Why Businesses Should Stop Using Spotify — And What to Do Instead

Music is a powerful tool for any business. It sets the mood, influences customer behaviour, and helps create memorable experiences. Many business owners, especially smaller venues like cafés, salons, or independent shops, turn to Spotify or other personal streaming services for background music. At first glance, it seems convenient and affordable. But here’s the truth: Spotify isn’t licensed for commercial use, and using it in your business could cost you far more than you think.

Why Spotify Isn’t Legal for Business Use

Spotify (and similar platforms like Apple Music or Amazon Music) are designed for personal use only. Their terms of service explicitly state that these accounts are not to be used in commercial settings. Playing music from a personal streaming account in a business is not compliant with public performance rights.

This means that businesses using Spotify could face legal action or fines for not having the proper music licensing. Organisations like PRS (Performing Rights Society) and PPL in the UK actively enforce these rules to ensure artists are paid when their work is used in public spaces.

The Cost of Getting Licensing Right

To legally play music in a commercial space, a business would normally need licenses from PRS and PPL or other collection societies, which can cost hundreds of pounds annually. On top of this, you’d still be paying for Spotify Premium. For small and medium-sized businesses, this becomes both costly and complicated.

The Ethical Issue

Even if you pay PRS or PPL fees, the truth is most artists see almost nothing from these collections. PRS and PPL collect large sums from businesses but don’t have a transparent system to know exactly who’s being played in each venue. As a result, the money often goes to a small pool of mainstream artists, while independent musicians — even if their tracks are played regularly — receive little to nothing.

The same applies to streaming platforms like Spotify, where independent artists often earn fractions of a penny per stream. The system is broken, and businesses are unknowingly paying into a model that fails to reward the very artists they’re trying to support.

What’s the Alternative? Audiimax.

This is where Audiimax comes in. We built Audiimax to provide businesses with a Spotify-style experience — but fully licensed and PRS/PPL-free. We work exclusively with independent artists, curating incredible playlists that go beyond generic background music.

With Audiimax, you get:

• Curated playlists from rising independent artists

• No PRS/PPL fees — fully licensed for commercial use

• Optional in‑venue audio ads to boost your revenue

• Control from any smart device

• A cost-effective plan at £14.99/month with a 14-day free trial

  
  

Supporting Artists, Supporting Businesses

Audiimax isn’t just another music service. We pay 35% of our revenue directly to our artists. By using Audiimax, you’re contributing to the growth of real musicians while enhancing the atmosphere in your venue.

Make the Switch

If you’re currently using Spotify in your business, it’s time to switch to a legal, ethical, and smarter solution. Audiimax provides the same simplicity and quality but without the legal risks — and with the added benefit of supporting talented independent artists.

Visit www.audiimax.com to start your free trial today and experience the difference.