Using Spotify feels easy at first. You open the app, hit play, and your favorite music starts right away. But just like gamers sometimes run into DRM problems, Spotify users can hit a wall when they try to do more than just stream songs.
Spotify gives you access to over 100 million songs. You can listen online or even download them if you have a Premium account. But there's something most people don't notice at first: every song on Spotify is protected by DRM, short for Digital Rights Management. As long as you stay inside the Spotify app, everything works fine. But if you try to back up your songs, move them to an MP3 player, or burn them to a CD, you'll quickly find out you can't.
Looking for a way around it? Removing DRM from your Spotify music is a great option. But it's something you need to take seriously. In this post, we'll cover the basics of DRM, explain why you might want to remove it, and guide you through the best DRM-removal tools for the job—safely and easily.
Part 1: What Is DRM on Spotify?
DRM stands for 'Digital Rights Management,' and it's a tech that controls what you can and can't do with the content you access on online streaming services. You'll find it everywhere — from video platforms to music services.
When it comes to music, DRM limits what you can do with the tracks you access, even if you've paid for them. On Spotify, even Premium subscribers aren't free from DRM restrictions. Sure, you get "unlimited listening" as part of the perks, but every song you stream or download is locked down with DRM. This means you can't freely back up your music, share it with friends, or play it on other devices outside the official app. Worse, your downloaded songs can vanish if Spotify's licensing deals change.
How does this happen? Many users eventually try to find their downloaded music on their device, only to discover it's saved as "cached files" — playable only through the Spotify app and invisible to anything else. That's DRM at work. It protects the service, but it can be frustrating for users who just want a little more control over their music.
It becomes an even bigger problem if the service shuts down, licensing changes, or your subscription ends. When that happens, you lose access to what you thought was your own music collection. And this, in part, explains why frustrations — and sometimes piracy — still exist.
Part 2: Why Would You Remove DRM from Spotify Music?
Depending on how you use Spotify, DRM can cause a lot of unexpected limits. These include:
Tying downloads to specific devices, making it hard to move your music between gadgets
Encrypting songs so they can only be played inside the Spotify app
Making offline downloads only available if you keep your Premium subscription active
Sometimes needing an internet connection to check offline licenses
Restricting access to certain songs based on where you are
Locking playlists inside the Spotify app with no easy way to share or export them
Causing playback issues in some web browsers because of DRM requirements
I'm all for supporting artists and streaming services, but the way these rules are set up often ends up making things harder for people who just want to keep the music they've paid for.
Digital access is marketed like a purchase, but it's more like renting — your access can be taken away at any time because of DRM.
That's why many Spotify users end up needing a DRM-removal tool like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter.
I'll be honest — I'm one of those people who likes to keep a personal archive of all the music I've loved over the years. Not to share it or upload it anywhere — just to keep it for myself like forever.
After trying different ways to do this, using a DRM removal tool like ViWizard has been the safest and most reliable way to make sure that the music I enjoy today doesn't just disappear tomorrow because of changes in licensing or account problems. Let's get to know more about how it works to remove DRM from Spotify.
Part 3: How to Remove DRM from Spotify Music
If you want to keep your Spotify music for good, ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is an easy solution—no Premium subscription needed. It lets you remove DRM from music, podcasts, and audiobooks (with an eligible subscription) by recording at up to 15x speed.
Here's how it works: Open ViWizard, log in with your account, pick your music, and select the DRM-free format you want. ViWizard does the rest, making it seem like you're just streaming music, like in the Web Player. The conversion process works for all your selected tracks, but keep in mind, this method isn't an "all-at-once" solution. It's still a proceed-with-your-own-risk method, so we recommend converting your music library slowly to avoid any issues.
ViWizard offers various DRM-free formats like MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, FLAC, or AIFF. It also removes ads for free users, giving you a Premium-like experience. You can create a personal offline music library with essential ID3 tags, download as much as you want, and keep your music free from restrictions.
