Tech
Spotify free gets major upgrade in 2025: you can finally pick songs
For years, being a free Spotify user felt like punishment — endless ads, limited skips, and a shuffle button that never seemed to listen. But in 2025, Spotify is finally changing the game.
After backlash online and struggles with its ad business, the company has introduced new features that make the free tier far more usable. For the first time, you can pick and play songs on demand — and that’s just the beginning.
What Changed for Free Users?
The headline update is simple but massive: free users can now search and play a song directly. Once you pick your track, playback goes back to shuffle mode — so Premium still has advantages — but it’s a breakthrough for free listeners.
Other new perks include:
Tap to play shared songs from WhatsApp, Instagram, or X.
Custom playlist covers with colours, text, and graphics.
Daylist, a playlist that updates with songs based on time of day and habits.
Real-time lyrics with the ability to share them with friends.
Personalised playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar.
Spotify has confirmed there’s still a daily on-demand time limit for free users. Once that cap is hit, restrictions like limited skips return. Premium subscribers, meanwhile, continue to enjoy ad-free listening, offline downloads, and higher-quality audio.
Why Spotify Made the Change
This move isn’t just generosity. Spotify’s ad revenue has been underperforming, making up only 11% of total revenue, well below its 20% target. By keeping free users listening longer, the company can serve more ads and boost income.
For users in countries like Nigeria, where many stick to free tiers, the update makes Spotify a stronger competitor to Audiomack and Boomplay. Globally, it keeps Spotify competitive with Apple Music and YouTube Music, which dominate premium subscriptions.
Mixed Reactions Online
Free users: Excited, calling it a long-overdue fix that makes the app worth keeping.
Premium users: Some feel their exclusive perks are shrinking, questioning whether their money is still well-spent.
This split highlights the tightrope Spotify is walking: making free users feel valued without alienating paying subscribers.
The Bottom Line
Spotify Free just got its biggest glow-up in years. From song selection to playlist design and lyrics, the platform is finally giving free listeners more control. Restrictions remain, but the experience is now miles better than before — and for millions, that’s a reason to hit play.
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