If you have ever discovered a new artist on your commute or built a playlist for your favorite moods, you know how important music streaming has become.
Spotify is the choice for millions around the world. It is known for its personalized playlists, easy-to-use app, and huge music library. However, not everyone uses Spotify. Deezer, a French service that started in 2007, has its own loyal following. In some regions, such as parts of Europe and South America, Deezer is stronger where Spotify is less common.
Why compare these two services? Is Spotify's large user base, social features, and device integration more important than Deezer's extra features like Flow? Are lossless FLAC audio and special playlists enough to make a difference? Now that Spotify also offers lossless audio to Premium users, similar to Deezer's 24-bit/44.1 kHz streaming, the choice has become even more difficult. This guide looks at Spotify and Deezer side by side. By the end, you'll have a clearer idea of which service best suits your needs.
Part 1. What Are Spotify and Deezer?
The comparison starts by looking at the key differences between Spotify and Deezer. This helps you understand what makes each service unique and why some listeners might prefer one over the other.
What Is Spotify?
Spotify, launched in 2006 in Sweden, lets people stream millions of songs, playlists, and podcasts on demand. It uses a freemium model: free users listen with ads and limited controls, while Premium subscribers get unlimited listening, higher-quality audio up to lossless, and special features.
Its library includes over 100 million tracks and millions of podcasts, along with strong personalization. Features like Discover Weekly and Release Radar recommend music based on your habits. Social tools let you share playlists and follow friends, and Local Files allows you to combine your own music with Spotify's library. It works across smartphones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, and gaming consoles.
What Is Deezer?
Deezer, launched in 2007 in Paris, offers 120 million songs. Like Spotify, it has a freemium model: free users listen with ads (mobile only), while Premium subscribers enjoy lossless FLAC audio, a key distinction.
Deezer's Flow feature provides a continuous, personalized stream of music. Users can also upload their own music collections from other services at no extra cost, combining AI-powered recommendations with personal music libraries. Deezer works across smartphones, computers, smart speakers, and other devices, making it a strong choice for those who value sound quality and personalization.
Part 2. Spotify vs Deezer: Key Differences
Here, we explore areas like music libraries, interface, discovery, features, audio quality, pricing, and device support. This part gives a clear picture of how each platform performs in everyday use.
1. Music Library
Spotify's library is massive, with over 100 million songs, nearly 7 million podcasts, and hundreds of thousands of audiobooks (on Premium or Audiobook Access plan only). As a regular user, I find their personalized playlists helpful. They've introduced me to some new artists, though after a while, the recommendations can feel repetitive. It's like Spotify assumes I only like certain types of songs, and no matter how much I shuffle, I keep hitting the same loop. Still, when the algorithm gets it right, I'm genuinely impressed.
Deezer, on the other hand, feels like a breath of fresh air. Its Flow feature stands out, creating an endless, tailored playlist that often introduces fresh tracks without repeating what you've already heard. I've discovered songs on Deezer that Spotify missed, and those small surprises are why I keep coming back.
No, Deezer isn't quite as big in catalog size, but if you like more variety and fewer repeats, Deezer's recommendation system might win you over.
2. Interface & User Experience
Both services have distinct approaches. Spotify sports a sleek, dark interface that's very user-friendly. I love how clean it looks, especially on mobile, with clear sections like Home, Search, and Your Library. Over time, though, I noticed it sometimes prioritizes podcasts over music, which can feel a bit overwhelming. While intuitive, it can occasionally push content that doesn't match what I want.
Deezer offers a brighter, more engaging interface with sections like Music, Shows, and Explore. The layout feels more expansive, and the desktop app has more to explore. The Flow feature adds extra excitement - it's not just about looks but also about how using the app feels. Overall, Deezer feels more immersive, even if it's not as polished as Spotify.
Spotify is more polished and easy to use, but Deezer offers a more dynamic and immersive experience. If you want a richer interface and a more engaging app, Deezer has the edge.
3. Discovery & Personalization
Spotify shines with Discover Weekly and Release Radar, which recommend tracks based on your listening habits. These playlists are reliable but can become repetitive.
