Will Spotify Premium include ads? Rumours on free and paid subscriptions explained

THERE’S been some chatter going around that Spotify Premium might start including ads. 

Right now, Premium users get totally ad-free, unlimited access to just about every song out there with no interruptions, just nonstop music. Here are the rumours and what Spotify had to say.

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What people have been saying about Spotify Premium ads

As users face ads on every platform, Spotify Premium sometimes feels like a rare escape, especially since there are no signs it’s joining the ad-heavy crowd.

However, over the past few days, a bunch of posts on X (formerly Twitter) have been floating around, claiming that the Swedish streaming company might start adding ads to the current Premium tier.

This is basically to make room for a more expensive, totally ad-free “deluxe” version, similar to Amazon.

One post said: “They are saying @Spotify wants to introduce ads to premium so they can roll out a Deluxe version. 

“I hope Spotify knows that the ONLY reason I use them is for Spotify Wrapped and I don’t need it. 

“So, the minute I hear a whisper, a hint, a concept of an ad, BYE!”

Another user added: “I’ve been a paid @Spotify Premium user for over a decade. No issues. 

“But if I start getting bombarded with ads and emails about a “Deluxe” sub, I will cancel my s*** same-day and move to Apple Music. 

“Less than 2% will care about lossless audio. Don’t do this. No one asked for it.”

A third user said: “Let me just hear one ad. I’m cancelling my subscription and moving to literally anything else. 

“Forget loyalty, I will disintegrate my account on the spot.”

With all the rumours flying around, Spotify ended up having to put out a statement to clear things up and let people know whether it’s actually happening or not.

Will Spotify Premium include ads?

Good news for Premium users as Spotify’s made it clear you won’t be hearing ads anytime soon, despite the social media buzz suggesting otherwise.

For £11.99 / $11.99 a month, Spotify Premium gives you ad-free listening, better sound quality, and the freedom to play any song in any order. 

So naturally, people were a bit rattled by the idea of ads sneaking in.

But Spotify was quick to shut things down. 

Their official X account posted: “There is a rumor circulating that Spotify is putting ads into premium music listening. 

“This rumor is false. Premium music listening is and will remain ad-free.”

That said, back in March 2025, some Spotify Premium users did start to notice something strange—they were hearing ads.

Dozens of frustrated users headed to Spotify’s official forums to vent, saying they were suddenly being forced to listen to ads, despite paying for an ad-free experience.

It wasn’t just one platform either.

The issue seemed to be hitting people across the board, from the mobile app to web browsers and even smart speakers.

Spotify admitted at the time: “We’ve received reports that active Premium users are hearing ads interrupting their listening experience.”

It has since been fixed.

Spotify subscriptions

In February 2025, Spotify hinted at some changes on the horizon, saying that “further paid subscription tiers” are on the way, though they didn’t spill the full details just yet.

It’s still unclear whether the current pricing will change, but it does sound like they’re planning to offer more subscription options, possibly including a pricier tier aimed at hardcore music fans.

It’s a move that mirrors what other streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ have done, gradually introducing a wider range of paid plans to cater to different users.

“The new deal will help deliver new fan experiences, a deeper music and video catalog, further paid subscription tiers, and differentiated content bundles,” Spotify said.

Music fans have been speculating that Spotify might finally be gearing up to introduce hi-res audio, a feature that’s been noticeably missing from the platform.

Rival services like Apple Music already offer hi-res audio, and they do it without charging anything extra, so naturally, Spotify users are hoping the same might be on the cards.

Spotify currently has four different types of paid membership, on top of a free model with ads and limited features. These are:

• Premium Individual: £11.99 / $11.99 per month
• Premium Duo: £16.99 / $16.99 per month
• Premium Family: £19.99 / $19.99 per month
• Premium Student: £5.99 / $5.99 per month

Spotify has already raised the price of its Premium plan in the UK. 

After holding steady at £9.99 for years, it jumped to £10.99 in summer 2024, and then again to £11.99 in May 2025.