Spotify Just Got More Expensive Again, In Case You Didn’t Dislike Them Already

Spotify has raised prices across all paid subscription tiers in the United States, making it the most expensive major music streaming service on the market. The increases take effect immediately for new subscribers and will roll out to existing Premium users in the U.S., Estonia, and Latvia over the next month.

Under the new pricing structure, Spotify Premium Individual now costs $12.99 per month, up from $11.99. Duo plans have increased to $18.99 (previously $16.99), while Family plans now cost $21.99 per month, up from $19.99. Student subscriptions also rose by $1, landing at $6.99 per month.

In a statement announcing the changes, Spotify said: “Occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers, enabling us to continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists.” Which is odd, because if Spotify’s pricing reflected their value then they’d be paying me to use it. So that’s not true.

With the hike, Spotify now sits above its main competitors on price. Apple Music, TIDAL, and YouTube Music all currently charge $10.99 per month for individual plans, while also offering lower-cost options for students and families — undercutting Spotify’s new rates.

The announcement arrives amid a busy period for the streaming giant. In recent months, Spotify has partnered with ChatGPT to introduce more personalized music and podcast recommendations, and it has rolled out expanded parental controls for shared family accounts.

However, the platform has also faced mounting criticism. Spotify has drawn backlash for its handling of AI-generated music and voice clones, as well as for running advertisements connected to ICE. Additionally, several high-profile artists – such as King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard alongside post-rock icons Godspeed You! Black Emperor –have removed their catalogs from the service following reports about CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in AI-driven military defense technology.

As subscription costs rise and controversies continue to stack up, Spotify’s latest price increase may further fuel conversations among listeners and artists alike about whether the platform still offers the best value — or whether it’s time to look elsewhere.