ViWizard works on both Windows and Mac. Try it now to remove DRM and keep your music forever!
A brilliant Spotify music downloader designed to download and convert Spotify songs, playlists, albums, artists, podcasts, and audiobooks to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly. The sound stays as clear as the original, and all track details are preserved, offering a seamless experience to enjoy your Spotify music offline on any player or device.
Step 1Download and Install a DRM Removal Tool
Begin by downloading a reputable DRM removal tool that is compatible with your operating system (Windows or Mac). Choose a tool designed to convert Spotify music into non-DRM audio formats. After the download completes, follow the installation prompts to set up the software. Once installation is finished, open the application to start the process of converting your Spotify music into DRM-free files.
Step 2Log in to Your Spotify Account and Select Music
Launch the DRM removal tool and log in using your Spotify account credentials. This will grant access to your full library, including all saved playlists, albums, and tracks. You can either search for specific songs or browse through your playlists. Select the music you want to convert by adding them to the conversion queue. You can add multiple songs, albums, or playlists at once.
Step 3Choose Output Format and Customize Settings
Access the settings menu to select the desired output format for your converted music. Common formats like MP3, AAC, or FLAC work well for most devices and media players. To maintain high-quality audio, choose the maximum bitrate (320kbps). You can also adjust other settings, such as sample rate and audio channels, based on your preferences. Once you've customized the settings, confirm by applying them.
Step 4Start the Conversion Process
Once your settings are configured, click the "Convert" button to begin the DRM removal process. The software will quickly process the selected Spotify tracks, removing DRM protection and converting them into your chosen audio format. After the process is complete, navigate to the designated output folder to access the converted tracks. These files are now DRM-free and can be played on any compatible device without the need for a Spotify account.
Step 5Transfer DRM-Free Files
Now that you've successfully used ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to liberate your Spotify music from DRM, the next exciting step is transferring these DRM-free tracks to your mobile device - whether you're an iPhone or Android user, we've got you covered.
For iPhone Users:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Click on the device icon in iTunes.
- Navigate to the "Music" tab.
- Check the "Sync Music" option.
- Select the converted Spotify tracks in your local library.
- Click "Apply" to start the sync process.
For Android Users:
- Connect your Android device to your computer via USB.
- Access your Android device's file system on your computer.
- Locate the "Music" or "Media" folder on your Android device.
- Copy and paste the ViWizard-converted Spotify music files into the designated folder.
Part 4. Best DRM-Removal Tools for Spotify
If you've ever wished to liberate your Spotify music from the constraints of Digital Rights Management (DRM) and wondered if it's possible, the answer is yes. While Spotify applies DRM to protect the rights of content creators, there are legitimate tools available that can help you remove DRM, allowing you to enjoy your music more freely:
Best overall for most users
ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is one of the most popular tools for downloading and converting Spotify tracks, albums, and playlists. It's known for its high-speed conversion—up to 5x faster—and supports common formats like MP3, M4A, WAV, and FLAC. It also preserves ID3 tags such as artist, album, and genre. If you want a reliable, easy-to-use program that works on both Windows and Mac, ViWizard is a top choice—especially for users who want their entire library available offline without relying on Spotify's app.
Trusted and stable option
NoteBurner is another highly rated tool that lets you convert Spotify music into DRM-free formats for offline listening. It offers excellent output quality, retains metadata, and supports MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF. Compatible with both free and Premium Spotify accounts, it's often praised for its stable performance and frequent updates. While you'll need to pay for the full version after the free trial, its reliability and solid support make it a go-to for many long-term users.
Best balance of price and features
TuneFab strikes a great balance between ease of use and functionality. It supports batch downloading, offers up to 320kbps audio quality, and handles popular formats like MP3 and FLAC. Available on both Windows and macOS, it also lets you customize bitrate and sample rate settings. Though it's a paid product, it's more affordable than some alternatives—making it a smart choice for users who want flexibility without overspending.
