My Decision to Part Ways with Spotify

After a decade with Spotify, I’ve decided to set off on a new adventure.

This decision isn’t driven by personal grievances; rather, it emphasizes the distinct paths we’ve both taken in our growth.

Over the years, I’ve contemplated leaving Spotify numerous times. I’ve noticed ongoing criticisms regarding its artist royalties being lower compared to other platforms, as well as the contentious partnership with Joe Rogan, which has fueled misinformation related to COVID-19 and health discussions.

I’m also aware of Spotify’s efforts to eliminate the RSS feed, which threatens the independence of podcasters. Regrettably, these issues have pushed me to seek alternatives to a service I’ve depended on since my teenage years.

It’s easy to overlook flaws when we feel let down by companies we trusted. (I still remember the Netflix layoffs, yet I find myself binging “Love Is Blind.”)

Frequently, we fool ourselves into believing that our individual subscriptions don’t matter—after all, Duolingo continues to thrive despite its shift from contractors to AI.

Nonetheless, Spotify has significantly shaped my experience: I can no longer tolerate its overwhelming reliance on algorithm-driven suggestions as soon as I open the app.

Navigating from Spotify’s homepage to the music I truly want to listen to feels daunting due to the excessive visual clutter. Recommended content often overshadows my actual musical preferences.

Initially, I’m often greeted with a distracting full-screen advertisement for a new podcast. Soon after, a barrage of music and podcast recommendations appears, showcasing new episodes from shows I abandoned long ago, alongside albums I barely explored. Following that, there’s a suggested track from an unfamiliar artist. Tapping on the search tab overwhelms me with audiobook suggestions, while scrolling down presents snippet videos reminiscent of TikTok.

Spotify’s recommendations can be compelling as the app inundates you with curated playlists. This reduces decision-making—perhaps that’s what attracts some users. However, I realized I was straying from the music I genuinely loved in favor of what Spotify suggested.

Unknowingly, I relinquished my independence.

Still, my ethical concerns regarding Spotify played a considerable role in my choice.

According to a report from Duetti, a music financing platform, Spotify, valued at about $140 billion, compensates artists approximately $3 per 1,000 streams. In contrast, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and YouTube offered $8.80, $6.20, and $4.80, respectively, for comparable metrics in 2024. (Spotify has disputed these claims previously.)

Adding to my frustration, Spotify distanced itself from its users in June when CEO Daniel Ek announced the company’s substantial engagement in a nearly $700 million funding round for a firm developing AI-driven military technology. Several bands, including Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, opted to withdraw their music from Spotify in protest.

This scenario feels alarmingly familiar. In 2022, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young withdrew their music from Spotify due to Joe Rogan’s dissemination of medical misinformation. (These artists returned to the platform in 2024.)

Perhaps my reluctance to leave Spotify stems from the difficulty of selecting a new streaming service. However, if you’re worried about losing your cherished playlists, tools like Soundiiz can assist in transferring your collection to other platforms.

I’ve opted for Apple Music, primarily because my new iPhone offers a three-month complimentary trial, easing the transition. Additionally, Apple Music provides lossless audio—a feature Spotify has yet to deliver despite five years of promises.

That being said, I can’t truly claim that I’ve transitioned from a notorious platform to support a smaller company when I have merely switched to another tech giant.

I also harbor ethical concerns about Apple—even as I type this on my Magic Keyboard linked to my MacBook Pro, with my iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch surrounding me.

Moreover, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently presented Donald Trump with a custom Apple-branded plaque on a 24-karat gold base, all while ensuring accountability to shareholders by keeping Apple products tariff-free.

At least the Apple Music interface appears less chaotic compared to Spotify’s.