How to Create an App Like Spotify: A Complete Guide

In a Nutshell:

• The demand for AI-powered music streaming apps is growing fast, with the global music streaming market expected to reach $118.1 billion by 2035.
• Developing an app like Spotify focuses on combining smart AI recommendations with seamless audio playback, personalized playlists, and context-aware music suggestions.
• Businesses that create an app like Spotify can benefit from subscription models, in-app ads, and partnerships, unlocking recurring revenue while keeping listeners highly engaged.
• The estimated cost to build an app like Spotify ranges from $25,000 for basic features to over $250,000 for advanced AI-driven platforms with podcasts and cross-device functionality.
• A successful Spotify-like app requires smooth UX, high-quality streaming, and AI music features for personalized recommendations, playlist curation, and user engagement analytics.
• The future of AI-powered music app development will emphasize smart discovery, real-time personalization, predictive playlists, and scalable solutions with expert partners like Nimble AppGenie.

In 2026, music streaming apps are more than just a source of entertainment. It can be a smart business move. You may notice that a Spotify-like app can generate steady revenue, keep customers engaged, and enhance their digital presence.

The numbers show the opportunity. The global music streaming market size is expected to reach $118.1 billion by 2035, with over 750 million paying subscribers worldwide.

These users are not just listening, they are paying for experiences they enjoy, which shows that a well-designed app can create real value for both customers and businesses.

But building a successful app is not just about streaming songs. It’s about combining content, technology, and business strategy.

The key is offering something useful and engaging, using data to understand users, and creating ways to make money through subscriptions, ads, or partnerships.

This guide will show you the step-by-step process to develop a Spotify-like app, covering the essential features, costs, and monetization ideas that can take your business to new heights.

Why Building a Spotify‑Like App is a Good Decision in 2026

In 2026, investing in developing a Spotify-like app is not about following music streaming app trends. It is about entering a mature but still expanding market with clear revenue potential and proven user demand.

Here’s why this makes sound business sense :

► Users Are Comfortable Paying For Subscriptions

Subscription services are no longer a niche product. By 2025, the best music streaming apps had more than 750 million paying subscribers worldwide. These users have already demonstrated a willingness to pay for better digital experiences.

Something your app can tap into if it delivers real value. This is crucial: you do not need to convince the market that subscriptions work; the market already accepts them.

► Established Revenue Engine

Unlike emerging tech categories that are still unproven, music streaming already generates significant global income. In 2025, streaming revenue reached approximately $60.5 billion, and analysts project it will grow to about $73.7 billion in 2026.

This growth is not slowing down; it is fueled not just by more users, but by more users who are willing to pay. For you, this means the market demand is real, not speculative, and the best time to develop an app like Spotify.

► Audio Engagement Outperforms Many Other Media Formats

People integrate audio into daily life more naturally than many other digital formats. Whether it’s during a commute, a workout, or while working, audio fits into routines without demanding full visual attention.

This makes user engagement more consistent and measurable, a big plus for retention and lifetime value. So, if you are planning to start an online music streaming business, this is the perfect time to earn huge revenue.

Core Features Required to Build an App like Spotify

The core music streaming app features are essential to ensure smooth music playback, easy content discovery, personalized user experiences, and higher user engagement. This makes your music streaming app, like Spotify, functional, competitive, and user-friendly.

Let’s have a look at the core features:

♦ User Authentication

You should allow users to register securely with their email ID or other methods, such as a phone number or social media. This helps you to manage users, protect their data, and personalize the Spotify-like app experience.

♦ High-Quality Audio Streaming

Your Spotify-like app must ensure smooth and uninterrupted music or audio playback, even with slow internet. This helps users to enjoy consistent listening without frustration or frequent buffering.

♦ Search Functionality

Through the search feature, users can easily find songs, artists, and podcasts within the app. This can improve usability and reduce the chance of users leaving the app due to poor navigation.

♦ Playlist Creation

Thanks to a playlist creation feature, users can create, save, and manage a playlist. This encourages repeat usage and helps you understand user preferences and listening habits.

♦ Push Notification

Your Spotify-like app can send push notifications about new content, playlists, or offers to users. This will help you re-engage inactive users and increase daily or weekly app usage.

♦ Offline Listening

When you develop an app like Spotify, consider adding offline listening. Users can easily download audio and listen without the internet. This increases usage during travel or low-network areas and improves user retention. 

♦ Lyrics Display

This is a trending feature in many music streaming apps. You can also add this feature so that users can sync with the song by listening to a particular line or the whole song, which is very convenient.

