While it’s sometimes controversial, there’s no doubt thatSpotifyis the world’s most popular on-demand music service. It’s a must-have on a lot ofsmartphonesandsmart homedevices, and a platform that many musicians can’t afford to ignore, either. Apple and Tidal may pay artists better, but that hardly matters if there aren’t enough fans streaming your albums.
One of the smaller controversies involves audio quality. So then – does Spotify have a lossless option?
Spotify is a popular audio streaming platform that offers music, audiobooks, and podcasts. It can be used on mobile and on desktop, allowing you to listen to music in a ton of different places. You can even download music to your smartwatch.
Is lossless audio worth paying for?
Despite what some audiophiles may whisper, switching streaming platforms for lossless audio might not be the best choice.
Does Spotify use lossless audio?
The big question for audiophiles
No, unfortunately. There are four compressed quality settings: Low, Normal, High, and Very High. Note that you’re able to pick separate settings for live streaming versus offline media – you might choose Very High for streaming on your gigabit landline connection, for example, but just Normal for offline music, minimizing the storage footprint.
The company will eventually include a lossless option inHiFi, its long-delayed “ultra-premium” subscription. That was originally announced in February 2021, and should cost around $17 to $18 per month, according to CEO Daniel Ek. Rumors suggest that additional features could include things like better library management, more AI-enhanced playlists, and optimizations for headphones. We don’t know when HiFi will become available.
Spotify’s ultra-premium ‘HiFi’ plan is still coming, CEO says
AI features could play a prominent role.
Why is lossless audio a big deal?
If you’ve got high quality speakers, you may hear the difference
For many listeners, it isn’t. While it offers the best possible quality, the gap between that and high-quality compression is indiscernible on most sound systems. You probably won’t notice anything on a pair ofAirPodsorPixel Buds, or even most standalone room speakers. You should typically avoid lossless when it comes to listening on a phone or tablet – the benefits can be outweighed by lost storage and/or slower download speeds.
Competing services like Tidal, Apple Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited have offered lossless for some time.
People with top-end speakers and headphones may get something out of it, however, and Spotify is unusual in the industry for missing the option. Competing services likeTidal,Apple Music, andAmazon Music Unlimitedhave offered lossless for some time. So while most Spotify customers will probably stick to their Free or Premium subscriptions, on a marketing level, it looks bad to be missing that bullet point.
Speaking of corporate affairs, Spotify’s biggest interest is no doubt in sustaining profitability. Although the company finally started turning a profit in 2024, licensing fees have been a major obstacle, and lossless could be a way of extracting more dollars from wealthier customers.
6 ways to get Spotify Premium for free
If you’re finally finished with an ad ruining your perfect playlist, here’s how to get Premium benefits for free.
