The only legitimate way to get Spotify Premium for free is a free trial, and Spotify's terms say trials are usually only for people who've never had Premium or a Premium trial before, unless an offer says it's open to past subscribers. After that, the closest thing to free is the Spotify Free plan, or the discounted Premium Student plan if you're at college or university.
Search this and you'll find 'Spotify Premium free forever' apps and modded downloads promising everything for nothing. They break Spotify's rules and put your account and your phone at risk. Here are the routes that are allowed, with the conditions that decide whether you qualify.
Spotify Premium for free: the options
| Option | Who it's for | The condition |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | New subscribers | Never had Premium or a trial before, unless the offer says past subscribers can join |
| Partner trial | People offered one by a partner company | The partner's terms apply as well as Spotify's |
| Spotify Free plan | Anyone | Ad-supported, without the Premium features |
| Premium Student | Eligible college or university students | A discount, not free, and you reverify every 12 months |
How Spotify free trials work
Spotify regularly offers free or discounted trials of Premium. The key rule is in its Paid Subscription Terms: unless the trial is advertised as open to past subscribers, you must be a new subscriber who has never subscribed to, or accepted a trial of, any paid Spotify plan. So if you've had Premium on an account before, standard trials won't work on it.
- Check Spotify's Premium page for the current trial offer in your country.
- Read whether it says it's for new subscribers or open to past subscribers.
- Sign up with a valid payment method, since trials normally continue as paid plans.
- Put a reminder in your calendar a few days before the trial ends.
- Cancel before the end date if you don't want to keep paying.
The catch: trials roll into paid plans
This is where people get caught. Spotify's terms say certain paid subscriptions continue indefinitely and you're charged the recurring fee until you cancel. A trial is the start of a subscription, not a gift. Spotify also says what happens to your access if you cancel during a trial depends on whether the trial was zero-priced or cost something, so check the specific offer's terms.
Partner trials
Some trials come through other companies, such as a phone, a bank or a games console promotion. Spotify says that when you start a trial through a third party, you're also subject to that company's terms. Read both before you redeem, because some partner offers are only for new subscribers too.
Premium Student: not free, but close
If you're at college or university, Premium Student is the best regular deal. Spotify says eligible students get Premium at a discount for up to 4 years, renewing and reverifying every 12 months, and in the US it comes with Hulu (With Ads) at no extra cost.
- Fill in the SheerID verification form linked from Spotify's student page.
- Wait for SheerID's email; Spotify says it can take several days.
- Apply the discount to a new or existing Spotify account.
- Subscribe to Premium Student once you're confirmed.
Two rules to know. If your school isn't listed on the SheerID form, you're not eligible for now. And you can't pay for Premium Student through your phone bill or another company, or with Spotify gift cards or closed-loop prepaid cards.
The Spotify Free plan is the honest free option
If you just want music without paying, Spotify's free plan is there for anyone. It's supported by ads and doesn't have all the Premium features, but it's official, safe and keeps your playlists in one place. If you later take a trial or join a Household plan and then cancel, Spotify's terms say accounts are downgraded to the free plan at the end of the billing period, so you don't lose your library.
A lot of people find the free plan is enough for background listening, and keep Premium for the months they travel or commute more. There's no need to pay year-round if you don't use it; cancel in the months you don't need it.
Avoid 'free Premium' apps and mods
Modified Spotify apps and websites offering free Premium are against Spotify's rules and often come bundled with malware or ask for your login. Losing your account, and every playlist you've built, isn't worth the saving. If money's tight, the free plan with ads is the safe option.
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My verdict
Use a trial if you're new, set a cancel reminder, and switch to Premium Student if you qualify. Everything else promising free Premium is either a trial in disguise or a risk. For more on Spotify, see Spotify alternatives, how to see your Spotify Wrapped and how to move playlists to Apple Music.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Spotify Premium for free?
Only through an official free trial, which Spotify's terms usually limit to people who've never had Premium or a trial before, unless the offer says past subscribers can join.
Can I get a Spotify free trial again?
Usually not on the same account. Spotify says you must be a new subscriber unless a trial is advertised as available to past subscribers.
Do Spotify trials turn into paid plans?
Yes. Spotify's terms say certain paid subscriptions continue and you're charged until you cancel, so cancel before the trial ends if you don't want to pay.
Is Spotify Premium free for students?
Not free, but discounted. Eligible college students get Premium Student for up to 4 years, reverifying every 12 months, and in the US it includes Hulu (With Ads).
What happens to my playlists if I cancel Premium?
Spotify's terms say cancelled plans are downgraded to the Spotify Free plan at the end of the billing period, so your account carries on with ads.
Can I pay for Spotify Premium Student with a gift card?
No. Spotify says gift cards and closed-loop prepaid cards can't be used for Premium Student.