Advanced Features That Will Add a Competitive Edge

Now that you know the must-have features for your music streaming app. If you want a competitive edge for an app like Spotify, you should definitely integrate advanced features into your app.

Let’s have a look at the Advanced Features:

➤ AI Music Recommendations

The Spotify-like app knows what users like by tracking their listening habits and then suggests songs and playlists they are most likely to enjoy. AI in music streaming app makes music discovery easy and personal.   

➤ Mood and Activity-Based Playlists

Your app can automatically create personalized playlists for different moods and activities. With this feature, users get the perfect music for every moment without any searching.

➤ Context-Aware Recommendations

Your music streaming app can suggest music based on location, time of day, or listening history. For example, calming music at night or energetic tracks in the morning.  

➤ Collaborative Playlists and Sharing

Users can co-create playlists with friends, share them, and see edits in real time. This makes music discovery a shared experience.

➤ Cross-Platform Seamless Playback

Users can switch between devices like a mobile phone, tablet, or computer, without losing their place in a playlist. The app can remember volume, equalizer, and other settings for a smooth experience.

➤ Podcasts and Exclusive Content

Your Spotify-like app can support podcasts, interviews, live sessions, and exclusive music releases. This gives users content they can not find and keeps them engaged longer. 

➤ Advanced Analytics For Artists and Creators

Your app can show detailed insights like who listened, what’s trending, and engagement stats. This helps creators to make better content and connect more effectively with fans. 

How to Develop an App Like Spotify: Step-by-Step Process

To develop a music streaming app similar to Spotify, you will need a well-structured approach and proper planning. It includes shaping a clear idea, choosing a business model, securing music licenses, selecting the right tech stack, designing an intuitive UI, developing and testing the app, and continuously improving after launch.

Let’s take a look at the step-by-step process below:

Step 1: Shape Your Spotify-Like App Idea

Before you develop a music streaming app, just imagine your app as a Spotify alternative. You can think about how users will discover songs, create playlists, and follow artists. Additionally, what features will make it feel like Spotify yet stand out?

You have to decide on must-have features like streaming quality, personalized recommendations, etc. Understanding your target audience is the key to a successful app. So, do proper mobile app market research and identify your audience.

Are they casual listeners, podcast fans, or music collectors? Knowing this ensures your app is not just another player, but a Spotify-inspired experience users will love.

Step 2: Decide on Your Business Model

A Spotify replica cannot survive without a proper business and revenue plan. You have to decide whether you will offer free listening with ads, premium subscriptions, or a mix. Maybe you can offer tiered plans, exclusive content, or artist partnerships?

Your business model is primarily responsible for design and feature decisions. For example, premium users may get offline downloads or higher-quality audio.

Therefore, if you plan this, it will make sure your music streaming app balances user value and revenue potential, just like Spotify. However, it also gives you flexibility to grow and experiment with monetization.

Step 3: Take Care of Music Licensing

Spotify succeeds because it has millions of licensed tracks. Your app requires similar legal licensing. Before you can develop an app like Spotify, you will need to deal with record labels, independent artists, and performing rights organizations.

This ensures your users can listen without interruptions and protects you legally. Besides just licenses, you also have to think about exclusive tracks, curated playlists, or indie artist partnerships. It will help in making your app unique.

It is advisable not to skip this stage. Getting licensing right is both a legal necessity and an opportunity to differentiate your Spotify-like app from competitors.

Step 4: Pick the Right Tech Stack

In this stage, you have to carefully choose the tech stack for your music streaming app development. Spotify works smoothly because of a solid tech foundation, and your app needs the same.

You can use backend frameworks like Node.js or Python, databases like PostgreSQL or MongoDB, and cloud services. Besides, you can add streaming protocols, CDNs for instant song delivery, and frontend frameworks for mobile apps.

This mobile app tech stack ensures your Spotify-like app handles millions of streams, scales as your audience grows, and delivers smooth playback on every device.

Step 5: Design For Spotify-Like Usability

Spotify’s mobile app design is simple yet addictive, and your app should also feel similar. Your target audience should effortlessly browse playlists, follow artists, and discover new music. Additionally, you can make a smooth onboarding, so new listeners can start exploring immediately.

Moreover, keep in mind that the visuals, colors, and animations should reflect your brand while keeping navigation intuitive. You should focus on pleasure and convenience.

Each swipe or tap should feel natural. A visually appealing music streaming app design helps users spend more time in your music streaming app, discover more music, and feel connected to your Spotify-like experience.

