iHeartRadio vs YouTube Music
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading music & audio apps solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose iHeartRadio if you need Live radio and prefer a free starting option. Choose YouTube Music if you prioritize Music streaming and want a free tier to start. YouTube Music has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.0).
iHeartRadio vs YouTube Music: At a Glance
| Criteria | iHeartRadio | YouTube Music |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers | Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers |
| Category | Music & Audio Apps | Music & Audio Apps |
| Founded | 2008 | 2015 |
Feature Comparison: iHeartRadio vs YouTube Music
| Feature | iHeartRadio | YouTube Music |
|---|---|---|
| Live radio | ||
| Custom stations | ||
| Podcasts | ||
| Events | ||
| Smart speakers | ||
| Car systems | ||
| Account security | ||
| Web support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support | ||
| Smart-speakers support | ||
| Music streaming | ||
| Music videos | ||
| Live performances | ||
| Personalization | ||
| Google services | ||
| Android Auto | ||
| Google account security | ||
| Family controls |
iHeartRadio vs YouTube Music: Pricing Breakdown
iHeartRadio Pricing
Model: freemium
- Live radio
- Podcasts
- Ads
- Unlimited skips
- Offline playlists
YouTube Music Pricing
Model: freemium
- Ad-supported
- Music videos
- Ad-free
- Background play
- Downloads
Pros and Cons
iHeartRadio
Pros
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 4 platforms (Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers)
- Rich feature set with 11+ capabilities
- Strong Live radio functionality
- Strong Custom stations functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
YouTube Music
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 4 platforms (Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers)
- Rich feature set with 13+ capabilities
- Strong Music streaming functionality
- Strong Music videos functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use iHeartRadio vs YouTube Music?
Choose iHeartRadio if you:
- Need Live radio
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Custom stations
Choose YouTube Music if you:
- Need Music streaming
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Music videos
Frequently Asked Questions: iHeartRadio vs YouTube Music
Is iHeartRadio better than YouTube Music?
It depends on your needs. iHeartRadio has a 4.0/5 user rating while YouTube Music has 4.3/5. iHeartRadio excels in Live radio and Custom stations, while YouTube Music stands out with Music streaming and Music videos. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, iHeartRadio or YouTube Music?
iHeartRadio offers a free plan and starts at Free. YouTube Music offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use iHeartRadio and YouTube Music together?
While both are music & audio apps tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core music & audio apps needs.
What are the main differences between iHeartRadio and YouTube Music?
The key differences include: pricing model (freemium vs freemium), platform support (Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers vs Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers), and feature focus. iHeartRadio emphasizes Live radio, Custom stations, Podcasts while YouTube Music focuses on Music streaming, Music videos, Live performances. User ratings differ slightly: 4.0 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both iHeartRadio and YouTube Music.