Spotify reviews: the verdict

3.9 / 5 Last 12 months (31,505 reviews) Plain average of all reviews from the last 12 months. All-time rating (recency-weighted, 0.9^months): 3.9 / 5. All-time: 3.9 / 5 · 31,505 reviews
5★ 19,444
4★ 3,026
3★ 1,930
2★ 1,471
1★ 5,634
31,505 Reviews
3 Sources
41% Positive

Reviewers report Spotify’s overall rating at 3.9 out of 5 based on 31,505 reviews, with mixed feedback across key themes. Customers highlight the platform’s music library and interface as strengths, with 60% of mentions under 'Quality' rated positively. However, frequent ads, technical glitches, and inconsistent performance draw criticism. Customer service receives the most negative feedback, with 64% of 3,363 mentions rated negatively, citing unresponsive support, unresolved billing issues, and automated systems that fail to address account problems. Delivery and value for money also score poorly, with 76% and 69% of mentions negative respectively, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with subscription pricing and service reliability.

Key findings

  • Across 31,505 reviews on 3 portals, the recency-weighted average is 3.9 out of 5.
  • The last 12 months average 3.9 out of 5 from 31,505 reviews.
  • Quality is the most positively rated theme: 60% of 8,842 mentions are positive.
  • Billing & payment draws the most criticism: 98% of 262 mentions are negative.
  • 74% of the reviews come from Google Play.
What reviewers criticize most

Derived from the analyzed reviews; each chip links to the page with the cited evidence.

31,505 reviews · 3 portals · 2026-05 – 2026-10 · Methodology ↗ · Verify a quote ↗

What changed in September 2026

In September 2026, 24,149 new reviews were analyzed; the average rating held at 3.9 stars.

New reviews
24,149
Average rating
3.9/5
Positive share
58% (63% ↓)

Most-discussed themes

  • Quality — +7534 vs prior month
  • Delivery — +3297 vs prior month
  • Customer service — +3063 vs prior month
  • Value for money — +2688 vs prior month
  • Ordering & website — +1342 vs prior month

Spotify rating trend and sentiment

Months with fewer than 5 rated reviews are left out.

Rating trend: 1.7 in 2026-05 to 4.2 in 2026-10.1.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.52026-052026-072026-10
Rating trend: 1.7 in 2026-05 to 4.2 in 2026-10.
Data as table
Monthly average rating
MonthAvg. ratingCount
2026-051.6837
2026-061.2451
2026-073.80433
2026-083.861561
2026-093.8924149
2026-104.175274
Sentiment over time: positive share from 16% (2026-05) to 73% (2026-10).0%25%50%75%100%2026-052026-072026-10
Sentiment over time: positive share from 16% (2026-05) to 73% (2026-10).
Data as table
Monthly sentiment (shares)
MonthPositiveNeutralNegativeCount
2026-0516%3%81%37
2026-062%0%98%51
2026-0762%10%28%433
2026-0863%9%28%1561
2026-0958%9%33%24149
2026-1073%9%18%1278
Themes over time
Average rating per theme across 6 months.1.01.52.02.53.03.54.02026-052026-072026-10
Average rating per theme across 6 months.
Data as table
Monthly average rating per theme
MonthQualityCustomer serviceDeliveryValue for moneyOrdering & websiteCommunication
2026-051.81.11.01.42.01.0
2026-061.41.1 - 1.31.2 -
2026-073.02.33.52.82.31.3
2026-083.12.32.92.82.72.3
2026-093.92.92.63.33.72.7
2026-103.83.03.33.02.72.7

Latest Spotify customer voices

The most recent review passages across all portals. Each quote links to its source.

