Spotify review 2026

Spotify offers more than 100 million songs from every genre, from pop and hip-hop to classical and niche indie. German music is well covered, with the catalogues of all the major labels and many independent artists. When it comes to the sheer number of songs, the big services are now very close together (Deezer quotes 120 million songs). Spotify also has a very large podcast offering, from true crime and comedy to business podcasts. The Premium plan additionally includes 12 hours of audiobook playback a month from the subscription catalogue. The editorially curated playlists such as “Today's Top Hits” or “RapCaviar” are among the best-known playlists in streaming. Scoring (33/35): Very large catalogue depth and breadth, strong podcast and audiobook offering. Only a minimal deduction, because here and there niche catalogues are better maintained at competitors.

After years of announcements, Spotify now offers lossless audio: in all Premium plans (Individual, Duo, Family, Student), music is streamed losslessly in FLAC format up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz. The free version streams at up to 160 kbit/s. The limits are resolution and spatial sound: Spotify does not offer hi-res above 44.1 kHz or Dolby Atmos. Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal deliver up to 24-bit/192 kHz and Dolby Atmos – for audiophiles with high-quality D/A converters and wired headphones, that remains a difference. For the average user, the difference between 44.1 kHz lossless and hi-res is barely audible in practice – especially over Bluetooth, which is compressed anyway. Scoring (14/20): Lossless in CD quality and slightly above, but no hi-res above 44.1 kHz and no Dolby Atmos – behind Apple Music, Amazon Music and Tidal in this category.

Spotify's algorithms are the undisputed gold standard of the industry. “Discover Weekly” delivers 30 personalised song suggestions every Monday that are astonishingly on target. “Release Radar” keeps you informed about new releases from favourite artists, and the “Daily Mix” playlists provide endless background music matching your personal taste. “Spotify Wrapped”, the annual year-in-review, is a cultural phenomenon: millions of users share their listening statistics on social media. No other streaming service has created a comparably viral feature. Collaborative playlists allow you to curate together with friends. Spotify Connect allows seamless switching between devices – from smartphone to smart speaker to desktop. The AI DJ feature offers personalised radio-style presenting with voice commentary. Scoring (20/20): Full marks. The best algorithms, the most innovative features and the strongest social experience in the whole industry.

Besides the free version (with ads, restricted on mobile devices), Spotify offers four Premium plans: Individual at €12.99 a month, Duo at €17.99 a month (2 people), Family at €21.99 a month (up to 6 accounts) and Student at €6.99 a month. Lossless is included in all Premium plans at no extra charge. The free version gives access to the catalogue with ads; on desktop you can pick songs directly, while restrictions apply on mobile devices. For occasional listeners that is often enough – Apple Music and Tidal have no free version at all. At €12.99, the individual price is at the upper end (level with Amazon Music Unlimited without Prime) and above Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube Music (€11.99 each). The Family plan costs €21.99 – around €3.67 per person with 6 people, but more expensive than Apple Music Family and Deezer Family (€19.99 each). Scoring (14/15): Good value for money thanks to the free version, the audiobook allowance and lossless in the subscription. A deduction for the high individual and Family prices.

Spotify is available on practically every device: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, web player, smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Android TV), games consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), smartwatches (Apple Watch, Wear OS), smart speakers (Alexa, Google Home, Sonos), CarPlay and Android Auto. The desktop app is fully featured and offers everything, including local files. Spotify Connect allows seamless streaming between all devices without interruption – a feature that no competitor offers at this quality. Offline downloads are possible on up to 5 devices with 10,000 songs each. The web app works in any modern browser without installation. Scoring (9/10): Very broad platform coverage including a Linux client. A minimal deduction for occasional smartwatch sync problems.