I struggle with Spotify's anti-album stance as well. I assume it makes them more money because it's easier for them to "guide" you to the songs they make more money on?

Playlists allow spotify to create a moat. It encourages you to listen to (and build) playlists, that wouldn't then be easily available if you try to switch platforms

For those unaware, there are services like TuneMyMusic [1] and Soundiiz [2] that allow you to transfer playlists between platforms for a fee.

Spotify did shut down certain API endpoints last month [3] though, so there's no guarantee these services may continue working for Spotify. Worst case scenario you'd have to download your data [4] and then figure out a way to create playlists on the other platform.

[1] https://www.tunemymusic.com/

[2] https://soundiiz.com/

[3] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42260481

[4] https://www.spotify.com/us/account/privacy/

> …i found that it’s impossible to navigate apple music or spotify if you like listening to albums

I can't speak to Spotify, but listening to albums in Apple Music couldn't be more straightforward — (1) choose album, (2) play.

Roon's apps give "generic music player". What about it specifically allows you to play albums successfully, where Spotify and Apple Music trip you up?

On Spotify it's also (1) choose album, (2) play. I'm failing to see how it's any different. There's library sidebar with an albums only filter with a variety of view options, list with covers, compact list, grid of various sizes - if you want to have a hundred of albums on your screen, you got it. There are play buttons on the little album cover thumbnails in that sidebar, or they can be just double clicked to start playing them, there are green play buttons on album cards on artist pages and in search, and on album pages. Am I missing something?