From poor pay for artists to general algorithm fatigue, dissatisfaction with mainstream streaming services has been mounting for some time. We spoke to seven people who decided to quit them for good.

When music streaming platforms first launched, they promised us access to millions of songs at the click of a button. The convenience of being able to play nearly every song ever made was groundbreaking. More recently, dissatisfaction has risen with how they function. The convenience of streaming is starting to lose its appeal and more and more people are expressing their frustration with algorithmically generated playlists and the inability to truly own the music they stream alongside these platforms’ open embrace of AI and their disregard for paying artists fairly. 

In her 2025 book Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist, Liz Pelly writes, “At a certain point, a streaming listener may very well come to believe that what the machine suggests is indeed what they like, not because it’s true, but because they can see or feel no other option.” This sentiment is echoed by many choosing to quit on streaming giants. They see it as a way to claim back autonomy over their musical choices and foster a closer, more meaningful relationship with the music they listen to. 

We spoke to seven former streaming service users about why they left, how quitting changed their relationship with music, and the advice they would give to someone considering the same choice.

Ethan, 22

Why did you decide to quit music streaming platforms?

There were a few different factors. Artists only make pennies when you play their songs on a streaming service, but when you buy their music, whether as an MP3, CD or vinyl, you support them directly. As someone who loves music, it just makes sense to show the artists who make it some love and appreciation through buying their music and showing up at their concerts. I think you’re more invested in the music you physically buy. Spotify runs off of algorithms, building personalised playlists, and putting specific music in your face. This often focuses more on genre and taste, rather than the artist’s intended meaning. Music starts to become background noise rather than a thoughtful appreciation of an artist’s creation. 

What has changed since you quit?

Nothing has changed really, except for my relationship with music itself. I’m more intentional. I still listen to music just as often as before. I still love music. I feel less anxious about not listening to everything that pops up on the home screen of Spotify. My phone is no longer my primary means to listen to music, thus I rely on it less. 

What are the main downsides of not having streaming platforms anymore?

Overall, it’s just less convenient. Streaming platforms make it easy to find new music. There are other ways to find it, but Spotify is like all the tools combined into one place. You like a song, then you can share it. You want a specific vibe, then you can find it. If you like a certain genre, then here is a playlist. Streaming services make it so you can listen to everything everywhere. The whole music world in the palm of your hand. Sometimes I miss that, sometimes I don’t. It’s cool to think of a song and just play it. Or to hear a song and save it. Other methods besides streaming services usually have a lot more friction and steps involved than clicking two buttons. 

How do you listen to and discover music now?

I use an MP3 player because I like the nostalgia of having a specific device to play music. I’ve started to buy one album a month, which is about the price of a Spotify premium plan. It’s fun to pick what I want to buy. 

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about quitting music streaming services?

If someone wants to appreciate music more, then music streaming services are probably not the best way to do this. The convenience of streaming strips away at the relationship between the artist and the listener. But when you own the music you listen to and when you invest into the artist themselves, you begin to realise that music isn’t just entertainment, it’s art. 

John, 25

When did you decide to quit music streaming services?

I quit music streaming services in the summer of 2024. I find their business practices not only unfair to artists, but also to our current culture.

Which streaming services were you using?

I have used Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and Bandcamp. I still have an account with Bandcamp but I mainly use it to find out more about artists.

How do you listen to and discover new music now?

I get most of my music recommendations from a relative whom I’m close to. He’s a couple of years older than me and we have similar tastes, so he knows what’s good. I am not someone who has physical media because I do not have physical space. I use a tweaked YouTube to find said song recommendations and obtain them so that I can listen to them in my makeshift MP3. I grew up listening to music primarily like that so it has not been a big change in lifestyle for me and I like to have a separate space for music.

Brad, 56

What were the main factors in your decision to quit music streaming services?

The first factor was cost. The second reason was that I felt smothered with media subscriptions and too much choice. Between audio and video streaming services, it was overwhelming. Music is supposed to be fun, not stressful. I was feeling the effects of the algorithms narrowing what I was listening to and what I was being exposed to, and I didn’t want that. I was feeling suffocated by noise. I had completely forgotten how to be still and quiet. I was constantly reaching for my headphones for music or a podcast. The times when life got quiet caused anxiety – and that’s not healthy. We need quiet time for creative thought.

What has changed since you quit?

It’s been wonderful. I’m rebuilding my relationship with music and media. I rarely have music on in the background, and if I do, it’s only instrumental music quietly in my office. I’m intentional with music to the point where I actually make appointments with myself to listen to an album. I take walks in my neighbourhood without music or podcasts and just listen to natural sounds. It slows me down, and I needed that. Music is no longer a crutch that I lean on to avoid quiet time to sit with my thoughts.  

