Spotify Premium alternatives: I tested five free music and podcast streaming services

Is it possible to ditch paid Spotify for the week and look for free alternatives?

Spotify – it’s the music and podcast streaming juggernaut with more than 750 million active users worldwide, about 300 million paying for its services and 494 million using it free with ads.

At $20.99 a month for ad-free streaming, it also dents the wallet.

As an avid Spotify Premium user, the thought of giving up my treasured plan shook me to the core. The podcast and music library is expansive, the user interface is easy to navigate, and I can get an AI DJ to craft a playlist for any occasion.

Monthly Spotify fees mean an ad-free experience, not a guarantee in today’s streaming climate and handy when you’re in charge of the aux.

And while it may be the most popular paid streaming service, it has flaws and detractors.