Switching from Spotify? A Fan’s Guide to Migrating Playlists, Podcasts and Premium Perks

Ready to quit Spotify but terrified of losing your carefully curated library?

If Spotify’s recent price hikes and changing feature set have you thinking about switching, you’re not alone. Lots of fans — especially collectors of playlists, podcast binge-listers, and superfans who buy tickets and merch — are weighing alternatives in 2026. This guide gives a practical, step-by-step playbook for moving your music and podcasts, comparing premium features and prices, and explaining what you’ll actually gain or lose in the switch.

The one-line roadmap

Export or migrate your playlists with a migration tool, rebuild or import podcast subscriptions via RSS/OPML, pick a new streaming home based on your priority (audio quality, discovery, price, or artist support), and reconnect ticketing/merch links and scrobbles to preserve your fan history.

"Spotify raised prices in late 2025 — the third time since 2023 — and many listeners started exploring alternatives." — Industry reporting, late 2025

Before you switch: a quick checklist (do this first)

• Audit your library: Count playlists, saved albums, liked songs, followed artists, and local files. Note number of items and any collaborative or private playlists.
• Back up important data: Export playlist lists and screenshots of exclusive episodes, membership perks, or receipts for tickets/merch tied to Spotify features.
• Export data where possible: Request your Spotify data export via Spotify’s privacy tools if you want an official archive (useful for receipts, playlists metadata, and listening history).
• Decide priorities: Audio quality, discovery algorithm, exclusive podcasts, price, or artist payouts? Rank these to pick the best alternative.
• Check integrations: Do you need scrobbling (Last.fm), smart speakers, car integrations, or smart home routines? Verify compatibility with candidate services.

Migrating playlists: step-by-step

The biggest fear: losing hours of playlists. The good news: migration is straightforward if you use the right tools and know the caveats.

Top tools in 2026

• SongShift (iOS) — fast, reliable for single-user transfers; great for updating if you tweak playlists later.
• Soundiiz — web-based, excellent for bulk transfers, playlist formats, and moving collaborative playlists.
• TuneMyMusic — simple web UI, supports many services; good for one-off transfers.
• FreeYourMusic (formerly Stamp) — cross-platform app, reliable for large libraries including local files.

Step-by-step: move playlists with minimal fuss

1. Pick a migration tool. For a one-time move, TuneMyMusic or Soundiiz is quick. For ongoing sync between services, SongShift (iOS) or Soundiiz paid plans are best.
2. Connect both accounts. Authorize Spotify and your destination (Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, Deezer, Qobuz, etc.).
3. Choose what to transfer. Pick playlists, liked songs, and saved albums. Note: “Liked” libraries sometimes export differently than playlists.
4. Run a test with one playlist. Confirm how missing tracks are handled and whether metadata (cover art, descriptions) transfers.
5. Transfer in batches. Large libraries are less likely to hit rate limits if split into multiple transfers.
6. Resolve missing tracks. After migration, check the destination playlist for unavailable tracks and replace manually if needed (regional catalog differences are the usual culprit).
7. Preserve collaborative playlists. Soundiiz can replicate collaborative lists, but collaborators will need re-invite on the new platform.
8. Reconnect local files. If you have local MP3s in Spotify, upload or match them to the new service when supported (Apple Music and Plex are good at handling local files).

Common hiccups — and how to fix them

• Missing tracks: Use the migration tool’s “replace” suggestions or manually find alternate uploads (especially for live or indie releases).
• Regional catalog gaps: Some tracks are region‑restricted. Use a VPN for catalog checks if needed, but don’t rely on it for regular listening.
• Loss of metadata: Album art and descriptions may not fully transfer; use the exported file from Soundiiz to rebuild artwork where important.
• Play order changes: Some tools preserve order; some don’t. Export a CSV backup if order matters.

Podcasts: where to keep them and how to move subscriptions

Podcasts are trickier because episodes are often hosted externally and Spotify’s ecosystem combines exclusive content and RSS-fed shows.

