Spotube is an open-source music streaming platform that functions as a lightweight alternative to the official Spotify client[^7]. The app allows users to stream music without requiring a Spotify Premium subscription.

Key features include:

Ad-free listening using public Spotify and YouTube Music APIs
Cross-platform support for mobile and desktop
Downloadable tracks for offline listening
Time-synced lyrics
Anonymous/guest login
No telemetry or user data collection
Native performance without using Electron

A notable limitation is that Spotube can sometimes play mismatched tracks, particularly for less popular songs. Users have reported cases where the app plays incorrect versions of songs from YouTube when the original Spotify track isn't found[^5].

The app is available through:

F-Droid for Android devices[^7]
GitHub releases for desktop platforms^4

[^5]: GitHub - Incorrect, Mismatching Tracks Issue [^7]: F-Droid - Spotube

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[–] Phytobus@feddit.nl 0 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

So how do the artists get paid then?

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 13 points 18 hours ago

As always, in concerts and selling their music. Same as they got paid before YT and Internet. YouTube is only a promotion side, as also in the past the Radio, where you also can listen their music for free. You pay mainly YouTube, the artist only recieve a small comission for the clicks. Because of this, most go to Bandcamp, where the can sell direct their music.

[–] DaedalousIlios@pawb.social 10 points 20 hours ago

With how abysmally little as they make from Spotify, this isn't much different. They make anywhere from 0.003-0.005¢ per stream. If you really want to support artists, buy music from their Bandcamp or Qobuz, but don't pay for Spotify; the only people winning in that exchange is Spotify.