Spotify runs in the background for most of the day for many of us, whether it's a morning podcast or a playlist that keeps us moving through a workout. Both the Spotify Web Player and apps come with built-in playback controls for music, podcasts, and audiobooks, but adjusting the speed of songs requires a few extra steps.
For podcasts and audiobooks, the controls are simple and quick to use, along with options like skipping back or forward 15 seconds and other flexible settings. You just tap the speed icon and choose the pace that works for you. It's fast, easy, and the change is instant.
For songs, things are a little different. You can't change speed directly in Spotify, but luckily we've found several workarounds and tools that let you do exactly that. Some apps and extensions let you speed up or slow down tracks, while others involve converting songs to formats that support advanced adjustments through third-party solutions.
This guide shows how to change Spotify playback speed on mobile, desktop, and the web. Most adjustments take just a second, and there are also lightweight tools that give you more control if you want it. Just go ahead and see where to look.
Part 1. Can You Change Playback Speed on Spotify?
Yes. Spotify includes a built-in playback speed feature that works across supported devices for both free and Premium users. But it's limited to longer content like podcasts and audiobooks.
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For podcasts and audiobooks
If you want to move through an episode faster or slow it down to catch details, playback speed controls are built right in. Tapping the speed button lets you choose anywhere from 0.5x to 3.5x. Faster speeds are useful when you're trying to get through long episodes, while slower speeds can help when you want to focus on every word.
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For music tracks
You might want to speed up dance tracks or slow down a song to catch the details, but music is a different story. Playback speed options aren't offered for songs, since changing tempo and pitch would alter the way tracks were originally produced. It also complicates how the platform tracks listening time for artists, personal stats, and top-track reports. So while podcasts and audiobooks are flexible, music playback stays fixed at normal speed.
So what's the workaround?
Streaming platforms will always be more limited than media players like VLC, which offer built-in speed controls for regular audio files. If you want that same kind of flexibility with Spotify songs, you'll need to convert and download your music with a tool like ViWizard. You can try this approach right away. Or stick around as we'll cover more details later. For now, just know that playback speed is officially supported for spoken-word content and requires third-party help for music tracks.
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Part 2. Best Way to Change Spotify Playback Speed on Desktop (Songs, Podcasts and Audiobooks)
If you've been looking for a way to adjust the playback speed of your Spotify music, there's a tool that can help: ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. While it's primarily a music converter, it also includes a built-in audio player that allows you to play your converted music, podcasts, and audiobooks with playback speed options. You can adjust the speed with options including 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x, 1.5x, and 2x—giving you the flexibility to speed up or slow down your songs as needed.
Best Spotify Music Speed Changer: ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Best of all, ViWizard is popular among users who want to download music from Spotify without needing a Premium subscription. Once downloaded, your songs retain their original audio quality, up to 320kbps, so there's no need to worry about sound quality. You can also play your music on any media player with speed-changing capabilities, like Windows Media Player, for even more flexibility.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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- Convert Spotify music to common audio format like MP3
- Function as a Spotify music downloader, converter and editor
- Get rid of all digital rights management protection from Spotify
- Preserve ID3 tags and other metadata information of Spotify music
Step 1Download and Install ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Start by downloading ViWizard Spotify Music Converter for your computer. Choose the version based on your operating system (Windows or Mac). Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. After installation, launch ViWizard to start converting and enjoying your Spotify music.
Step 2Add Spotify Tracks for Conversion
When you open ViWizard, log in to your Spotify account within the software to access your entire library. Go to the profile page of the content you want to convert. When the "+" icon in the bottom-right corner turns green, click it. ViWizard will automatically analyze and load the selected tracks, preparing them for conversion.
Step 3Choose Output Format and Settings
Click the hamburger menu in the upper-right corner > Preferences > Conversion. Select your preferred output format (MP3 is the most compatible). Set the bitrate to 320kbps for optimal quality. You can also adjust additional settings like sample rate and channel preferences if desired.
Step 4Convert and Download Spotify Music
Go to the conversion list and click the "Convert" button to begin. ViWizard converts music at a fast 15x speed. You can track the progress of each song as it's being converted. Once the conversion is complete, open the output folder to find your downloaded songs. ViWizard includes a built-in audio player that allows you to adjust the playback speed. Speed up (1.5x, 2x) or slow down (0.5x, 0.75x) your music for a customized listening experience.
Part 3. Change Spotify Playback Speed with Workarounds (Songs)
ViWizard's built-in player already provides a direct way to listen to songs at different speeds, but it's only designed for compatible devices like Windows and Mac. Sometimes, though, you just want more ways to work around this limitation. Check any of the following options to adjust speed for personal listening, depending on your setup and devices.
1. Use a Chrome Extension
If you're using the Spotify Web Player, certain browser extensions can add the ability to change song speed. These are available in stores like the Chrome Web Store. Functionality can vary, and most only work in the web player—not the desktop app. The "Spotify Playback Speed" extension is one we've tested and found to work reliably, though there are other options available as well.
Step 1 Open Google Chrome on your computer.
Step 2 Go to the Chrome Web Store by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner, selecting Extensions, then Visit Chrome Web Store.
Step 3 In the search bar, type "Spotify Playback Speed" and press Enter. Locate the extension in the results.
Step 4 Click Add Extension to install it in Chrome.
Step 5 After installation, click the puzzle icon in the Chrome toolbar.
Step 6 Find the extension and click the pin icon. When it turns blue, the extension is enabled.
Step 7 Open the Spotify Web Player in Chrome and start playing your music or podcast.
Step 8 Look for the Playback Speed icon from the extension in the player interface.
Step 9 Click the icon to adjust playback speed, ranging from 0.5x to 2x. You can also enable Preserve Pitch to keep the original sound quality while speeding up or slowing down.
