The most direct way to stop ads on Spotify desktop
Spotify's free tier plays ads between songs, and the desktop app shows them the same way the mobile version does. You have three real options: pay for Spotify Premium to remove all ads, use a third-party ad blocker on your computer, or switch to a different music service that doesn't run ads on the free plan.
Premium costs $11.99 per month in the US, though the price varies by country. An ad blocker can stop many ads from loading, but Spotify actively works to detect and block users who do this, and your account can be suspended if they catch it. The trade-off is between paying, risking your account, or accepting the ads as part of the free service.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify Premium removes all ads and costs $11.99 per month in the US, with prices varying by region.
- Ad blockers can reduce ads on the desktop app, but Spotify detects their use and may suspend your account without warning.
- The Spotify web player (open.spotify.com) sometimes shows fewer ads than the desktop app, though this is not may provide.
- Free alternatives like YouTube Music, Apple Music's free tier, or Tidal's free plan do not run ads between songs.
Using Spotify Premium to remove all ads
The safest and most reliable way to stop ads is to subscribe to Spotify Premium. Open the Spotify app on your computer, click your profile icon in the top right, and select "Go Premium." You can also visit spotify.com/premium and click the upgrade button. Spotify will ask for a payment method—credit card, debit card, or PayPal all work.
Premium removes all ads from the app and the web player, lets you skip unlimited songs, and raises audio quality to 320 kbps. Your first month is often discounted or free if you are a new subscriber. The subscription renews monthly unless you cancel it, and you can cancel anytime from your account settings without penalty.
How ad blockers work with Spotify desktop
Browser-based ad blockers like uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus can reduce ads when you use the Spotify web player (open.spotify.com in your browser), because they block the ad servers that feed ads into web pages. However, they do not work on the Spotify desktop app itself, which connects directly to Spotify's servers rather than loading ads through your browser.
If you want to use an ad blocker, install it in your browser, then use Spotify through the web player instead of the desktop app. Open open.spotify.com, log in with your account, and play music from there. The blocker will filter out many ad requests, though Spotify sometimes updates its ad delivery system to work around blockers.
Spotify's terms of service forbid using ad blockers or other tools to circumvent ads. The company has suspended accounts for doing this, sometimes without warning. If your account is suspended, you will need to contact Spotify support to appeal, and there is no may provide they will restore it.
Why the Spotify desktop app shows ads you cannot block
The Spotify desktop app is a standalone program that does not route ads through your browser, so traditional ad blockers cannot intercept them. Spotify serves ads directly from its own servers to the app, which means the ads load before your browser's blocker can see them.
Some users have tried to block ads using network-level tools like hosts file edits or DNS filtering, but Spotify detects these methods and flags the account. The company invests in anti-circumvention technology specifically to catch users trying to bypass ads without paying.
Comparing free music services that have no ads
If you want free music without ads, several services offer ad-free listening on their free tier. YouTube Music's free version plays ads, but you can skip them. Apple Music does not have a free tier with ads—it is either paid or a trial. Tidal's free tier is ad-free but limits you to lower audio quality and offline downloads.
SoundCloud's free plan includes ads, but some artists upload ad-free versions of their music. Pandora's free tier plays ads between songs, similar to Spotify. If avoiding ads is your main goal, Tidal free or switching to a paid service like Apple Music or YouTube Music Premium may be worth considering.
Using the Spotify web player to reduce ad frequency
The Spotify web player sometimes shows fewer ads than the desktop app, though this is not consistent. Open your browser and go to open.spotify.com, then log in with your Spotify account. Play music from there instead of using the desktop app.
You can install an ad blocker extension in your browser—uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus work on most browsers—and it will block some ads on the web player. This is less risky than using blockers on the desktop app because Spotify's detection systems focus on the native process, though the company can still detect web player blocking if they choose to.
The web player also works on any computer without installing software, so you can use it at work or on a shared machine without leaving traces. The trade-off is that the web player sometimes has fewer features than the desktop app, such as limited offline read options.
What happens if Spotify detects ad blocking
Spotify monitors for signs of ad blocking, including network traffic patterns, missing ad impressions, and known blocker signatures. If the company detects that you are circumventing ads, it may suspend your account temporarily or permanently without advance notice.
When an account is suspended, you lose access to your playlists, saved songs, and listening history until the suspension is lifted. You can contact Spotify support through the help center at support.spotify.com to appeal, but the company does not always restore suspended accounts. Some users report waiting weeks for a response, and others are told the suspension is permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a VPN to hide ad blocking from Spotify?
A VPN masks your location and IP address but does not hide ad blocking itself. Spotify detects ad blocking by looking at what ads load in your app, not by tracking your IP. Using a VPN will not prevent detection and may actually trigger Spotify's fraud detection systems.
Does Spotify Premium work on the desktop app and web player?
Yes. Spotify Premium removes ads on the desktop app, the web player, and the mobile app. Your subscription works across all devices as long as you log in with the same account. You can use Premium on up to six devices at once, though only one can play music at a time on the free plan.
Will Spotify ever make the desktop app ad-free for free users?
Spotify has not announced plans to remove ads from the free tier. The company's business model depends on advertising revenue from free users and subscription revenue from Premium subscribers. Changes to this model would require a major shift in Spotify's strategy, which is unlikely in the near term.
Can I block ads on Spotify using a hosts file or DNS filter?
Technically yes, but Spotify detects these methods and will suspend your account. The company monitors for DNS blocking and hosts file edits as part of its anti-circumvention efforts. Using these methods carries the same risk as using an ad blocker.
Is there a student discount for Spotify Premium?
Yes. Spotify offers a student plan for $5.99 per month in the US if you are enrolled in an accredited college or university. You will need to verify your student status through SheerID during signup. The student plan includes all Premium features and removes all ads.