Spotify, the world’s most popular music streaming service, has announced that the cost of its subscription plans will increase again early in 2026. The company has confirmed that users in the United States, Estonia and Latvia will see higher monthly charges for their Spotify Premium plans from their next billing date, beginning in February 2026. The changes form part of what has become a broader trend of rising subscription prices across the company’s global markets.
Under the new pricing structure, the cost of an individual Spotify Premium subscription in the United States will rise from $11.99 to $12.99 per month. Other tiers will also increase: the Student plan will go from $5.99 to $6.99 a month, the Duo plan (for two users) will rise to $18.99 and the Family plan (for up to six users) will increase to $21.99. Existing subscribers will be notified by email with details of how the changes will affect their accounts.
This is not the first time Spotify has increased prices in recent years. Over the past two to three years, the company has raised subscription costs on several occasions in markets including Europe, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and other regions. In many European countries, for example, individual Premium plans were already adjusted upwards in 2025, often by about one euro per month. Spotify has explained that these periodic price adjustments allow it to continue investing in the service and improving the experience for listeners and artists alike.
Spotify has grown rapidly since its launch, with hundreds of millions of users worldwide and a substantial base of paying Premium subscribers. The platform’s strategy includes expanding beyond music to incorporate podcasts, videos and new features such as enhanced audio quality and personalised recommendations. The company maintains that updating subscription prices is part of supporting this ongoing development.
However, rising subscription costs have prompted discussion and some frustration among users. Some long-term subscribers have questioned the value of the service as prices increase, especially in markets where competitors offer similar features at lower costs. Analysts have described the trend in streaming services as “subscription creep,” where the steady rise in fees over time can significantly affect household budgets if not carefully monitored.
For users who prefer not to pay more, Spotify continues to offer a free, ad-supported tier, although this version has limitations compared to the ad-free Premium experience. The new price increases will apply only to paid plans; users can choose to switch to the free tier if they decide not to retain their paid subscription.
As with previous price changes, Spotify will communicate the new charges directly to affected subscribers and update pricing information on its website for anyone considering a new subscription. These changes reflect broader trends in the technology and entertainment industries, where streaming services increasingly adjust subscription prices in response to inflation, investment in new technology and competitive market pressures.
Author:Oje.Ese