Spotify is one of the largest music platforms in the world. Currently, it exceeds 400 million registered users, a higher figure than expected according to the expectations of the streaming service itself. This data makes the platform a great reference in the sector, also in paid subscriptions, since it far exceeds 180 million paid users. Its market share in the music streaming scene reaches more than 55%, a figure that reflects its superiority in this sector. Despite everything, it has registered some losses in the last quarter of 2021: 39 million euros, specifically, less than the 125 million euros that it lost in the last quarter of 2020.
To discover what Spotify is and how it works, its advantages, and disadvantages. we recommend that you continue reading this article.
What is Spotify and what is it for?
The Spotify platform is a digital music streaming service that provides access, free or paid, to its users to millions of songs, artist videos, and podcasts from around the world, just like Apple Music does.
Do you wonder what is spotify free and what it consist of? Well, one of the great attractions of Spotify is that it offers the possibility of free access to its content. It is only necessary to register by connecting via Facebook or with an email address. Also, if you are not interested in the available Spotify Premium monthly subscription fees or just want to give it a try and dive into the app, you can easily do so without any commitment to pay.
If you want to know what Spotify is free and Premium, among the main differences between the two versions, it is important to mention that the first one is compatible with ads and with radio stations. Access to this free version is possible only through a PC, laptop, and mobile phone. On the other hand, the full service is only available with the Premium subscription.
How Spotify works
Wondering how to listen to music on Spotify? Well, to start using Spotify, you just have to follow these steps:
- Visit the Spotify website and sign up. You can also download the app on your smartphone and register. You can also register through Facebook as long as you have an account on this social network since in this way it will be easier to find friends and follow them, see what songs they listen to, and share them with them.
- Select the subscription level you want to have on Spotify. We recommend choosing the Premium version to access all the functions available on the platform. Also, it is more flexible and will allow you to connect with more devices compared to the free version.
- Download and install the Spotify app .it has desktop versions for PC, and iPhone/iPad phones and is also available on Android.
- Sign in to Spotify in your account on any of the devices to start listening to music. If you choose the free mode, you will only be able to listen to Spotify online. If you choose Premium mode, you can listen to your favorite band offline.
Spotify’s basic setup is quite simple, so you’ll be able to find your favorite artists quickly. However, as you dig deeper into the platform, it will become smarter: the more songs you listen to, the more data the app will have to suggest new songs to you. Plus, when you add mutual friends on Spotify, you’ll be able to access their playlists as well as yours. In this way, you will receive feedback and you will be able to enjoy a much more extensive musical catalog, especially if you opt for the Premium version of the application.
Advantages and disadvantages of Spotify
As with other similar music platforms, Spotify has features that make it a unique app. Some of its main advantages are the following:
- Works on different operating systems: The application can be used without any problem on Windows, Mac, or Linux computers, with the identical operation for all three operating systems.
- Spotify Radio: One of Spotify’s main advantages over its competition is its Spotify radio feature. Thanks to this function, the application detects and offers various alternatives to the user’s favorite songs.
- Spotify Connect: with the Premium version, you can access playlists without the need for an Internet connection, without invasive advertisements, and in 320 kbps sound quality, that is, the highest quality available in MP3.
- Varied repertoire: Spotify contains more than 20 million songs available in its catalog. They are easy to find using the search and explore the bar.
Despite having many advantages, Spotify also has some disadvantages:
- High data consumption: its proper functioning depends on a broadband connection. The constant use of Spotify implies the consumption of a large amount of data, therefore, you could be disconnected in the middle of the month.
- Geographic limitation: There are limitations in some countries regarding this music streaming service. Some record companies apply a usage restriction due to privacy policies.
- Free version without HQ streaming: enjoying high-quality videos and music is only possible with the Premium version, that is, paid. Otherwise, users are subject to the speed of their Internet connection to use the platform.
- The free version does not have a play per list: on mobile only a random play is available. Therefore, the user cannot use song lists, unless he decides to purchase a membership.