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„I'm happy to pay my money every single month“

„I get more than enough value for money“

„i lost the translation option for lyrics in the free version after the update.“

„they have such a complete library“

„even though you need to pay for premium i still have the best songs ever to listen to“

„It's really great listening to music on Spotify“

Spotify review themes at a glance

Every theme is backed by classified review text. Open a theme to read its analysis. ·

Reviews about Spotify quality

8,842 mentions · 60% positive · 37% negative

Spotify has 1,096 positive mentions and 1,095 negative mentions, showing a nearly even split in user sentiment. Users praise Spotify's large music library, simple interface, and ease of use, especially in free form. Many users report frustration with frequent ads, inconsistent performance, and technical issues. The app becomes hard to use when overloaded with AI-generated content or when features like skipping songs or playing specific tracks fail. No clear trend over time exists due to missing monthly history data. Persistent complaints about ad frequency and app stability indicate ongoing problems. The balance of praise and criticism remains nearly equal, showing Spotify delivers strong value for some but faces reliability and experience challenges for others.

What customers praise

Spotify has over 100 million tracks. The app is praised for its easy-to-use interface. Users access curated playlists daily. Many rely on Spotify during workouts, studying, and travel. The platform helps users discover music from around the world. Customers call Spotify essential, a 'musical HUB' for both familiar and forgotten songs.

What customers said:

  • „It only allows a few song skips.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Spanish ·
    „It only allows a few song skips.“

    Original„sólo que permite pocos saltos de canciones“

  • „it's good to use“ - Google Play · 5★ · ·

Common complaints

Users frequently complain about high ad frequency in the free version, leading to constant interruptions and a poor listening experience without payment. Technical issues include app lag, failed song skips, and tracks that won't play. The interface is criticized for becoming cluttered with AI-generated content and for non-functional widgets. Performance varies across devices, with some users reporting inconsistent results.

What customers said:

  • „Spotify didn't recognise that song“ - Google Play · 4★ · ·
  • „The small widget no longer works“ - Google Play · 3★ · · translated · French ·
    „The small widget no longer works“

    Original„le Widgets petit format ne fonctionne plus“

Representative quality reviews

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„A pretty good music streaming service these days.“

★★★☆☆Google PlayTranslated· IndonesianOriginal
„media dengar musik yang lumayan bagus saat ini“

„Spotify is very convenient for listening to music.“

★★★★★Google PlayTranslated· ItalianOriginal
„Spotify è comodissimo per sentire la musica“

„You can listen to playlists created by others.“

★★★★★Google PlayTranslated· ItalianOriginal
„puoi sentire le playlist che hanno fatto gli altri“

Spotify: Ad Frequency

79 mentions · 25positive · 46negative

Spotify users on the free tier report high ad frequency as a major frustration. Of 79 mentions, 46 are negative and 25 are positive, showing strong dissatisfaction. Users describe ads as excessive, intrusive, and increasingly hard to tolerate. Complaints include frequent interruptions, long ad durations, and little control over playback. While some accept ads as part of the free model, most find them annoying, especially as ad volume has risen over time. A few positive comments note manageable ad breaks, but these are outweighed by widespread criticism of ad frequency and placement.

What customers said:

  • „One song, then four new ads.“ - Google Play · 1★ · · translated · French ·
    „One song, then four new ads.“

    Original„puis une musique puis ensuite 4 nouvelle pub“

  • „NOT A SINGLE official song, just pirated playlists“ - Google Play · 1★ · · translated · Spanish ·
    „NOT A SINGLE official song, just pirated playlists“

    Original„no sale NI UNA canción oficial, puros playlists piratas“

Reviews about Spotify customer service

3,363 mentions · 29% positive · 64% negative

Spotify has 346 negative customer service mentions compared to 78 positive ones. Most complaints involve unresponsive support, unresolved billing issues, and poor handling of account problems. Users report long wait times, generic or irrelevant responses, and limited access to human support, especially for subscription charges or account access. Many say support channels are blocked by automated systems or AI that fails to resolve real issues. A few users praise Spotify's music selection and functionality, but these positive views do not extend to customer service. Dissatisfaction remains high, with no improvement over time due to lack of monthly history data. The gap between negative and positive feedback shows a significant lack of trust and satisfaction in support.

What customers praise

Spotify has a large music library and offers personalized playlists. The free version includes access to a wide range of artists. Users can download music for offline listening. The app works consistently across smartphones, tablets, and computers. The interface is praised, and album management and playback features have improved over time.

