However, in enjoying the ‘free’ version of the app, you’ll have to spend a few minutes of your time each time an ad pops up (which happens every few tracks). This means you’re paying more for your time instead of money. You might think that Spotify Free is quite a steal. But the truth is: Spotify still doesn’t lose much while letting you enjoy music for free. They still get to make money from the ad spots they sell to advertisers. That said, Spotify’s Premium service is what generates the largest chunk of its total revenue. That’s why the ads on the free tier are designed to be disruptive enough to make you want to sign up for the Premium plan instead. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to be badgered by advertisements or prefers an uninterrupted listening experience, Spotify’s Free plan isn’t for you.

However, if you’re all for reducing subscription costs or just looking to try out Spotify, read on for a complete breakdown of what to expect from Spotify’s Free plan.

What to Expect From Spotify Free Spotify Free with ads on desktop app. While there are limitations that come with the free tier, you can still enjoy it as a music streaming platform. You can find personalized playlists made using algorithm-driven AI on hubs such as ‘Made For You’ and ‘Only You.’ Some features you can access with Spotify Free are the selected personalized playlists, up to 160kbit/s of audio quality, and on-demand playback on the desktop app. There are also playlists like Blend that allow you to experience the combined musical tastes of one other person on the app and even track changes in each other’s listening habits over time.

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