There was a time not too long ago when building your digital music library was done either one song or album at a time. It was cheaper than buying CDs, but with songs costing 99-cents and albums typically running $10 each, things could get expensive fast.
Now, our wallets are thanking us for music streaming services, like Spotify. These services include access to millions upon millions of songs, customized radio stations, and now podcasts. Of course, to get the most out of its service, Spotify recommends a premium membership that costs $10 per month. So, for $120 per year, your music library can be as expansive as you desire for one predictable price.
But for those looking to keep costs low (or — even better — free!) there are some Spotify membership deals that might catch your attention. Here are a few frugal ways to get Spotify for free or almost free.
1. Try the free version
Okay, so let’s get the obvious way to get free Spotify out of the way first. For those who don’t want to pay a dime for the massive music library offered through Spotify have an option, but it involves listening to advertisements. The streaming service can offer its music for free by forcing free users to listen to ads every three to five songs. If that doesn’t bother you, then you might be in business. There are also some other limitations, though, of the free version. One, you can’t download music for listening offline, like on an airplane. You are also limited to how often you can shuffle through songs. The premium version ditches the ads and gives you total control of the entire music library.
2. Check out special promotions for free users
To better compete against Apple Music, Spotify runs promotions that gives new users anywhere from 1-3 months of Spotify Premium for free at various times throughout the year. If you’re on the fence about forking over $10 per month, this is a good opportunity to see how much you actually use the service. During the COVID-19 pandemic and any subsequent flair-ups, it could be an easy way to pump some tunes through your home while you’re working or wrangling your children.
Just note, if you’ve previously signed up for Spotify Premium, you won’t qualify for this promotion. On the other hand, if you live with other people in your home, you could technically sign up then cancel, and have someone else in the home signup if the promotion still exists.
You can check out their current offers on their website to see which deals they are running right now.
3. Get Spotify at a Deep Discount
Spotify also offers a number of discounted options for their premium service.
First, if you’re a college student, the premium membership is discounted by 50%, so $5 per month. That plan also includes access to ad-supported Hulu and Showtime plans, which is a nice perk. Spotify does need to verify your school through a third-party site. Most colleges are eligible for the promotional discount.
That student discount could prove to be even more valuable for college students who live under the same roof. Spotify offers a premium family plan that allows up to six people who live at the same address pay under the same family account. Family accounts run $15, but with a 50% discount, that’s down to $7.50. Divide that by six people and you’re looking at $1.25 per month — which you can probably find sifting through the couch cushions!
Groupon also regularly runs Spotify deals that can get you a subscription at a major discount. Check here to see if there are any current Groupon Spotify offers.
4. Get Spotify Premium Free with AT&T
Major cell phone providers have recently started bundling streaming services with their unlimited plans. T-Mobile, for instance, gives its customers Netflix free of charge.
When it comes to Spotify, AT&T unlimited customers get Spotify Premium free at no additional cost. It does require a few steps, and Spotify Premium isn’t the only option customers can choose from. They could decide to go with HBO, Showtime or Pandora instead.
If you’re already paying for AT&T, make sure to take advantage of that Spotify Premium free plan.
Do you know of any other ways to get Spotify free or cheap? Share your best tips by commenting below.
