Why Leaving Spotify Could Be the Best Thing to Happen to Your Music Library

28 July 2025

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

As controversy swirls around Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s €600 million investment in Helsing, a trio of artists King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof have all removed their music from the platform in protest, sparking renewed interest in streaming services that offer both alternatives and more artist‑friendly policies.

Switching away from Spotify may sound intimidating after years of curated playlists and familiar recommendations. Yet canceling the subscription is surprisingly simple. Users can deactivate Premium from their account settings, and continue streaming until the next billing cycle ends. From there the options are clear and varied: Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal now vie for listeners looking for better quality, fairer compensation, or ecosystem alignment.

Apple Music has become a favorite particularly among users in Apple’s ecosystem boasting over 100 million songs, lossless and spatial audio, integrated live radio, and curated video content. Though premium only, it offers family plans and trial periods, making the transition smoother. YouTube Music comes bundled with a Premium video subscription, offering the ability to upload personal music libraries and benefit from smart algorithms while granting access to music videos and exclusives.

Amazon Music provides a choice between Prime‑included streaming or standalone Unlimited subscriptions, offering spatial and high‑resolution audio at competitive prices. Tidal stands out for its reputation in artist compensation, audio fidelity, and live concert streams an appealing platform for listeners seeking ethical streaming practices.

Transferring long‑curated playlists is no longer a barrier thanks to third‑party tools like SongShift for iOS and Soundiiz for web users. These services simplify migration song by song, flagging missing tracks due to mismatched metadata so users can curate replacements intentionally.

Across the broader music world, resignation toward algorithmic streaming is rising. One Guardian author chronicled quitting Spotify for a month and rediscovering community radio, vinyl, and shared musical moments as liberating terrain beyond algorithmic repetition. The article believes Spotify’s predictive “Daylist” approach tailored to emotional micro-moments ends up reinforcing the familiar rather than inspiring discovery. After stepping away, the writer found serendipity in human-curated radio, unusual album recommendations, and heartfelt storytelling behind songs.

The week-long hiatus also revealed how deeply algorithmic platforms can anesthetize one’s curiosity. From constant replay of Khruangbin tracks to shuffling into the same artists time and again, the experience felt less connected and more repetitive. Replacing the digital stream with agency and surprise even if that meant listening to an old iPod or tuning into community radio reminded the author of personal connections and rich musical memory.

Those considering leaving Spotify thus face not just a change in service but a potential shift in how music is experienced. Buy an album, press play without expectation, ask a friend for a pick, or let radio presenters choose. These experiences carry stories, emotion, and a kind of cultural exchange absent in algorithmic playlists. And for those who want the curated comfort of digital streaming without compromise there are now viable options.

Ultimately, choosing an alternative to Spotify is both practical and symbolic. Apple Music may appeal to ecosystem loyalists, Amazon offers bundled value, YouTube Music blends video and library support, and Tidal provides high-quality sound and artist royalties each serves different priorities and philosophies. Tools like SongShift and Soundiiz simplify what once felt like a mined-minefield migration.

Whether driven by ethical concerns, audio quality, platform compatibility, or discovery of new music, listeners now wield more control than ever. Stepping away from Spotify need not mean losing musical connection. In fact, for some it might usher in a more considered, personal and emotionally rich way to listen.