In the Spotify vs. SiriusXM wrestle, choosing a better option among the two could be confusing.
About the music, it is everywhere. Be it in college, while you’re driving, studying (by the way, you shouldn’t do that), or even when dishwashing, music is the best companion you can ever have. In addition, music also serves as an anchor that keeps you tied to your past and the good or bad memories you have.
Now, when it comes to listening to music, it’s 2023, and you no longer rely on audio broadcasters or radio stations to play your favorite tracks, as you can do that yourself. Even if you don’t choose any streaming music service, YouTube still serves as a ‘big mama’ of the ‘cult’ that contains everything for everyone.
However, if you want a precise dedicated platform that plays music according to your taste, this comparison will help you choose which is better, Spotify or SiriusXM, and get the best bang for your buck.
Spotify and SiriusXM Overview
Before everything else, here’s a brief introduction to both streaming music service providers to give you a better understanding of the two portals:
What Is Spotify?
One of the oldest streaming music platforms, Spotify, was founded by Daniel EK and Martin Lorentson in 2006. Being one of a kind back then, Spotify took the market by storm and instantly became popular.
As of today, Spotify is available in 178 countries across the globe, with more than 517.25 million users in total, including approximately 229 million Premium subscribers.
Regarding ease of accessibility, you can listen to Spotify music on your PC’s web browser, through a Windows or Mac desktop app, smartphone, gaming console, tablet, or even on your smartwatch.
What Is SiriusXM?
SiriusXM came into existence in 2008 and is primarily a radio broadcasting service limited only to North America. The good thing about SiriusXM is that because it uses a radio satellite for its relays, you can enjoy its services even in remote areas, including in the middle of the sea, rural regions, etc.
As for subscribers, in the first quarter of 2023, the platform had around 34 million. Since SiriusXM doesn’t offer free plans, all its consumers are premium members. However, it still gives a 3-month free trial before it begins charging a monthly subscription fee.
Also, SiriusXM is not only limited to music and podcasts but also offers live sports, news, and several other types of content.
Difference Between Spotify and SiriusXM
For a fair comparison between Spotify vs. SiriusXM, it is essential to keep things in black and white to get a good idea of the best deal for you. You can continue reading to learn more about these portals.
Spotify vs. SiriusXM: Music Content
Spotify is a global app now, and it has music for everyone. Expanded across 178 countries, the streaming service consists of around 90 million music catalogs, offering a wide range of genres and podcasts to get the best pick according to your mood.
On the other hand, SiriusXM isn’t only limited to music and podcasts, but, as mentioned earlier, it also streams stand-up comedy shows, live sports, and many other content types, making it a full-fledged satellite-based radio service.
Spotify vs. SiriusXM: Plans and Prices
While Spotify offers different plans, offering variances in tenure and the number of accounts it allows, many people may find SiriusXM’s subscription options complicated, if not confusing. Therefore, for your convenience, a side-by-side comparison between different plans offered by these two acoustic giants is given below:
Spotify
| Services | Free | Student | Individual | Duo | Family |
| Price (USD) / Per Month | $0.00 | $4.99 | $9.99 | $12.99 | $15.99 |
| Ads | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Sound Quality | 160 Kbps | 320 kbps | 320 kbps | 320 kbps | 320 kbps |
| Number of Accounts | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Blocking (Explicit Music) | NA | NA | NA | NA | Yes |
| Access to Additional Stuff | NA | Hulu Plan (with Ads) | NA | NA | Spotify Kids App |
SiriusXM
| Services | Car Radio + Streaming Devices | Streaming Devices Only | ||||
| Platinum | Music & Entertainment | Music Showcase | Platinum | Music & Entertainment | Music Showcase | |
| Price (USD) / Month | $23.99 | $18.99 | $13.99 | $10.99 | $7.99 | $4.99 |
| Ads | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sound Quality | 256 kbps | 256 kbps | 256 kbps | 256 kbps | 256 kbps | 256 kbps |
| News | Yes | Some | Some | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Personalized Pandora Stations | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Podcast Series | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Spotify vs. SiriusXM: Sound Quality
At the time of this writing, both Spotify and SiriusXM offer acoustics of almost the same quality (with a negligible difference, i.e., 160 kbps and 320 kbps on Spotify and 256 kbps on Sirius) as long as you have access to a good speaker system and a high-speed Internet connection. However, regarding stability, SiriusXM steals the show using a radio satellite for broadcasting, allowing you to enjoy an uninterrupted listening experience even in remote and isolated areas. This contrasts with Spotify, whose services may be hindered if you have water or tall buildings around you.
