Spotify launches new live audio app to rival Clubhouse, Spotify Greenroom

Whether a passive listener or a club moderator, anyone who’s immersed themselves into the world of Clubhouse will tell you how “audio became king” during quarantine. That’s why Spotify wants a piece of the growing market for this live audio/chat app trend. Back in March, the Swedish streaming giant announced it was acquiring the company behind the sports-focused audio app, Locker Room, to help speed its entry into the live audio market.

Now Spotify is making good on that deal with the launch of Spotify Greenroom, a new mobile app that allows Spotify users worldwide to join or host live audio rooms, and even gives them the option of turning those live conversations into recorded podcasts. 

“Creators and fans have been asking for live formats on Spotify, and we’re excited that soon, we’ll make them available to hundreds of millions of listeners and millions of creators on our platform,” said Gustav Söderström, Chief Research & Development Officer at Spotify. “The world already turns to us for music, podcasts, and other unique audio experiences, and this new live audio experience is a powerful complement that will enhance and extend the on-demand experience we provide today.” 

The new Spotify-hosted audio experience will allow anyone with a smartphone unique “opportunities to host real-time discussions, debates, ask me anything (AMA) sessions, and more,” the company says. Like Clubhouse, Spotify Greenroom offers mute options, moderation controls, and the ability to bring listeners onstage during the live audio session.

In tandem with the new rollout, Spotify also announcing a Creator Fund that rewards registered content creators with payouts and, ultimately, will help fuel the new app with more content in the future.

Currently, Spotify is available in 178 different markets with its audio-chat app, Spotify Greenroom, only available in 135 countries. It’s also only offered in English. Rooms can host up to 1,000 people, and Spotify expects to scale up that number later on.

Of course, this isn’t the first digital media company to offer a Clubhouse alternative. Twitter Spaces and Facebook Live Audio Rooms have both attempted to compete with the massive popularity of Clubhouse. In the future, Spotify plans to include new features to distinguish itself from its competitors, including the live-to-podcast option, a live text chat feature, along with programmed content relating to music, culture, entertainment, and sports, which Locker Room was initially launched for. 

For more information on Spotify Greenhouse and to download the app for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, head here.