Great for DRM removal and customization
UkeySoft specializes in DRM removal, and its Spotify Converter delivers with solid performance. It supports a wide range of audio formats and lets you set output quality up to 320kbps. A useful bonus is the ability to adjust conversion speed, which helps balance speed and quality. While the interface feels a bit dated, it's functional and easy to learn. This is a strong pick if you want more control over the conversion process and don't mind some manual setup.
Advanced features, less beginner-friendly
Leawo Prof. DRM isn't limited to Spotify—it also supports iTunes videos, audiobooks, and eBooks, making it an all-in-one DRM removal suite. For Spotify, it captures and converts songs while preserving original audio quality and metadata. However, its interface is cluttered and less intuitive for beginners. If you're tech-savvy and looking for a tool that handles multiple types of media, Leawo is worth exploring.
Solid performance, aging design
Ondesoft offers a dependable Spotify downloader that supports MP3, WAV, M4A, and FLAC formats. It works with both free and Premium Spotify accounts and retains most metadata. Performance-wise, it's fast and accurate, but the user interface feels outdated and hasn't seen much improvement in recent years. Still, if you care more about results than looks, Ondesoft remains a practical option.
Best for recording any audio source
ViWizard Audio Capture is different from traditional converters—it records audio in real time from any app. That means you can capture not only Spotify but also YouTube, podcasts, and internet radio. It supports formats like MP3, M4A, FLAC, and more, and allows multi-track recording. While it doesn't remove DRM directly, it's a flexible tool for capturing music from platforms that don't offer downloads.
Free and powerful, but technical
Audacity is a well-known open-source audio recorder and editor used by musicians, podcasters, and hobbyists. You can use it to record Spotify in real time, but it's not designed for that specifically. Setup requires configuring your audio input manually, and there's no built-in metadata tagging. Still, for users comfortable with audio editing or looking for a free, flexible option, Audacity is a powerful tool—you'll just need to invest some time.
Free Spotify recorder for real-time recording
Spytify is a lightweight, Windows-only tool that automatically records Spotify songs as they play. It splits and names tracks automatically, and it's completely free—no subscriptions or watermarks. However, since it records in real time, you'll need to let playlists play all the way through. It also doesn't remove DRM. Still, if you're patient and want a zero-cost backup solution, Spytify is a solid choice.
Outdated and unreliable
Deezify started as a Chrome extension for downloading from Spotify and Deezer, but it hasn't received meaningful updates in years. Most users now report that it doesn't work, crashes often, or can't connect to Spotify at all. With so many better-maintained tools available, Deezify is best avoided unless you're just curious—just don't expect much from it.
Part 5. How to Remove DRM from Spotify Music/Podcasts/Audiobooks [PC/Mac]
Can You Convert Spotify Downloads Directly to MP3?
No. Spotify downloads are locked and only work within the app. Tools like ViWizard can't convert them directly. You'll need to stream the music through Spotify and then record it as MP3 or other formats.
Is It Legal to Remove DRM from Spotify Music?
It depends on where you live. In some places, removing DRM for personal use is okay, but in others, it's not. Make sure to check the laws in your country before using DRM removal tools.
Can You Move Spotify Music to an SD Card or USB Drive?
No, not directly. Spotify downloads can only be used within the app. But after converting songs to MP3, you can move them to any storage device for offline listening.
Are There Free Tools to Remove DRM?
Yes, tools like Audacity can record Spotify music for free. They work, but they take longer and may not give the best sound quality compared to paid options.
Will Using DRM Tools Get Your Spotify Account Banned?
It's possible. Using these tools goes against Spotify's rules. Some people have had their accounts banned, especially if they download too much music too fast. To be safe, use the tools carefully and don't download too much at once.
Conclusion
The process of removing DRM from Spotify is pretty simple with the help of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. If you are looking for a feasible way to help you remove Spotify DRM, just try it, and you'll find it out. Furthermore, you can download Spotify songs without Premium and listen to them anywhere and anytime.
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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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