Apple Music is carving out its niche once again as it announces the return of its Monthly Replay feature, giving users insights on their listening habits throughout the year. This feature, renewed for 2025, reflects Apple’s effort to heighten user engagement by providing continuous updates on their preferred artists, songs, and albums. Unlike rival Spotify, which has successfully maintained lower bundled royalty rates for music and audiobooks, Apple Music focuses on personalizing its user experiences.
Just like Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music's Monthly Replay delivers detailed statistics, including top artists and songs on its platform. Users can explore their musical journeys by accessing the selection through the Apple Music Replay website. To do so, subscribers simply sign-in with their Apple account, tap “Jump-In,” and choose from various months to examine their musical preferences. Notably, it enables users to review past listening experiences, making the service more interactive.
Despite these enhancements, the Apple Music app on macOS has come under fire for significant functionality issues. Users are reporting poor user interface performance and bizarre interruptions during playback—problems which seem to be absent from mobile versions of the app. One frustrated user noted, "I’d rather see Apple work on the app and improve the service over time than jump ship to a rival like Spotify," highlighting the commitment some have to Apple Music.
On the other hand, Spotify continues to navigate controversial waters, particularly concerning its bundling strategies. The recent dismissal of the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s (MLC) lawsuit against the company allows Spotify to maintain its controversial classification of its subscription service as music-and-audiobook bundles, which could potentially undercut revenue for songwriters and publishers by as much as $150 million annually.
This decision, made by Judge Analisa Torres, clarified existing US regulations: bundles merely need to combine music with other products or services of significant value, without including proof of increased prices or consumer value. After the ruling, Spotify remarked, "Bundle offerings play a-critical role in expending the interest in playing for music and growing the pie for the music industry." Such statements reflect Spotify's aim to continue extending its services and its reliance on audiobooks for generating revenue.
Yet, smaller publishers and independent songwriters remain concerned with the ruling's impact on their incomes. There are fears it may create widening disparities within the music industry since major labels typically have the resources to negotiate separate deals. This shift could channel more significant power to platforms like Spotify—ones already accused of prioritizing profits over artist welfare.
Returning to the mechanics of streaming music, we also look at how Apple Music is faring overall. While not laden with podcasts—an area where Spotify shines—Apple Music packages over 100 million songs, offering lossless audio and spatial audio options for those seeking premium sound. The service's price point remains appealing too, at $11 monthly, compared to Spotify's $12. Users delight over the integration of features such as Tune-In Radio and the annual Replay feature, which elevates engagement beyond mere listening.
Yet, Apple Music’s commitment to quality is challenged by persistent complaints, particularly surrounding its macOS app. Users report erratic functionality: songs skipping out altogether, finicky alerts, and frequent AirPlay failures. One user’s frustrations encapsulate this sentiment: "It feels clumsy and unintuitive..." That being said, some users express loyalty, choosing to stick with Apple Music rather than venturing to Spotify, even as they hope improvements are on the horizon.
The competitive streaming ground is ever-evolving, and Apple Music continues to adapt. By emphasizing its innovative Monthly Replay feature and refining its service, Apple seeks to provide users with engaging experiences, rather than pushing them toward competitors like Spotify. For now, the battle remains fierce, with both platforms showcasing their strengths and weaknesses, awaiting how the market will shift amid changing user expectations.