Deezer's Flow excels at keeping discovery fresh. It generates a continuous stream of personalized tracks, using AI to recommend songs that feel less predictable. If you enjoy variety and unexpected finds, Deezer often takes the lead.
Deezer Free has a bigger catalog and can surprise you more with recommendations. Spotify Free gives slightly more control on desktop, but Deezer keeps discovery fresh and fun.
4. Features & Tools
Both platforms cover the essentials. Spotify is known for strong social features: curated playlists, connecting with friends, and integrating with Facebook and Messages. You can share music, see what friends are listening to, create shared playlists (like Blends or Collaborative Playlists), and even send direct messages. Jam, an upgraded version of the old Premium-only Group Session, lets friends join real-time listening sessions and add to a shared queue. Many of these features are available even on the free tier, which is a solid bonus.
Deezer Premium includes Flow, mixing favorites and discoveries endlessly, and SongCatcher, a music identification tool. Its social features are more limited to mainly universal sharing and shared playlists like Family Mix or Shaker.
Spotify has more social and sharing tools, which is better for connecting with friends and exploring music together. Deezer covers the essentials well but focuses more on discovery than social interaction.
5. Audio Quality
For audiophiles, both services offer lossless FLAC streaming at 16-bit/44.1kHz on Premium, giving crisper, more detailed sound. Spotify previously capped at 320kbps for "Very High," but lossless audio is now available in major markets like the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, Japan, and the Netherlands, with over 50 more countries expected by 2025.
Both have high-quality audio, but Deezer's Flow and slightly less compressed free-tier audio can sound richer, making it more appealing for audiophiles.
6. Pricing & Plans
When upgrading to Deezer Premium or Spotify Premium, both services unlock features not available in their free tiers: ad-free listening, offline downloads, unlimited skips, and other unique perks.
Pricing:
- Deezer Premium: $11.99/month
- Spotify Premium: $11.99/month
Deezer Free vs. Spotify Free
Both Deezer Free and Spotify Free are ad-supported plans that give access to large music libraries, but they have key limitations:
- Deezer Free offers over 90 million tracks, which sounds impressive. But there are some restrictions: you can only skip a few songs per hour, there's no offline mode, and playlists are shuffled. I don't mind shuffle sometimes, but it's nice to have more control over what I listen to. Offline listening isn't available, which is understandable for a free plan.
- Spotify Free, however, allows you to select individual tracks on desktop, which is a nice perk. Like Deezer, it limits skips and has no offline mode, but it gives a bit more control over your listening experience without paying for premium.
Deezer Premium vs. Spotify Premium
Upgrading to Deezer Premium or Spotify Premium removes these limitations and adds extra features:
- Deezer Premium at $11.99/month offers ad-free listening, offline downloads, and 320kbps streaming. Downloading music for offline listening has been a lifesaver when the internet is spotty. Deezer's Flow feature is a standout, making music recommendations feel personal—it often feels like Deezer knows my taste better than other services.
- Spotify Premium, also $11.99/month, gives offline listening and unlimited skips. Spotify shines with music discovery tools like Discover Weekly and Release Radar, which I always look forward to. Plus, Spotify integrates audiobooks seamlessly, which is a game-changer if you want to finish a book in a week.
Pricing is similar. Deezer offers better free-tier audio and slightly fewer ads, while premium features are competitive for both services.
7. Offline & Device Support
Both Deezer and Spotify work across many devices, but there are subtle differences.
Deezer supports smartphones, tablets, smart speakers, TVs, gaming consoles, and car systems. It integrates with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Sonos, making it smooth for smart home setups. Switching between devices is easy, which is a big plus.
Spotify also supports smartphones, desktops, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and wearables. Its standout feature is Spotify Connect, which lets you switch devices seamlessly like moving from your laptop to phone or a smart speaker without interrupting playback. This cross-platform experience is a small touch that really elevates convenience.
Spotify is better for cross-platform use and smooth device switching. Deezer is strong too, but Spotify works more seamlessly for people who often switch devices.
