As the popularity of streaming music continues to grow, many users are beginning to question the cost, privacy, and bloat associated with mainstream platforms like Spotify. However, there are limitations for Spotify Free users, like pop-up ads, no offline mode, etc. In this case, users are looking for a way to break these limits.
Spotube is such a tool that bypasses ads while streaming music using YouTube as the backend. Have no idea of this tool? No worries. In this review, we'll explore Spotube in depth, compare it to the official Spotify app, show you how to install it, introduce the best alternative tool to it, and more. Let's dive in.
Part 1. Spotube: Overview
What Is Spotube and How Does It Work
Spotube is an open-source and privacy-friendly Spotify client alternative that was built using Flutter. It is available for both desktop and mobile devices. It is lightweight and ad-free. It acts as an interface to Spotify's public API. Yet, instead of streaming music tracks through Spotify's proprietary servers, it uses metadata from the Spotify API to locate and play matching audio from YouTube. That means you can use Spotube without needing a Spotify Premium account and enjoy music without ads. This makes it especially appealing for Spotify Free users or those who prefer open software.
Key Features of Spotube
✔ Download Spotify Music for Free
Spotube allows users to download songs from Spotify for free. It also supports playlists, and albums.
✔ Cross-Platform Compatibility
Spotube is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems.
✔ Listen to Spotify Music without Ads
Even with a Spotify Free account, you can enjoy Spotify music without ads with the help of Spotube.
✔ Lightweight
Compared to the official Spotify app built on Electron, Spotube takes up significantly fewer system resources.
✔ Privacy-Respecting
Do not track users, avoid analytics and use public APIs.
✔ Support Playing Spotify Music Offline
With Spotube, users can download audio content from Spotify for offline playback.
Limitations of Spotube
❌ YouTube Dependency
In fact, Spotube doesn't stream music from Spotify directly. It matches tracks with YouTube audio. So, sometimes it can result in mismatched or low-quality versions.
❌ Does Not Support Spotify Podcasts or Audiobooks
Spotube supports music only. No support for Spotify podcasts or audiobooks.
❌ Limited Spotify Features
As a Mod APK to Spotify, Spotube lacks features like Spotify Connect, social features (friends activity), and seamless integration with smart devices.
❌ Playback Delays
Occasionally, slower track starts due to reliance on YouTube matching.
❌ Not Officially Supported by Spotify
As Spotube is not supported by Spotify Official, it could break if Spotify changes its API or terms.
Spotube vs Spotify App
By the way, you can check the differences between Spotube APK vs Spotify official app in the table below.
| Feature | Spotube | Spotify App |
|---|---|---|
| Music Streaming | Yes (via YouTube) | Yes (via Spotify) |
| No Ads (Free Tier) | ✔ | ❌ |
| Offline Playback | Partial | ✔ (Premium only) |
| Supported Audio Content | Tracks and Playlists | All audio content |
| Spotify Connect | ❌ | ✔ |
| Audio Source | YouTube | Spotify servers |
| Privacy | Open-source, no tracking | Proprietary, tracks user data |
| Resource Usage | Low (~100-150MB) | High (300-800MB) |
| Audio Quality | Variable (depends on YouTube) | Up to 320kbps (Premium) |
| Free Account Compatibility | Full playback | Limited playback |
| CPU Load | Low | High |
| Startup Time | Fast | Slower |
| Responsiveness | Smooth | Slight delay sometimes |
From the table, you will learn that Spotube is ideal for privacy-conscious users, Linux users, Spotify Free users and minimalist or low-resource setups. If you need Spotify Connect feature and like to listen to podcasts, then you should choose Spotify.
View also: How to Get Spotify on Linux
Part 2. Is Spotube Safe and Legal?
Spotube is safe. It is open source and developed with transparency. It won't collect any user data, track usage, or include advertisements. Since the code is publicly available on GitHub, it can be reviewed and audited by anyone, which enhances trust and security.
When it comes to legality, Spotube operates in a legal gray area. It uses Spotify's public API to gather track metadata and then streams audio from publicly available YouTube videos. While Spotube does not distribute or host any copyrighted content itself, streaming copyrighted music from YouTube in this way may not comply with all regional copyright laws. In addition, because it bypasses Spotify's licensing systems (e.g., DRM and Premium paywalls), it is not officially endorsed or supported by Spotify. Now, Spotube is banned by Spotify and it is not working. But we introduce an alternative to it in Part 4. You can skip to learn more about it.