Step 6: Develop and Test the Spotify-Like App

Once the music streaming app design is complete, development begins. This is where your Spotify-like app idea starts to take real shape. The dedicated development team turns mockups and prototypes into functioning code.

This carefully builds the music app’s framework while making adjustments along the way. After development, mobile app testing takes over. The app is tried in real-world conditions, errors are spotted, and improvements are made.

This two-stage process ensures your Spotify-like app is stable, smooth, and ready to handle users confidently from day one.

Step 7: Launch the Music Streaming App

Releasing your Spotify-like app is just the beginning. You have to watch how users interact with playlists, recommendations, and search. It is vital to collect user feedback and analytics to improve features, fix bugs, and add content users love.

Additionally, you can even engage users through notifications and recommendations. The most successful Spotify-inspired apps keep growing with their listeners. By continuously listening and iterating, your app can become the next music sensation app.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App Like Spotify?

The cost to build a music streaming app like Spotify can range from $25,000 to $250,000 or more, based on your project requirements.

To correctly estimate the cost to develop an app like Spotify, you have to thoroughly analyze different variables like app complexity, features, platform choice, etc.

Let’s say you want to build a simple music streaming app with only core features; the cost can start from $25,000 to $100,000.

However, this music streaming app development cost can be between $100,000 – $200,000 for a complex Spotify-like app with advanced features.

But above all, if your budget is quite good and you want to create a podcast app with a music streaming service, the cost can go beyond $250,000.

In simple terms, the cost to create an app like Spotify is based on the complexity of your app.

Let’s understand the Spotify app development cost with the table given below :

How to Monetize Your App Like Spotify?

You can monetize your app like Spotify through a freemium model, paid subscriptions with premium benefits, and in-app advertisements, attracting free users, and generating steady revenue through ads and tiered plans.

Let’s deeply understand these common monetization strategies that you can take into consideration. 

► Freemium Model

Spotify’s freemium model allows users to access the app for free and gives them a taste of the experience before asking for payment. Free users can listen to music with ads or limited features. However, premium users get benefits like offline mode and personalised recommendations.

This app monetization strategy attracts a large audience, increases engagement, and naturally converts loyal listeners into paid subscribers. When you give free users real value, they build trust and encourage them to invest in a premium experience that feels worth every cent.

► Subscription Model

Do you know Spotify, one of the best music apps make money from paid subscriptions, and your app can follow the same approach. Users pay monthly for a premium experience like no ads, offline listening, unlimited skips, and higher sound quality.

You can provide tiered plans as Spotify does. A student plan, an individual, and a family plan. The goal is to make the upgrade feel worthwhile. This gives listeners features they can’t get for free, while ensuring predictable, recurring revenue that grows as the user base expands.

► In-App Advertisement

Spotify’s free tier runs audio and shows ads between songs. This allows anyone to listen without paying. Similarly, your music streaming app can generate revenue by partnering with brands for ads or sponsored playlists. It is vital to carefully time ads so they do not frustrate listeners.

For example, short breaks or banners while browsing. The more active listeners you have, the more impressions you deliver, and the higher your earnings. If you run the correct ads, it allows you to keep the app free while still generating a huge profit.

What are the Challenges to Developing a Music App Like Spotify and How to Solve Them?

Creating a music app like Spotify comes with several technical, legal, and business challenges, such as licensing, scalability, user engagement, and performance. Understanding these challenges in advance will help you in planning effective solutions and building a successful streaming platform.

We will discuss the music app development challenges and their potential solution in this section:

➤ Managing Music Licensing and Legal Rights

One of the biggest challenges in creating a Spotify-like app is managing music licensing. You can’t just stream songs without proper permissions, and licensing rules vary from country to country. This can feel overwhelming at first.

Solution :

You can plan licensing and work with music rights firms, record labels, or independent artists. Besides, you can start small by focusing on specific regions or indie creators. This approach reduces legal risk and allows you to grow your music library gradually and safely.

➤ Handling High Traffic and Smooth Streaming

Apps like Soundcloud and Spotify manage millions of users listening at the same time, and matching that level of performance is not really easy. Poor audio quality, buffering, or a music streaming app crashes can quickly drive users away.

Solution :

You should develop a strong technical foundation with cloud infrastructure and content delivery networks. These systems distribute audio efficiently, so songs load quickly. It is best to start with scalable technology like ML to make sure your app performs well today and can grow smoothly as your audience increases.

➤ Keeping Users Engaged Over Time

Getting users to download your music listening app is only half the battle. The real challenge is keeping them coming back. Music apps compete for attention, and users can easily switch platforms.

