After a decade spent together, I’m officially parting ways with Spotify. It’s not personal, but let’s face it: we’ve both changed, and it’s clear we no longer match.

Over the years, I’ve considered leaving Spotify multiple times. Accusations of meager artist payouts have plagued the platform, especially when stacked against competitors. Plus, I haven’t forgotten Spotify’s role in promoting Joe Rogan’s podcast, which became a source of misinformation about COVID-19.

Spotify’s recent attempts to undermine the RSS feed, threatening the independence of podcasters, only added fuel to the fire. Yet, I hesitated to explore other options, remaining a loyal user since my high school days.

It’s easy to ignore the flaws of the tech companies we subscribe to monthly. Who doesn’t remember the outrage when Netflix laid off employees? Still, I found myself binge-watching their latest series.

That feeling of helplessness—thinking my single subscription couldn’t create a ripple—often keeps us mired in complacency. After all, companies like Duolingo still flourished even after igniting backlash.

But Spotify finally crossed a line: the app has become an overwhelming maze of algorithmic recommendations. Each time I open it, I’m bombarded by unsolicited pop-ups and a sea of suggestions that drown out the music I actually want to hear.

Visual clutter clogs the interface, with everything from new podcasts to album recommendations I barely engaged with before. It’s as if I’m lost in a digital jungle.

In the end, instead of curating my own playlist, I found myself capitulating to Spotify’s curated selections. I unwittingly surrendered my musical autonomy.

Let’s not ignore the ethical dilemmas surrounding Spotify either. A report from Duetti reveals that while Spotify rakes in $140 billion, it only pays a measly $3 per 1,000 streams—far less than competitors.

The situation worsened when CEO Daniel Ek announced a significant financial backing for a company involved in AI-driven military weapons, prompting protests from artists like Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu.

I couldn’t shake the déjà vu. In 2022, legends like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young withdrew their music from the platform due to Joe Rogan’s association with spreading medical misinformation—only to return in 2024.

Picking a new streaming service felt like a no-win situation. But tools like Soundiiz made migrating my playlists a breeze.

In the end, I opted for Apple Music, mainly because my new iPhone came with a free three-month trial. Plus, it offers lossless audio—a feature Spotify is still promising.

Still, I can’t pretend I’ve escaped the clutches of nasty tech; instead, I’ve landed in the arms of another giant. Even as I write this on my Apple devices, I’m aware of the ethical gray areas surrounding them.

At least, compared to Spotify, Apple Music offers a less overwhelming experience.