Fact-Checked
If you are a business owner, you probably use Spotify every day. It is easy to use, the playlists are great, and you already know how it works. It is natural to wonder: Can I just use my personal Spotify account in my store?
The short answer is no. Consumer streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are for personal use only. Playing them in a store, restaurant, or office violates copyright law. Knowing this is a critical part of understanding legal music licensing laws for background music in a business.
But here is the good news. There are excellent alternatives that look and feel just like the app you love. This guide compares the best Spotify for Business options to help you find the right legal music solution for your business.
Why You Can’t Find an Official Spotify for Business Plan
Many business owners spend hours looking for a hidden “Business Tier” on Spotify’s website. You can stop searching now. It does not exist.
Years ago, Spotify had a business that targeted small businesses. However, they moved away from that model. Today, a company called Soundtrack (formerly Soundtrack Your Brand) is the closest thing to an “official” successor. They were partially founded by Spotify insiders to handle the complex licensing needed for commercial spaces.
When you play music in a business, you need a different type of license than a personal user. This protects the artists and protects you from potential fines. You can read more about the specifics of licensed music for business here.
Can I Play Spotify in My Business?
No. However, you can use Soundtrack Your Brand. A commercial music provider founded by former executives at Spotify. It’s the closest thing to Spotify for Business.
| Provider | Great For... | Imports Spotify Playlists? | Starting Monthly Price | Free Trial | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soundtrack Your Brand
★ MOST POPULAR
|
Spotify-Like Playlists, Easy UI | Yes (Direct Sync) | $37per location / mo | ✓ | Learn More → |
- Soundtrack Your Brand: If you have spent years curating the perfect vibe on your personal account, Soundtrack Your Brand is your best choice. As the closest match to a true “Spotify for Business” experience, it allows you to drag and drop your existing playlists directly into their system—a level of synchronization no other major provider offers. The interface feels very similar to the consumer apps you are used to, featuring an “AI Playlist” tool that works much like a “Daily Mix” to generate endless music based on your favorite tracks. We picked this as our top recommendation because it creates the least amount of friction, ensuring you don’t have to rebuild your music library from scratch.
Spotify for Business: a Short History of Soundtrack Your Brand
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Ola Sars, former COO and co-founder of Beats Music, and Andreas Liffgarden, former global head of business development at Spotify, co-found Soundtrack Your Brand in Stockholm, Sweden, as a joint venture with Spotify. Spotify is a seed investor. |
| From 2013 | Soundtrack Your Brand sells Spotify Business and Spotify Enterprise, streaming music from Spotify's catalog to stores and restaurants. The products launch in Sweden first, then Norway and Finland. They never launch under the Spotify name anywhere else. |
| 2016 | Soundtrack launches in the U.S. as "Soundtrack Business," not Spotify Business, and adds music providers beyond Spotify. Spotify's ownership stake falls from 30.7% to 26.5% in December. |
| 2017 | Soundtrack raises $22 million led by Balderton Capital and Industrifonden. Spotify does not join the round, and its stake drops to 17.5%. |
| 2018 | Soundtrack rolls out worldwide as an independent product and brand. Spotify still reports €3 million in partner revenue from Soundtrack that year. |
| Today | Spotify offers no business plan of its own. Soundtrack (formerly Soundtrack Your Brand) operates independently, licenses over 125 million tracks directly for business use, and starts at $37 per zone per month, billed annually. |
How Much Does a Spotify for Business License Cost?
There is no business license for Spotify. You cannot upgrade your personal plan to a business account either. For a legal, commercial business music provider the prices are a little more expensive than a personal plan. This is because they must cover “Public Performance Royalties” that pay artists for the commercial use of their work. If you are considering Soundtrack Your Brand you can expect to pay $37 / month.
Other music for business pricing varies depending on the provider.
Can I Import My Existing Spotify Playlists?
Yes, but it is not always a perfect match. Services like Soundtrack Your Brand and Rockbot offer “Import” tools that scan your Spotify playlists and attempt to match them with their licensed commercial libraries. However, success varies wildly depending on the service you choose. If you have a playlist full of obscure indie tracks, some services might fail to transfer over 50% of your songs.
To see which companies have the highest success rate, read our guide on Spotify Import for Business: Match Rates & Limits.
Make an informed choice! Compare music providers for your business on our Compare Page—free and simple.
Hardware: Can I Use My Sonos Speakers?
One reason business owners love Spotify is Spotify Connect. You can cast music to almost any speaker wirelessly.
Shifting to a business provider does not mean you have to buy clunky hardware or wire new speakers. Most music for business providers integrate with Sonos and other wireless systems.
For a deeper dive into hardware options, check out our guide on streaming music for business playback.
Pro Tip: Always check if the service has a dedicated “Remote App.” This allows you to control volume and skip tracks from your phone, just like you are used to.
Remember: Personal Music Apps Are Illegal for Business Use
Every major music app forbids business use in its fine print. Click any app below to learn about its rules and find legal alternatives.
Apple Music
Terms strictly ban public use
Amazon Music
Prime/Unlimited plans don't include commercial rights
Pandora
Consumer accounts are for personal use only
YouTube Music
Playing YouTube in your business is not legal
✓ To keep your business safe from fines, you need a real commercial music service. These B2B providers handle the licensing for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Spotify for Business
Q: How much does Spotify for Business cost?
A: Pricing is $37 per month per location for a legal music provider as Spotify for Business is not available from Spotify. This is more expensive than a personal account because a portion of that fee goes directly to the artists to compensate them for the public broadcast of their work.
Q: Is there an Apple Music or Amazon Music for Business?
A: No. Much like Spotify, these services are for personal use only. There is no Apple Music for Business or Amazon Music for Business. These organizations are not covered for public licensing per the ASCAP Licensing website.
Q: Can I sign up for Muzak?
A: No. The Muzak company no longer exists as a brand. It was acquired by Mood Media in 2011.
Q: If I pay for Spotify Premium, can I use it in my store?
No. Spotify Premium covers “personal use” only. It removes ads for you, the listener, but it does not cover the “public performance rights” required to play music for customers. Playing it in a business can lead to serious fines. See real federal cases against businesses that ignored the warnings.
Q: Do I need special equipment?
No. Most business music services work as an app on your phone, tablet, or computer. They also integrate with common sound systems like Sonos. If you have a complex setup, you might need a small media player box, but for most small shops, an iPad or phone is enough.
Q: Is there a similar legal alternative to Spotify for Business?
Yes. Soundtrack Your Brand is widely considered the direct alternative to Spotify. Soundtrack allows you to import Spotify playlists and has a very similar user interface. If you want to keep your current music curation, this is the smoothest transition.
Q: Are there alternatives to Soundtrack Your Brand?
Yes. We compare top Soundtrack Your Brand alternatives here.
Q: Does Spotify have a business, enterprise, or corporate account?
A: No. Spotify sells no business, enterprise, corporate, or professional account. Every Spotify plan, including Premium, is licensed for personal, non-commercial use only.
Ready to choose? See the best music providers for your business on our Compare Page—it's free and easy!
By John Boyle
John is a music for business expert and the founder of MusicforBusinessFinder.com. He focuses on helping small business owners navigate the confusing world of commercial music licensing, improve sales, and protect their businesses. By providing clear, independent analysis of top audio platforms, he ensures owners can make informed choices with confidence. He also loves rooting for the Mariners and his daughter’s soccer team.