Spotify has finally caved and served up ad-supported iOS and Android apps for its baying customers.

The apps have limited functionality compared to the service on offer for premium subscribers, with users only able to ‘shuffle’ through playlists and other music rather than picking what tracks they hear. Users are also unable to listen offline. Spotify will now be able to offer a new range of smartphone-sized visual ads, as well as the usual audio spots.

But tipping its hat to the importance of tablet, two new Android tablet and iPad Spotify apps will give users a service in line with the full, ad-supported desktop version.

Despite being slightly limited and facing stiff competition from the likes of Deezer, Apples iRadio and Pandora, Spotify CEO and founder Daniel Ek called this the best free music experience in the history of the smartphone and the tablet. Spotifys announcement adds did we mention it’s free?

The service has also launched in an extra 20 markets today, bringing its total reach to 55, where it will be hoping to add to its 6m subscribers and 20m active users. Subscribers pay $10 per month – or more in the UK at £9.99 – for unlimited music and functionality.