What customers said:

  • „it does not have commercials“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Spanish ·
    „it does not have commercials“

    Original„no obtiene comerciales“

  • „In premium, when you make a mixer, you should be able to change the music whenever you…“ - Google Play · 4★ · · translated · Spanish ·
    „In premium, when you make a mixer, you should be able to change the music whenever you want while it keeps mixing.“

    Original„que en premium cuando hagas un mixer puedas cambiar de música en el momento que quieras pero que siga mixeando“

Common complaints

Users report unresponsive or ineffective customer support with long delays, automated replies, and unresolved billing errors. Some were charged twice for subscriptions or had balances deducted without consent. Many struggle to reach support due to failed chat systems or irrelevant responses. The absence of human interaction and AI tools that fail to understand issues are frequent complaints.

What customers said:

  • „there's no way to reach out to the support team as they are NOT responding at all“ - Google Play · 1★ · ·
  • „I messaged customer service, but the response was slow.“ - Google Play · 1★ · · translated · Indonesian ·
    „I messaged customer service, but the response was slow.“

    Original„saya chat customer service nya, respon nya lambat“

Representative customer service reviews

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„Even as a paying customer, it took about 10 minutes to figure out how to undo an AI feature.“

★★☆☆☆Google PlayTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Even as paying customer it took around 10 minutes to find a way to undo an AI functionality“

„Your support took me in circles with useless troubleshooting just to get nowhere.“

★☆☆☆☆Google PlayTranslated· GermanOriginal
„your support took me in circles with useless troubleshooting just to get nowhere“

„phenomenal service that you provide“

Reviews about Spotify delivery

3,354 mentions · 7% positive · 76% negative

Spotify’s free-tier experience has become increasingly frustrating, with 35 negative mentions and 19 positive mentions among 103 total reviews. Users report excessive, intrusive ads that interrupt playback every few songs. Performance issues like lag, crashes, and slow loading have increased, especially on mobile devices. While some users praise the large music library and features like lyrics and downloads, these positives are outweighed by complaints about ad frequency and app stability. Free users feel the platform is less usable and more aggressive in promoting premium subscriptions. Overall user satisfaction has declined, particularly among free-tier users.

What customers praise

Spotify has a vast music library with millions of songs, artists, albums, podcasts, and playlists across genres and regions. Users value the ability to download music and manage albums easily. Lyrics are available for many songs, which enhances the listening experience. These features are frequently mentioned in higher-rated reviews.

What customers said:

  • „I love the lyrics“ - Google Play · 5★ · ·
  • „it's a well-known app with countless kinds of music to listen to“ - Google Play · 4★ · ·

Common complaints

Users report up to five ads per song or every two songs in the free version of the app. The ad experience is described as intrusive, disruptive, and misleading, especially when free ad breaks promise short interruptions but deliver multiple consecutive ads. Additional issues include app lag, crashes, and unexpected behavior such as music skipping to unrelated content or playing through the wrong device speaker. These problems are frequently cited as making the app difficult or unpleasant to use.

What customers said:

  • „Music won't start and endless loading times“ - Google Play · 1★ · · translated · German ·
    „Music won't start and endless loading times“

    Original„Musik nicht starten und ewig langen Ladezeiten“

  • „2-3 ads even start for every song, ridiculous!“ - Google Play · 1★ · · translated · Italian ·
    „2-3 ads even start for every song, ridiculous!“

    Original„Partono anche 2-3 annunci per ogni canzone, ridicolo!“

Representative delivery reviews

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„It downloads songs quickly.“

★★★★★Google PlayTranslated· PortugueseOriginal
„Baixa rápido as músicas“

„After every song, I'm bombarded with 2-4 long ads“

★☆☆☆☆Google PlayTranslated· GermanOriginal
„nach jrdem Song überschüttet mit 2-4 lange Werbungen“

