Apple Music hikes subscription prices amid licensing costs
Apple Music hikes subscription prices for the first time since fall 2022, citing rising music licensing costs. In the U.S., the Individual plan rises to $11.99, Family to $19.99, and Student to $6.99 a month, with new rates effective now across many markets worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Music raised U.S. plan prices for the first time since fall 2022.
- Individual is now $11.99, Family $19.99, and Student $6.99 per month.
- Apple cited rising music licensing costs as the reason for the hike.
- Even after the increase, Apple Music remains cheaper than Spotify on key U.S. tiers.
The move marks a rare price change for the streaming service and lands in markets around the world, including the United States. Fans tracking Streaming & TV Alerts will want the new numbers before their next billing cycle.
How much is Apple Music charging now?
Under the new U.S. pricing, the Individual plan climbs from $10.99 to $11.99 per month. The Family plan, which covers up to six accounts, jumps from $16.99 to $19.99 monthly.
The Student plan rises from $5.99 to $6.99 per month for verified students enrolled in a degree-granting university. Apple Music first launched in 2015 and offers more than 100 million songs without ads, plus offline downloads, exclusive artist content, and curated playlists.
Why did Apple Music raise prices now?
Apple pointed directly to higher rights costs. In a statement reported by Variety, the company said rising licensing costs led it to increase subscription prices beginning today.
It is the service’s first rate increase since the fall of 2022. The new pricing applies in many markets worldwide where Apple Music is available.
How does Apple Music compare with Spotify?
Even after the hike, Apple Music is still less expensive than Spotify on primary U.S. tiers. Spotify earlier raised its Individual Premium plan to $12.99 a month from $11.99, and its Family plan to $21.99 from $19.99.
That leaves Apple Music a dollar cheaper on Individual and two dollars cheaper on Family at current U.S. list prices, according to the same reporting.
What else does Apple Music offer subscribers?
Beyond the catalog, Apple Music makes songs available in Spatial Audio and lossless audio quality. In 2025, Apple said the service reached all-time highs in both listenership and new subscribers, though it does not disclose actual figures.
Newer features introduced on the service included Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation, AutoMix, Library Pins, and in-app Replay stats. Apple Music Sing also expanded, allowing users to turn their iPhone into a microphone that amplifies their voice through a connected TV.