Chapter 1: My Spotify Experience

Since 2015, I have been a loyal Spotify subscriber, enjoying the platform for nearly nine years. However, like many relationships, sometimes it’s necessary to move on. Spotify has been integral to my daily life, accompanying me through work, joy, sadness, and even mundane tasks like brushing my teeth. Until recently, I had no complaints about the service and doubted any other app could compete. I tried Tidal in the summer of 2023; while it was decent, it didn’t compare to Spotify. My focus wasn’t on high-fidelity audio, but rather on discovering enjoyable music.

Spotify introduced me to essential features that I’ve come to appreciate: quick streaming, an easy-to-navigate interface, and, crucially, the ability to discover new tunes. After almost a decade, these aspects have become indispensable to me. I even remained a subscriber when Taylor Swift pulled her music from the platform, but I’ve reached a tipping point—change is on the horizon.

Section 1.1: Reasons for Transition

Spotify has done many things exceptionally well. In its early days, it stood unmatched among music streaming services. Although I experimented with other platforms during the pandemic, none could hold a candle to Spotify. However, upon revisiting Tidal, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, I realized they have made significant strides. Tidal is nearly on par with Spotify, while Apple Music is also catching up. Consequently, Spotify no longer holds its former monopoly on quality music streaming. This realization has sparked my desire for change.

Subsection 1.1.1: Frustrations with Spotify

One significant frustration has been Spotify's unfulfilled promise of a HiFi tier, which would offer lossless music. Despite my lack of interest in audio quality, I do care about reliability. Spotify has teased this feature for three years, and although they seem close to delivering it, the wait has been exasperating. Meanwhile, I’ve received exclusive podcasts and heard rumors of audiobook testing. However, I already have an Audible subscription for audiobooks and pay for Spotify primarily for music. Why not enhance the music experience that I’ve valued for nearly a decade?

Moreover, the app's performance has become increasingly problematic. The mobile version frequently stops working, requiring a restart, and switching between devices has also been cumbersome. This decline in quality pains me to admit, as Spotify was once celebrated for its reliability. Despite giving the app time to improve, I chose to cancel my subscription yesterday after enduring persistent bugs since January.

Chapter 2: Exploring Alternatives

After researching potential alternatives, I discovered several excellent options. My first consideration was Tidal. If high-quality audio is a priority, Tidal excels, offering superior streaming quality. It reportedly compensates artists more than Spotify, paying about $0.012 to $0.015 per stream, although these numbers may vary.

The second alternative, which I have decided to adopt, is Apple Music. Being heavily integrated into the Apple ecosystem—utilizing devices like my AirPods Max, Mac, iPhone, and iPad—this choice seems logical. Although I find the Apple Music interface less appealing than Tidal’s, especially on mobile, the web version performs well. Apple offers a bundle with Apple One, providing access to Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and more iCloud storage for my family, making it an attractive option for us.

Conclusion: Moving Forward

My time with Spotify has been memorable, but it’s time for a change. I believe that Spotify is no longer progressing in a positive direction and struggles with functionality. Paying between $16 and $18 each month for a subpar experience is not justifiable. As the music streaming landscape evolves, Spotify is no longer the sole contender. I chose Apple Music for its convenience, given my reliance on Apple products, but Tidal also remains a strong alternative. Other options like YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer are available as well. If you’re interested, I can provide a more detailed comparison of these services.