The Archive
YouTube Music review 2026
No other service reliably finds that 2009 live version, the living-room cover or the remix that exists nowhere else. Sonically last in class – but as part of YouTube Premium almost a no-brainer.
Key facts at a glance
- Audio
- 256 kbps AAC (no lossless)
- Lossless
- No
- Dolby Atmos
- No
- Catalogue
- 100M+ tracks + the YouTube archive
- Payout model
- Pro-rata, heavily ad-funded
- Per stream
- $0.0007–0.002
- Strength
- Endless live recordings, covers & remixes
- Best for
- Android users, remix and live hunters
How YouTube Music ranks in the market
-
Price Rank 3 of 8cheapest service = rank 1
-
Audio quality Rank 7 of 8highest resolution = rank 1
-
Artist payout Rank 8 of 8highest payout per stream = rank 1
Our review
YouTube Music is in a league of its own when it comes to selection. Besides official releases, the service searches the entire YouTube archive – countless live performances, covers, DJ remixes and rarities that, for licensing reasons, exist on no other platform. Search even finds songs from fragments of lyrics, and you can switch seamlessly between audio and video.
Technically, YouTube Music comes last: it tops out at 256 kbps AAC, with no lossless or hi-res at all. Payouts of $0.0007 to $0.002 per stream are at the bottom end too. The service becomes compelling as part of a bundle: included in YouTube Premium, which also removes ads from all videos, it’s effectively already paid for by many people.
Our verdict: a strong choice for Android users, remix hunters and anyone who already has YouTube Premium. If sound quality matters to you, look elsewhere.
Features
- Offline downloads: Yes
- Synced lyrics: Yes
- Podcasts in the app: Yes
- Audiobooks included: No
- Upload your own music: Yes up to 100,000 tracks
- CarPlay & Android Auto: Yes
- Sonos: Yes
- Stream to speakers & streamers: Yes Chromecast
Changes at YouTube Music
- Prices in the comparison updated
- YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium get more expensive
YouTube Music head to head
Against every other service in the comparison – point by point, with a clear recommendation.