If Spotify free music streaming makes you think there must be a catch, let’s clear things up.

Is Spotify Free really free? Yes, it’s trueSpotify’s free version won’t cost you a thing.

However… There are a few restrictions when compared to the paid version, Spotify Premium, so Spotify Free is free in terms of monetary cost to the user but perhaps not free in terms of convenience.


Is free Spotify good?

As is to be expected, you don’t get the full Spotify experience from the free app. With Spotify Free you’re restricted to six skips an hour. Users also don’t get the option to download tracks for offline listening, which might cost you in data usage.

There’s still the same discovery features offered in Premium, with personalised song recommendations, but not features like Enhanced playlists. You can search the app, and make use of the social media sharing options.


How is Spotify free?

"Music for everyone"
Image Credit: Spotify

Spotify is able to offer a free subscription because of the money it gets from audio advertisements which slot in between songs and appear as banners on the app. These ads are of course designed to make you want to sign up to Premium for undisturbed listening of your favourite songs.


What are the different subscription options available on Spotify?

Spotify offers four distinct subscription plans tailored to various user needs.

Individual Plan: Designed for a single user, this plan allows full access to Spotify’s music and podcast library with ad-free listening, offline playback, and on-demand playback features.

Duo Plan: This option is ideal for two people living at the same address. It includes all the benefits of the Individual plan along with a specialized Duo Mix playlist that combines the musical tastes of both users.

Family Plan: Suitable for up to six family members residing at the same location, this plan also offers ad-free music, offline listening, on-demand playback, and includes a Family Mix playlist. Additionally, it features parental control options.

Student Plan: Available at a discounted rate for eligible college and university students, this plan includes all the perks of the Individual Plan at a lower cost.

All plans come with no contractual obligation, allowing users the flexibility to cancel at any time.


How do I get Spotify Premium?

Spotify Premium header

Spotify is much better if you’re able to pay for it. You can try out Spotify Premium for free for three months and explore everything the app has to offer – afterwards, Premium costs $9.99.

Upgrading to Spotify Premium offers several advantages for music and podcast lovers. One of the primary benefits is the uninterrupted listening experience, as Premium users can enjoy music and podcasts without any advertisements. Additionally, Premium allows users to download their favourite tracks and episodes, enabling offline listening anywhere and anytime. This feature is particularly useful for those who travel or have limited internet access.

Premium also offers on-demand playback, which means users can replay their favourite songs without restrictions. Moreover, the service provides a variety of subscription plans, including Individual, Duo, Family, and Student options, making it flexible to suit different user needs. Subscribers can cancel their Premium service at any time without commitment.

For those interested in audiobooks, Spotify Premium currently offers access to over 250,000 titles in select regions such as Australia, the UK, and the US. Premium Individual subscribers, as well as Duo and Family plan managers, can enjoy up to 15 hours of audiobook listening each month.

But, if you can’t afford access to Spotify Premium right now, Spotify Free is a perfectly usable basic version that lets you experience the power of Spotify and stream music for free.


How can users engage with artists and genres on Spotify?

Users can engage with a diverse range of artists and genres on Spotify through several features designed to enhance their listening experience. One of the key features for discovering and enjoying music is Spotify’s Popular Radio playlist. This tool curates tracks based on the user’s favorite artists, allowing for a personalized listening experience that varies from mainstream hits to more niche selections.

Additionally, Spotify organizes music into various categories tailored to different moods and activities, such as Workout, Chill, Party, and Sleep playlists, as well as thematic collections like Pride, Throwback, and Disney.

For users looking to discover new music or stay up-to-date with current trends, Spotify provides New Releases and Charts. Live Events playlists offer a way to experience concerts and live performances, while specialized categories like Made for You create customized playlists that suit individual tastes, making music discovery on Spotify an ever-evolving journey.


What are some of the features of the Spotify app for music and podcasts?

Spotify offers a variety of features tailored for both music and podcast enthusiasts. Users can explore and discover new tunes, albums, and unique podcasts. There is a function that allows searches based on lyrics, making it easy to find specific songs.

Additionally, Spotify enables users to craft their own playlists that reflect their current mood or browse through an assortment of recommended playlists likely to catch their interest. Daily personalized music mixes are provided to enhance user experience.

Podcast fans can subscribe to their preferred series to stay updated with the latest episodes. They can also organize their favourite podcasts into a custom library for convenient access. Specific podcast episodes can be saved into playlists for structured listening.


What devices can users use Spotify on?

Users have the ability to engage with Spotify using a variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, gaming consoles such as PlayStation, streaming devices like Chromecast, televisions, and even wearable technology. This flexibility allows users to enjoy their music and podcasts seamlessly across different platforms depending on their preferences and available technology.

To use the app on various Apple devices, specific operating system versions are needed. Here are the requirements:

  • For iPhone users, the device must be running at least iOS 15.0
  • iPad users need to have iPadOS 15.0 or higher installed
  • iPod touch devices should also have iOS 15.0 or newer
  • Apple TV compatibility starts from tvOS 13.0 onwards
  • Lastly, using the app on an Apple Watch requires watchOS 8.0 or above.

Are you a musician or producer? You can get your music on Spotify and other streaming services for free with RouteNote distribution. Find out more here.