Solution :

You can focus on user behavior and listening habits. By analyzing how people interact with the app, you can improve recommendations, refresh playlists, and personalize the experience. When users feel the app understands their taste, they’re more likely to stay loyal and use it daily.

➤ Balancing Free Users and Revenue Generation

Spotify’s success comes from balancing free listeners and paid subscribers, and this balance is hard to achieve. Too many advertisements frustrate users, while too few hurt revenue.

Solution :

Mobile app developers can design a thoughtful freemium model. Free users should enjoy enough value to stay engaged, while premium users clearly see the benefits of upgrading. Limited restrictions and meaningful premium benefits help convert free listeners into paying customers without harming the experience.

How AI is Transforming Music Streaming Apps Like Spotify?

AI is making music apps smarter. Apps like Spotify can now suggest songs users will love, create playlists for their mood, and help them find new music easily. It keeps listening fun, easy, and more enjoyable for everyone.

Let’s see how AI is impacting music streaming applications like Spotify:

♦ Personalized Recommendations

AI makes music discovery feel personal and easy for every listener. On applications like Spotify, AI‑powered recommendation systems drive about 60% of all song streams by suggesting music.

It is based on listening history, favorite genres, and skipping behavior. This means users spend less time searching and more time enjoying music they love without effort.

♦ Support for Artists and Creators

AI in music streaming apps also supports fairness and quality by helping platforms manage music content better. Some services use automated tagging and content recognition to distinguish real artist uploads from AI‑generated tracks.

This protects creators while keeping recommendations accurate. This helps maintain trust in the app and ensures users hear relevant, high‑quality music that fits their tastes. 

♦ Context-Aware Music Discovery

AI helps to customise the music suggestions based on real‑world context like mood, time, and activity.

For example, AI can suggest calm music in the evening or energetic tracks during workouts by learning the user’s listening habits. This makes your music app feel smarter and more helpful throughout users’ daily routines. 

♦ Enhanced User Engagement

AI boosts user engagement and better user retention for your app. It is because recommendations match what users enjoy most that people spend more time listening, exploring, and discovering.

When users feel understood, they are more likely to stay active, come back often, and use features like playlists, helping platforms like an app like Spotify build loyalty and reduce churn.

Why Partner With Nimble AppGenie to Develop an App Like Spotify?

When you build an app like Spotify, having the right partner makes a big difference. Nimble AppGenie is a trusted music streaming app development company that works closely with clients to understand what they want to build, not just what features to add.

Our expert team explains technical choices in simple terms and helps you make practical decisions. Having more than 8+ years of experience, our focus is on performance, scalability, and real user behavior.

Instead of rushing development, our approach is thoughtful and structured to assist you in avoiding costly rework. Also, launching a music streaming app feels stable, usable, and ready to grow over time.

Real-Time Case Study of Nujaxx – Music Streaming Platform

Client Type: A music streaming platform called Nujaxx, targeting music lovers of all ages on iOS and Android.

Challenge: The goal was to build a platform that offered more than just music playback. The client wanted a community-focused app where listeners could engage with artists, explore music easily, and enjoy a seamless experience on multiple devices. Integrating a voucher system to reward both users and artists added a layer of complexity.

Solutions Implemented :

• Developed a native app for iOS and Android with smooth performance.
• Designed a clean, user-friendly interface for easy navigation.
• Integrated a voucher system to engage users and reward artists.
• Focused on real-time streaming and multi-language support for accessibility.

Business Results :

• Delivered a stable and responsive music streaming experience.
• Increased user engagement through the voucher and community features.
• Built a scalable platform ready to grow with the audience.

Key Takeaway :

Nujaxx combines innovative features and the best user experience to create a music streaming app that connects fans and artists. Also, it provides a reliable platform for discovering and sharing music.

Conclusion

Developing a music streaming app like Spotify is a long journey, not a shortcut. You have to carefully consider music rights, user habits, performance, and how the app will actually grow over time. You can choose to integrate the best music APIs like Spotify instead of reinventing everything.

This can help in managing music data and streaming more smoothly. What really matters is execution. Thus, with the right planning and technical support, your Spotify-like idea can turn into a robust solution people genuinely enjoy using every day.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma, CTO, Nimble AppGenie, is a tech enthusiast with more than a decade of experience in delivering high-value solutions that allow a brand to penetrate the market easily. With a strong hold on mobile app development, he is actively working to help businesses identify the potential of digital transformation by sharing insightful statistics, guides & blogs.