Amazon has two primary music streaming services called Prime Music and Amazon Music Unlimited. At first, they may seem similar since both work inside the Amazon Music app and on Alexa devices. The difference lies in the amount of music you receive, the sound quality, and the cost. This article will explain what each service offers so you can decide which one fits your listening habits.
What is Amazon Prime Music?
Prime Music is included with an Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost. It gives you access to a smaller music library compared to the Unlimited plan. You can listen ad-free and download specific songs for offline playback.
Main features of Prime Music:
- Included in the Prime subscription
- About two million songs are available
- Standard audio quality
- Ad-free streaming
- Some offline listening options
Prime Music is designed for casual listeners who don’t require a vast library or high-resolution audio.
What is Amazon Music Unlimited?
Amazon Music Unlimited is a separate subscription, but Prime members get a lower price. It offers a much larger library with over one hundred million songs. It also has better sound quality options, including HD, Ultra HD, and Spatial Audio for supported devices.
Main features of Music Unlimited:
- Complete library with all available songs and albums
- HD and Ultra HD audio for high-resolution listening
- Spatial Audio for immersive sound
- Unlimited skips and downloads for offline playback
- Available as a standalone plan or discounted for Prime members
Music Library Size and Content Differences
The most significant difference is the size of the library. Prime Music has around two million songs. Amazon Music Unlimited includes all of those, plus tens of millions more.
Unlimited also has more exclusive releases and a wider range of podcasts. If you’re a fan of new music from popular artists, you will likely need Unlimited to catch their releases as soon as they drop.
Audio Quality and Streaming Experience
Prime Music streams at standard audio quality, which is fine for most casual listening. Amazon Music Unlimited offers:
- HD audio, which is lossless and higher quality than standard
- Ultra HD audio, which offers even more detail for supported devices
- Spatial Audio, which gives a 3D listening experience on compatible headphones and speakers
If you have good headphones or speakers, you may notice a clear difference with Unlimited’s higher quality streams.
Pricing and Subscription Options
| Service | Price for Prime Members | Price for Non-Prime Members |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Music | Included with Prime (no extra cost) | — |
| Amazon Music Unlimited (Individual) | $10.99 /month (or $109/year) | $11.99 /month |
Prime Music
- Included with an Amazon Prime subscription (annual or monthly)
- No extra charge for the music service itself
Amazon Music Unlimited
- Prime members pay less per month than non-members
- Standalone subscription available without Prime
- Family plan and student discounts available
The exact prices can vary by region, so it is best to check Amazon’s pricing page in your country.
Device Compatibility and App Features
Both services use the Amazon Music app on mobile, desktop, and smart TVs. They also work with Amazon Echo and other Alexa-enabled devices.
With Prime Music you may see some songs marked as only available with Unlimited. If you upgrade your account, you will unlock all those tracks without changing the app or devices you use.
Which One Should You Choose
Choose Prime Music if you already have Amazon Prime and only listen to music sometimes. It works well for basic playlists and background listening.
Choose Amazon Music Unlimited for access to the full library, the highest audio quality, and the newest releases as soon as they drop. It is also better for households that want to stream different music on multiple devices at the same time.
Both services work inside the same app and on the same devices. The difference comes down to how much music you want, the audio quality you prefer, and your budget. If you are unsure, Amazon offers a free trial for Music Unlimited so you can compare it to Prime Music before making a choice.