Spotify Makes U.S. Debut With Paid Plans and Invite-Only Free Service

Thursday July 14, 2011 7:31 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Streaming music firm Spotify today announced the immediate launch of its beta phase offerings in the United States, debuting as an invitation-only free service paired with two different paid tiers: Unlimited at $4.99/month and Premium at $9.99/month.


The Spotify app for iPhone [App Store] is also now live in the U.S. App Store, and a subscription to the Premium service is required for mobile device access.
During our invite-only beta phase, we'll be offering three great services - from absolutely free to paid subscriptions. The services we're launching today are:

- Spotify Free - the unsurpassed free music service. With an invite, enjoy on-demand, buffer-free access to over 15 million songs on your computer and great social features. Manage your own music files through Spotify, and sync with your cellphone or iPod. Features occasional advertising.

- Spotify Unlimited - all the special features of our free service, but with uninterrupted, ad-free access to Spotify on your computer. All for only $4.99 a month.

- Spotify Premium - the top-of-the-range Spotify experience. Premium gives you access to all the music, all the time. Listen online or offline, on your computer, your cellphone and a whole heap of other devices. Enjoy enhanced sound quality and access to exclusive content, competitions and special offers. Premium costs just $9.99 a month. (That's the equivalent of a couple of fancy coffees.)
Spotify's free service is debuting in the U.S. with exclusive ad partners Coca-Cola/Sprite, Chevrolet, Motorola, Reebok and Sonos, who are said to be developing specific and innovative ad campaigns for the platform.


Spotify has seen a fair amount of success in Europe, but the service's much-anticipated U.S. launch has been delayed several times as the company sought to acquire approvals from the major record labels. Those pieces began falling into place over the past few weeks, enabling Spotify to finally bring its offerings to the United States.

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TWSS37
112 months ago

I understand this look awesome from consumer perspective, but how is this really a sustainable business model?


Sorry but I don't see it getting too far in the USA.


Just because a paid music sevice that isn't offered by Apple doesn't mean it's destined for failure.
Rating: 15 Votes
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joe8232
112 months ago
The US seem to have it very lucky, the prices are the same in $ as they are in £ for us in the UK. Unfair :(
Rating: 10 Votes
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TWSS37
112 months ago

Show me where i was talking about failure? I'm asking how this is a sustainable business model that's all. Quit smoking, pal.

How is a non sustainable business model anything OTHER than failure?

Example: If I take in less money than I bring in, I am "losing" money. "Lose" too much money, and my business will be forced to close. After closing, I realize since my business model was not sustainable, my business was a failure.

This isn't difficult.

Rating: 6 Votes
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janjarfalk
112 months ago
Go nuts!

Here are a couple of invites for you.

dNPNX7HV5u4rXX8U
eWkmdUCVx6xMmudG
d64Tc5nGVtE7h5kg
ezu7H3y7E3dd9z3H
ea7RTPkgpFe6Gtdq
cuzHX3AyYZSpXUSR
aCdtdDZDSk2xJMZW
a4YCepc7NbAhRKzt
eNhLxbPwTgxGDXdg
aZqepzTmhfrCLcNM
frGqK7C7EJeP9sre
cc4wFtquHBg5RzKG
aFypgNJfPZzVFNyh
byNzws2qgLEkqGE5
eGLVKE35cTnrJd9Z
bBwC2rxyJKDDzBDY
brCkpXxwKg2kdAHb
aJZtEExhYgycw2Bw
erXNcce6pV4gZhVK
bRhuEkukYFfKXbfP
eyXsEfcV3zGGJJ6h
dr6yZ5P4wA2S25D3
fq2kLGk26aV4t77r
fgw35KuupwZcAr6V
d6ANU4dfwfkH7ph3
cDrcNNBT2xWe2AYb
c7tuTx9nNueMVRYN
dBZZ7TcZEwBpDXAt
d9VMXENbDdMNura9
dJsUNFrgbfTdB3T8
dF8NWdDwUw6d5wbN
e6SsBaZFXy4eH3cU
eYq5sfUhquRedU8B
aSz73mPDB2JTwz3S
cPd49L32VSPqFLXP
cRrPx8URqTRydwAM
Rating: 5 Votes
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eroplos
112 months ago

While Grooveshark can't even get into the AppStore, you will most likely not see Spotify there. You will probably have to Jailbreak, just like for Grooveshark's mobile app.


It will be in the app store! It's in the Dutch app store! Plus the difference between Spotify and Grooveshark is that Spotify actually has deals with the record companies and Grooveshark doesn't! That's why Grooveshark isn't in the App Store, because of complaints of the record labels ;)
Rating: 5 Votes
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eroplos
112 months ago

Unlimited (desktop) $4.99, Premium (listen on your phone) $9,99


And with Premium you can listen offline (save music, which is pretty handy on your phone) and the music is in higher quality :)
Rating: 5 Votes
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Frosticus
112 months ago
Sharing the love:

https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/3pxpR4Hj22XJAbhE
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/ahNr6G6sAGZNYbf5
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/aPCALmeXC6dGkSut
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/bBnkVfczPuFzY8Pt
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/bqpcHKWxfumP5yUf
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/bSUpFmaKPr67RwqD
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/cACG9HyJw4YUkcyu
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/cK3Zy6ZVnrECPshd
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/cmBH5nFCChTDWySs
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/cRwbrJ3V7ACX3Rmx
https://www.spotify.com/uk/invitation/fbqanxH44Z8aepxY

..I'll do a few more later.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Richardgm
112 months ago

While Grooveshark can't even get into the AppStore, you will most likely not see Spotify there. You will probably have to Jailbreak, just like for Grooveshark's mobile app.


Not accurate. It is in the App Store (US, too). I downloaded and am using Spotify now.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Stok3
112 months ago

Just because a paid music sevice that isn't offered by Apple doesn't mean it's destined for failure.


in fact I prefer this over purchasing in iTunes. I think many others agree.
Rating: 4 Votes
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FriarNurgle
112 months ago
I'm quite happy with Grooveshark but will try this out.
Rating: 4 Votes

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