Spotify: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
You’ve been living with Spotify’s free tier for a while now. You’ve built playlists, discovered a few hidden gems, and tolerated the ads between tracks. But lately, you’ve been wondering: is the Premium upgrade actually worth it?
The short answer: it depends on how you listen. Let’s break down what the Spotify upgrade actually changes, what it costs, and—most importantly—whether it’s the right move for your listening habits.
What the Upgrade Actually Unlocks
Spotify’s free tier has gotten more generous over the years, but the gaps between free and Premium are still significant. Here’s what the upgrade changes:
Ad-free listening. This is the headline feature. No 30-second spots interrupting your flow state. No video ads hijacking your screen while you’re driving. For commuters who use music or podcasts to decompress, this alone can justify the price.
Offline downloads. Free users can only stream with an internet connection. Premium lets you download up to 10,000 songs across five devices. This matters if you commute through tunnels, fly regularly, or have a gym with spotty Wi-Fi.
Unlimited skips. Free tier caps you at six skips per hour. Premium removes the limit entirely. If you’re the type who abandons a song in the first ten seconds, this is a quality-of-life upgrade you’ll feel immediately.
Higher audio quality. Premium streams at up to 320 kbps, while free users get capped at 160 kbps. On good headphones or a decent car stereo, the difference is audible—especially on tracks with complex instrumentation or heavy bass.
Spotify Connect on mobile. Free users can only cast to speakers from a computer. Premium unlocks full Spotify Connect control from your phone, letting you switch playback between your phone, smart speaker, and TV seamlessly.
The pricing structure is straightforward: $11.99/month for individual, $15.99/month for Duo (two accounts), and $18.99/month for Family (up to six accounts). Students get a significant discount at $5.99/month, which also includes access to Hulu and Showtime in the US.
The Audiobook Angle You Might Not Know About
Here’s where things get interesting for readers. In late 2023, Spotify rolled out audiobook support for Premium subscribers in the US, UK, and Australia. The catch? You get 15 hours of audiobook listening per month, included with your subscription.
That’s roughly one solid audiobook per month, depending on length. A typical novel runs 8–12 hours. A doorstopper like The Count of Monte Cristo (46+ hours) would burn through your entire monthly allotment and then some.
For comparison, Audible’s standard membership gives you one credit per month, which covers any audiobook regardless of length—including those 40-hour epics. If you’re a binge listener who devours long fantasy series, Spotify’s 15-hour cap will feel restrictive. If you’re a lighter listener who goes through one or two shorter books a month, it might be enough.
The selection is also worth considering. Spotify’s audiobook catalog is growing but still leans heavily toward bestsellers and popular backlist titles. You won’t find the deep indie catalog or exclusive Audible Originals that dedicated audiobook platforms offer.
How to Decide Between Spotify Premium and Audible
If you’re primarily a music listener who occasionally dabbles in audiobooks, Spotify Premium is the better value. You’re already paying for the music streaming; the audiobook hours are a bonus.
But if audiobooks are your main interest, the calculus shifts. Audible’s model is built around ownership: you spend a credit, you keep the book forever, even if you cancel your subscription. Spotify’s model is access-based: you lose access to your audiobook hours if you downgrade, and you never actually own the titles.
There’s also the narration quality factor. Audible has spent two decades building relationships with top-tier narrators and production studios. The audio engineering, performance quality, and catalog depth are unmatched. Spotify is still catching up on that front.
Here’s a practical scenario: you’re a commuter who listens to music in the morning and an audiobook on the way home. Spotify Premium covers both with one subscription, but you’re limited to 15 audiobook hours monthly. Audible gives you one credit per month—roughly equivalent to one audiobook—plus access to their Plus catalog of included titles, but you’d need a separate music subscription.
The hybrid approach many listeners use: keep Spotify for music and podcasts, add Audible for serious audiobook listening. It’s more expensive, but you get the best of both ecosystems.
