Looking for a music API for your app or business? You may wonder whether the Spotify API, or APIs from Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, Deezer, or Tidal might work for you or if you can use the consumer versions of these apps for your customers. The answer to these questions is a resounding NO.
We’ll explain the legal reasons why you can’t, and also why you don’t really want to use those music streaming APIs anyway. Read on for all the tea on music streaming for businesses and the wonders of the Feed.fm Unified Music System (UMS) and its innovative, proprietary streaming music API built for businesses.
Spotify may be one of the best music streaming services, but it’s not the best API for businesses.
“So,” you’re thinking, “why not just use Spotify for my business?” Here’s the deal: it’s not just a bad idea, it’s straight-up illegal. Personal music streaming apps like Spotify aren’t built or licensed for commercial use. They’re made for personal jamming, not for your business playlist. Using them in your business violates copyright laws and breaks the agreements between users and the streaming platforms. Bottom line? It’s a no-go, don’t risk it.
Spotify lays it out loud and clear with a long list of “Thou shalt nots” for developers working with the Spotify API. No mixing Spotify streams with other services. No building tools for businesses, including in-store playlists or online music streaming. Spotify is strictly for personal, non-commercial use. Translation? No blasting it in bars, restaurants, stores, dance studios, or anywhere else that isn’t your living room. The boundaries are set, so don’t play dumb, play by the rules.
If you’re looking to stream music in a retail setting, you might sign up for a service like Soundtrack Your Brand. Or Pandora’s CloudCover. There are many to choose from.
If you’re looking for a music API to stream music for commercial use in a digital product, keep reading.
The Spotify API isn’t going to do what you want it to
"Alright," you’re thinking, "if there's a Spotify API there's obviously a way to do this legally." Sure, that’s an option, but here’s the kicker: the music still lives on Spotify, and your users need their own accounts to access it. That’s a major buzzkill for potential customers who don’t already subscribe. Plus, they’ll have to bounce from your app to Spotify to get their groove on. Do you really want to send your users packing like that? I didn't think so.
The Spotify web API leaves your users with a disjointed experience, and it adds more work to your plate. Do you have an experienced music curation team hiding somewhere? You’re going to need them: your business will have to do all the research and curation to create bangin’ music playlists and then consistently maintain them to keep the mixes fresh. We’re guessing that before long, you’ll be looking around for a music streaming service that pulls it all together for you and creates a seamless experience in your app.
The hazards of building a business on a free Music API
Building a business on a free music API is a risky bet with long-term consequences. Free APIs often come with usage limitations, lack guaranteed uptime, and can change, or disappear, without warning. If a provider decides to restrict API endpoints, introduce paid tiers, or shut down access altogether, your business could face sudden disruptions, costly pivots, or even complete failure. Without service-level agreements (SLAs) or licensing protections, you have no control over critical features like music availability, playback restrictions, or data limits.
A more sustainable solution? Partnering with a licensed, commercial music streaming service like Feed.fm, which ensures reliability, legal compliance, and a seamless experience for both businesses and users.
If you want to get music streaming seamlessly in your app, look for a UMS.
The Feed.fm unified music system (UMS) does something that no other music streaming service can: it’s a full-throttle, all-in-one solution for businesses, giving your users a mind-blowing music experience right in your app. From expert music curation to seamless integration, our UMS provides an unparalleled user experience; your team will dig the rock-solid data analytics and foolproof streaming music API. Plus, you get plug-and-play SDKs for iOS, Android, JavaScript, and React Native. We handle the heavy lifting so your business can focus on what it does best.
When you decide you’re ready to crank it up to 11, let us know.
For businesses looking to stream music in their apps or smart devices, Feed.fm is your one-stop shop. We’re psyched to unleash the power of the Feed.fm UMS and help your business ride the wave of music-led growth.
2 min