When it comes to music streaming services, Spotify has become a popular choice among music lovers worldwide. Spotify offers both a free version and a premium subscription, each with its own set of features and limitations. In this article, we will delve into the differences between Spotify Free vs Spotify Premium, helping you make an informed decision about which option suits your needs and preferences.
Get ready for annoying ads with Free Spotify
One of the major drawbacks of using Free Spotify is the frequent disruption of music playback by ads. These advertisements are not only highly irritating but also seem intentionally designed to be so. Many of them incorporate annoying sounds, such as blaring traffic horns, accompanied by a voice saying things like, “Is this annoying? If you upgrade to Premium, you can avoid this experience.” While it’s somewhat effective as a marketing strategy, the annoyance factor is compelling enough for many users to consider upgrading to Spotify Premium just to eliminate these ads. It’s worth acknowledging that this approach can go beyond mere irritation, potentially causing genuine distress for individuals with sensory processing sensitivities.
Listen offline with Spotify Premium
With Spotify Premium, you have the option to download an unlimited number of tracks and podcasts for offline enjoyment. This proves especially beneficial during extended flights or when you prefer to conserve data while away from home. On the flip side, Free Spotify lacks the download feature, potentially leading to increased data usage instead of enjoying the benefits offered by a Premium subscription.
On the Spotify desktop app, distinctions between Free Spotify and Spotify Premium are less pronounced. For instance, both Free and Premium users can select any specific song with unlimited skips on the desktop app. However, Free Spotify users on the desktop app still experience interruptions due to ads, and downloading music for offline listening on a computer requires a Spotify Premium subscription.
Free Spotify vs Spotify Premium: Discover Identical Features
| BASIS | Spotify free | Spotify Premium |
| Over 80 million songs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Podcasts and audiobooks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel abroad with your music | For up to 14 days. | ✓ |
| Pick and play any track on mobile | Available on select playlists. | ✓ |
| Play songs in any order | ✓ | |
| Ad free music listening | ✓ | |
| Download music | ✓ | |
| Download podcasts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Highest music quality | ✓ |
Spotify Free vs Premium: Choosing the Right Option
Affordable plans for any situation
Choose a Premium plan and listen to ad-free music without limits on your phone, speaker, and other devices. Pay in various ways. Cancel anytime.
All Spotify Premium plans include
Yes, you’ve listed some of the key features that are typically included in Spotify Premium plans. Here’s a brief summary of each:
Ad-free Music Listening
- With Spotify Premium, you can enjoy your music without interruptions from ads, creating a seamless listening experience.
Download to Listen Offline
- Premium users can download songs, albums, or playlists for offline listening. This is especially useful when you don’t have access to a stable internet connection.
Play Songs in Any Order
- Unlike the free version of Spotify, Premium allows you to play songs in any order, giving you more control over your listening experience.
High Audio Quality
- Premium subscribers have access to higher audio quality, providing a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience, particularly for audiophiles.
Listen with Friends in Real Time
- This feature allows Premium users to listen to music in real time with friends, even if they are in different locations. It enhances the social aspect of music streaming.
Organize Listening Queue
- Premium users can organize their listening queue, allowing for better control and customization of the order in which songs are played.
Conclusion
Year-End Insights: Unveiling Spotify’s Annual Statistics
One standout feature on Spotify that I particularly enjoy is “Spotify Wrapped.” Each December, Spotify compiles personalized statistics for every user, showcasing various details such as their most-listened-to song of the year, total minutes spent on music, the most frequently played podcast, and the geographical locations of the artists they’ve enjoyed. Wrapped also presents broader statistics by region and globally.
In 2019, Spotify even provided “Wrapped” stats covering the entire decade. While both Free and Premium users can access Wrapped, Premium users enjoy additional personalized insights, including the number of new artists discovered and their top new artist of the year. Despite this Premium advantage, Spotify, in general, offers a plethora of appealing features to all users.
Free Spotify vs. Spotify Premium: The Verdict And the winner is Spotify Premium! It’s evident that Premium offers more features than Free Spotify, but whether to invest in a subscription ultimately depends on personal preferences. If you can secure a student, family, or duo membership, Spotify Premium becomes a reasonably priced option. For those still undecided, Spotify provides free month-long trials of Premium. Similar to other streaming services, the free tier serves as an introduction, enticing users to upgrade to fully-featured paid plans. Restrictions in the free tier may include forced shuffling of albums and playlists or a reduction in sound quality. Nevertheless, Spotify’s free tier still allows for enjoyable casual listening, so revel in the tunes!
FAQs
Ques. Can I switch from Spotify Free to Spotify Premium?
Ans. Yes, you can upgrade to Spotify Premium at any time by subscribing to the Premium plan.
Ques. Are there any student discounts available for Spotify Premium?
Ans. Yes, Spotify offers discounted Premium plans for students with a valid student ID.
Ques. Can I use Spotify Premium on multiple devices?
Ans. Yes, Spotify Premium allows you to use your account on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Ques. What happens if I cancel my Spotify Premium subscription?
Ans. If you cancel your Spotify Premium subscription, you will revert to the Spotify Free plan with its associated limitations.
Ques. Can I try Spotify Premium before subscribing?
Ans. Yes, Spotify offers a free trial period for new users to experience the benefits of Spotify Premium.
