You might be searching for the current spotify business subscription cost hoping for a quick upgrade.The results can be confusing because there is no official price. Spotify does not actually offer a direct subscription tier for business owners. There is no Spotify for Business. However, there are other options that can help.
To play music legally, you need a licensed background music partner. In this guide we review why Spotify doesn’t have a business option and how you can stay legally compliant with a great music for business solution.
The Legal Gap Between Personal and Commercial Use
Many small business owners assume they can simply upgrade their personal Spotify Premium account to a “business tier” to cover their legal bases. This is a dangerous mistake.
Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are strictly for personal, non-commercial use. When you sign up, you agree to Terms of Service that explicitly forbid broadcasting that music in a public environment.
This isn’t just a rule made up by the streaming giant; it is about copyright law. When you listen on headphones, you are “consuming” content. When you play that same song in a coffee shop, you are “performing” it publicly. This requires a completely different set of licenses from Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
If you want to understand the complexities of these rights, read our guide on finding a legal background music solution.
Make an informed choice! Compare music providers for your business on our Compare Page—free and simple.
The Hidden Cost of "Free"
Because a specific “Spotify business subscription cost” doesn’t exist, many owners simply plug in their phone and hope for the best. This is often called the “Spotify Trap.”
While the subscription cost might seem like zero (or just the cost of a personal Premium plan), the potential cost in fines is massive. Federal copyright law allows for statutory damages ranging from $750 to $150,000 per song played illegally.
You can verify this restriction directly in Spotify’s Terms and Conditions, which clearly states the service is for “personal, non-commercial use.”
What Are the Actual Costs of Legal Music?
Since you cannot pay Spotify directly, you need to subscribe to a B2B music provider. These companies handle all the licensing fees with the PROs, so you pay one monthly bill and remain 100% legal.
The pricing for these services typically ranges from $25 to $50 per month per location or ‘zone’.
When you compare music for business providers, you will see that the price often depends on features like scheduling, remote control, and catalog size. While it is more expensive than a personal subscription, it is significantly cheaper than a copyright lawsuit. Plus, many providers have a Spotify import feature.
Hardware and Multi-Location Needs
Another reason a simple “Spotify Business” account doesn’t exist is the complexity of playback. Personal apps aren’t built to run 24/7 in a commercial environment.
Professional services offer dedicated hardware that ensures the music doesn’t stop if the WiFi blinks or a phone call comes in. You can learn more about commercial streaming playback options to see how these devices differ from a standard Bluetooth speaker setup.
Furthermore, if you own more than one shop, you need a dashboard to manage all your zones from one place. Personal apps can’t handle managing music across multiple business locations, but B2B software is designed specifically for this level of control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use my personal Spotify account if I pay for Premium?
A: No. Spotify Premium removes ads for personal listening, but it does not grant commercial performance rights. Playing music from a personal Premium account in a business is a violation of the Terms of Service and copyright law.
Q: Is there a “Spotify for Business” app I can download?
A: No, there is no direct app called “Spotify for Business.” However, several providers allow you to import Spotify playlists into a legal, commercially licensed environment. Check our music for business comparison tool to find out which providers can help.
Q: How much does a legal business music subscription cost?
A: Most legal background music services cost between $25 and $50 per month, per location or ‘zone’. This fee includes the software subscription and the required licensing fees paid to rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI.
Q: What happens if I get caught using a personal account?
A: You may receive a cease-and-desist letter from a Performing Rights Organization (PRO). If you continue to play music without a license, you can be sued for copyright infringement, with fines ranging from $750 to $150,000 per violation.