Globally, Spotify retains a slim lead over rival service SoundCloud when it comes to monthly users. Spotify lags SoundCloud in many emerging markets, but iTunes has the biggest global audience What’s more, just 17% of iPhone owners, 19% of iPad owners and 22% of iTunes users are currently paid-up members of a streaming service among both its core and target audiences, then, Apple needs to do a lot of work in order to make the proposition tempting.Ģ. But it also shows why Apple faces an uphill battle in terms of poaching current Spotify members: only 3 in 10 existing Spotify users say they pay to use music-streaming services, meaning the vast majority are on its free tier. That helps to explain why Apple is rumored to have been pressurizing music labels into forcing names like Spotify to withdraw their free tiers. One key omission from Apple’s new offering is a free, ad-supported tier – with users having to go straight to the $10/month subscription service. Most Spotify users don’t pay for the service Will Apple Music kill off the competition? Or, as some industry insiders have hoped, will a rising tide lift all boats? Here are three key things to know in advance of Apple Music launching.ġ.

Ever since Apple confirmed its entry into the music streaming market earlier this month, speculation has been rife about what it means for Spotify, the current leader in key territories such as Europe and North America.

Itunes vs spotify