Spotify Premium UK Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

If you're living in the UK and considering upgrading to Spotify Premium, you're not alone. With streaming music becoming a daily essential for millions of people, Spotify has carved out its place as one of the most popular platforms worldwide. But what does Spotify Premium really offer, and is it worth the cost? Here's an in-depth review tailored to UK listeners.

Pricing and Plans

Spotify Premium in the UK offers a variety of plans to suit different needs:

Individual: £10.99/month for one account
Duo: £14.99/month for two accounts (perfect for couples or flatmates)
Family: £17.99/month for up to 6 accounts (includes Spotify Kids)
Student: £5.99/month (50% off, verification required)

Compared to competitors like Apple Music or Amazon Music, the pricing is fairly standard, with the Student discount being a particularly great deal.

Key Features of Spotify Premium

Ad-Free Listening
One of the standout benefits of Spotify Premium is that you can enjoy your music without interruptions from ads. If you're someone who streams for hours on end, this alone is worth the upgrade.
Download Music for Offline Playback
Travelling on the London Underground? Going abroad without access to Wi-Fi? Premium allows you to download songs, albums, or playlists to your device, so you can listen anywhere without worrying about mobile data.
Unlimited Skips
With the free version, you're limited in how many songs you can skip. Premium gives you total freedom to control what you're listening to.
High-Quality Audio
Spotify Premium offers improved audio quality at 320 kbps, which is great for audiophiles or those with high-quality headphones or speakers.
Access to Spotify Connect
Premium users can seamlessly switch between devices—whether you're listening on your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart speaker—without missing a beat.

Music, Podcasts, and Discoverability

Spotify boasts a catalogue of over 100 million songs and thousands of podcasts. From the latest chart-toppers to niche indie hits, there's something for every listener.

The Discover Weekly and Daily Mix playlists are where Spotify truly shines. Powered by AI and your listening habits, these playlists offer a fresh mix of songs tailored to your tastes. Premium users get early access to new releases, which is a bonus for those who like to keep up with the latest tracks.

Podcast fans will also love the exclusive shows on Spotify, including popular UK-based podcasts like The Diary of a CEO or Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster.

Pros and Cons of Spotify Premium

Pros:

Ad-free, uninterrupted listening
Offline playback for travel and low-data use
Improved sound quality
Tailored playlists for music discovery
Affordable Student plan

Cons:

Slightly more expensive compared to some competitors like Amazon Music
No lossless audio (a feature Tidal and Apple Music offer)

How Does It Compare to Competitors?

Apple Music: Similar pricing, but with lossless audio. However, Spotify has better curated playlists and podcast integration.
Amazon Music Unlimited: Slightly cheaper with a Prime subscription (£9.99/month) but lacks Spotify’s advanced discovery features.
YouTube Music: Includes ad-free video streaming with YouTube Premium, but its music library and app experience fall short of Spotify’s polish.

Is Spotify Premium Worth It?

For most people in the UK, Spotify Premium is absolutely worth it. The ad-free experience, offline playback, and high-quality audio make it a great upgrade over the free version. If you're a student, the 50% discount makes it a no-brainer.

While Spotify still doesn't offer lossless audio, its user-friendly interface, personalised playlists, and extensive library make it the best all-around music streaming service for UK listeners.

Final Verdict: If music (and podcasts) play a big role in your daily life, Spotify Premium is well worth the monthly cost. Whether you're commuting, working, or relaxing, it offers a seamless listening experience that’s hard to beat.

Ready to upgrade? Head over to Spotify and start your free trial today!

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