Spotify is raising the cost of its Premium subscription plans starting February 2026 in the United States, Estonia, and Latvia. The monthly fee for the Individual Premium tier will go up by $1 to $12.99 a month. Other plans also rise in price. Duo and Family subscriptions jump by around $2 per month, and the Student plan increases by $1. These changes affect new subscribers immediately and existing members at their next billing cycle.
This marks another price increase in a short span of time for Spotify. The company first raised prices in 2023, and then again in 2024 and mid-2025. Over about three years, the total cost for the standard Premium plan has climbed roughly 18 percent from $10.99 to $12.99.
As subscription fees creep up, many listeners are comparing Spotify with Apple Music, which has held its prices more steadily in recent years. Apple Musicâs standard individual plan is priced at $10.99 per month, placing it at least $2 cheaper than Spotifyâs new rate in key markets like the United States.
Spotifyâs price increase comes as part of a broader strategy to balance revenue growth with rising costs for licensing, content, and new features. The company says price adjustments reflect the value it delivers to listeners and artists. Critics say repeated hikes weaken Spotifyâs competitive edge, especially when rival services offer similar features at lower or steady prices.
Compare on Price in 2026
Here is a snapshot of the latest subscription fees for both Spotify and Apple Music in key markets, based on public pricing data.
Spotify pricing (old vs new)
- Individual Premium: $11.99 ⤠$12.99 per month
- Student Premium: $5.99 ⤠$6.99 per month
- Duo Plan: $16.99 ⤠$18.99 per month
- Family Plan: $19.99 ⤠$21.99 per month
Apple Music pricing
- Individual: $10.99 per month
- Student: $5.99 per month
- Family: $16.99 per month
These figures show Apple Music undercuts Spotifyâs cost on several tiers, especially for individual and family subscriptions. Apple Music does not have a free ad supported tier, but it includes lossless audio and spatial audio at no extra cost.
Reasons Behind Spotifyâs Price Hikes
Spotify and other streaming platforms face pressure from rising licensing fees and demands from record labels. Music labels want subscription prices to keep pace with inflation and the cost of content. Spotifyâs own statements about pricing focus on continuing to offer a strong experience while investing in new tools and features for listeners.
At the same time, Apple Musicâs pricing has been more stable. The platform raised its price once in 2022 to $10.99 and has held that level through 2026. Apple also sells Apple One bundles that combine Apple Music with other services at a flat monthly fee, which many users find more cost efficient.
Each Service
Spotify Premium after the price hike
- Ad free listening
- Offline downloads
- Personalized playlists
- AI DJ and playlist suggestions
- Multiple subscription tiers including individual, duo, family, and student
Apple Music
- Ad free streaming
- Offline downloads
- Lossless and high resolution audio included
- Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
- Strong integration with Apple devices
Both services support music discovery and curated playlists. Apple Musicâs spatial and lossless formats attract listeners who care about sound quality, while Spotifyâs recommendation engine and social sharing tools remain a major draw.
Should You Switch to Apple Music
A switch makes financial sense if you want lower monthly costs for similar music access. Apple Musicâs pricing stays lower, and the standard plan undercuts Spotifyâs new Premium fee by at least $2 a month in the United States. Over a year, that difference adds up to more than $20 in savings for individual subscribers.
- Spotify Premium at $12.99 times 12 months equals about $155.88 per year
- Apple Music at $10.99 times 12 months equals about $131.88 per year
The savings come to about $24 per year with Apple Music on the individual plan.
Beyond cost, think about your device setup, playlist library, and how you find new music. If you use Apple devices, Apple Music sync and system level features add real value. The decision comes down to how much you care about features versus price.
Final Take
Spotifyâs latest price increase pushes its subscription fees higher than many competitors, including Apple Music. Spotify still offers strong discovery tools and a large user base, but the rising cost makes people look harder at alternatives. Apple Music delivers similar access at a lower price with better audio features, which makes it a strong choice for anyone who wants to cut monthly bills without losing music access.
