Following a pattern established in recent years, streaming leader Spotify has confirmed it is increasing the cost of its premium subscription plans by $1 to $2 across all tiers.
This adjustment, which mirrors the company’s previous price hike in 2024, is set to take effect this February.
Global Impact and Billing Updates
Subscribers located in the US, Estonia, and Latvia will soon receive email notifications detailing these updated rates.
These changes are scheduled to apply immediately to their February billing cycle.
To help users navigate the new monthly costs, the updated pricing structure is broken down as follows:
| Plan Type | New Monthly Rate | Previous Rate |
| Individual Plan | $13 | $12 |
| Student Plan | $7 | $6 |
| Duo Plan | $19 | $17 |
| Family Plan | $22 | $20 |
Consequently, any subscribers who find these rates unsustainable and wish to cancel their plans are encouraged to follow Spotify’s official cancellation guide.
Justifying the Increase: Experience vs. Royalties
In defense of the move, the streaming giant explained that periodic price adjustments are necessary to “reflect the value Spotify delivers,” ensure the “best possible experience,” and support artists.
However, despite these claims of support, the company remains embroiled in a debate over fair compensation.
While Spotify reported paying out $10 billion to music rights holders in 2024, controversy persists within the creative community.
For instance, several Grammy-nominated songwriters boycotted a Spotify-hosted awards event last year, protesting what they claim are declining royalties from streams.
Addressing Recruitment Ad Backlash
In addition to the financial updates, the company has recently faced criticism for running recruitment ads for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In response to the public outcry, Spotify clarified that these ads were part of a broader government campaign that also ran on platforms like Meta and Google.
Furthermore, the company confirmed that the campaign has ended and no ICE ads are currently active on its service.