Spotify is increasing the price of many of its subscriptions this week across the UK and parts of Europe, with the US seeing a hike to Family plans. Subscribers have started to receive emails informing them of the changes, and they will affect Student, Duo, and Family plans across parts of Europe and the UK, and Family subscriptions in the US from April 30th. Single Spotify Premium subscriptions are unaffected.
Spotify family is increasing from $14.99 to $15.99 per month in the US. Fortunately, Duo, Premium, and Student pricing will remain the same for now. The bigger hits to pricing will affect users in the UK and Europe.
In the UK, Spotify Student is increasing from £4.99 to £5.99 per month, with a Duo subscription (for two people) moving from £12.99 to £13.99 a month . Family users will also be hit with price increases, with the Spotify Family plan (up to six accounts) jumping from £14.99 to £16.99 a month.
Some users on Twitter were upset at the price increase, but it should not have come as a surprise. Last month Digital Music News reported that Spotify tested the price hike waters in the UK with a survey indicating rates 15- to 33-percent higher than current subscriptions. However, many are more upset at the optics than the increase.
Whether the new rates are enough to drive subscribers to YouTube or Apple Music remains to be seen. In the UK, Apple Music will now be £1 cheaper for individuals and £2 less for the family plan. The same goes for YouTube Music. So it does seem to be a strange move for a service that is forecasting stagnant subscriber growth.
