Spotify rolled out a custom transitions feature that allows Premium subscribers to create seamless transitions between tracks in their playlists, challenging Apple Music’s upcoming AutoMix tool.
The Sweden-based streaming giant’s new feature, currently in beta, allows users to automatically generate transitions or manually create them using preset options including fade, rise or blend effects.
Subscribers can access the feature by selecting “Mix” from any playlist’s toolbar, then adjusting volume levels, equalizer settings, and audio effects while viewing waveform and beat data to identify the best spot in each track for transition points.
The new feature targets Spotify’s 9 billion user-generated playlists. The timing of its launch positions Spotify ahead of Apple Music‘s AutoMix feature, currently in iOS 26 developer beta testing.
Announced in June, Apple Music’s AutoMix tool creates continuous playlists based on previously played songs. Apple explained at the time: “AutoMix uses intelligence to transition from one song to the next like a DJ, using time stretching and beat matching to seamlessly move from one song to the next.”
With Spotify’s seamless playlists, Premium subscribers can also save and share their mixed playlists and invite collaborators to contribute to tracks. Spotify recommends the feature for mixing dance genres like house and techno.
Spotify said: “Mixing is perfect for moments when you want to avoid awkward pauses. For example, upgrade your running playlist for consistent BPMs to set your pace, or curate the ideal road trip or party playlist to keep the vibe going.”
“Mixing is perfect for moments when you want to avoid awkward pauses. For example, upgrade your running playlist for consistent BPMs to set your pace, or curate the ideal road trip or party playlist to keep the vibe going.”
Spotify
Additionally, users can also create their own cover art for playlists with new stickers and labels after Spotify rolled out custom cover art in October.
Spotify has been continuously rolling out new features, justifying the recent price hikes for its Premium service. Earlier this month, the company announced price increases in several markets outside the US including South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Explaining the move, Spotify said: “To continue to innovate on our product offerings and features and bring users the best experience, we occasionally update our prices.”
In Q2, Spotify’s global Premium Subscriber base stood at 276 million paying users, up by 8 million net subs from 268 million in Q1. Spotify’s total Monthly Active Users, which combine paying users and ad-supported users, also grew by 18 million to 696 million from 678 million in the prior quarter.
Spotify generated EUR €4.193 billion (USD $4.88bn) in total quarterly revenue in Q2 (including Premium and ad-supported), up 15% YoY at constant currency.
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