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Music · head to head

Bandcamp vs Spotify

Bandcamp logo

Bandcamp

Music

An artist-first music platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spotify logo

Spotify

Entertainment

Music for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bandcamp bandcamp takes 15% of digital sales initially (10% after $5,000 threshold); payment processing adds 4-6% per transaction; Spotify ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
  • They diverge on capability: Bandcamp covers Downloads, Spotify covers Podcast streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bandcamp and Spotify actually diverge.

Attributes where Bandcamp and Spotify differ
AttributeBandcampSpotify
Pricing modeltransactionfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryMusicEntertainment
Founded20082006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bandcamp

  • Downloads
  • Artist support
  • Merchandise
  • Community
  • Social media
  • Payment processing
  • Artist tools
  • Secure payments

Only in Spotify

  • Podcast streaming
  • Playlist creation
  • Music discovery
  • Social sharing
  • Offline downloads
  • Cross-device sync
  • Audio quality options
  • Spotify Connect

Both cover

  • Music streaming
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bandcamp

  • Music distribution and salesnot Spotify
  • Physical media salesnot Spotify
  • Artist monetizationnot Spotify

Spotify

  • Music listeningnot Bandcamp
  • Podcast consumptionnot Bandcamp
  • Playlist sharingnot Bandcamp
  • Music discoverynot Bandcamp
  • Background musicnot Bandcamp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bandcamp

  • Bandcamp takes 15% of digital sales initially (10% after $5,000 threshold); payment processing adds 4-6% per transaction

Spotify

  • Ad-free listening, offline downloads, lossless audio and unlimited skipping all require Premium at $12.99 a month
  • Lossless streaming tops out at 24-bit/44.1 kHz
  • The Duo plan at $18.99 a month covers two people and the Family plan at $21.99 covers a household, with no per-seat option between them

Pricing, plan by plan

Bandcamp

Free
  • Artist PlatformFree
    • 15% revenue share on digital items initially
    • 10% revenue share after reaching $5,000 in sales
    • 10% revenue share on physical goods

Spotify

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad-supported listening
    • Standard audio quality
  • Premium Individual$12.99/month
    • 1 account
    • Ad-free listening
    • Offline downloads
  • Premium Student$6.99/month
    • 1 verified account for eligible students
    • Hulu access included
    • Ad-free listening
  • Premium Duo$18.99/month
    • 2 accounts for couples at same address
    • Ad-free listening
    • Offline downloads

Which should you pick?

Choose Bandcamp if

  • You need downloads.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want artist support.
Bandcamp review

Choose Spotify if

  • You need podcast streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want playlist creation.
Spotify review

Questions people ask

Is Bandcamp or Spotify better?
Neither clearly leads. Bandcamp starts at Free and Spotify at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bandcamp or Spotify?
Bandcamp starts at Free and Spotify at Free.
Does Bandcamp or Spotify run on more platforms?
Bandcamp runs on Web, Ios, Android. Spotify runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use Bandcamp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bandcamp best used for?
Bandcamp is most often used for music distribution and sales, physical media sales, artist monetization. Of those, music distribution and sales and physical media sales are not what Spotify is typically brought in for.
What can Bandcamp do that Spotify cannot?
Bandcamp covers Downloads, Artist support, Merchandise, Community. Spotify covers Podcast streaming, Playlist creation, Music discovery, Social sharing. Both handle Music streaming, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bandcamp: How much commission does Bandcamp take?

15% on digital items initially, reducing to 10% once you reach $5,000 in sales. 10% on physical goods. Plus 4-6% payment processing fees per transaction. Tips are not subject to the revenue share on amounts over $100.

Source
Spotify: Does Spotify offer a free plan?

Yes, Spotify offers a free ad-supported tier with standard audio quality. Users can listen to any song but do not get offline downloads, full playback control, or ad-free listening.

Source
Bandcamp: Does Bandcamp charge subscription or setup fees?

No subscription tiers or setup fees. Bandcamp uses a transaction-based revenue sharing model only.

Source
Spotify: What is the difference between Spotify Premium Student and Premium Individual?

Premium Student costs $6.99/month (half the price of Premium Individual at $12.99/month) and includes Hulu access. Premium Student is available only to verified higher education students with an introductory offer of $0 for 1 month, whereas Premium Individual has a $0 for 3 months introductory offer.

Source
Spotify: How many people can share a Spotify Premium Family plan?

Spotify Premium Family plan allows up to 6 accounts for family members living at the same address, includes parental controls, and provides Premium access (including ad-free listening and offline downloads) for members under 13. The plan costs $21.99/month.

Source
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