What You Get with Spotify Premium
Spotify Premium ($11.99/month individual, $16.99/month duo, $19.99/month family) unlocks several features over the free tier:
- Ad-free listening: No interruptions between songs
- Unlimited skips: Skip any track, anytime
- Offline downloads: Save music for listening without internet
- On-demand playback: Play any song (mobile users get shuffle-only on free)
- Higher audio quality: Up to 320kbps (vs 160kbps on free)
- Spotify Connect: Control playback across devices
When Spotify Premium IS Worth It
You listen to music daily
If music is part of your daily routine - commuting, working out, working from home - Premium pays for itself in improved experience. At $11.99/month (about $0.40/day), ad-free listening is a bargain for daily users.
You need offline listening
Commuters, travelers, and anyone with limited data plans benefit enormously from downloading playlists. You can save up to 10,000 songs across 5 devices.
You're a student
The student plan at $5.99/month includes Hulu and Showtime, making it exceptional value. Verify enrollment annually to maintain eligibility.
You share with family
The Family plan ($19.99/month for 6 accounts) works out to $3.33/person - hard to beat for households with multiple listeners.
When Spotify Premium is NOT Worth It
You only listen occasionally
If you listen to music a few times a week at most, the free tier is probably sufficient. The ads are annoying but tolerable for light users.
You mainly listen to podcasts
Podcasts are fully featured on free Spotify - no ads from Spotify itself (though podcasts may have their own ads), full on-demand playback, and downloads are available.
You're happy with other services
If you're already paying for Apple Music, YouTube Music Premium, or Amazon Music and satisfied, there's no reason to switch just for Spotify's features.
Spotify Premium vs Competitors
| Service | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify Premium | $11.99/mo | Best discovery algorithms, cross-platform |
| Apple Music | $10.99/mo | Apple ecosystem, lossless audio |
| YouTube Music | $10.99/mo | Music videos, Google integration |
| Amazon Music | $9.99/mo | Prime members, Alexa users |
The Bottom Line
Spotify Premium is worth the money if you're an active music listener who values convenience. The combination of ad-free playback, unlimited skips, offline downloads, and better audio quality creates a noticeably better experience.
For casual listeners, the free tier remains one of the best free music streaming options available. Try Premium's free trial to decide for yourself.
Our Verdict
Spotify Premium is worth it for daily music listeners, commuters who need offline playback, and families who can share the cost. Skip it if you only listen occasionally or primarily consume podcasts.