Spotify has come under increasing scrutiny for its business practices, prompting a wave of artist withdrawals from the platform. The criticism includes grievances about its payment model, the presence of “fake artists,” and the controversial investment by co-founder and chief executive Daniel Ek in the military AI company Helsing, which totaled €600 million (over A$1 billion). This investment has led notable artists such as King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, and Massive Attack to remove their music from Spotify, further igniting the debate around the platform’s practices.
The situation has been exacerbated by Spotify’s recent trend of raising prices for premium subscriptions. The streaming giant has steadily increased costs for its approximately 268 million paying users, causing many to reconsider their loyalty. According to the IFPI Global Music Report 2025, streaming constituted 67% of the music industry’s revenue in 2022, highlighting the platform’s significant role in the sector.
Challenges and Alternatives for Users
Despite Spotify’s dominance—holding a substantial lead over competitors like YouTube Music and Tencent Music—users may find the transition to alternative services feasible. As of now, Spotify boasts around 696 million monthly active users, but many have expressed frustration over rising costs and artist withdrawals. The company has acknowledged that price increases are now part of its strategy, with chief business officer Alex Norström stating that these hikes will come with new features aimed at enhancing user experience.
Spotify’s success can be attributed to its user-friendly interface and sophisticated recommendation algorithms, which have shaped how listeners engage with music. The platform encourages a “lean-back” mentality, promoting editorial playlists over active searching, thereby deepening user engagement. Features such as Spotify Wrapped and collaborative playlists enhance its social dimensions, allowing users to share their musical experiences.
Nonetheless, the decision to leave Spotify may not be as simple as it seems. Many users have invested time in creating playlists—nearly nine billion have been formed—making it challenging to switch to another service. Additionally, Spotify’s extensive library and the likelihood of having a specific song often keep users tethered to the platform.
Exploring Alternative Streaming Services
For those considering a change, several alternatives to Spotify exist, many of which are more affordable than the A$15.99 monthly fee Spotify charges in Australia.
Apple Music, for instance, offers high-resolution audio and seamless integration with iOS devices. Amazon Music is included with Amazon Prime subscriptions, providing access to a broad range of songs and podcasts, while YouTube Music leverages YouTube’s extensive video ecosystem to deliver music content.
Tidal positions itself as a leader in high-fidelity audio, catering to audiophiles with a focus on sound quality. For listeners in the Middle East and North Africa, Anghami has emerged as a popular choice since its launch in 2012.
To facilitate the transition, third-party apps such as Free Your Music, Tune My Music, Soundiiz, and SongShift can help users transfer their playlists from Spotify to other platforms.
Although the shift from Spotify may pose challenges, it is clear that alternatives are available. As the music streaming landscape continues to evolve, users have options that may better align with their preferences and values.
