Spotify Technology SA is a Swedish audio streaming and media services provider. It was founded in April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon in Stockholm, Sweden. The company's mission is to provide a platform for streaming music to consumers on a global scale. Spotify's digital platform allows users to access millions of songs and podcasts from all over the world. The company has over 345 million monthly active users and over 155 million paying subscribers across 178 markets.
Spotify's streaming service is available on various platforms, including desktop computers, mobile devices, and home audio systems. The company offers free and paid subscription services to users. The free version of Spotify includes ads and has limitations on features such as offline listening and song skipping. The paid version, Spotify Premium, offers an ad-free experience and additional features such as offline listening, high-quality audio streaming, and unlimited song skips.
In addition to music streaming, Spotify offers a variety of exclusive content and personalized recommendations to its users. The company has also expanded its offering to include podcasts, allowing users to access a vast selection of podcast series and episodes from around the world. In recent years, Spotify has made a significant investment in developing its podcast offerings, including original content and exclusive partnerships with podcast creators.
Spotify has also introduced various social features, such as the ability to share music and playlists with friends and family. The company has partnerships with major music labels and artists, allowing them to feature their music on the platform. Spotify has also worked with various companies to integrate its streaming service into their products, such as Samsung, Google, and Amazon.
Spotify has had a significant impact on the music industry since its inception, and its streaming service has helped to transform the way people consume music.