Is it legal to transfer playlists with a third-party tool?

Quick answer

Yes, for normal personal use. Transfer tools copy your playlist's song list, not the music itself, and they connect through the services' official sign-in and developer access. This isn't legal advice, but it's a routine thing the streaming services support.

No audio changes hands. A tool reads titles, artists and albums from your old service, then searches the new service's catalog and adds the matches. You still need a subscription on the new service to play anything, so nothing is being pirated.

The services allow it in writing. Spotify's developer policy bans apps that move data to other services, but makes an exception for letting users transfer their personal data and playlist metadata to another service. Spotify's own import is powered by Tune My Music, and Apple says its built-in transfer is provided by a third party.

The rule that matters more is each service's terms. Stick to well-known tools that sign you in through each service's own login page, and only move your own account's playlists. Tools that rip audio, download tracks as MP3s or strip copy protection are a different thing entirely, and those do break the services' terms.

If you're worried about a tool, check its access list in your account settings and remove it when you're done. Our tool reviews cover how each one connects.