For years, Spotify has been the king of music streaming. But in 2025, the throne is shaking.
Amazon Music Unlimited has quietly become one of the best deals in streaming, offering something Spotify still struggles with: Lossless High-Definition Audio.
If you care about how your music actually sounds (and you want to save a few dollars), this review is for you. Here is my reasonable take on whether you should switch.
Transparency Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We listen to everything so you can decide what sounds best.
The "HD" Difference (Why It Matters)
Most streaming services (including the free tier of Spotify) compress music files to save data. This means you lose detail. The bass gets muddy, and the cymbals sound like splashing water.
Amazon Music Unlimited offers "HD" and "Ultra HD" audio at no extra cost.
Put simply: If you have a decent pair of headphones or speakers, Amazon Music will sound significantly crisper and deeper than Spotify Premium. It’s CD-quality sound (or better) for a streaming price.
The Price: A Win for Prime Members
Here is where the math gets interesting.
Spotify Premium: Usually around $11.99/month.
Amazon Music Unlimited: If you are already a Prime member, you pay only $9.99/month.
You save $24 a year for better audio quality. If you aren't a Prime member, the price is competitive with other services.
"Since Prime members save money on this subscription, it might be worth signing up for the bundle. Read our Amazon Prime Review to see if it’s worth it for you."
The Good Stuff
100 Million Songs: The library is just as big as Spotify or Apple Music. You won't struggle to find your favorite niche band.
Spatial Audio: It supports Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio. If you have supported speakers (like an Echo Studio or Sonos), the music feels like it's coming from all around you.
Ad-Free & Offline: Obviously, no ads and you can download songs for offline listening.
The Bad Stuff (The Reasonable Cons)
The App UI: Honest truth? Spotify’s app is still smoother. Amazon’s app can feel a bit cluttered and sometimes slower to load.
Social Features: Spotify is great for seeing what your friends are listening to and sharing wrapped playlists. Amazon Music is a more solitary experience. It’s about listening, not sharing.
Podcasts: While they have podcasts, the organization isn't as intuitive as specialized apps.
Reasonable Verdict: The "Headphone Test"
Should you switch?
Stick with Spotify if: You love the social features and the "Daily Mix" algorithm.
Switch to Amazon Music if: You are a Prime member (to save money) OR you care about sound quality.
My Advice: Take the "Headphone Test."
Grab the [30-Day Free Trial] (sometimes they offer 3 months!).
Play your favorite song on Amazon Music in "Ultra HD."
Compare it to your current service.
You might be surprised at what you’ve been missing.