What the Upgrade Doesn’t Fix
Spotify Premium is not a cure-all. There are a few limitations worth knowing before you commit:
No true lossless audio. Premium’s 320 kbps is good, but it’s not lossless. If you’re an audiophile with high-end equipment, you’ll still notice the compression. Tidal and Apple Music offer lossless tiers if that matters to you.
Podcast ads still exist. Premium removes music ads, but podcast creators insert their own ad reads. Spotify can’t strip those out. If you’re upgrading primarily for ad-free podcasts, you’ll be disappointed.
The shuffle algorithm is still weird. Premium doesn’t fix Spotify’s infamous shuffle behavior, which tends to cluster songs by artist or genre. You’ll still hear three songs from the same album in a row.
Audiobook hours don’t roll over. Unused listening time expires at the end of each month. If you have a light month, you can’t bank those hours for a longer book next month.
How to Test the Upgrade Before Committing
Before you hand over your card details, there’s a smart way to check whether Premium fits your habits. Spotify offers a free 30-day trial of Premium for new subscribers. Here’s how to make the trial period count:
Week one: Test your commute. Listen to music and podcasts during your usual drive or train ride. Note how many times ads interrupt your flow. If you find yourself reaching for your phone to skip ads while driving, that’s a strong signal Premium will improve your daily experience.
Week two: Try the audiobook hours. Pick a book you’ve been meaning to read—something in the 8–10 hour range. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, narrated by Ray Porter, is a great test case. It’s a popular title with excellent narration, and it’ll show you how the Spotify audiobook experience compares to what you’d get on a dedicated platform.
Week three: Go offline. Download a playlist and a few podcast episodes. Spend a few days listening without Wi-Fi or cellular data. This is where Premium’s offline downloads prove their worth—or don’t, depending on your routine.
Week four: Check your usage. Open Spotify’s settings and review your listening history. If you’re consistently hitting the free tier’s skip limits or finding yourself annoyed by ads, the upgrade is justified. If you barely notice the ads and never skip tracks, you might be fine staying on free.
The verification step: After the trial ends, pay attention to whether you feel the loss. If you find yourself frustrated by ads within the first hour of downgrading, that’s your answer. If you don’t notice the difference for days, you don’t need Premium.
Is the Upgrade Right for You?
Upgrade if: you listen to music daily, hate ads, want offline access for commutes or travel, and occasionally listen to audiobooks. The 15 monthly audiobook hours are a genuine bonus for casual listeners.
Skip it if: you’re a heavy audiobook consumer who goes through multiple books monthly. You’ll hit the hour cap quickly, and the subscription cost plus the need for additional audiobook purchases makes it a poor value. You’re better off with a dedicated audiobook service.
Consider the Family plan if: you have a household of listeners. At $18.99/month for six accounts, it’s the best per-person value in streaming. Each account gets their own 15 audiobook hours, which adds up fast.
The decision ultimately comes down to what you listen to most. Spotify Premium is an excellent music upgrade with a modest audiobook side benefit. It’s not a replacement for a serious audiobook subscription—but for the right listener, it’s more than enough.
Try Audible Free for 30 Days — Start your free trial on Amazon and get two free audiobooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to audiobooks on Spotify for free?
No. Audiobook access requires a Premium subscription, and even then you’re limited to 15 hours per month. Free tier users can’t access audiobooks at all.
Do unused Spotify audiobook hours carry over?
No. Your 15 hours reset at the start of each billing cycle. Unused time doesn’t roll over, so plan your listening accordingly.
Can I buy additional audiobook hours on Spotify?
Yes, Spotify allows you to purchase extra hours if you exceed your monthly allotment. The pricing varies by region, but it’s generally around $12–$15 for an additional 10 hours.
Does Spotify Premium include podcasts?
Yes, all Spotify podcasts are available on both free and Premium tiers. Premium doesn’t remove podcast ads, though—those are baked in by creators.
Is Spotify Premium worth it for audiobooks alone?
Probably not. If audiobooks are your primary focus, a dedicated service like Audible offers better value with its credit system and permanent ownership. Spotify’s audiobook feature is best treated as a bonus on top of the music streaming.
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