It’s that time again—Spotify’s hiking prices, and savvy listeners should explore cheaper options.
Starting next month, Spotify will increase the cost of its individual Premium subscriptions in the U.S. to $12.99 per month, up from the previous rate of $11.99. The price adjustments also affect other plans: Premium Duo subscriptions for two people will rise to $18.99, up from $16.99, while Family plans will increase from $19.99 to $21.99. Even the Premium Student plan is seeing a bump, moving from $5.99 to $6.99 per month.
Current Spotify subscribers can expect to receive emails outlining these new rates, which will likely take effect after the next billing cycle. New users who want to sign up for Duo or Family plans will have to pay the updated prices immediately, whereas those opting for individual or student plans will get a month free before the increased rates kick in.
This marks Spotify’s third price hike in just over a year, with the last increase occurring in June 2024. At that time, the company raised individual rates to $11.99 and adjusted other Premium plans upward. Despite these increases, it’s important to note that music streaming prices haven’t surged as dramatically as those of video streaming services like Netflix or Disney+. For the moment, individual music streaming rates remain close to the $10 mark, a figure that’s been standard for around a decade.
For consumers looking for more affordable streaming options, alternatives like Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Tidal offer competitive pricing. Amazon, for instance, features an individual plan at $10.99 per month that grants access to over 100 million songs alongside lossless audio options. Apple Music matches that price, while also providing a unique classical music app with specialized metadata.
Tidal, renowned for its high-quality streaming, offers individual plans for $10.99, with a student plan priced at $5.49. It also features Dolby Atmos mixes and a track-mixing DJ extension available for an additional fee. Lastly, there’s a standard music-only YouTube streaming plan, although it currently lacks lossless audio capabilities.
As Spotify increases its subscription fees, listeners are encouraged to evaluate their options and consider switching to one of these competitors to maximize their music experience.