Spotify has announced a price hike for its subscription plans in the U.S., marking its third increase in less than three years, making Spotify Premium one of the most expensive music streaming options available. The new subscription prices are as follows:
- Spotify Premium Individual: $12.99 per month (up from $11.99)
- Spotify Premium Student: $6.99 per month (up from $5.99)
- Spotify Premium Duo: $18.99 per month (up from $16.99)
- Spotify Premium Family: $21.99 per month (up from $19.99)
These new rates take effect immediately for new subscribers, while existing customers will notice the increased charges on their next billing cycle.
This increase positions Spotify Premium above its competitors, such as Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music. Notably, the Premium Individual plan is now $2 more expensive than Apple Music, while Amazon Music Unlimited offers a lower price of $10.99 for Prime members.
In a blog post, Spotify justified the price increase by stating it reflects the value they provide and supports artists through higher payouts, despite paying rightsholders less per stream compared to rivals like Tidal and Apple Music.
The price adjustment follows Spotify�s introduction of lossless, CD-quality streaming in September 2025, a feature that had been in development since February 2021. However, competitors like Apple Music still offer lossless audio at competitive rates and higher quality.
Spotify has also broadened its offerings to include podcasts and audiobooks, yet its core users seem to prioritize features like personalized recommendations and social sharing over audio quality.
As a result of these price changes, many users are reconsidering their music streaming choices. Competitors like YouTube Music Premium, priced at $10.99 per month, do not support lossless audio. YouTube Premium, available for $13.99 monthly, includes both YouTube Music and additional content. Apple Music and Tidal offer higher-quality lossless audio at $10.99 per month.
Ultimately, the decision to stay with Spotify or switch to another service will depend on individual preferences regarding audio quality and features. As the largest music streaming service by active user count, Spotify’s latest price increase invites a critical evaluation of its overall value.