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Spotify Review
Spotify is the most popular streaming service in the world. As of Q3 2024, Spotify reported approximately 633 million monthly active users, including about 246 million paying subscribers, and it continues to grow. You can stream music, create playlists, and tune into podcasts for free with ads, or upgrade to Premium for ad-free listening, offline downloads, and in many markets a monthly allotment of audiobook listening hours (see audiobooks on Spotify). Premium works on nearly any device, smart speaker, or TV, and it’s simple to share music with friends or build collaborative playlists. Integrating your own local music remains limited, and while Spotify has begun rolling out music videos in select markets, its video catalog is still modest compared with video-first platforms (see music videos beta). Overall, Spotify is a strong all-around streaming service that will satisfy most listeners.
The Claim
On its website, Spotify claims that “it’s easy to find the right music or podcast for every moment – on your phone, your computer, your tablet and more.” This promises consumers a streaming service that will easily present all kinds of audio content, plus some video experiences like music videos (in limited markets) and video podcasts (availability varies).
Is it true?
Most people will find it easy to engage with intriguing content on Spotify. Michael Stover, owner of MTS Management Group/MTS Records, told us “Streaming sites like Spotify and Youtube are there for music discovery [and] promotion, a way for artists to have their music heard by an audience that wouldn’t normally listen.” Spotify’s personalized playlists — including Discover Weekly and Release Radar — surface new music similar to your favorites, and newer experiences like daylist and AI-powered playlisting expand discovery even further (see Discover Weekly, Release Radar, daylist, and AI Playlists). Because of its web player, you can listen pretty much anywhere, too.
There’s also a ton of unique content, like “Spotify Singles,” exclusive tracks and sessions recorded in Spotify Studios. You’ll find original performances, alternate takes, and acoustic versions alongside artist interviews and live sessions.
Along with podcasts and audiobooks, you can also find poems and speeches on Spotify — and, quite bizarrely, an exclusive motion comic of the “Archie” series has even made an appearance. There’s a lot to keep you busy on Spotify, and it’s a great value (especially because there’s a free tier).
Product Overview
Best for
Cross-platform listening, personalized discovery (Discover Weekly, Release Radar, daylist), social/collaborative playlists, ad-supported free tier, Premium with audiobooks (in many markets)
Not for
Lossless/hi-res audio, true cloud uploads for personal libraries, comprehensive video catalogs
Features
| Prices | Free $10/mo. premium $15/mo. family |
| Standout features | Personalized music Discovery Free version Social listening Web player Language learning |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| No. of tracks | 50 million+ |
| Offline listening | On premium plans only |
Personalized music discovery
There are many playlists that Spotify caters to you. You’ll find new songs based on your tastes and listening history added to the “Release Radar” and “Discover Weekly” playlists on a weekly basis (Release Radar, Discover Weekly). daylist evolves several times a day to match your changing moods and routines (learn more). You can also experiment with AI-generated playlists by describing a vibe or prompt as the feature rolls out more widely (AI Playlists). And at the end of the year, Spotify will collect your most-listened tunes in a “Wrapped” playlist.
One of the newer personalized playlists is called Your Daily Drive — a curated morning radio playlist. It’s a mix of the songs you’ve been jamming to lately, a few songs it thinks you’ll like, and news hits from major publishers. It’s essentially a replication of a morning radio show but created for your personal preferences.
If you like to stick to a few genres and artists, Spotify’s algorithms will keep you in your comfort zone and introduce you to music in your lane. For listeners who like to expand their horizons, you’re better off with Apple Music’s human-curated playlists — and it includes Lossless/Hi‑Res and Dolby Atmos at no extra cost (Apple Music, lossless and Atmos).
Free version
Spotify’s free version is the biggest reason it has so many more subscribers than the competition. Listeners will have access to all of Spotify’s key features, with just a few limitations. You can only skip six songs in an hour, have to listen to ads, must listen on shuffle-only for some playlists on the mobile app, and won’t have access to offline listening. There are about 15 popular playlists including Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mix, that will let you pick-and-play songs and skip as many as you like.
We also love the free option because if you upgrade to the premium plan and eventually cancel it, you will still have access to playlists you’ve spent years curating on the free plan. On music streaming services that only have a paid plan, you would have to resubscribe to regain access to your music library.
Social listening
Spotify does a great job of connecting your music to your community. You can watch your friends’ live listening activity in a feed and tune in to their current jams. If you want to build a playlist for an event, you can make it collaborative and invite friends to add songs. When there’s a song your work bestie has to hear, you can easily share it with a Spotify link.
Device integration
Nearly every device or speaker is compatible with Spotify. You can use it on iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems. It works on Google TV/Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Samsung and LG smart TVs (Spotify on TV), PlayStation 5/4 (PS support) and Xbox Series X|S/One (Xbox support) for background playback while gaming, Bose and Sonos speakers, and many more devices. In the car, Spotify supports Apple CarPlay (CarPlay), Android Auto, and native in-dash apps in select “cars with Google built-in” via the vehicle’s Play Store (learn more). On wearables, Spotify supports Apple Watch and Wear OS for control, streaming, and offline downloads where available (wearables). HomePod works via AirPlay from Apple devices (no native Spotify app) (AirPlay to HomePod). The list of compatible devices is extensive, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter a situation where you can’t play Spotify.
Web player
Unlike Apple Music, you can stream Spotify on an internet browser with its web player. The web player is perfect if you ever find yourself wanting to listen to music, but can’t download the Spotify app. If you’re on a computer at school, the library, or work, you won’t have to go without your focus-friendly playlist.
