What Spotify offers and how much it costs
Spotify is a music streaming service that lets you listen to millions of songs on demand through an app or web browser. The service offers several tiers: a free ad-supported version with limited skips and lower sound quality, and paid plans that remove ads, allow unlimited skips, and offer higher audio quality. Pricing varies by country and changes periodically, so you should check Spotify's website directly for current rates in your area.
The paid plans typically include an individual plan for one person, a duo plan for two people with separate accounts, a family plan that covers up to six household members, and a student plan at a reduced rate if you have a valid student email. Each paid plan renews monthly unless you cancel, and Spotify charges your payment method automatically on your billing date.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify's free tier plays music with ads and limits how many times you can skip tracks, while paid plans remove ads and give you unlimited skips.
- You can listen on phones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, and some cars, but only one device at a time on individual plans and a limited number simultaneously on family plans.
- Spotify stores your payment method on file and charges automatically each month, so you need to cancel before your renewal date to stop being charged.
- The service tracks what you listen to and uses that data to create personalized playlists and recommendations, which you can limit in your privacy settings.
How to set up a Spotify account
You create a Spotify account by going to Spotify.com or opening the app, then signing up with an email address and password or using a Facebook or Google account. You choose a username (which other users can see) and confirm your email. If you want a paid plan, you add a payment method — Spotify accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and in some regions other payment options.
Once your account is active, you can download the Spotify app on your phone, tablet, or computer, or use the web player at Spotify.com. You log in with your email and password, and your account settings, saved songs, and playlists sync across all your devices. If you sign up for a family plan, the account holder invites other household members by email, and each person gets their own separate account and recommendations.
What devices Spotify works on
Spotify runs on iPhones and Android phones, iPads and Android tablets, Windows and Mac computers, and the web browser on any device. It also works on smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home, gaming consoles including PlayStation and Xbox, and some car infotainment systems. The app is free to download, and you use your Spotify login to access it on any device.
On individual paid plans, you can listen on only one device at a time — if you start playing music on your phone, it stops on your computer. Family plans allow multiple people to listen simultaneously, typically four to six streams at once depending on the plan. The free tier also limits simultaneous listening, usually to one device.
How Spotify's free tier compares to paid plans
The free tier lets you listen to any song or playlist, but Spotify plays ads between tracks and limits you to a certain number of skips per hour. Sound quality is lower than paid plans. You cannot download songs to listen offline, and you cannot choose exactly which song plays next on most playlists — Spotify shuffles them. The free tier is supported by advertising, so Spotify's revenue comes from ads shown to you, not from a subscription fee.
Paid plans remove all ads, give you unlimited skips, let you download songs to your phone or tablet for offline listening, and let you pick any song to play next. Higher-tier plans offer better sound quality — standard quality on most plans, and high-fidelity audio on premium tiers in some regions. You also get access to exclusive features like spatial audio with certain headphones and the ability to see what friends are listening to in real time.
How billing and cancellation work
When you sign up for a paid plan, Spotify charges your payment method on the day your subscription starts, then again on the same day each month. You can see your next billing date and current plan in your account settings under "Subscription." If you want to stop paying, you must cancel before your next billing date — canceling after you have been charged does not refund that month's payment, though some payment methods or regions may have different policies.
To cancel, go to your account settings, find the subscription section, and select "Cancel Subscription." Spotify asks why you are leaving but does not require an answer. Once canceled, you lose access to paid features immediately and revert to the free tier. Your playlists and saved songs remain in your account, so if you resubscribe later, everything is still there. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months in some regions, which keeps your account but stops charging you temporarily.
How Spotify uses your listening data
Spotify tracks what you listen to, how long you listen, which songs you save, and which playlists you create. It uses this data to build a profile of your music taste and create personalized recommendations, playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar, and ads targeted to your interests. Spotify also shares some of this data with artists and labels so they can see how many times their songs were played and by what kind of listener.
You can limit how much data Spotify collects by adjusting your privacy settings in your account. You can turn off personalization, which stops Spotify from using your listening history to make recommendations, though this makes the service less tailored to your taste. You can also opt out of targeted advertising, which reduces the relevance of ads shown to you on the free tier. Spotify's privacy policy explains in detail what data it collects and how it uses it.
Common reasons people switch plans or cancel
Some people start on the free tier to try Spotify, then upgrade to a paid plan once they decide they like the service and want to remove ads and skip limits. Others downgrade from a family plan to an individual plan if household members move out or stop using the service. Some cancel entirely because they prefer a different streaming service, find the cost too high, or stop listening to music regularly enough to justify the subscription.
If you are considering canceling, Spotify sometimes offers discounts or free trial months to keep you subscribed — you may see these offers in your account settings or via email. You can also pause your subscription instead of canceling if you think you might return later. If cost is the issue, the student plan or family plan (split among household members) can be cheaper per person than an individual plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Spotify on multiple devices at the same time?
On individual plans, only one device can play music at a time. If you start playing on your phone, it stops on your computer. Family and duo plans allow multiple people to listen simultaneously, typically four to six streams depending on which plan you choose.
What happens to my playlists if I cancel?
Your playlists and saved songs stay in your account even after you cancel. If you resubscribe later, everything is still there. While you are on the free tier after canceling, you can still see and listen to your playlists, but you cannot download them or skip as freely.
Can I download songs to listen without internet?
Yes, but only on paid plans. You can download songs, albums, or playlists to your phone or tablet through the Spotify app, then listen to them offline. Downloaded songs expire if you do not connect to the internet for more than 30 days, so Spotify can verify your subscription is still active.
Does Spotify work if I share my password with someone else?
Technically yes, but Spotify's terms of service say each account is for personal use only and should not be shared. If multiple people log in from different locations, Spotify may ask you to verify your account or restrict access. The family plan is designed for this — it lets multiple people use Spotify legally without sharing a single password.
How do I change my payment method?
Go to your account settings, find the "Payment Methods" or "Billing" section, and add a new payment method or update your existing one. You can remove old payment methods once a new one is saved. Changes take effect on your next billing date.