Apple refutes claim that half of Apple Music users have abandoned the service

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Apple has issued its own figures about Apple Music users, disputing the results of a MusicWatch survey which said 48 per cent of the initial 11 million subscribers had stopped using it.

Following yesterday's reports, Apple told The Verge that the actual drop-out rate is nearer 21 per cent. The company claims 79 per cent of people who initially signed up for Apple Music's free three-month trial are still using it.

That contrasts with the findings of the MusicWatch survey, which questioned 5000 Apple customers. MusicWatch says 48 per cent of the original 11 million people who trialled Apple Music are no longer using it.

MORE: Apple claims 11 million free trial users

Two thirds of the survey respondents said they were either "very likely" or "extremely likely" to pay for the music streaming service when the free trial ends. However, although it is claimed that 61 per cent have already turned off the auto-renewal option, that does not, of course, mean they will not subscribe in the future.

Rival Spotify says it has 75 million users and 20 million paying subscribers, and offers around 30 million tracks, a similar sized catalogue to Apple Music.

MORE: 28 Apple Music tips, tricks and features

Andy Clough
Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.