Unique extras
If you look for long enough, you’ll uncover a hidden world on Spotify. Beyond music and podcasts, Premium now includes a monthly allotment of audiobook listening hours in many markets (details). Spotify is also piloting full-length music videos in select markets for Premium users (music videos beta) and added comments to deepen engagement on podcast episodes (podcast comments). Even oddities like a motion comic of the “Archie” series have popped up over the years. You can still dive into poetry, speeches, short stories, and vintage radio dramas, and yes — you’ll find language-learning playlists too.
Possible Drawbacks
Poor library integration
If you already own music and want to integrate it with your streaming library, we’d recommend a different streaming service. Spotify allows you to add local files on desktop and make them playable on your phone over the same Wi‑Fi, but there’s no true cloud upload/sync and local tracks don’t live in your account across devices (Local files). Your Library has solid organization tools (filters, pins, playlist folders) and now integrates audiobooks, but personal file hosting remains limited (Your Library, playlist folders, audiobooks). Spotify users have long requested deeper local file integration and cloud sync (community idea). You also can’t purchase any songs or albums through Spotify. If cloud upload is critical, Apple Music’s Sync Library and YouTube Music’s Uploads are better fits (Apple Music Sync Library, YouTube Music uploads).
Lack of video content
Spotify has focused on audio first. It now offers a beta of full-length music videos in select markets for Premium users and supports video podcasts, but availability is limited by region, device, and catalog (music videos beta, how it works, video podcasts). Compared with services like Apple Music and TIDAL — both of which offer extensive music video libraries alongside lossless audio — Spotify’s video selection is still relatively narrow (Apple Music, TIDAL).
Abandons old playlists
Playlist freshness varies. Spotify’s flagship algorithmic playlists have predictable refresh cycles — Discover Weekly updates every Monday and Release Radar every Friday, while daylist evolves multiple times per day (Discover Weekly, Release Radar, daylist). Editorial playlists are updated regularly, but cadence can vary by genre, mood, and region (how playlists work, editorial updates). If you tend to follow niche or legacy playlists, some may feel static compared with the weekly and daily rhythm of Spotify’s personalized lists.
The Competition
| Spotify | Apple Music | Tidal | |
| Price | $0-$15/mo. | $10-$15/mo. | $10-$30/mo. |
| Free trial | Free version available | 3 mo. | 1 mo. |
| Offline listening | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Student discount | $5/mo. | $5/mo. | $5-$10/mo. |
| Hi-fi audio | ✔ |
Spotify vs. Apple Music
The starkest difference between Apple Music and Spotify is that you have to pay to use Apple Music’s services. There is no free version of Apple Music, though trials and bundles appear periodically. Apple Music mixes algorithmic picks with heavy editorial curation and adds deep Apple ecosystem integration, extensive music videos, and Lossless/Hi‑Res plus Dolby Atmos at no extra cost (overview, lossless and Atmos). Apple also supports true cloud sync/uploads for personal libraries via Sync Library. Spotify counters with broader cross‑platform support, best‑in‑class discovery (e.g., Discover Weekly, Release Radar, daylist, and AI Playlists), podcasts, and audiobook hours in Premium in many markets. Casual listeners and cross‑platform households will likely prefer Spotify; audiophiles or Apple‑centric homes may lean Apple Music.
Spotify vs. Tidal
If you’re into audiophile‑grade listening, TIDAL is the safer bet. It includes lossless and hi‑res FLAC (up to 24‑bit/192 kHz) and supports Dolby Atmos on compatible hardware, with strong integrations for DJ software and many hi‑fi devices (TIDAL plans, audio quality). Spotify’s maximum quality remains “Very high” lossy (up to 320 kbps) and it does not offer a broadly available lossless tier as of today (Spotify audio quality). Choose TIDAL if pristine fidelity and credits/liner notes matter most; choose Spotify for discovery, social features, podcasts, audiobooks in Premium, and the widest device reach (Spotify Premium).
Spotify FAQ
Can you keep the songs you download from Spotify?
No. Downloading music from Spotify only allows you to tune in when you’re offline and not using WiFi. The files aren’t actually saved for use if you aren’t using the Spotify app. If you cancel your premium subscription, those downloaded songs will be invalid.
Is Spotify Premium worth it?
Maybe! If you stream music constantly and like to listen on smart devices, you’ll benefit from Spotify Premium’s features. In many markets, Premium now includes monthly audiobook listening hours, which boosts value if you enjoy long‑form content (plans, audiobooks in Premium). Casual listeners who don’t mind the occasional ad will be perfectly happy with Spotify’s free service. Michael Stover, owner of MTS Management Group/MTS Records, advised us, “If you listen to a lot of music, and you like to discover new artists before purchasing a whole download or CD, then spending $10 [a month] is probably worth it.”
How much data does Spotify use?
Every time you stream, download, or upload you are using data to transmit that information. Home internet and cell phone plans typically have data caps, and your speeds will drop if you exceed that limit. On Premium’s highest quality setting (up to 320 kbps), Spotify will consume roughly a couple of megabytes per minute of music played (audio quality settings), so listening for hours typically stays well below the data used by HD video streaming (which can take gigabytes per hour). For comparison, Netflix estimates about 3 GB for just an hour of HD streaming. Unless you’ve got your tunes playing 24/7 all month long, you probably won’t need to worry about data while streaming Spotify.
The Bottom Line
Spotify is one of our favorite picks — see our notice the difference — and is unlikely to disappoint most people. With over 600 million monthly active users and roughly a quarter‑billion paying subscribers, it combines standout discovery (Discover Weekly, Release Radar, daylist, and AI Playlists) with podcasts and, in many markets, a monthly allotment of audiobook listening. You can listen nearly anywhere thanks to broad device compatibility (TVs/streamers, game consoles, wearables, and cars), the mobile apps, and the web player. All these features make Spotify one of the best streaming services for casual and social listeners.
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