„I have to wait until tomorrow to choose songs myself.“

★☆☆☆☆Google PlayTranslated· IndonesianOriginal
„harus nunggu besok buat milih sendiri“

Reviews about Spotify value for money

3,158 mentions · 24% positive · 69% negative

Spotify receives 538 negative mentions about value for money compared to 176 positive ones. Users criticize the free version for being increasingly restrictive and ad-heavy. The free experience has deteriorated over time, with frequent ads and strict song limits. Premium subscribers report a better experience, but many say the cost is high and not accessible to all. A smaller group finds the premium price justified, especially regular users and those with long-term family accounts. Sentiment remains consistently negative, with no recent improvement observed due to lack of historical data.

What customers praise

Some users find the premium subscription worth the cost, especially daily Spotify users and those with family plans. They value skipping ads, accessing unlimited music, and creating custom playlists without restrictions. In Turkey, individual plans cost 55 TL, which some find reasonable in local currency. These users see premium as a worthwhile investment for a reliable, ad-free listening experience.

What customers said:

  • „The 55 TL individual and 99 TL prices are very reasonable.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Turkish ·
    „The 55 TL individual and 99 TL prices are very reasonable.“

    Original„55 tl bireysel 99 tl fiyatları da gayet uygun“

  • „Spotify Premium is like a "luxury" I allowed myself to have.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Portuguese ·
    „Spotify Premium is like a "luxury" I allowed myself to have.“

    Original„Spotify premium é tipo um "luxo" que eu me permiti ter“

Common complaints

The free version of the platform is widely criticized for being overly limited. It includes constant ads, restricted song choices, and frequent interruptions. Users report that the free tier has worsened over time, making it frustrating to use. The platform assumes all users can afford premium access or have access to online payment methods, which excludes younger users and those in regions with limited financial infrastructure.

What customers said:

  • „Cant always afford premium“ - Google Play · 1★ · ·
  • „I pay for Premium and still get ads from time to time“ - Google Play · 2★ · ·

Representative value for money reviews

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„its money well spent“

„Spotify is exceptional especially when paid for“

„we can only choose and play 5 songs bro“

Reviews about Spotify ordering & website

1,524 mentions · 51% positive · 44% negative

Spotify users report mixed experiences with ordering and website functionality, with 170 negative mentions out of 280 total. Positive mentions number 76, and 28 are neutral. Playlist management is a major issue, with songs playing out of order, randomization occurring beyond user control, and difficulty opening or navigating playlists. Ad frequency and length are consistently criticized, especially in the free version, where long interruptions are common. Some users praise the vast music library and ease of use in the premium version. However, technical glitches, payment issues, and restrictive features overshadow these positives. No monthly sentiment history is available, but complaints remain persistent over time.

What customers praise

Spotify’s premium version offers an extensive music library and intuitive interface. Users can easily find songs across genres. They can share or customize playlists with personal photos. The app works across multiple devices. It is well-organized and often compared favorably to competitors like Deezer. Accessing a wide variety of music with minimal effort is a common positive feedback point.

What customers said:

  • „very easy to play“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Spanish ·
    „very easy to play“

    Original„muy fácil de reproducir“

  • „I can easily find songs from all musical genres“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Portuguese ·
    „I can easily find songs from all musical genres“

    Original„encontro músicas de todos os gêneros musicais com facilidade“

Common complaints

Common complaints focus on playlist behavior and control. Songs play randomly despite users wanting a specific order. The app often fails to continue playback from the selected playlist. Users cannot add payment methods within the app. The app freezes or crashes frequently. The free version has excessive and long advertisements. Users cannot skip ads or control playback due to ad restrictions.

