Access to free music continues to make Spotify a much more popular platform than Apple Music. The company now boasts more than 140 million active users worldwide, with its free, ad-support tier growing more than 50 percent year-over-year.
Artists despise Spotify’s free music tier, but the Swedish firm refuses to drop it — and it’s easy to see why. Despite being somewhat spoiled by ads, that free music attracts millions of new customers every year, ensuring Spotify remains the top dog in streaming.
Last June, Spotify confirmed it had over 100 million active users, which means it has picked up an additional 40 million in the last 12 months alone. It’s not clear how many of those are paying for the service, but every single one of them is making Spotify money somehow.
The massive user base means Spotify can pull plenty of cash from advertising. Its growth “cements our place as the leading media platform for music, fans and brands,” the company says. “As our global monthly active user number continues to climb, more consumers engage with us across their day and devices.”
In comparison, Apple confirmed during its Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month that Apple Music now has 27 million subscribers. Without a free tier, the service costs $9.99 a month for individuals, and $14.99 a month for families of up to six.
Apple has been working hard to secure exclusive content in an effort to overtake its rivals, but it hasn’t hindered Spotify’s growth. In fact, according to Spotify vice president Jonathan Forster, Apple Music has actually helped attract new users to its service.
