Spotify doesn't offer lossless audio on its Windows desktop app, and there's no setting to unlock it

Lossless audio means the sound file contains all the original data from the recording — nothing is removed or compressed. Spotify has lossless tracks in its catalog, but the Windows desktop app streams only compressed audio, the same quality as the mobile app. There is no hidden setting, no premium tier upgrade, and no workaround within Spotify itself that will change this.

Spotify announced lossless audio support in 2021 but has not rolled it out to any platform yet, including Windows. The company has been quiet about timing. If you want lossless audio on a Windows PC, you need to use a different music service or a third-party player that works with Spotify's API — though that second option comes with real limitations.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify's Windows app streams compressed audio only; there is no setting or subscription tier that unlocks lossless playback.
  • Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, and Tidal all offer lossless audio on Windows PCs through their native apps or web players.
  • Third-party Spotify players like Spotlistr and Maroofy can display metadata and organize playlists but cannot change the audio quality Spotify sends.
  • Your hardware matters: lossless audio requires a USB audio interface or external DAC if your PC's built-in sound card is poor quality.

Why Spotify streams compressed audio on Windows

Spotify uses a codec called Ogg Vorbis, which removes data from the original recording to make files smaller and faster to stream. This is why Spotify's audio quality maxes out at 320 kilobits per second (kbps) — still good enough for most listeners on laptop speakers or standard headphones, but noticeably different from lossless if you use high-end headphones or speakers.

The company has cited licensing complexity and infrastructure cost as reasons for the delay in rolling out lossless audio. Lossless files are much larger and require more bandwidth to stream in real time. Spotify would need to negotiate new licensing terms with record labels in different regions, and the company has not prioritized this work.

Music services that do offer lossless on Windows

Apple Music streams lossless audio through its Windows app and web player at no extra cost if you subscribe to Apple Music. The app is available through the Microsoft Store or directly from Apple. Lossless playback requires a compatible audio interface or external DAC connected to your PC.

Amazon Music Unlimited includes lossless audio (called HD) as part of the standard subscription. You stream through the Amazon Music app for Windows or the web player. Like Apple Music, you need decent audio hardware to hear the difference.

Tidal offers lossless audio (called HiFi) on a separate tier above its standard subscription. The Windows app and web player both support it. Tidal's HiFi tier costs more than standard Tidal, and more than Apple Music or Amazon Music Unlimited.

Qobuz is a smaller service focused on high-fidelity audio. It streams lossless and higher-resolution audio on Windows through its native app. Qobuz has a smaller music catalog than Spotify but strong classical and jazz sections.

What third-party Spotify players can and cannot do

Tools like Spotlistr, Maroofy, and other third-party players connect to your Spotify account and let you organize, download, or display your playlists in different ways. They cannot change the audio quality that Spotify sends to your speakers — Spotify's servers still stream the same compressed 320 kbps audio regardless of which player you use.

Some third-party players advertise features like "high-quality audio" or "lossless support," but these claims are misleading. They may let you download tracks for offline listening or display technical details about the audio, but the underlying stream quality remains compressed. If a tool claims to unlock lossless Spotify audio, it is not being truthful.

How to check your current Spotify audio quality on Windows

Open Spotify on your Windows PC. Go to the menu (three horizontal lines) and select Settings. Scroll down to the Playback section. You will see an option labeled Audio Quality with choices like "Low," "Normal," "High," and "Very High." The "Very High" setting streams at 320 kbps, which is Spotify's maximum — this is still compressed, not lossless.

If you are using Spotify on a metered internet connection or a slower network, choosing "Normal" or "Low" will reduce data use but will also reduce sound quality. The difference is most noticeable on good headphones or speakers.

What you need to actually hear lossless audio

Even if you switch to a service that offers lossless audio, your hardware matters. A lossless file played through cheap laptop speakers or basic earbuds will not sound noticeably better than compressed audio — the speakers themselves are the limiting factor.

To hear a real difference, you need at least one of the following: over-ear headphones in the $100+ range, quality in-ear monitors, or powered studio speakers. Many people also use an external USB audio interface or DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to bypass their PC's built-in sound card, which is often low quality.

If you already use basic headphones or your PC's built-in speakers, switching to lossless audio will not improve what you hear. In that case, staying with Spotify's compressed audio is a reasonable choice, and you are not missing anything your hardware can reproduce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Spotify ever add lossless audio to Windows?

Spotify announced lossless support in 2021 but has not launched it on any platform. The company has not given a new timeline. Based on the delay, it is unclear whether lossless will ever roll out to Windows, or whether Spotify will deprioritize it in favor of other features.

Can I download Spotify songs and convert them to lossless?

Spotify's desktop app does not allow downloads for offline listening on Windows (only the mobile app does). Even if you could download tracks, they are encrypted and cannot be converted to lossless format without breaking Spotify's terms of service.

Is there a difference between 320 kbps Spotify and lossless on regular headphones?

Most people cannot hear a difference on standard headphones or earbuds. Lossless audio is most noticeable on high-end headphones, studio monitors, or good quality in-ear monitors. If you use basic audio gear, compressed audio at 320 kbps is sufficient.

Do I need a special cable or adapter to play lossless audio?

Not always. If your PC has a good built-in sound card and you use decent headphones, you can hear lossless audio through a standard 3.5mm jack or USB connection. Many people add an external USB DAC to improve sound quality further, but it is not required.

Will switching to Apple Music or Tidal cost more than Spotify?

Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited cost about the same as Spotify's standard subscription. Tidal's HiFi tier (which includes lossless) costs more. All three services offer free trials, so you can test the audio quality and interface before committing.