Understand the podcast landscape in 2026

Three trends shaped the past year: continued growth in subscription-only podcasts, creators using direct-hosting platforms with paywalls (Patreon/Member hubs), and a renewed emphasis on open RSS feeds. That means most shows are still portable, but exclusives and subscriber-only episodes may stay locked to Spotify or the creator’s paywall.

How to export your podcast subscriptions

1. Try an OPML export from your current app. Spotify does not offer a native OPML export for podcasts as of early 2026, so check if your listening app (desktop/mobile) does. For guidance on launching and structuring a podcast feed see resources like podcasting how-tos.
2. Use a podcast manager as a bridge. Apps like Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Podcast Addict allow OPML import and export; re-subscribe there and then export your OPML.
3. Find RSS feeds with Listen Notes or the show’s website. If a show is exclusive to Spotify, check the publisher or host for a public RSS; many creators mirror episodes outside Spotify. See creator-distribution guides like the Creator Synopsis Playbook for distribution best practices.
4. Import OPML into your new app. Pocket Casts, Castro, and many desktop clients accept OPML to recreate subscriptions quickly.
5. Resubscribe to subscriber-only feeds. For paywalled shows, keep the subscription via creator platforms (Patreon, Supercast, Substack) or maintain Spotify if the exclusive perks matter.

What you’ll lose — and what you can keep

• Lose: Spotify-only exclusives and any analytics-driven episode recommendations tied to your Spotify account.
• Keep: Open‑RSS shows and historic episodes stored on independent hosts; direct paid subscriptions (you just access them through new podcast players).
• Workaround: If a favorite show went exclusive to Spotify, contact the creator. Many podcasters maintain parallel feeds for non‑exclusive content or offer archives to supporters — and independent creator marketplaces and infrastructure shifts (see creator infrastructure news) matter here.

Premium features & pricing — what to expect in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 accelerated feature differentiation: Hi-Res streaming tiers, spatial audio as a standard in some libraries, and deeper artist-direct monetization. Pricing is more variable than ever.

Quick pricing guide (typical ranges in early 2026)

• Individual plans: $9–$15 per month depending on service and audio quality.
• Family plans: $14–$22 per month for up to six members.
• Hi‑Res / Master tiers: +$5–$10/month on top of standard tiers (Tidal, Qobuz, and some Apple Music offerings).
• Student plans & bundles: Often 50% off, but verify eligibility — bundles with video or live ticket perks are more common now.

Feature trade-offs by platform

• Apple Music: Strong integration with Apple devices, expanding spatial audio library, and solid editorial curation. Good if you’re embedded in the Apple ecosystem.
• Tidal / Qobuz: Best for audiophiles and artists who value higher payouts. Expect superior lossless and high-res options.
• YouTube Music: Great discovery due to YouTube’s video/music crossovers, superior for live show clips and rare uploads.
• Amazon Music: Good value for Prime members, regional promotions, and device integrations with Alexa ecosystems.
• Deezer: Competitive lossless tier and Flow discovery; region-friendly catalog choices.
• Bandcamp: Not a streaming replacement but invaluable for direct-to-artist purchases, merch, and limited releases. For broader marketplace options and new on-platform license marketplaces see Lyric.Cloud’s marketplace launch.

What you lose — the hard truth

Some things are simple to move; others are locked by business models and exclusives.

• Discovery history & algorithmic training: Your personalized algorithms (Discover Weekly, Daily Mixes) are platform-specific. You’ll need weeks of listening on a new service to rebuild recommendations.
• Exclusive content: Some podcasts and music exclusives may be unavailable outside Spotify.
• Wrapped/End-of-year summaries: Platforms have unique yearly recaps. You can export listening history but won’t get the same visual wrap unless the new service offers one.
• Integrated ticketing perks: Some artist or platform partnerships (ticket presales through Spotify or integrated merch drops) may not transfer. However, many artists now centralize presale codes via Bandcamp, Songkick or direct mailing lists.

