Spotify raised prices for the second time in under two years. Your monthly bill is about to jump another dollar or two, depending on your plan.
The changes hit immediately for new subscribers. But if you’re already paying for Premium, you’ve got until February before the increase appears on your statement. That gives you a few weeks to decide whether Spotify’s still worth it.
What You’ll Actually Pay Now
Spotify bumped three major subscription tiers. Here’s the breakdown.
The Premium Individual plan climbs from $12 to $13 per month. That’s a buck more than you paid last year. Premium Duo goes from $17 to $19 monthly. And Premium Family jumps from $20 to $22.
Notice a pattern? Each tier increases by roughly $1-2 per month. Doesn’t sound like much until you multiply by 12 months. That Individual plan now costs $156 annually instead of $144. Family subscribers will pay $264 yearly versus $240.
Plus, this marks Spotify’s second US price hike since summer 2024. The company previously raised rates about 18 months ago. So if you’ve been a Premium subscriber for two years, your monthly cost increased twice in that span.
Why Spotify Keeps Raising Prices
Streaming services can’t stop hiking prices. Spotify joins Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube Premium, and nearly every other platform in charging more year after year.
The official reason? Rising costs. Content licensing, platform development, and server infrastructure all cost money. Meanwhile, Spotify added music videos to US accounts in December. New features require investment, which subscribers ultimately fund.
But here’s the real issue. Streaming economics don’t actually work at scale. Most services still struggle to turn consistent profits despite massive subscriber bases. So they raise prices, hope customers stick around, and repeat the cycle annually.
Spotify confirmed the increases affect customers in the US, Latvia, and Estonia for now. However, the company already raised rates in Europe, Latin America, and other international markets back in November 2025. US subscribers just got delayed slightly.
Your Options Besides Paying More
You’ve got a few weeks before the new pricing kicks in for existing subscribers. That’s enough time to explore alternatives or cancel.
Apple Music costs $11 monthly for individuals, undercutting Spotify’s new $13 rate. YouTube Music bundles with YouTube Premium for $14, which removes ads from videos too. Amazon Music Unlimited runs $10 monthly for Prime members or $11 without Prime.
Each service has trade-offs. Apple Music integrates seamlessly with iPhones but feels clunky on Android. YouTube Music’s recommendations aren’t as refined as Spotify’s algorithm. Amazon Music has a smaller catalog than competitors.
Still, saving $2-3 monthly adds up over time. If you’re already frustrated with Spotify’s frequent price increases, switching might make financial sense. Just remember to export your playlists first before canceling.
Streaming Price Hikes Won’t Stop
Every streaming platform keeps raising prices. Spotify’s increase is just the latest in a long trend.
The problem stems from fundamental economics. These companies spent years prioritizing growth over profitability. They offered low prices to attract subscribers, then discovered they can’t sustain those rates while paying artists, developing features, and maintaining infrastructure.
So now we’re stuck in an endless cycle. Services raise prices annually. Some subscribers cancel, but most stay because switching feels like too much hassle. Platforms bet on that inertia and keep charging more.
Eventually, enough people will hit their limit and cancel. But until then, expect another Spotify price increase in 2026 or early 2027. That’s just how streaming works now.
Comments (0)