Spotify vs Apple Music: The 2026 Price War (And How to Pay Less)
Spotify just raised prices again. Apple Music is publicly trolling them on social media. Here's what it means for your wallet — and how to stop overpaying for music.
What Just Happened
On February 13, 2026, Apple Music posted a not-so-subtle jab at Spotify on social media after Spotify's third price increase in two years started hitting subscribers' billing cycles.
Spotify Individual plans went from $11.99 → $12.99/month. Duo jumped from $16.99 to $18.99. Family plans rose from $19.99 to $21.99. That's $12 more per year for individual subscribers — and $24 more per year for families.
Meanwhile, Apple Music's individual plan sits at $10.99/month — $2 cheaper than Spotify's new price. Apple couldn't resist pointing that out.
2026 Price Comparison
- Individual: Spotify $12.99/mo vs Apple Music $10.99/mo — Apple saves you $24/year
- Family (up to 6): Spotify $21.99/mo vs Apple Music $16.99/mo — Apple saves you $60/year
- Student: Spotify $5.99/mo vs Apple Music $5.99/mo — Tied
- Duo: Spotify $18.99/mo vs Apple Music N/A — Apple doesn't offer Duo
For a family of 4-6, switching from Spotify to Apple Music saves $60 per year. That's real money.
Spotify's Price History (It's Getting Worse)
- 2023: $9.99 → $10.99 (first increase in platform history)
- 2024: $10.99 → $11.99 (+$1)
- 2026: $11.99 → $12.99 (+$1)
In three years, Spotify's individual plan has gone up 30%. If you've been a subscriber since 2022, you're paying $36/year more than you used to.
Should You Switch?
Keep Spotify if:
- You rely on Spotify's algorithm (Discover Weekly, Release Radar)
- You use Spotify Connect across devices
- You have collaborative playlists with friends
- You're on the Duo plan (Apple doesn't have one)
Switch to Apple Music if:
- You're in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, HomePod, Apple Watch)
- You want lossless audio included (Spotify charges extra for HiFi)
- You're on a family plan (saves $60/year)
- You're tired of price increases
Consider neither:
- YouTube Music — $13.99/mo (or free with YouTube Premium at $13.99)
- Amazon Music — free with Prime, Unlimited at $10.99/mo
- Free tier — Spotify Free still exists (with ads)
The Bigger Picture: Subscription Creep
Music streaming is just one subscription. The average American has 12+ active subscriptions totaling over $200/month. A $1 increase here, a $2 increase there — it adds up fast.
The real question isn't "Spotify or Apple Music?" — it's "what am I paying for subscriptions I forgot about?"
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How to Cancel Spotify or Apple Music
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