Spotify Lossless Streaming Review

It took over four years to deliver on its promise of high-resolution audio, but Spotify finally began rolling out its new lossless streaming service in September 2025. It delivers 24-bit/44.1kHz FLAC to Premium subscribers, at no extra cost. While the sampling frequency remains the same as 16-bit, 44.1kHz CD, the longer 24-bit digital word length theoretically brings greater resolution and therefore better sound. This specification falls short of competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Tidal – which offer hi-res streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz.

In theory, then, its rivals' higher sampling frequency options should deliver smoother and more extended treble, plus a better sensation of stereo space – but this depends largely on how the music has been recorded and remastered in the first place. What we can be sure about is that Spotify Lossless will easily sound better than the company's own compressed Ogg Vorbis streams. So its technical specifications place it squarely in the "good enough" category for most listeners.

The Listening

Streaming some music and comparing Spotify's new 'Very High' and 'Lossless' quality options – while quickly flicking between them – and the improvements are most noticeable in quieter, acoustic-heavy genres where subtle details matter most. On a revealing and capable system, you can hear enhanced clarity in vocals and instruments, along with a significant reduction in background noise and compression artefacts. The difference is subtle, but real enough to appreciate.

Where Spotify Lossless's limitations become apparent is in direct comparisons with competing hi-res services. While it sounds subtly better than compressed streams, it doesn't quite match the depth and spatial characteristics available on platforms offering 24-bit/192kHz files. For the vast majority of Spotify's claimed 276 million users, these differences may be largely academic. As ever, it's how the service is used in practice that really matters.

For example, Spotify explicitly warns that Bluetooth connections lack the bandwidth to transmit true lossless audio, meaning that the signal must be compressed before transmission. For users relying on AirPods, wireless earbuds, or Bluetooth speakers – which likely comprises the majority of streaming listeners – much of the benefit is immediately lost. To truly profit from Lossless, you'll need wired headphones, high-quality speakers, or devices that support Spotify Connect. Fortunately, Lossless comes at no extra cost for Premium users, despite widespread speculation over the last four years about a higher-priced tier forthcoming.

Costs

In reality, this 'free' upgrade does actually come at a cost, as Spotify has implemented recent price increases across most markets. For example, Premium Individual subscriptions have risen from $10.99 to $11.99 per month in the US, with even steeper increases in other markets. In Australia, Family plans jumped from $23.99 to $27.99 – a 17% increase. While lossless audio wasn't explicitly cited as justification for these increases, the timing may not be coincidental…

Spotify now sits at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. Apple Music remains at $10.99 for Individual plans while offering lossless audio at higher bitrates, making Spotify's value proposition more questionable. Tidal offers similar lossless quality at $10.99, while providing additional features like Dolby Atmos and higher maximum bitrates.

Spotify has prioritised ease of use in implementing lossless audio playback. Users simply navigate to Settings & Privacy → Media Quality and select the Lossless option. The feature must be enabled separately for each device and can be configured differently for Wi-Fi, cellular, and offline listening. A green 'Lossless' indicator appears in the Now Playing bar when the feature is active.

Spotify Lossless arrives in a market where lossless audio is no longer a novelty. Apple Music has offered lossless and high-resolution streaming since 2021. Amazon Music HD offers a similar quality, while TIDAL and Qobuz have built their entire brands around high-fidelity audio. This four-year delay allowed its competitors to establish themselves as the premium music streaming platforms, making Spotify's entry feel more like catching up than leading. Still, for this enthusiast, the Spotify app and its music library reign supreme. Slick and responsive, it also boasts the widest compatibility of all, except for Roon integration.

The Verdict

Spotify Lossless represents a subtle but noticeable sonic upgrade, at no additional cost to existing Premium subscribers. It offers real improvements in fidelity for users with suitable hardware, such as wired headphones or proper hi-fi systems with Spotify Connect-compatible streamers. Its lack of 24/96 or 24/192 resolution means it falls short of its competitors' hi-res capabilities – whether this is a temporary limitation while they monitor resources remains to be seen. For the bulk of its massive user base, Lossless will surely be a 'good enough' quality improvement, enhancing the listening experience without requiring significant changes to habits or hardware. All the same, it is unlikely to impact its competitors' market shares significantly, as users may not see any real reason to switch.

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