Want to buy your Spotify songs on CD? You can't download them directly (Spotify uses DRM), but you can buy the same albums on CD for as little as $5-15 each. Use GoOffline to instantly find every album in your playlist that's available on CD, with prices and purchase links.
CDs are the unsung heroes of physical music. They're cheap, widely available, offer lossless audio quality, and once you own them, you can rip them to FLAC for permanent DRM-free digital copies. Here's how to build a CD collection from your Spotify playlists.
Why Buy CDs in 2026?
CDs might seem "old school," but they're having a serious resurgence — and for good reason:
- Incredibly affordable — Used CDs cost $3-8, new ones $8-15. Compare that to $28+ for vinyl.
- Lossless audio quality — 16-bit/44.1kHz, identical to what artists approved in the studio. Better than Spotify Premium's 320kbps.
- You own it forever — No licensing disputes, no disappearing albums, no subscription fees.
- Rip to FLAC — Legally create DRM-free digital copies for personal use. Stream from your own server forever.
- Nearly everything is available — CD availability is far higher than vinyl. If it was released commercially, chances are there's a CD.
- No special equipment — Any computer with a disc drive, car stereo, or cheap CD player works. No turntable investment needed.
Step 1: Find Which Albums to Buy
Your Spotify playlist contains individual tracks, but CDs are sold as albums. The first step is figuring out which albums your tracks belong to.
The Easy Way: Use GoOffline
- Open Spotify, go to your playlist
- Tap ••• → Share → Copy link
- Go to GoOffline
- Paste the link, click GO
- See every album with CD availability and prices
This takes about 30 seconds and covers your entire playlist at once.
The Manual Way
Go through your playlist, note the album name for each track, and search for each album on CD&LP, Amazon, or Discogs. This works but can take 30-60 minutes for larger playlists.
Step 2: Choose Where to Buy
Not all CD sellers are created equal. Here's where to find the best deals:
CD&LP (Our Top Pick)
CD&LP has over 40 million listings from sellers worldwide. Huge selection of both new and used CDs at competitive prices. GoOffline links directly to CD&LP listings for easy purchasing.
Discogs
Great for finding specific pressings and editions. Discogs has detailed version information so you can find Japanese editions with bonus tracks, deluxe editions, and rare pressings.
Amazon
Convenient for new releases with fast shipping. Good prices on popular titles, though selection of used/rare CDs is limited compared to CD&LP or Discogs.
Local Thrift Stores & Garage Sales
The cheapest option by far. CDs at thrift stores are typically $0.50-2.00 each. Selection is random, but if you're patient, you'll find gold.
Local Record Shops
Many record stores have extensive CD sections with great prices. Plus, you're supporting local business and can get recommendations from people who actually know music.
Step 3: Understand CD Pricing
CDs are one of the most affordable ways to own music. Here's what to expect:
| CD Type | Price Range | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Used CD (Good condition) | $3-8 | CD&LP, Discogs, thrift stores |
| Used CD (Like New) | $5-12 | CD&LP, Discogs |
| New CD (standard) | $10-18 | Amazon, CD&LP, record stores |
| Japanese pressing (bonus tracks) | $15-40 | CD&LP, Discogs, eBay |
| Deluxe / Box set | $20-60 | Amazon, CD&LP |
Budget tip: A 50-track playlist spanning 12 albums costs roughly $36-96 on used CDs. That's less than 8 months of Spotify Premium — and you'll own the music forever.
Step 4: Rip Your CDs for Digital Listening
This is the power move that makes CDs unbeatable. Once you own a CD, you can legally rip it to FLAC (lossless) or MP3 for personal use. This gives you:
- DRM-free files — Play on any device, forever
- Lossless quality — Identical to the original CD
- Your own streaming server — Set up Jellyfin, Navidrome, or Plex
- No subscription needed — Stream your own library, no monthly fee
Best CD Ripping Software (Free)
- Exact Audio Copy (Windows) — The gold standard. Bit-perfect rips with error correction.
- XLD (Mac) — Excellent Mac ripper with FLAC, ALAC, and MP3 output.
- fre:ac (Cross-platform) — Simple, free, supports multiple formats.
Read our complete guide: How to Rip CDs to FLAC
Step 5: Build Your Collection Over Time
You don't need to buy everything at once. Here's a smart approach:
- Start with your "Desert Island" albums — The 10 albums you'd save if everything else disappeared. Buy these first.
- Set a monthly budget — Even $20/month (the price of Spotify!) gets you 2-4 CDs. That's 24-48 albums a year.
- Check thrift stores weekly — Make it a habit. You'll be surprised what turns up for $1-2.
- Rip as you go — Every CD you buy, rip it immediately. Your digital library grows alongside your physical one.
- Expand from playlists — Run a new playlist through GoOffline whenever your taste evolves.
CD vs. Vinyl: Which Should You Buy?
If you're coming from Spotify, CDs are the best starting point. Here's why:
| Factor | CD | Vinyl |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | $8-15 | $22-35 |
| Availability | Very high | Moderate |
| Audio quality | Lossless digital | Analog (warm, rich) |
| Can rip to digital | Yes (easy) | Yes (harder) |
| Equipment needed | Any CD player | Turntable + speakers |
| Collector value | Lower | Higher |
| Space needed | Minimal | More |
Our recommendation: Start with CDs for the best value. Add vinyl later for your absolute favorite albums. Check our Vinyl vs CD comparison for a deeper dive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Spotify songs and burn them to CD?
No. Spotify's DRM prevents this. Even "offline downloads" are encrypted and can't be burned. The legal way is to buy the albums on CD from retailers.
What if a song isn't available on CD?
This is rare — CDs have much higher availability than vinyl. But for some brand-new or extremely niche releases, you might need to wait or check if a digital purchase (Bandcamp, iTunes) is available instead.
Is it worth buying CDs when I already pay for Spotify?
Absolutely. Think of it this way: you're paying $12/month for access that can be revoked anytime. A $10 CD gives you ownership that lasts forever, plus the ability to create DRM-free digital copies.
How do I play CDs if my laptop doesn't have a disc drive?
External USB CD/DVD drives cost $15-25 and work with any computer. Alternatively, rip your CDs on any computer that has a drive, then transfer the files.
Start Building Your CD Collection
Every album in your Spotify playlist could be sitting on your shelf — a physical piece of music history that's truly yours. Paste your playlist into GoOffline and discover what's available on CD right now.