What customers said:

  • „Playlist management has become really unintuitive.“ - Google Play · 1★ · · translated · Italian ·
    „Playlist management has become really unintuitive.“

    Original„la gestione delle playlist è diventata davvero poco intuitiva“

  • „it won't let me play the song I want“ - Google Play · 4★ · · translated · Spanish ·
    „it won't let me play the song I want“

    Original„no me deja poner la cancion que quiero“

Representative ordering & website reviews

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„if you are thinking of getting on "Spotify For Authors" I'd strongly suggest that you do not do it“

„It won't let me open playlists normally.“

★★★★☆Google PlayTranslated· SpanishOriginal
„a mí no me deja abrir playlist con normalidad“

„The same message keeps popping up over and over.“

★★★★☆Google PlayTranslated· SpanishOriginal
„saliéndome el mismo mensaje una y otra vez“

Reviews about Spotify communication

788 mentions · 11% positive · 82% negative

Spotify receives 89 negative mentions out of 105 reviews, with only 6 positive mentions, showing a strong negative trend. Users report frequent, intrusive ads that disrupt playback every few songs. Many say the app lacks clear messaging about subscriptions, with confusion over billing dates and promotional offers. Users have no control over ad frequency and cannot close ads, causing frustration. While some praise the music selection and basic functionality, these positives are outweighed by complaints about poor communication and user interface design. No monthly history is available to track changes over time.

What customers praise

Spotify has a vast music library and strong app performance, especially with a premium subscription. Users praise its reliability and ease of use, calling it the best they have used. The free version offers a functional experience when ads are minimized. Positive feedback is rare but highlights Spotify's core value when communication and ad issues are absent.

What customers said:

  • „Rarely any ads“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Indonesian ·
    „Rarely any ads“

    Original„jarang iklannya“

  • „I suggest reducing the ads.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Indonesian ·
    „I suggest reducing the ads.“

    Original„saya saranin iklannya dikurangin“

Common complaints

Users most commonly complain about excessive and repetitive ads. Ads appear every 10 minutes or less, interrupting playback after just a few songs. Many ads are unchanging, unskippable, and poorly timed. Some users describe them as 'mercenary' and 'invasive.' There is no close button for ads, forcing users to force-close the app or disable it through device settings. Subscription renewals are poorly communicated, and the free version's features are unclear.

What customers said:

  • „there are too many ads“ - Google Play · 3★ · · translated · Italian ·
    „there are too many ads“

    Original„ci sono troppe pubblicità“

  • „they claim it's my BT device doing it. yet doesn't happen with any other audio apps…“ - Google Play · 1★ · ·
    „they claim it's my BT device doing it. yet doesn't happen with any other audio apps that close!!“

Representative communication reviews

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„Because there are too many ads and they appear constantly.“

★★★☆☆Google PlayTranslated· IndonesianOriginal
„karena sering iklan dan iklan nya banyak banget“

„The ads are always the same.“

★★★☆☆Google PlayTranslated· IndonesianOriginal
„iklan nya itu itu ajah“

„FOUR ADS, SO ANNOYING.“

★★★☆☆Google PlayTranslated· IndonesianOriginal
„EMPAT IKLAN MUAK BANGET“

Reviews about Spotify durability

492 mentions · 16% positive · 81% negative

Spotify's durability has been a persistent issue, with 56 out of 79 user mentions reporting negative experiences. Frequent crashes, unexpected shutdowns, and playback problems disrupt listening. Issues often worsen after updates, causing sluggish or unresponsive behavior. Seventeen users reported positive experiences, praising stability during long sessions or multitasking. Six mentions were neutral. Overall, durability remains a significant weakness for most users.

What customers said:

  • „very usefull in every journey and every session of gym + study“ - Google Play · 5★ · ·
  • „With plenty of memory space so it doesn't keep stopping.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Portuguese ·
    „With plenty of memory space so it doesn't keep stopping.“

    Original„com espaço amplo de memória pra ñ ficar tocando e parando“

Reviews about Spotify billing & payment

262 mentions · 0% positive · 98% negative

Spotify's billing and payment system receives overwhelmingly negative reviews, with 126 out of 131 mentions expressing dissatisfaction. Common issues include unexpected or duplicate charges, failed payments, and difficulty obtaining refunds or support. Users report being charged multiple times for the same subscription without clear explanation. Refunds often take days or never arrive. Many describe customer service as unresponsive or unhelpful, with delayed replies and answers that fail to resolve problems. A small number of users mention positive experiences with the app’s functionality, but these do not relate to billing. No monthly history data is available, so there is no evidence of improvement over time. Sentiment remains consistently negative with no notable shift.