What are the main downsides to no longer using music streaming services?

I honestly can’t think of one.

How do you listen to and discover new music now?

I also deleted my entire digital library of over 700 songs. I wanted to return to other types of media. Now, I only listen to vinyl, CDs, and local radio or live music when I visit a local venue or club. Local radio is my main source for new artists and thankfully I have a couple of local stations that still play new music and haven’t fallen victim to corporate radio. We survived for decades without Spotify and still learned about new music. It’s just a more intentional act. 

Hannah, 25

How do you listen to and discover new music?

I started a CD collection (mostly second-hand). I’ve had to intentionally hunt down most of my favourites, but I’ve found some really fun artists by rummaging in the bargain bin at my local record shop.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about quitting music streaming services?

I would recommend it to anyone. It completely changed how I engage with music. I listen to full albums rather than random songs selected by an algorithm, and I’ve discovered so much new interesting music. 

What are the main downsides to no longer using music streaming services?

The only real downside to me is that I have so many essential albums to buy that I haven’t saved any money.

Sara, 29

What were the main factors in your decision to quit?

Budgeting. I’m doing a low buy year this year. Also, getting into physical media and digital minimalism. The ease of access just wasn’t really worth renting music that I probably wouldn’t remember once I left the app. I’m trying to be intentional about the artists that I support instead of giving money to tech companies. I also wanted to be able to own music with my real hands. 

What has changed since you quit?

I sit in silence much more often than I ever have, and I let myself be bored. It has also helped with my awareness when I am walking or commuting on the train or bus. 

What are the main downsides to no longer using music streaming services?

I can’t really see any. I am excited to get an MP3 player and I love playing my records and getting back into CDs. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on new artists just because I don’t have Spotify. The internet still exists. 

How do you listen to and discover new music now?

The internet. Tiny Desk concerts. Friends in the music scene. Following artists that I like on social media. Supporting them on Bandcamp. Going to local shows. 

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about quitting music streaming services?

What works for me won’t work for everyone, but I do think it’s worth it to look into MP3 players and owning music again. Also remember when we used to make mix CDs? That was so fun.

Ana, 36

What were the main factors in your decision to quit?

I lost my student discount and was growing tired of feeling like it was a one-sided relationship. If I had a bad week of Discover Weekly it would upset me and I’d almost take it personally. I also didn’t like having to pay every month to have access to my music.

What has changed since you quit?

Something I didn’t expect was to discover how addicted I was to the app on my phone in general. I learned the dopamine hits I’d get from the app itself took away from the musical experience. When I first started using my iPod I noticed the music was not enough. I’d be randomly scrolling through it or searching for that fix. The quality of sound is also much better not streamed. I notice subtleties in songs I’d never heard before and it sounds like my car’s sound system got an upgrade. 

How do you listen to and discover new music now?

I fixed my iPod 5th generation, downloaded all of my Spotify music and transferred it onto that. I have not discovered ways to find new music outside of the FM radio in my car and asking Siri what I am listening to.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about quitting music streaming services?

Go into it with the mindset that it can be a pause, rather than a quit, so it’s less scary and decide what’s best for you once you try it out. Also to have a plan like I did with my iPod. 

Ella, 29

When did you decide to quit music streaming services?

I tried quitting on and off from 2020-2024 but it was difficult logistically. I quit for real in January 2025 by getting rid of my iPod touch and switching to using an MP3 player only.

What were the main factors in your decision to quit?

When I had a smartphone, I was spending way too much time on it. After getting a feature phone, I was no longer messing around on it when I was out and about, but when I was at home, I’d reach for my iPod touch for some quick entertainment. It was happening way too often, so when I got an MP3 player, I had to quit Apple Music.

What has changed since you quit?

I’ve realised I have to be more selective about the music I download. When I had Apple Music, I could download anything I wanted for “free”. These days, I have to think about what kind of music I actually want to listen to because I’m paying for every single song. I now listen to albums front-to-back a couple of times before deciding whether to buy it. 

What are the main downsides to no longer using music streaming services?

Buying the music. It’s very expensive to build up a library from scratch. I find that I’m listening to the same music over again because I’ve only been able to buy one or two albums per month.

How do you listen to and discover new music now?

I have to research it when I’m in front of the computer. Usually, I pay close attention to similar artists in my recommendations on YouTube or iTunes. I do group fitness classes and they play a lot of popular music so that acts as my daily dose of radio music. I try to pay attention to the lyrics of any songs I like and then I try to find the songs when I get home. I find that I’m paying a lot more attention to music that’s playing.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about quitting music streaming services?

Do it! Save up £50, buy your five favourite albums and gradually build up your library from there.