Using Sonos speakers in your business is a great choice for high-quality sound. But getting music to play legally on them can be confusing.
Many owners are not sure if they can use personal apps like Spotify. They also wonder if they need a special Sonos for Business plan.
This guide will clear up the confusion. We will show you how to use your Sonos for Business setup the right way. This helps you find the best legal music for your business.
The Legal Problem with Your Sonos for Business Setup
Here is the most important rule to understand:
Your speakers are not the legal problem; your music source is.
You cannot legally play music from a personal Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music account in your business. These services are licensed for personal, private use only. Simply put, there is no Spotify for Business, Amazon Music for Business or Apple Music for Business.
Playing them in your store is a “public performance.” This breaks copyright law and could lead to large fines. Your Sonos for Business setup must use a licensed music service.
Make an informed choice! Compare music providers for your business on our Compare Page—free and simple.
What is "Sonos Pro"? Is It Your Only Choice?
When you search for Sonos for Business, you will find “Sonos Pro.” This is a subscription service that Sonos sells. It includes licensed music and tools to manage your speakers.
It is a simple, all-in-one option. But, it is not your only choice.
Your Sonos system is designed to work with many other companies. You have two main options for your Sonos for Business setup:
- Use the “Sonos Pro” music service.
- Use a different licensed business music service that connects to Sonos.
Why would you choose another service? You might find a better price, more music options, or need special features like in-store audio messaging. The most important thing to know is that you have a choice.
You can quickly find legal music for business providers that connect to Sonos with our free music for business comparison tool.
A Quick Guide: Which Sonos Hardware is Right for Your Business?
Your business needs are different from a home. Here is a simple breakdown of the most common Sonos products for a Sonos for Business system:
- For Small Spaces (Café, Boutique, Office): Use a Sonos One / One SL – The most popular, compact, and affordable speaker by Sonos. It’s powerful enough for a small-to-medium-sized room. You can use one or pair two for stereo sound.
- For Large Spaces or Better Bass: Use a Sonos Five – This is a much larger speaker with deep bass and room-filling sound. It is ideal for a bigger retail space or a small gym.
- If You Already Have Ceiling Speakers: Use a Sonos Amp – This is a key product. If your building already has “dumb” speakers in the ceiling, you don’t need to replace them. You connect them to a Sonos Amp. The Amp powers them and makes them “smart.”
- If You Have an “Old” Stereo/Receiver: Use a Sonos Port – The Port is like the Amp, but it does not provide power. It is made to plug into your current sound system or amplifier. It adds Sonos streaming to your existing setup.
How to Connect a Legal Service to Your Sonos for Business Setup
This is often the most confusing part for owners. A service can “work with Sonos” in a few different ways.
- Method 1: Inside the Sonos App: Some business services can be added directly inside your Sonos app. This is clean and simple, just like adding a personal music account.
- Method 2: Using the Provider’s Own App: This is the most common method. You use the music provider’s own app on your phone or tablet. Their app finds your Sonos speakers and plays music through them. This is often the best choice, as you get all the provider’s special features, like scheduling music or playing your own audio ads.
- Method 3: Using a Workaround (like AirPlay): You can also use Apple AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad to stream any sound to your Sonos. This lets you use a service that may not have a direct connection.
Want the best music for your business? Compare providers on our Compare Page—quick, easy, and free!
The Big Sonos for Business Question: What if My Wi-Fi Drops?
This is a critical business concern. A Sonos for Business system is Wi-Fi-based. This is its greatest strength but also a potential weakness in a busy shop.
The Problem: In a busy café, your Wi-Fi network can get slow or overloaded by guests. This can cause your music to skip or stop.
Solution 1: Use an Ethernet Cable (The Pro Tip)
The best way to make your Sonos system reliable is to plug one of your Sonos speakers (or a Port/Amp) directly into your internet router with an Ethernet cable. This tells your Sonos to create its own private wireless network. This network is separate from your guest Wi-Fi and works much better.