2. Use Media Players
Another option is to convert your songs to local files and play them in a media player that supports speed adjustments. Make sure you've converted your tracks using ViWizard to flexible formats like MP3. Then, players like VLC, Windows Media Player, or others let you speed up or slow down tracks while keeping a smooth listening experience—even without the official desktop app. They're usually pre-installed or easy to download from official sources. Though basic, they're powerful for daily listening and minor customization.
- Launch Windows Media Player on your computer.
- Click File in the top-left corner and select Open. Add the Spotify audio files you want to adjust.
- Find the file in your library and click Play.
- While the song is playing, right-click the title in the Now Playing bar at the bottom.
- Hover over Enhancements and select Play Speed Settings.
- A slider will appear. Adjust the playback speed to Fast, Normal, or Slow based on your preference.
- Open QuickTime Player on your Mac.
- Go to File > Open File and select the Spotify audio files you want to play.
- With the songs loaded, click the Window menu in the top toolbar.
- Select Show A/V Controls to reveal additional playback options.
- In the A/V Controls window, find the Playback Speed slider.
- Move the slider to increase or decrease speed. Options may include 2x, 5x, 10x, 30x, or even 60x.
- Open VLC Media Player on your Windows or Mac computer.
- Click Media > Open File and select your Spotify audio files.
- Play the file.
- From the top menu, go to Playback > Speed.
- Choose from Slower, Normal, or Faster, or use the custom slider to set the speed precisely.
3. Use Another Streaming Service
Sometimes the simplest solution is to find the song on another platform that already has playback speed controls. YouTube, for example, has a built-in player speed feature for both mobile and desktop. Just search for the track, start playback, and adjust speed—no extra tools or conversions needed.
Step 1 Open YouTube on your browser or mobile app.
Step 2 Search for the song or video you want.
Step 3 Start playback of the video or audio track.
Step 4 Click the Settings (gear) icon in the player.
Step 5 Select Playback Speed.
Step 6 Choose your preferred speed from the options.
4. Use an Audio Editor
You can also use an audio editing program to change a song's speed before playing it. Programs like Audacity let you record music from Spotify and increase or decrease tempo without affecting pitch. Once edited, you can play the file in any media player at your preferred speed.
Step 1 Download and install Audacity on your computer.
Step 2 Open Audacity and import your Spotify audio file.
Step 3 Highlight the track in the editor.
Step 4 Go to Effect > Change Tempo to adjust speed without changing pitch.
Step 5 Preview the change to make sure it sounds right.
Step 6 Click File > Export to save the edited track.
Step 7 Play the exported file in any media player at your preferred speed.
5. Use a Speed Changer App
There are dedicated apps—usually mobile apps—like "Audiopo" or "Music Speed Changer" that handle multiple audio formats and provide precise speed control, sometimes even with automatic pitch correction. You import the song or audio file, adjust the speed to your liking, and carry it with you on the go.
- Install and launch the Audipo app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Transfer your downloaded Spotify songs to your device (via iTunes, for example) and add them to Audipo.
- Tap the Speed Settings icon within the app.
- Choose the desired playback speed, ranging from 0.25x to 4.0x.
- Install and open the Music Speed Changer app on your Android device.
- Import your downloaded Spotify songs into the app's music library.
- Select the songs you want to play.
- While listening, tap the Tempo feature.
- Use the slider or buttons to adjust playback speed to your liking.
Part 4. Change Spotify Playback Speed in the Mobile App (Podcasts and Audiobooks)
Step 1 Open the Spotify mobile app on your Android or iOS device and log in.
Step 2 Go to the podcast episode or audiobook chapter you want to listen to. You can find saved content in Your Library or use Search to discover new shows.
Step 3 Tap Play to start listening.
Step 4 Open the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5 Tap the 1x button to change the playback speed. Options include 0.5x, 0.8x, 1x (default), 1.2x, 1.8x, 2x, 2.5x, 3x, or 3.5x.
Step 6 If the speed control doesn't appear or won't adjust, check if playback is active on another device. Tap the Connected Device icon and select your phone from the list to enable speed control on your current device.
Part 5. Change Spotify Playback Speed in the Desktop App (Podcasts and Audiobooks)
Step 1 Open the Spotify desktop app on Windows or Mac, or log in through a compatible browser using the Spotify Web Player.
Step 2 Find the podcast episode or audiobook chapter you'd like to adjust. Browse saved content under Podcasts & Shows or Audiobooks, or use Search to discover new content.
Step 3 Click Play to start listening.
Step 4 Look at the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5 Click the 1x button to change the playback speed. Available speeds range from 0.5x up to 3.5x.
Step 6 If the speed control doesn't work, make sure playback isn't active on another device. Tap the Connected Device icon and select your computer from the list to enable playback speed on your current device.
Part 6. Change Spotify Playback Speed in the Web Player (Podcasts and Audiobooks)
Step 1 Open the Spotify Web Player in your browser and log in to your account.
Step 2 Find the podcast episode or audiobook chapter you want to listen to. Browse saved content under Podcasts & Shows or Audiobooks, or use Search to discover new content.
Step 3 Click Play to start listening.
Step 4 Look for the Playback Speed icon from the Spotify Playback Speed Chrome extension in the player interface.
Step 5 Click the icon to adjust the playback speed. Options typically range from 0.5x up to 3.5x.
Step 6 If the speed control doesn't work, check whether playback is active on another device. Click the Connected Device icon and select this web browser.
Conclusion
Speaking of Spotify playback speed, you can use this feature in Spotify to increase or slow the speed of podcast. If you are interested in adjusting the speed of Spotify songs, you would need to turn to a Chrome extension or use ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to download Spotify songs first. Then you can freely change the speed of Spotify playback on your device.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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