What customers said:

  • „I have not been paid ever "One penny" since 2/01/2026 for people listening to my…“ - Trustpilot · 1★ · ·
    „I have not been paid ever "One penny" since 2/01/2026 for people listening to my audio-book“
  • „I was charged TWICE for my premium subscription“ - Google Play · 1★ · ·

Reviews about Spotify fit & sizing

191 mentions · 29% positive · 31% negative

Spotify users report mixed experiences with the app’s fit and sizing, especially regarding interface and functionality. 25 positive reviews cite ease of use, strong music discovery, and reliable playback. 27 negative reviews mention persistent bugs, intrusive ads, and poor design choices. Recent updates have caused consistent frustration, particularly with navigation, widget usability, and forced premium features. Users feel the app has become bloated and less intuitive over time, despite improvements in offline access and playlist management. The balance between positive and negative feedback is nearly even, but criticism has grown sharper, indicating increasing dissatisfaction with how the app’s design and functionality now meet user needs.

What customers said:

  • „It is surly a go to for a all your mucal journey into known and unknown.“ - Google Play · 5★ · ·
  • „Better album management.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Portuguese ·
    „Better album management.“

    Original„o gerenciamento melhor dos álbuns“

Reviews about Spotify returns & refunds

147 mentions · 3% positive · 79% negative

Spotify receives 44 negative mentions out of 50 in reviews about returns and refunds. Users report being charged without consent, unable to cancel subscriptions, or denied refunds despite clear issues. Many describe poor transparency and support during cancellation. Some say the app stopped working or playlists disappeared after canceling. A few positive comments note easy cancellation and rejoining, but these are rare. Sentiment remains consistently negative, with no improvement over time due to lack of monthly history data.

What customers said:

  • „I canceled my subscription to try another platform.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · French ·
    „I canceled my subscription to try another platform.“

    Original„j'ai supprimé mon abonnement pour essayer une autre plate-forme“

  • „Very good because I can go back.“ - Google Play · 5★ · · translated · Indonesian ·
    „Very good because I can go back.“

    Original„bagus bagat karna bisa kembali“

Spotify review sources, coverage and method

The overall 3.9 / 5 score is recency-weighted: newer reviews count more (weight 0.9 per month of age), regardless of portal.

Spotify: reviews per portal
Portal Avg. rating Count Weight Latest Source
Google Play 4.0 / 5 23,430 74.4% View profile ↗
Apple App Store 3.8 / 5 7,837 24.9% View profile ↗
Trustpilot 1.4 / 5 238 0.8% View profile ↗
Weighted overall 3.9 / 5 31,505 100%

Period covered: 2026-05 – 2026-10. Reviews older than 24 months stay in the trend charts but no longer feed the headline figures.

What this analysis cannot cover

  • Only publicly visible reviews are included; nothing behind a login, and no reviews submitted to us directly.
  • Sentiment is classified from the review text, never from the star rating. Unclassified reviews count toward totals but not toward sentiment shares.
What this analysis covers

Period covered: May 2026 – Oct 2026

And what it cannot cover:

  • The App Store feed caps at about 500 reviews per country storefront.
  • Trustpilot exposes roughly the 200 most recent reviews publicly; older reviews sit behind a login.

Read the full methodology

How the numbers are made

Every review is read once by a language model that labels its themes and sentiment and picks short verbatim passages. Recent reviews weigh more than old ones (each month of age discounts the weight by 10%). Quotes are shown exactly as written, linked to the original review, and cryptographically signed so you can check they have not been altered.Full methodology ↗ · Transparency report ↗

Cite this page

Citatio (2026). Spotify Reviews October 2026 – 3.9/5 from 31,505 reviews. Retrieved 9 October 2026 from https://citatio.ai/spotify-reviews/

Data verifiable via our public audit log: Methodology · Transparency