Spotify's ads are notoriously intrusive. On the free tier, you'll hear audio ads every 2-3 songs, see banner ads in the app, and watch video ads for "30 minutes of uninterrupted listening." If you're reading this, you've probably had enough.
This guide covers every method to remove Spotify ads – from official options to clever workarounds. We'll be honest about what works, what doesn't, and the pros and cons of each approach.
Understanding Spotify's Ad Types
Before removing ads, let's understand what you're dealing with:
- Audio ads: 15-30 second advertisements between songs (the most annoying)
- Display ads: Banner ads at the bottom of the app interface
- Video ads: Full-screen video ads that play occasionally
- Sponsored playlists: Branded playlists pushed in your recommendations
- "Watch this video" prompts: Offer 30 minutes ad-free in exchange for watching a video
Methods to Remove Spotify Ads
BEST METHOD Spotify Mod APK (Android)
A modified version of the Spotify app with ads completely removed. This is the most popular method worldwide, used by millions.
✅ Pros
- Completely free
- Removes ALL ads instantly
- Includes other Premium features
- Works indefinitely
- Easy to install
❌ Cons
- Android only
- No offline downloads
- Need to update manually
- Violates Spotify ToS
Verdict: The best free option for Android users. Removes ads completely with minimal hassle.
OFFICIAL Spotify Premium Subscription
Pay $10.99/month for the official Premium subscription. Removes all ads and unlocks full features.
✅ Pros
- 100% legal and supported
- All features unlocked
- Offline downloads work
- Works on all devices
- Supports artists
❌ Cons
- Costs $131.88/year
- Need to maintain subscription
- Price has increased over time
Verdict: The most straightforward option if you can afford it. Best for those who want full features and iOS support.
OFFICIAL Free Trial + New Accounts
Spotify offers 1-month free Premium trials to new users. Some users create new accounts periodically to take advantage of this.
✅ Pros
- Legitimate free Premium
- Full features during trial
- Works on all devices
❌ Cons
- Only lasts 1 month
- Lose playlists with each account
- Need new payment method each time
- Spotify tracks and may block
Verdict: A short-term solution at best. Not practical for ongoing use.
LIMITED Desktop Ad Blockers
Browser extensions like uBlock Origin can block some ads when using Spotify's web player. Dedicated tools like BlockTheSpot exist for the Windows app.
✅ Pros
- Free
- Works on desktop
- Easy to set up
❌ Cons
- Desktop only
- Spotify patches these regularly
- May break app functionality
- Doesn't work on mobile
Verdict: Unreliable. Works temporarily but Spotify actively fights these tools.
LIMITED Network-Level Blocking (Pi-Hole, DNS)
Some users set up Pi-Hole or custom DNS to block Spotify's ad servers at the network level.
✅ Pros
- Works across all devices on network
- Blocks ads system-wide
- No app modification needed
❌ Cons
- Technical setup required
- Spotify uses same servers for ads and music
- May break playback entirely
- Only works at home
Verdict: Not recommended. Spotify's ad delivery is intertwined with content delivery, making network blocking problematic.
Methods That DON'T Work
To save you time, here are commonly suggested methods that don't actually work:
- Muting during ads: You still have to wait for ads to finish
- Airplane mode trick: Spotify now requires periodic connection verification
- VPN to cheaper regions: Only affects subscription price, not ads
- Third-party "ad remover" apps: Usually malware or scams
- Hosts file modification: Spotify uses too many ad servers to block effectively
Our Recommendation
After testing every method extensively, here's our honest advice:
For Android Users:
Use the Spotify Mod APK. It's free, effective, and provides a genuine ad-free experience plus other Premium features. The only limitation is no offline downloads.
For iPhone Users:
Options are limited because iOS doesn't allow third-party app installation easily. Your best choices are:
- Subscribe to Premium (recommended for iOS)
- Use the Student plan ($5.99/month) if eligible
- Split a Family plan with friends (~$3/month per person)
For Desktop Users:
The Spotify web player with uBlock Origin blocks some ads, but it's hit-or-miss. The Windows app can use BlockTheSpot, but it requires reinstallation after updates.
The Best Free Solution for Android
Remove all Spotify ads instantly with the Spotify Mod APK.
⬇️ Download Ad-Free SpotifyFrequently Asked Questions
Will I get banned for using ad-blocking methods?
Spotify has rarely banned accounts for using modified clients or ad blockers. Their focus is on subscriber growth, not punishing free users. However, it's technically against their Terms of Service, so there's always a small risk.
Why doesn't Spotify offer a cheaper ad-free tier?
Spotify's business model relies on converting free users to Premium. A cheaper ad-free tier would cannibalize their Premium subscriptions. They've experimented with limited plans in some markets but nothing permanent.
Do ads actually pay artists?
Yes, free tier streams do pay artists (though less than Premium streams). However, ad revenue is primarily profit for Spotify, not direct artist compensation. If supporting artists is your concern, Premium is approximately 2x more valuable per stream.