What you gain — why many fans switch

• Better value or audio quality: Switching can unlock lossless or hi‑res tiers that Spotify may not offer on your current plan.
• Stronger artist support: Some platforms and direct stores (Bandcamp, artist storefronts) route more revenue to creators — explore creator distribution and monetization playbooks to decide where to spend.
• Different discovery: If you’re tired of the same algorithm, moving platforms refreshes recommendations and surface different indie artists.
• Bundled benefits: New homes may include bundles (video, live streams, ticket perks) that fit your fan priorities.

Tickets, merch & release strategy: reconnecting your fan life

For many superfans the streaming service is just one node in a larger fan ecosystem. Make sure your new setup preserves easy access to presales, merch drops, and release alerts.

Reconnect fast with these steps

1. Follow artists on Bandcamp, Songkick, and Bandsintown. These services centralize tour alerts and merch drops independent of your music service.
2. Enable artist newsletters. Many presales and limited merch drops are announced via mailing lists or Discord servers rather than streaming apps.
3. Link your social identities. Use platforms like Instagram/X/Twitter and Mastodon to follow artist announcements for instant updates.
4. Check streaming app artist pages for merch links. Most services now include direct links to artist stores and verified drops; verify them after you migrate.

Advanced tips & pro moves

• Scrobble history: Set up Last.fm on the new service to preserve your listening footprint and past behavior analytics.
• Automate future backups: Schedule monthly exports from Soundiiz or keep a running CSV of playlists so future moves are painless — see cloud migration patterns like Pop‑Up to Persistent for automation ideas.
• Keep a lightweight “archive” Spotify account: If you rely on Spotify-only exclusives, maintain a free or cheap account to access those few shows while doing the bulk of listening elsewhere.
• Use smart home automations: Re-link your smart speakers and car profiles immediately to avoid playback gaps during commutes and shows.
• Support creators directly: When you buy merch or tickets, prefer artist storefronts — this often returns more revenue to makers than streaming payouts. For retail and pop-up tactics that turn browsers into buyers, see curated pop‑up playbooks and urban micro‑retail analyses at Urban Micro‑Retail.

Experience vignette: how I moved 800 songs and kept my podcast queue

As an editor and superfan, I moved a library of ~800 tracks and 40 podcasts in late 2025. I used Soundiiz for a bulk playlist transfer, ran a second pass with SongShift to keep playlists synced while I tested the new app, and rebuilt two private playlists manually because they contained regionally restricted live EPs. For podcasts I exported an OPML from Pocket Casts and imported to Pocket Casts on my new device — three subscription-only episodes required me to re-subscribe through the creator’s Patreon workflow, but the rest followed their RSS feeds seamlessly. The entire process took two focused hours, and my new discovery algorithms started offering fresh recs by week three.

Actionable checklist: your 30–60–90 day plan

Next 30 days

• Migrate top 10 playlists and test sound/metadata.
• Import podcasts via OPML or resubscribe manually.
• Reconnect smart speakers and devices.

30–60 days

• Bulk-transfer remaining playlists and resolve missing tracks.
• Subscribe to artist newsletters and Bandcamp followings.
• Enable Last.fm scrobbling to preserve history.

60–90 days

• Decide whether to keep an archive Spotify account for exclusives.
• Monitor your new service’s recommendations and adjust listening habits to retrain the algorithm.
• Evaluate cost: cancel previous plan if switching saved money or upgrade if new features justify the spend.

Final takeaways — what matters most

Switching is doable and often worth it if you want better audio, different discovery, or stronger direct support for artists. The most important moves are backing up data, using reliable migration tools, and reconnecting to ticketing and merch ecosystems outside any single streaming platform.

Don’t rush a full delete. Keep access to Spotify for a short period as your “safety net” to retrieve anything you missed — then decide if and when to fully close your account.

Start your migration now

If you’re ready: pick a migration tool and run a test transfer of one playlist. Then follow the 30–60–90 checklist above. Want help picking the best alternative for your priorities (audio quality vs. price vs. podcasts vs. artist support)? Use our quick comparison guide and ticket/merch links to find presale access and special releases from the artists you care about.

Ready to make the switch and keep your fan life intact? Start with one playlist and one podcast — then expand. And if you’re hunting tickets and exclusive merch tied to releases, check our curated release calendar for upcoming drops and presales.

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