Spotify vs. SiriusXM: Device Compatibility
Spotify beats SiriusXM in this race as well. While the former expands its compatibility to reach users having access to PCs, gaming consoles, smartphones, tablets, cars, and even smartwatches, the latter is still limited to PCs, tablets, and smartphones, and for cars, you must subscribe to an expensive plan.
Spotify vs. SiriusXM: Target Market
Today, Spotify is available in 178 countries with around 229 million Premium subscribers out of more than 517.25 total users across the globe.
On the other hand, SiriusXM restricts itself to North America, with approximately 34 million subscribers in all. Nevertheless, the stability in connection it offers, even at remote locations, makes the streaming platform popular pan nation.
Pros and Cons of Spotify and SiriusXM
After understanding the features, compatible devices, and geographical expands the two audio streaming services cover, it’s time to see the merits and demerits of each. You can refer to the following points for this:
Pros and Cons: Spotify
Pros
- Offers an intuitive interface with self-explanatory options and buttons
- Streams music in up to 320 kbps
- Allows music downloads for offline listening
- Comprises more than 90 million catalogs with something for everyone in the basket
- Offers a free plan with unlimited access to music and podcast database
- Supports multiple devices ranging from smartphones, tablets, PCs, smartwatches, and gaming consoles
Cons
- Free subscribers cannot skip ads that interrupt their listening experience
- Free members remain stuck with 160 kbps sound quality
- Free members cannot download music for offline listening
- Doesn’t offer live programs with visuals
Pros and Cons: SiriusXM
Pros
- In addition to music and podcasts, SiriusXM offers a range of content, including live sports matches, stand-up comedy shows, etc.
- Accessible from anywhere across the globe, including remote and isolated areas, with the help of a radio satellite for broadcasting
- Allows users to pick the content of their choice from 165 channels
- Allows live programs for a real-time viewing experience
- SiriusXM has subscription plans to meet your requirements
Cons
- Offers only regional content specific to the US
- Doesn’t have any free plan for its users (however, it offers a 3-month free trial)
- Offers audio of up to 256 kbps sound quality, which is lower than what Spotify does
Summary of Spotify vs. SiriusXM
Although both platforms offer good streaming services, which is better, Spotify or SiriusXM, depends on the type of content you wish to have under one roof, your region of residence, and how and where you travel the most.
While Spotify has a bigger library with tracks and podcasts for everyone, SiriusXM offers more variety in content that ranges from music to live sports matches, stand-up comedy shows, and much more.
Also, you may want to choose Spotify to enjoy music from all regions globally. On the other hand, SiriusXM only has US-based content.
Bonus: How to Listen to Spotify Songs Anywhere Offline
If you wish to listen to Spotify music outside the app regardless of the subscription type (free or Premium), you can download and convert the tracks to MP3 and transfer them to your preferred output device.
To do all this smart work, you need an efficient tool called HitPaw Spotify Music Converter that allows you to connect and sync your Spotify account to it and download and convert your favorite songs and playlists to MP3.
FAQs about Spotify vs. SiriusXM
Can I use Spotify even in remote and isolated areas?
No. SiriusXM uses a radio satellite for its broadcasts, and because of this, its services are available everywhere around the world. Spotify doesn’t have this privilege, so its users experience hindrance even if surrounded by tall buildings or water.
Can I listen to SiriusXM channels outside the US?
Yes, you can. However, the type of content will still be region-specific, i.e., North America.
Which is better, Spotify or SiriusXM?
This question doesn’t have a 2+2 = 4 answer. While Spotify could be good for some, others may find SiriusXM quite appealing because of its variety of content.
Conclusion
In the entire debate about which is better, Spotify or SiriusXM, the point is it depends on your preferences and tastes as an individual. Spotify would be a good choice if you like listening to music from all regions. Going for SiriusXM will be a wise approach if you like sticking to US-only content and love live broadcasts, especially while traveling to remote areas. Therefore, regardless of the merits and demerits, this Spotify vs. SiriusXM comparison can still serve as a good starting point for music lovers.