Part 3. Spotify vs Deezer: Side-by-Side Comparison Table
A side-by-side table follows. It makes it easy to compare the platforms at a glance and see where they match up or differ.
| Feature | Spotify | Deezer |
| Monthly fee | $11.99 / month | $11.99 / month |
| Free option? | Yes, ad-supported | Yes, ad-supported |
| Free trial period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Music library size | Over 100 million songs, ~7 million podcasts, audiobooks (Premium/Audiobook Access) | Over 90 million songs, podcasts, Flow recommendations |
| Maximum bit rate | 320 kbps (Premium), Lossless FLAC 16-bit/44.1 kHz in selected markets | 320 kbps (Premium), HiFi FLAC 16-bit/44.1 kHz |
| Family plan | Yes, $20/month, up to 6 accounts | Yes, $20/month, up to 6 accounts |
| Student discount | Yes, $6/month | Yes, $6/month |
| Offline listening | Mobile and desktop | Mobile and desktop |
| Radio stations | Yes | Yes |
| Podcasts | Yes | Yes |
| Music videos | Yes | No |
| Social / sharing features | Blends, Collaborative Playlists, Jam, Friend Activity | Family Mix, Shaker, basic sharing |
| Device support | Smartphones, desktops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, wearables; Spotify Connect for seamless device switching | Smartphones, tablets, smart speakers, TVs, gaming consoles, car systems; Google Assistant, Alexa, Sonos integration |
| Discovery & personalization | Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mixes | Flow, SongCatcher, personalized playlists |
Spotify vs Deezer: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Spotify and Deezer depends on what matters most in your listening experience. Both offer free tiers with ads, large music libraries, offline listening, personalized mixes, radio, and lyrics. The main difference comes down to extra features and your musical preferences. Both platforms are strong. My advice? Choose Spotify if podcasts, social features, and music discovery matter most. Choose Deezer if HiFi audio and a deep music catalog are your priority. For those who are not ready to subscribe, Spotify remains a popular choice because its free tier is strong, and the Premium plan offers good value.
Bonus Tip: How to Switch between Deezer and Spotify
If you are thinking about switching between Deezer and Spotify, it helps to check whether the service supports direct playlist transfer. Deezer makes this easier by offering an in-app option under Settings > Transfer your favorites, using services like Soundiiz or TuneMyMusic, even on free plans. Spotify does not offer a built-in transfer option. Instead, you need third-party tools such as ViWizard Music Playlist Transfer. This tool lets you move playlists, albums, artists, or individual tracks between Spotify and Deezer, as well as other major platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Qobuz. It supports unlimited transfers and helps you rebuild your music library more easily.
These are the top ways to help Spotify and Deezer users to transfer playlists from Spotify to Deezer or the other way around.
Keep a Backup First
If you want to get the best of both worlds, keeping a personal backup of your favorite music is also a good idea. Since both Spotify and Deezer support local file uploads, ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder makes it easy to download and convert songs from both services into local files. These files, such as MP3s, can be stored on your computer and uploaded to either platform. This helps keep your music safe and gives you more flexibility if you switch services or want offline access.
Key Features of ViWizard Music Playlist Transfer
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Transfer unlimited playlists, albums, artists, and tracks across platforms
- Preserve track details and album artwork during transfer
- Recreate your music library on any supported streaming service
- Works smoothly with Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Deezer and more
Step 1Sign in to Spotify and Deezer
From the main interface, choose Spotify as the source service and sign in to link your account. Then repeat the process for Deezer as the destination platform. This allows ViWizard to access both libraries and prepare for the transfer.
Step 2Select music to transfer
Once both accounts are connected, you can browse your Spotify library. Select the playlists, albums, artists, or individual tracks you want to move. You can transfer everything at once or choose only specific items based on your needs.
Step 3Assign destination playlists
Before starting the transfer, decide where the music should go in Deezer. You can add it to an existing playlist or create a new one with a custom name. Albums and artist collections are saved automatically, while playlists and tracks can be organized as you prefer.
Step 4Start the transfer
Click the transfer button to begin. The tool processes each item and shows the progress in real time. You can review completed transfers, retry any failed tracks, and check the history to see where your music was saved.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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