Spotify streams music and podcasts from a catalog of tens of millions of tracks, with personalized playlists, algorithmic recommendations and curated editorial content. The free tier is ad-supported and has some listening restrictions on mobile, while the paid Premium subscription removes ads, allows offline downloads, and unlocks on-demand playback of any track. Desktop apps are available for Windows, macOS and Linux, alongside mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Spotify Free vs Premium
The free tier gives full access to Spotify's catalog but plays occasional audio ads and, on mobile, favors shuffled playback over picking exact tracks on demand. Upgrading to Premium removes ads, unlocks offline downloads for listening without a connection, and increases the maximum audio streaming quality.
Spotify Features
- Huge on-demand catalog — tens of millions of songs and a large library of podcasts
- Personalized playlists — algorithmic mixes like Discover Weekly built from listening history
- Offline downloads — save playlists and albums for offline playback (Premium)
- Cross-device sync — pick up playback across phone, desktop and web with Spotify Connect
- Podcasts and audiobooks — stream podcast episodes and a selection of audiobooks alongside music
- Collaborative and shared playlists — build playlists together with friends
- Lyrics view — follow along with synced lyrics for supported tracks
How to Install Spotify on Windows
- Download the installer from the official download page or the button on this page.
- Run the setup file and follow the installation prompts.
- Sign in or create a free Spotify account.
- Search for an artist, album or playlist to start listening.
- Upgrade to Premium from within the app if you want offline downloads and no ads.
Is Spotify really free?
Freemium. Spotify's free tier is ad-supported with some playback limits on mobile; the paid Premium subscription removes ads and adds offline downloads and on-demand track playback everywhere.
How to download Spotify safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for www.spotify.com — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Spotify. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Spotify
Other free media players software worth comparing before you decide:
VLC Media Player
Free, open-source media player supporting nearly every audio and video format.
foobar2000
Free, highly customizable audio player for Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spotify free?
Yes, Spotify has a free, ad-supported tier; a paid Premium subscription removes ads and adds offline listening.
What does Spotify Premium add?
Premium removes ads, allows offline downloads, unlocks on-demand playback of any track on mobile, and increases maximum audio quality.
Can I download music for offline listening on the free plan?
No, offline downloads require a Premium subscription.
Does Spotify have podcasts?
Yes, Spotify hosts a large library of podcasts alongside its music catalog, available on both free and Premium tiers.
Can I use Spotify on multiple devices?
Yes, Spotify supports desktop, mobile and web apps with playback that can be handed off between devices using Spotify Connect.
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