Bad news for Spotify users in the United States. After several price increases for its plans over the past few years, the Premium subscription is expected to rise even more in 2026 due to pressure from record labels. According to reports from the FT, the new rate will be $12.99 per month, and it is expected that other platforms like Apple Music will also increase their rates for the same reason.
Despite the constant increases, experts say that Spotify remains one of the most affordable music streaming platforms. The third quarter of 2025 exceeded the company’s expectations with 713 million monthly active users, and its former CEO, Daniel Ek, stated before resigning that Spotify’s goal was to continue growing. Currently, its co-CEOs are Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström.
Spotify price increase
If you are a Spotify user and live in the United States, I’m afraid I have bad news. According to FT reports, Spotify will increase the price of its Premium subscription in the United States following pressure from several major record labels. To continue enjoying music and podcasts in any order, without ad interruptions and offline, Premium users will have to pay $12.99. According to the outlet, “major record labels have been pressuring Spotify, Apple Music, and other music streaming platforms to raise their rates.” Although experts argue that Spotify’s prices are still the most affordable, they also fear that they have fallen behind inflation. In 2024, there were several price increases for Spotify plans:
- Premium subscribers saw their monthly bill rise to $11.99 in July 2024.
- Spotify Duo jumped from $14.99 to $16.99 per month.
- The family plan went from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, being the most significant increase and the highest price.
Prior to the 2024 increase, users had already experienced a monthly fee hike in July 2023, paying $10.99 per month.
Spotify Continues growing
While other companies and sectors of the industry are affected by the current economy, Spotify continues to experience exponential growth. The data obtained during the third quarter of 2025 has exceeded the brand’s expectations, reaching 713 million monthly active users. Last September, founder and former CEO Daniel Ek stepped down from his position, but before leaving he stated, “Spotify’s main priority was top-line growth and expansion to include more podcasts, videos, and audiobooks. We believe there is still plenty of room for growth in our core business.” Currently, the co-CEOs, who previously served as president and chief product and technology officer, are Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström.
Spotify in numbers
The US Sun has shared the most significant data about Spotify since its inception, and certainly, it leaves no one indifferent:
- Spotify founded – April 23, 2006.
- Launch date – October 7, 2008.
- Offices – 15 globally.
- Yearly revenue – €13.25 billion in 2023 (£11.3 billion / $14.4 billion).
- Employees – 9,248.
- Free users – 379 million.
- Paying users – 236 million.
- Languages – 74 available.
- Songs – Over 100 million.
- Podcasts – Over 5 million.
- Audiobooks – Over 350,000.