone uses their own Google Account and has a separate library and recommendations.

Sources: YouTube family plan requirements

How Much Can You Listen to for Free?

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Amazon Music Prime is a benefit for Prime members, rather than being free for everyone. Playback is generally shuffled outside selected playlists that let you choose tracks, and downloads are limited to eligible content. Likewise, AWA's 20 hours a month does not mean 20 hours of full-length playback. These differences are easy to miss if services are compared only under the word "free".

Sources: Spotify's free-tier update / Spotify plan comparison / Apple Music / Amazon features by plan / YouTube Music feature differences / LINE MUSIC / AWA

Audio Quality: Separate Maximum Specifications from Your Listening Setup

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Kbps measures data rate, while bit depth and kHz relate to audio resolution. Figures involving different compression methods and playback conditions cannot be placed in a single ranking. Choosing lossless also does not mean that every Bluetooth connection becomes lossless. If audio quality matters to you, check your everyday headphones and connections as well as the subscription.

Sources: Spotify audio quality / Spotify lossless audio / Apple playback requirements / Apple Music specifications / Amazon audio-quality FAQ / YouTube Music audio quality / AWA audio quality

Student Plans Have Different Age and School Requirements

Spotify Student is for people aged 18 or over enrolled at an eligible higher-education institution. YouTube Music's student plan is also for students at eligible higher-education institutions. Both have a maximum duration of four years and require annual eligibility checks. Apple Music is likewise available to eligible students at universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, vocational schools and other qualifying institutions, for up to 48 months.

LINE MUSIC, by contrast, lists students from elementary school upward as eligible, while AWA starts at junior high school. School and eligibility verification requirements apply, so check whether you qualify rather than assuming a student ID works for every service. For Amazon, check the individual signup screen because of the pricing discrepancy noted above.

Sources: Spotify student eligibility / YouTube student eligibility / Apple student eligibility / Apple information for Japan / LINE MUSIC student plans / AWA student eligibility

Narrow Down the Options Based on How You Listen

• You want to explore for free before deciding: Try Spotify or YouTube Music to see how easy it is to find favorite releases and playlists. Try AWA with its highlight-playback limitation in mind.
• You want high-quality album listening: Compare the specifications of Apple Music, Amazon Music Standard / Unlimited, and Spotify Premium alongside the playback equipment you own.
• You already pay for YouTube: A standard YouTube Premium subscription includes Music Premium, so check your existing subscription first.
• LINE integration matters to you: Check LINE MUSIC's background music, music-video settings and linked benefits. Do not confuse the included LYP Premium Light Plan with the Standard Plan.
• You want to discover music through other people's selections and conversations: Try AWA's lounges and see whether they suit the way you usually discover music.
• Two people in the same household want to use a service: Spotify Duo, at ¥1,480 per month, is another option. You must meet the same-household requirement.

These suggestions are based on features, rather than measured rankings of sound quality or usability. To make the comparison more concrete, first choose a few artists and albums you definitely want to hear, then check whether your preferred versions are available, including standard releases, live albums and remixes.

Additional sources: What YouTube Premium includes / LINE integration benefits / AWA lounges / Spotify Duo

What to Check When Switching Services or Starting a Free Trial

Before subscribing, check who will bill you, the price after the trial, and the next renewal date. Trial lengths and eligibility are not necessarily the same for everyone. Canceling a Spotify free trial immediately returns you to Free, so do not assume every service remains usable until the trial's scheduled end date.

Downloads also differ from purchasing ordinary music files. Apple Music's catalog becomes unavailable when your subscription ends, while Spotify requires an internet connection every 30 days to keep downloaded content available. When switching, make a note of favorite releases and playlists, check that they are available on the new service, then organize your subscriptions.

Sources: Canceling Spotify / Spotify download requirements / Apple Music after a subscription ends

Read More About Each Service

• Spotify: prices, features and how to use it
• Apple Music: prices, features and how to use it
• Amazon Music: prices, features and how to use it
• YouTube Music: prices, features and how to use it
• LINE MUSIC: prices, features and how to use it
• AWA: prices, features and how to use it