A large music library and open access are the two main features Spotify exceeds its counterparts. Spotify now has launched diverse ways to scratch the public's attention and follows, comprising web player, PC desktop, the mobile app, and even derivative plugins. Yet a few people will feel confused to use which one. For example, if Spotify web player offers better service than the desktop client? Honestly, they truly differ in some respects. To make it clear, there is a detailed compare for you.
App for Spotify™ is designed to operate similar to Google Chrome Apps. In other words, it opens in a simple and stand-alone popup window (as opposed to the toolbar-popup or sidebar), and once closed, completely clears-off and won't have any further background activities. If you are using the Chrome browser on your PC, then you can take advantage of Chrome’s built-in app player to get a Spotify Mini Player that will help you to enjoy every Spotify feature without using the web player or the Spotify app. Below we have mentioned a step-by-step guide to create a Spotify web app to run Spotify using Chrome. Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows Phone 8. See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Spotify.
1. Availability & Portability
First, we would like to talk about the availability and portability as we're getting accustomed to having things always at hand in today's fast world. When you are in a computer-working environment, you can double-click the Spotify desktop icon to get the music. Or directly search it on the browser, or click the Spotify plugin in Google, or set a Spotify bookmark is ok. Yet still, the Spotify web player stands out compared to the desktop client in this sense.
Seemingly, you can open the Spotify web player to start the music journey despite where you are. Yet for Spotify PC desktop, an available PC should be the necessary tool. It is a redundant deed to take your computer around on a free-of-work vacation. Instead, open your browser and search Spotify directly. But I have to remind you that Safari is already on Spotify's reject list, so you'd better change to another browser.
2. Lyric
Song lyric on Spotify may be what you search for. Actually, Spotify itself doesn't offer direct lyric service. Instead, both the web player and desktop version now are able to access the lyrics, though with the help of other music platforms. You can install the Chrome Lyrics Here by Rob W extension or the Firefox Lyrics Here by Rob W addon to see lyrics on Spotify web player. While Spotify desktop should work with Musixmatch to make it.
3. Music Quality
I don't know whether you notice the quality difference or not. It is a great pity that Spotify only provides a 320kbps song on the Web Player. Conversely, Spotify desktop client shares a high-quality 320kbps streaming. Music quality is an essential part of the audience. I think this may drive some of you to the desktop already.
4. Hotkeys
Finally, it comes to Spotify web player's round. The hotkey is a truly acute setting to facilitate some navigation movements. You just need to install some Spotify hotkey extensions on your browser, and then you can enjoy the convenient music service. For example, install the Chrome Spotify Web Player Hotkey extension or the Spotify Hotkeys Firefox addon. Here are some default hotkey settings. It's all right to set your individual hotkeys.
Chrome:
Play/Pause: Alt + Shift + P
Next Track: Alt + Shift + .
Previous Track: Alt + Shift +.
Firefox:
Play/Pause: Ctrl + Alt + P
Next Track: Ctrl + Alt + .
Previous Track: Ctrl + Alt + .
5. Space Occupation
An all-around software/app is the general development in all fields so as to save much space to promote computer performance. Spotify web player is able to achieve it well as it is attached to the browser to offer the music service. But space occupation is an unavoidable thing for Spotify desktop client.
6. Offline listening
Ok, this part is still Spotify desktop's lead. Offline listening entrance is open to Spotify premium on web player since its issue, while it has become an outstanding matter on the Spotify Community when the web player can gain the access.
7. Download Spotify Music for Offline Playback
Premium users are provided with the right to download music for offline listening. However, it is only the cache file that will disappear when your subscription ends. Considering it, you may try this software, TuneFab Spotify Music Converter, to resolve the problem. With it, not only free users but also premium ones can have the chance to enjoy a permanent Spotify offline listening.
TuneFab Spotify Music Converter Features
Convert Spotify Music to Available Format: TuneFab Spotify Music Converter can convert the protected Spotify Music to universal output formats such as MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, etc. that can be played on other players.
Support A Fast Batch Conversion: Even if you want to convert a whole playlist or album, it will perform the work at an admirable speed.
Lossless Quality Conversion: Quality is an essential element in music listening. TuneFab Spotify Music Converter does a good job of converting without quality loss. So you don't worry about any unnecessary damage.
Simple Interface: TuneFab Spotify Music Converter is appreciated with a simple interface. This makes it easy to navigate the program.
Easy-to-handle Operation Steps: You will quickly get familiar with the converter software after the first trial. It requires to connect the playlist data with the Spotify app, and then you can easily add the music to the converter for a convenient conversion. You can follow the guidance picture below.
