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Re:

Is Spotify More Expensive Than Apple Music? US Prices Compared in 2026

Spotify’s US Individual plan is listed at $12.99 a month, compared with $11.99 for Apple Music. The familiar “second time in 12 months” wording describes a 2024 story, not Spotify’s latest price update.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
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Yes. In the US, Spotify Premium Individual is listed at $12.99 per month and Apple Music Individual at $11.99 per month as of October 8, 2026—a $1 monthly difference, or $12 over a year if both standard rates remain unchanged. The headline’s “second time in 12 months” refers to Spotify’s 2023–2024 price increases, not its latest change.

How much more does Spotify cost than Apple Music?

At the standard US monthly Individual rates listed on Spotify’s Premium page and Apple’s Apple Music page, Spotify costs $1 more per month. Multiplying that difference by 12 gives $12 over a year; that is an arithmetic comparison, not a separately reported annual price. Taxes, promotional offers, billing arrangements, and changes to either service’s prices can affect what a subscriber actually pays.

US Individual plan Listed monthly price Source
Spotify Premium $12.99 Spotify US Premium page, checked October 8, 2026
Apple Music $11.99 Apple Music page, checked October 8, 2026

This is a US comparison of standard Individual plans, not a claim that every Spotify subscriber pays more than every Apple Music subscriber. Prices and available plans vary by country, and a person’s eligible offer or billing channel may change the amount charged.

Why the “second time in 12 months” headline is historical

The phrase comes from a June 3, 2024 report about Spotify’s US pricing sequence. Spotify had raised its US monthly prices in July 2023; the next increase prompted the “second time in 12 months” description. It should not be read as a description of Spotify’s latest price update.

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On January 15, 2026, Spotify announced another Premium price update affecting subscribers in the US, Estonia, and Latvia. The company said the changes would allow it to continue offering its service and benefit artists. The current US price is listed on Spotify’s plan page; the January announcement is available in Spotify’s announcement.

Compare the plan you can actually use

Individual prices are the clearest like-for-like comparison for one subscriber, but they are not the only relevant prices. Spotify’s January 2026 announcement directs subscribers to its current plan page, while Apple’s page also lists a US Student plan at $6.99 per month. Student pricing depends on eligibility; do not compare it with an unrestricted Individual plan unless you qualify and intend to use that plan.

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  • Check your country: the figures above are US prices. Spotify’s January 2026 update named the US, Estonia, and Latvia, but that does not make US prices applicable elsewhere.
  • Check plan type and household needs: Individual, Student, Duo, and Family plans are not interchangeable. Compare the plan’s eligibility and who can use it, rather than dividing a household plan’s price without confirming its terms.
  • Check how you are billed: a promotion or billing channel can make your actual charge differ from the standard price shown on a service’s page.
  • Compare the service itself: price alone does not establish which subscription is better for you. Choose based on the features and listening experience you personally value; the listed prices do not settle that question.
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What to do if Spotify notifies you of a price change

Spotify says notified subscribers receive a one-month grace period to cancel before a new price takes effect. The timing of an individual change depends on the subscriber’s notice and billing date, so check the email Spotify sent and the account’s billing details. Spotify’s price updates support page explains the policy.

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  1. Find Spotify’s price-change email and note the stated effective date.
  2. Check your account or billing details to confirm your plan and next billing date.
  3. Decide whether to keep the plan, switch to another eligible plan, or cancel before the new price applies. Follow the cancellation instructions for your billing arrangement.

Spotify’s US price history

Date Spotify US Individual monthly price What happened
July 24, 2023 $10.99 Spotify announced US price adjustments, including Individual at $10.99, Duo at $14.99, Family at $16.99, and Student at $5.99. Spotify’s announcement.
June 3, 2024 Not stated in the historical headline source MacRumors described the increase as Spotify’s second in roughly a year. MacRumors’ report.
January 15, 2026 Current page lists $12.99 Spotify announced a further update affecting the US, Estonia, and Latvia. See Spotify’s announcement and its current US plan page.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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