Solution 2: Choose a Service with Offline Playback
Some smart business music services can download playlists to your phone or tablet. This means that even if your internet stops, the music keeps playing from the saved file. This is a vital feature for any Sonos for Business setup if your internet is not reliable.
A Key Detail for Sonos for Business: "Zones" vs. "Speakers"
The best reason to use Sonos for Business is to play different music in different areas. For example, you may want quiet music in your café but upbeat music on the patio. This is called “multi-zone” audio.
Here is the critical licensing rule: Business music services do not charge per speaker. They charge per zone, or per stream.
- One Zone: You have 10 speakers, but they are all playing the same song. This is one zone.
- Two Zones: You play calm music in the café and upbeat music on the patio. This is two zones.
This is very important. If you need to play different music in different areas, you must buy a plan that includes two or more zones. A basic, single-zone plan will only let you play one stream of music at a time.
You can learn more about “zones” and multi-location requirements for music for business on our multi-location page.
Is a Sonos for Business System Worth It?
You have many options for sound. Here are the honest pros and cons of choosing Sonos for your business.
Pros:
- Flexibility: It’s easy to start with one speaker and add more later.
- No Wires: You do not need to run messy speaker wires.
- Sound Quality: Sonos is known for its excellent, rich sound.
- Zone Control: It is the easiest system for playing different music in different areas.
- Clean Look: The speakers are modern and look good in any shop.
Cons:
- High Upfront Cost: Sonos is a premium product. The hardware is more expensive than other options.
- Needs Good Wi-Fi: It depends on a stable network (though you can use an Ethernet cable).
- Compatibility: Not all business music services work with Sonos. You must choose a provider that is compatible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sonos for Business
Q: What is “Sonos for Business”? Is it a special speaker?
A: “Sonos for Business” is not a special type of speaker. It just means using regular Sonos speakers (like the Sonos One, Five, or Port) in a business setting. The legal part is not about the hardware; it’s about using a licensed music service.
Q: Can I use my personal Spotify on my Sonos for my business?
A: No. All personal streaming accounts (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) are for private, non-commercial use only. Using them in your business is a violation of copyright law and can lead to large fines.
Q: Do I have to use the “Sonos Pro” music service?
A: No. “Sonos Pro” is an all-in-one service offered by Sonos, but it is not your only option. You can subscribe to many other third-party business music services and play them on your Sonos speakers.
Q: What Sonos speaker should I buy for my small shop?
A: The Sonos One or One SL is the most popular choice for small shops, cafés, or offices. If you have a larger, open space, you might consider the Sonos Five for its bigger, room-filling sound.
Q: I already have ceiling speakers. Can I use them with Sonos?
A: Yes! You can connect your existing “dumb” ceiling speakers to a Sonos Amp. The Amp powers the speakers and adds them to your Sonos system so you can stream music to them.
Q: My store’s Wi-Fi is bad. Will my Sonos for Business setup still work?
A: This is a common problem. The best solution is to plug one of your Sonos devices directly into your router with an Ethernet cable. This creates a separate, more reliable network for your speakers.
Q: What happens if my internet goes down? Will the music stop?
A: If you are streaming, yes. However, you can prevent this by choosing a business music service that has an offline mode. This feature downloads the music, so it keeps playing even if your internet connection fails.
Q: What’s the difference between a “zone” and a “speaker?”
A: A “zone” is an area that is playing a single stream of music. You can have many speakers in one zone. For example, if all 10 speakers in your shop are playing the same song, that is one zone. If you play different music in your lobby and your office, that is two zones.
Q: I have 5 speakers. How many “zones” do I need to pay for?
A: It depends on how you use them. If all 5 speakers will play the same song at the same time, you only need to pay for a one-zone plan. If you want to play different songs in different areas at the same time, you will need to pay for a multi-zone plan.
Q: How do I find out which business music services work with Sonos?
A: This can be tricky to find. The easiest way is to use our Compare Music for Business tool. We have a filter that lets you see only the providers that work with Sonos.