All in all, today we've discussed the difference between Spotify web player and desktop client. It is difficult to say which one is better. In fact, it is a more acceptable way to use these two ways together. Most people just do so according to the specific situation they are under. We indeed hope that this compare work on the Spotify web player and the desktop client can give you some benefits.
Since 2008 Spotify has grown to be one of the most popular digital audio streaming platforms with over 96 million paying subscribers today. It is undeniably one of the best music streaming services in the world with over 40 million tracks accessible from your phone, tablet or personal computer. You can play your favorite music either through Spotify Web Browser or on Spotify Desktop Client. Apart from being a favorite platform for music lovers, the 'Spotify web player vs desktop client' discussion or rather argument have loomed the internet for some time. Lots of Spotify users prefer web player to access the music library. Equally, quite a significant number of users are of the second option, the desktop client.
The fact remains that both options are entirely different. Well, this review will profoundly attempt to compare Spotify web player and desktop app using the various pro and cons. Here are the aspects that form the notable differences between Spotify desktop and web player. Scroll right down!
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Portability
It is for a fact that the current generation is obsessed with controlling and accessing very thing from their palms. At the comfort of your room or working desk, you can easily access the Spotify track library just by clicking the Spotify icon on your desktop. Alternatively, you directly browse Spotify and play songs from the web. Both ways are convenient; however, for the desktop client option, you must have a PC at your disposal.
Using a web player only requires you to have the logins. You access songs from anywhere at any time you feel like. You even borrow a friend's phone and operate your account from there. Unlike using a desktop player which requires you to carry a PC along which is inconveniencing. Basing on this perspective, Web player is more portable and available compared to a desktop client.
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Music Quality
The current generation of music lovers is susceptible to the quality of music they listen to. Most people can tell the difference in music quality when using the two option, and others will not even notice it. Usually, the Spotify web player offers a lower bitrate compare to the desktop client. For free web players, clients get 128kbps bitrate while premium users get 256kbps bitrate. On the hand, desktop client free accounts can only access up to 160kbps while paying users access double the quality, 320kbps.
This is the main reason why people prefer using desktop client over web player. Even a free account has fairly good quality music.
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Offline Listening
Considering this aspect, desktop client is more convenient. Desktop client users can easily save tracks to listen when they are offline. On the contrary, the opposite is true for web player user. Both free and paid accounts do not enjoy this feature. It has for a long time been a point of concern for Spotify users across the globe. Probably, they will consider this in the near future.
To save Spotify songs offline, you are required to sign up the premium account of Spotify. Otherwise you cannot download the track from Spotify even if you are using the desktop client. But if you are not willing to pay for the premium plan, the alternative way is using dedicated Spotify music downloader such as TunesKit Spotify Music Converter to download and convert the Spotify songs/playlists to common MP3s. In this way, no matter you are free or premium user, you can enjoy Spotify music offline on any device without limit.
- See Also: How to Download Spotify Offline without Premium
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Space
Installing Spotify software on your, PC requires that have enough storage capacity to run the software. It also tends to create log files and hence not a favorite for a computer with little storage capacity. It will definitely affect the entire performance of the PC. On the other hand, operating a web player does not require space. You just need a browser, and from there you can bookmark the Spotify website for easy access
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Hotkeys
Generally, hotkeys are paramount for any software. However, desktop clients do not have hotkeys. Hotkeys facilitate navigation movements. They are more useful when busy at work. Spotify web player provides for hotkeys; however, you will have to install the Spotify Hotkeys add-on on Firefox or Chrome browsers. Here are some Hotkeys for both browsers.
FireFox:
Spotify App Or Browser Settings
- Play/Pause: Ctrl + Alt + P
- Previous Track: Ctrl + Alt +
- Next Track: Ctrl + Alt +.
Chrome:
- Play/Pause: Alt + Shift + P
- Previous Track: Alt + Shift +
- Next Track: Alt + Shift +.
Spotify Web Player vs Desktop Client: Lyrics
Spotify Browser Play
If song lyrics are a top priority for you, then it is sorry to say that none of the options has that feature. Often, you have to download and install Musixmatch software and run it concurrently with the Spotify software. For Spotify web player users you need to install Lyrics Here by Rob W extension for both Chrome and Firefox browsers.
- See Also: Tips to Get Lyrics on Spotify How to Stream Apple Music Web Player without Subscription
The Final Words: Which Is Better
With regard to the above differences between Spotify desktop and web player, I can comfortably recommend Spotify web player considering the portability, space saving, and availability. You do not have to carry your PC everywhere you go to listen to your favorite tracks on Spotify. What do you think? Give me your comment right here.
Spotify Web Player Internet Explorer
Adam Gorden is an experienced writer of TunesKit who is obsessed about tech, movie and software.