YouTube Music's free tier is enough now that I discovered these Android workarounds

After years of being a devoted Spotify user, I found myself contemplating whether to return to the platform after my recent experience with YouTube Music. The reasons for my hesitation are as follows:

Firstly, Spotify recently discontinued its Duo plan in India, which had been a crucial feature for me in sharing music with friends. However, as I had subscribed to it prior to its discontinuation, I was able to maintain it. This alone didn't deter me from considering YouTube Music.

Secondly, I received an email in July this year informing me that my Premium Duo plan had been canceled due to an "issue" with my payment method. The fact that there had been no change in my payment details made the cancellation seem arbitrary and frustrating. This experience was not unique to me - many other users also faced similar cancellations, leading to dissatisfaction with Spotify's handling of the situation.

Thirdly, YouTube Music offered a compelling alternative with its extensive music library and seamless playback across various devices. The platform's integration with Google services added an extra layer of convenience that Spotify's app couldn't match.

Fourthly, I appreciated the absence of ads on YouTube Music, a feature that Spotify Premium users had to pay for. This absence of advertising made YouTube Music an attractive option, especially considering my preference for uninterrupted listening experiences.

Lastly, I was impressed by YouTube Music's ability to personalize my music recommendations based on my listening habits. The platform's algorithms seemed to understand my musical preferences better than Spotify's, resulting in a more enjoyable and tailored listening experience.

In conclusion, while Spotify has served me well over the years, my encounter with YouTube Music has left me reconsidering my commitment to the platform. The combination of discontinued features, arbitrary cancellations, a more seamless user experience, ad-free listening, and personalized recommendations has led me to question whether I may not return to Spotify when my premium subscription expires.