In this post, we’ll explain the main differences between Spotify Free and Spotify Premium so you can understand each option and make an informed decision. While the free plan provides access to the music streaming service, it significantly has more limitations than the Premium subscription.
Spotify Free vs. Spotify Premium
The comparison table below showcases Spotify’s features and highlights which ones are accessible in the free version. It covers all Spotify Premium plans, including Individual, Duo, and Family plans. However, the table focuses on the differences between the free and paid versions rather than the distinctions among the several paid subscriptions.
|
FEATURES |
SPOTIFY FREE |
SPOTIFY PREMIUM |
|
MUSIC STREAMING |
Streaming with ads |
Ad-free streaming |
|
AUDIO QUALITY |
Highest at ~160 kbit/s |
Highest at ~320 kbit/s |
|
LISTEN TO ANY SONG |
Yes |
Yes |
|
LISTEN TO SONGS IN ANY ORDER |
No |
Yes |
|
FULLY LISTEN TO AN ALBUM |
Yes |
Yes |
|
OFFLINE PLAYBACK |
No |
Yes |
|
RECOMMENDED PLAYLISTS |
Yes |
Yes |
|
CREATE YOUR OWN PLAYLISTS |
Yes |
Yes |
|
SEE YOUR FRIENDS’ ACTIVITY |
Yes |
Yes |
|
LISTENING PARTY |
No |
Yes |
|
CUSTOMIZE QUEUE PLAYLIST |
No |
Yes |
|
LYRICS |
Yes |
Yes |
|
AI DJ |
Yes |
Yes |
|
SPOTIFY CONNECT |
Yes |
Yes |
Main Differences
First, it’s important to note that while Spotify advertises its Premium version as offering high sound quality, it actually provides one of the lowest sound quality in the streaming world. It’s the only major service that doesn’t offer HD quality. With a Premium subscription, you receive 320 kbps, which is comparable to MP3 audio quality from 15 years ago. While this may be enough for most users, it’s worth considering that the free plan offers an even lower audio quality.
The most well-known difference between the two versions is that the free version includes ads that interrupt playback every few songs. Additionally, if you opt for the free subscription, you won’t be able to download music for offline listening, nor can you customize or rearrange your playback queue.
Spotify Free also plays random songs, meaning if you want to play songs in any order, you’ll need to pay for a Premium subscription. Moreover, it lacks features such as real-time listening with friends on different devices and several AI functions.
Despite these limitations, both versions allow you to create custom playlists and enjoy social features, such as seeing what your friends are listening to. You can also view song lyrics without having to pay, which was once a paid-only feature, and use Spotify Connect to control playback on one device from another. In addition, all subscriptions, whether paid or free, offer access to the popular Spotify Wrapped feature.
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