Spotify is raising prices: What does this mean for German users?

Spotify is raising prices: What does this mean for German users?

The music streaming platform Spotify has changed significantly in recent years. Price increases were not an issue for a long time as the company focused on growth and a wide range of content. But as growth in key markets slows, the pressure on Spotify to operate profitably and make price adjustments is increasing. There were first bright spots as early as 2024, when the company posted a net profit for the first time in the 18th year after its founding. This has resulted in new demands for price increases from the music industry. Job cuts have also been undertaken as a means of achieving profitability as Spotify seeks to strengthen its pricing power.

The main competition is against larger tech companies like Apple, Amazon and YouTube Music. Spotify sees the introduction of new features and the expansion of the catalog as an opportunity to retain users and at the same time justifies higher prices by launching a separate audio book offering. This could have particularly positive effects in the German book market, especially with the planned, free monthly audio book contingent.

Market analysis and price adjustments

New customers in Germany are already paying noticeably higher prices than the competition. This step is considered necessary to remain profitable in the long term. Spotify is also experimenting with different subscription models; the basic offer could be the first step towards a broader differentiation of offers. A so-called super fan subscription is also being planned, which will offer loyal users special incentives. The app functionality and new features play a crucial role in retaining and expanding the user base.

Installing Spotify on different devices

Using Spotify does not require a lot of installation effort. The company offers detailed instructions for installation on various devices:

• Windows: Die Datei wird automatisch heruntergeladen und kann im Standard-Download-Ordner gefunden werden. Ein Doppelklick startet die Installation.
• MacOS: Ähnlich wie bei Windows wird die Datei automatisch heruntergeladen. Der Nutzer muss „SpotifyInstaller.zip“ entpacken und dann die Installation anstoßen.
• Android und iOS: Hier kann Spotify direkt über den Google Play Store bzw. App Store installiert werden.
• Chromebook: Offiziell gibt es keine App. Die Nutzung des Web Players wird empfohlen, oder die Installation der neuesten Android-Version über den App-Store des Chromebooks.
• Linux: Für Linux-Nutzer gibt es keine offizielle Unterstützung. Dies bleibt ein Nebenprojekt von Entwicklern.

For all other devices, Spotify can be used via the web player in a current web browser. If you have any installation problems, it is advised to check the system requirements and ensure the required permissions.

Overall, big changes are coming to Spotify as the company tries to assert itself in a competitive market. FAZ reports that its price adjustment and new offering strategies shed clear light on Spotify's innovative direction. Users can find further details about the installation in the Spotify community.