Spotify’s ethics are under increasing scrutiny — but there are brilliant alternatives. We’ve tested the best ethical music and podcast platforms so you can switch effortlessly and support real artists, not harmful warfare tech. We love to shout about all things truly ethical for everything in life that goes beyond the clothes we wear. Everything has an impact.
We've all seen the headlines — Spotify has been making waves for all the wrong reasons. From the CEO investing in AI military technology, to notoriously low artist payments, to AI-generated tracks cluttering playlists. For many of us who value creativity, fairness and humanity, it poses an uncomfortable question: at what cost are we listening?
Why is Spotify not ethical?
Spotify has recently found itself on multiple boycott lists, largely due to two major controversies, on top of long-standing criticism around fair pay for artists:
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CEO’s military tech investment
Concerns surged when Spotify’s CEO invested heavily in an AI-driven military defence company, raising ethical questions about subscribers indirectly funding warfare technology. -
ICE recruitment ads
The platform was found to be running job advertisements for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), adding another layer of ethical discomfort for users. -
Artist exodus
A rising number of independent and renowned artists — including Massive Attack, have pulled their catalogues in protest. -
Unfair artist compensation
Spotify’s royalty rates average roughly $0.003–$0.005 per stream, making it extremely difficult for independent artists to earn a fair living from their work. -
AI-generated music & “Fake Artists”
Concerns continue around AI-generated music flooding the platform, diluting human creativity and enabling questionable streaming practices.
Campaigns like No Music For Genocide and #BoycottSpotify have gained traction as both artists and listeners call for ethical accountability in the music industry.
So what are the alternatives?
The good news? Switching has never been easier — and we’ve done the research for you. There are ethical ways to listen to exceptional music, support real artists and enjoy beautiful sound quality.
We tested multiple platforms — here are our top recommendations:
Our favourite
Qobuz has quietly evolved into a world-class music streaming service for true music lovers. It offers a wide library, superior sound quality and a clean, clutter-free interface. Best of all, it supports artists fairly and avoids investment in warfare tech — no AI-generated tracks polluting your playlists.
Why we love it:
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Highest artist payouts
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No investment in defence technology
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No AI-generated spam
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Free playlist transfer using Soundiiz — we moved over more than 3,000 tracks, and only about 12 weren’t available
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10-day free trial
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Exceptional sound quality
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Beautiful, minimalist interface
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Excellent curation and editorial content
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Audiophile-friendly features
- Pricing from just over £10/month (individual) or £17.99/month for a family plan — cheaper than Spotify!
Cons
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No spatial audio (for now)
Plans
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Individual — from £10.83/month
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Family (up to 6 users) — £17.99/month
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Student — £4.99/month
If you adore albums, rich sound and supporting artists properly, Qobuz is a dream.
A very close second
Tidal impressed us too — a fabulous platform with slightly fewer tracks available than Qobuz. You’ll need a separate service like Tune My Music to transfer your playlists (free for the first 500 tracks, then approx. $2).
They offer a generous 30-day trial, or three months for $3 if you prefer a longer test run.
Plans
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Individual — $10.99/month
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Family — $16.99/month
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Student — $5.49/month
What about podcasts?
Podcasts were trickier, as Qobuz focuses purely on premium music and Tidal has a limited selection. But don’t worry — we found wonderful alternatives:
Our Top Pick for Podcasts
Open-source, ad-free and wonderfully simple — AntennaPod has all our favourites and doesn’t cost a thing.
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Completely free
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No ads
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Open-source
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Available on Android
(Sadly not available for Apple users just yet)
Just as good!
Another excellent option, especially for Apple users. Free to use, with ads unless you choose the VIP upgrade.
Free listening
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Stream or download podcasts online/offline
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Simple, intuitive player
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Ad-supported
VIP subscription
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Approx. $9.99/year
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Removes ads
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Offers unlimited playlists and custom features
Our favourite podcasts – just in case you were wondering...
We're listening to these podcasts, many highlighting ethical fashion:
Adam Buxton – British comedian Adam Buxton talks with interesting people.
Louis Theroux – Join Louis Theroux as he embarks on a series of in-depth and freewheeling conversations with a curated collection of fascinating figures from across the globe.
Incredible women – NET-A-PORTER presents the Incredible Women podcast, they celebrate women who shine brightly in their fields.
The Rest is Entertainment – Richard Osman & Marina Hyde share insider knowledge on TV, movies, and pop culture.
Business of Fashion (BOF) – A weekly audio episode presenting thoughtful editorial stories and fashion-oriented perspectives in a fresh way. On AntennaPod not Podbean.
Beautiful Misfits – podcast by Mary Portas about responsible and kind businesses.
Great Women Artist Podcast – Katy Hessel, interviews artists on their career, or curators, writers, or general art lovers, on the female artist who means the most to them.
Conscious Chatter – The first global sustainable fashion podcast.
Conscious Style Podcast – What will it really take to create a more sustainable and equitable future for fashion? Each week, hosts Elizabeth Joy and Stella Hertantyo fashion changemakers.
Wardrobe Crisis – about sustainability, ethical fashion and making a difference in the world, by by Vogue’s first ever sustainability editor, Clare Press.
Fashion, Really? – join a New Yorker and an Australian who love fashion but hate what it does to life on our planet
The Circular Economy Show Podcast – explores the many dimensions of what a circular economy means, and meets the people making it happen.
How to Fail by Elizabeth Day – a podcast that celebrates the things in life that haven’t gone right and what we might learn from them along the way with special guests.
Ethical Fashion Podcast – How can fashion be a force for good? Goodbye fast fashion, focused on social and environmental justice, inclusivity and sustainable development.
Wardrobe Crisis – a fashion podcast about sustainability, ethical fashion and making a difference in the world, hosted by author and journalist Clare Press, who was the first ever Vogue sustainability editor.
Sustainably Influenced – created by Bianca Foley, guiding people to make more sustainable choices.
A perfect mix of creativity, culture, fashion, sustainability and curiosity.
Anything to miss? Absolutely not.
Music that sounds better. Artists supported fairly. None of our money funding warfare or harmful tech.
Switching was seamless — and honestly, we don't miss a thing.
So what are you waiting for?
