How Many Megabytes Does Spotify Use - Technology

When considering how many megabytes of data Spotify uses, we need to consider how we are listening to the program. There are two main ways to listen to Spotify. If we are at home, work or somewhere using our personal computers (laptops, etc.), then we will need the desktop program. If we're on the go, then you will need to install the Spotify mobile app to your device. The pictures here are taken from an iPhone using the Spotify app, but the same streaming rate works across all devices.

How much data Spotify uses on the desktop program

If you have those interminable Spotify ads playing between listens of your favorite playlist, then you have the regular free Spotify account. This allows you to listen to the songs they have in the Spotify library, but you have to put up with sponsored content to keep doing so.

Getting away from the ads is possibly the main reason people choose to use Spotify Premium. This service gives you unlimited streams through your data or Wi-Fi, allows you to download tracks to listen offline and even lets you listen to some new releases before the free users can do so. If you go into the settings of the desktop, you will see that it also allows you to select something called 'high quality streaming'.

High quality streaming provides a clearer sound with better depth and (unsurprisingly) overall quality. To do this, it has to increase the bitrate on the streams. Here are the two options for streaming on Spotify desktop:

• Spotify free user account: 160 kps (kilobits per second)
• Spotify premium user account: 320 kps

The high quality streaming isn't the default, so you will have to turn it on if you want it. If you are worried about your overall data usage while listening to tracks on Spotify, keep it turned off.

How much data Spotify uses on the mobile app

If you are using the Spotify app on your device (iPhone, Window's Phone, Android, etc.) then you can stream the music on it at three different rates, unless you are using the free service. Then you are limited to the two lowest ones. Here are the streaming bitrates for Spotify on the app:

• Normal: 96 kbps
• High: 160 kbps
• Extreme: 320 kbps (this quality is only available for those with a Premium account)

There is an option which you can use on the mobile app for 'Automatic'. This option will stream music from your phone at the highest bitrate your 3G/4G reception will allow. This means it will use less quality playback when you have less reception so that you, in turn, use less streaming data.