Premium vs. Unlimited vs. Free in Austria

[PhilippMacGeyer]

Hi,

I'm from Austria and just started using spotify, previously I was using last FM with a German proxy.

Now I'm looking into it if I should get a payed spotify account and if so which one, unlimited or premium.

What limitations does a free account have that are lifted in Austria with the unlimited account?
I know that it removes advertisement, but what else?

And whats the benefits of premium other than more kb/s and the ability for offline listening?

Cheers

[Peter__ · Accepted solution]

Below is a good summary of free vs premium:

Spotify Unlimited gives uninterrupted (no adverts) on the desktop and web clients only. Apart from that, it is identical to Spotify free on all platforms. 

Spotify premium also has other cool features not mentioned here like Spotify Connect and being able to connect to partner apps such as on Smart TVs and speaker systems. 

[PhilippMacGeyer]

Uninterrupted listening, means only no advertizement?

Or is there some time limitation in place?

So with unlimited there would still be advertizement on mobile app?

[Peter__]

Uninterrupted listening, means only no advertizement?

Or is there some time limitation in place?

Simly means no advertisements. Spotify free time limit restrictions have been removed in almost all markets!

So with unlimited there would still be advertizement on mobile app?

Yes, unlimited only removes adverts in the desktop and web players.

[PhilippMacGeyer]

You need to make your Unlimited offering more attractive, for example by removing advertisement on the mobile platform.

For example last FM costs only 3€/month and that is a good price.

10€/month for music is to expensive for a casual listener, that is not messing around with play lists, just wants the system to find him stuff he yet does not know, and for offline playback uses his File Hoster downloaded discography's.

Lets be honest offline playback option is still DRMed and you still don't have the music you like really, so spotify or not, you still need to get it as a DRM free copy from some ware.

A 5€ unlimited music playing service without advertisement and time limitations would be the perfect product for those who will get a DRM free offline copy form some ware anyways for free. But would like to have a content discovery service and support the artists a little bit.

[Peter__]

With unlimited not even being launched in the 20 new markets added last week and its not advertised anywhere on the main website anymore, the way I see it any changes to unlimited are unlikely. Unlimited was never designed or destined for mobile usage, full mobile experience has always been and probably will be a premium feature. 

[PhilippMacGeyer]

hmm...

dont you think that 5€ is for much more people under the mindless spending treshold than 10€

You should offer a 5€ packet that gives also justifyed advantages...

To bring some examples:

for 10€ you have in austria 3GB and 1000minutes and 1000sms peapaid cell phone usage

or you have a top notch VPN account that efectivly turns your internet access in a law free zone

and the internet access itself costs you only whole 17€

My point is that much less people think twice about spending 5€/monthh than about 10€

For monthly 10€ you can get a lot of usefull things that may in thair value be percived by many as more valuabel than music access.

And as said last FM costed only 3€

I know in the end its all a numbers game how much 10€ payers you loose to the 5€ plan vs. how much new 5€ plan subscribers you can apeal to.

But as said I think than a peoperly features 5€ plan would bring you much more new customers than downgraders.

Cheers

[Peter__]

Isn't last.fm for $3 only radio though? 

I don't make the decisions (and I don't work for Spotify) but to me it makes perfect sense to simplify the offering and push more people to premium. I would also wonder how many people where actually using unlimited in comparison to premium, I would imagine if it was anywhere near as equally popular Spotify wouldn't have chosen the route they have taken. Interestingly depending on what market you are in Spotify premium cost does vary too! 

[PhilippMacGeyer]

Yes its only radio but its unlimited and has no advertizement.

And thats what would be good for the mobile option as well.

Play on demand and offline playback can remain a premium feature...