As a result, Spotube is best suited for personal use by privacy-conscious users who understand the risks and limitations associated with using unofficial clients.
Part 3. How to Install and Use Spotube on Computer and Mobile
Now, we will show you how to download, install and use Spotube on computer and mobile devices to enjoy Spotify music.
How to Download and Install Spotube on Desktop and Mobile Device
Spotube is released on GitHub platform. So, you can download and install it on your device from there. Here are the step-by-step tutorials for you to make it.
On Windows/Mac:
Step 1. Go to the Spotube GitHub official webpage via a web browser on your computer.
Step 2. Download the installer according to your operating system.
Step 3. Run the installer and then follow the setup instructions to finish the process.
On Android:
Step 1. Go to Spotube GitHub webpage to download the latest Spotube APK.
Step 2. Enable 'Install unknown apps' in your Android's settings.
Step 3. Proceed to install Spotube Mod APK manually.
On iOS:
Currently, Spotube is not available on the App Store. So, you need to manual build from source using Xcode and Flutter SDK.
How to Use Spotube on Computer and Mobile
After installing Spotube on your device, you can start to use it to listen to Spotify music without any limits. Here is how to do that.
Step 1. Open Spotube on your desktop or Android device.
Step 2. Go to sign in to your Spotify account.
Step 3. Look for any music you want to stream and start playing music.
Part 4. Fix Spotube Not Working via Best Spotube Alternative
From the above, you know Spotube. Yet, there are some limitations of it. Moreover, now Spotube is not working (Spotube V4.0.2 or below). You need to wait for its update. In this case, we'd like to introduce an alternative to it for you to download and enjoy Spotify songs easily.
Now, let's meet AudFree Spotify Downloader. It is a safe and professional Spotify music downloader and converter. It allows all Spotify users to download any content from Spotify, like audiobooks, podcasts, albums, playlists, etc. without installing the Spotify app. Also, it will remove Spotify strict locks and save audio files locally on your device.
Besides, it supports to convert Spotify to MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV and other plain output audio formats. In addition, it will keep the original audio quality and full ID3 tags of Spotify audio content, such as title, artist, album, etc. With AudFree Spotify Music Converter, you can store the downloaded Spotify music files forever on your device and listen to them offline anywhere and anytime.
How to Use AudFree Spotify Downloader - the Best Spotube Alternative
Step 1. First, click the "Download" button above to download and install this AudFree tool on your Windows or Mac computer. Open it, log in to your Spotify account in the web player and select the Spotify audio files you want to download. Then tap the add music files button at the right side on the screen. Later, tap 'Add to list' to load Spotify files.
Step 2. Hit the "Menu" icon in the top-right corner on the AudFree program's interface and select "Preferences" from the list. Under the "Conversion" section, you can pick up the output audio format of Spotify music. You can choose MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, M4B, AIFF, and Lossless according to your needs. Also, you can customize the 320kbps bit rate and 48000 Hz sample rate for better output audio quality.
View also: How to Convert Spotify to AIFF
Step 3. Once set, click the "Convert" button from the Converting window to start the download and conversion process. Wait till the conversion process is over. Later, you will get the converted Spotify music files in your local folder and listen to Spotify offline without premium on any device and player.
Part 5. FAQs about Spotube
Q1: Is Spotube Free or Paid?
A: Spotube is an open-source and free alternative to Spotify app. Any user can use it for free and without a Spotify Premium account.
Q2: Do I Need a Spotify Premium Account to Use Spotube?
A: No. Spotube supports free Spotify accounts. It uses metadata from Spotify but streams music via YouTube.
Q3: Why I Can't Listen to Podcasts in Spotube?
A: Now, Spotube only supports music. It doesn't support podcasts and audiobooks.
Q4: Can I Use Spotube on iOS Devices?
A: Not officially. iOS users are required to manually build the Spotube app from source using Flutter and Xcode.
Part 6. Conclusion
Spotube is a compelling alternative to the official Spotify app, especially for users who value privacy, performance, and a cleaner music experience. Besides, it is ideal for Spotify Free account users. However, it lacks some premium Spotify features like audiobooks/podcasts support and cross-device sync. Also, it will be banned sometimes. In this case, we show you AudFree Spotify Music Converter as an alternative to download and stream Spotify music offline without limits. You can give it a try and enjoy your music trip right now.
Charles Davis
Chief Editor
