Apple Music Replay: A Modest Offering Compared to Spotify Wrapped

Prepare yourself as the annual tradition arrives yet again—music streaming services are unveiling insights into your listening habits, revealing both your favorites and guilty pleasures.

Both Apple Music and Spotify have rolled out their year-end summaries, with users eagerly anticipating sharing their listening profiles on social platforms. Although similar in purpose, one of them provides a richer, more engaging experience.

Apple Music introduced its Apple Music Replay this week, allowing users to explore their most-played tracks, artists, albums, playlists, and genres. Additionally, it offers a highlight reel for the year and lets users discover if they're among the top listeners of their beloved bands or genres. While beneficial, its offerings fall behind those of Spotify.

One day following Apple's announcement, Spotify launched its Spotify Wrapped, enhancing the user experience with an array of new features. This year's release includes an innovative 'My Wrapped AI Podcast,' featuring two hosts who discuss and delve into your year-long audio journey.

A standout feature of Spotify Wrapped is the expanded Audio Overviews, gaining popularity for transforming mundane analysis into captivating content, including explanations of textbooks or academic articles.

Spotify has also introduced a 'Music Evolution' feature, narrating up to three distinctive musical phases that marked your year. Complemented by a 'Music Evolution Playlist,' this is accessed directly within the Wrapped interface. Also new is the 'longest listening streak' that tracks consecutive days of streaming a particular artist.

While both streaming services are similarly priced, with Apple Music at $10.99 and Spotify at $11.99 a month, Spotify offers a free version albeit with advertisements and some usage constraints.

Steps to Use Apple Music Replay

Accessing Apple Music Replay involves opening the Apple Music app and clicking on the Search icon at the lower corner, followed by selecting Replay 2024. Alternatively, users can log into their Apple Music account online.

Steps to Use Spotify Wrapped

To view your Spotify Wrapped summary, open the Spotify app and locate the 'Wrapped' section on the home screen. If you don't find it, ensure your app is updated to the latest version.