Apple Music hits 20 million subscribers

Apple Music has now surpassed 20 million paying subscribers, since launching at the end of June last year, according to Music Business Worldwide.

This still puts it behind Spotify's 40 million subscribers, as of September 2016, but ahead of Tidal's three million user count as of March.

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In 2016, Spotify added 12 million subscribers to its user base, while Apple Music has added 10 million.

Apple's counter to that is that it took seven years for Spotify to hit the 20 million subscriber mark it has just reached. However, Spotify is a much smaller company than Apple and lacks the widespread hardware support in the iPhone 7 and iPad range.

The advantage Apple Music has over the competition is its integration with the Apple ecosystem, its numerous exclusives and (in comparison to Spotify), its slightly superior sound quality.

However, the service ultimately loses out to Spotify due to the latter's focus on discovering new music, no-cost options funded by advertising and the prominance of Spotify Connect.

MORE: Apple Music vs Spotify – which is better?

MORE: Apple denies rumours that it plans to acquire Tidal

[Source: Music Business Worldwide]

Adam was a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?, reviewing consumer gadgets for online and print publication, as well as researching and producing features and advice pieces on new technology in the hi-fi industry. He has since worked for PC Mag as a contributing editor and is now a science and technology reporter for The Independent.