What Spotify costs depends on which plan you choose

Spotify offers four subscription tiers in the United States: Free, Premium, Premium Duo, and Premium Family. The Free plan costs nothing but includes ads and limits how you can listen. Premium costs $11.99 per month for one person with no ads. Premium Duo costs $16.99 per month for two people in the same household. Premium Family costs $19.99 per month and covers up to six people in one household, each with their own account and library.

Prices change periodically and vary by country. Spotify also offers discounted rates for students and people under 30 in some regions, though availability depends on where you live. Some wireless carriers and other services bundle Spotify Premium at a lower rate as part of a larger package.

You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty. If you cancel, you lose access to the paid features when ready, though your playlists and saved songs remain in your account if you return later.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify Free is ad-supported and has no monthly cost, but Premium removes ads and costs $11.99 per month in the United States.
  • Premium Duo covers two people for $16.99 per month, and Premium Family covers up to six people for $19.99 per month.
  • Student and under-30 discounts exist in some countries but not all, so check whether you meet the requirements in your region.
  • Bundled Spotify subscriptions through wireless carriers or other services sometimes cost less than paying Spotify directly.

What you get with each plan

The Free plan lets you stream any song, album, or playlist, but Spotify plays ads between tracks and before some songs. You cannot skip more than six songs per hour, and you cannot choose exactly which song plays next on mobile devices — you can only shuffle or play in order. On desktop and web, you have more control. The Free plan works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart speakers.

Premium removes all ads, lets you skip unlimited songs, and lets you choose exactly which song to play on any device. You can read songs to listen offline on your phone or tablet. Premium also gives you higher audio quality if your device and internet connection support it. Premium works on the same devices as Free.

Premium Duo and Premium Family include everything in Premium. The difference is the number of accounts and how the cost splits. Duo is for two people; Family is for up to six. Each person gets their own account, playlists, and recommendations. Family accounts can set a "Family Mix" playlist that blends music from all six accounts. Family accounts also include a parental control feature that lets you restrict explicit content on child accounts.

How billing works

Spotify charges your payment method once per month on the same date you signed up. If you sign up on the 15th, you are charged on the 15th of each month. You can change your payment method, billing address, or plan type anytime through your account settings.

If a charge fails, Spotify usually tries again a few days later. If it fails multiple times, your account is suspended until you update your payment method. You do not lose your playlists or account history during a suspension — you just cannot stream music until the payment goes through.

If you cancel your subscription, you keep access to Premium features until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account reverts to Free. You can resubscribe at any time and your account history returns when ready.

Student and age-based discounts

Spotify offers a Student plan in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several other countries. The Student plan costs $5.99 per month and includes all Premium features. To use it, you must be enrolled at an accredited college or university and verify your status through Spotify's partner verification service, SheerID. The verification process takes a few minutes and happens once per year.

Some countries also offer a plan for people under 30. In the United States, this plan does not currently exist, but in countries where it does, it typically costs less than the standard Premium price. Check your country's Spotify pricing page to see what discounts are available where you live.

Student and age-based plans include the same features as Premium but are only for individual use — you cannot share them with others.

Bundled subscriptions and carrier deals

Several wireless carriers and other services bundle Spotify Premium at a discount. In the United States, some plans from T-Mobile, Verizon, and other carriers include Spotify Premium at no extra cost or at a reduced price. Hulu and Disney+ sometimes bundle Spotify into their packages as well. The exact offer depends on which carrier or service you use and which plan tier you choose.

If you already pay for Spotify separately, bundling it through a carrier or service can lower your total monthly cost. However, you cannot combine a bundled subscription with a separate Spotify account under the same email address — you have to choose one or the other.

Family plan details and household rules

Premium Family is designed for people who live in the same household. Spotify defines a household as people who share a primary residence. When you set up a Family account, you add up to five other people by their email addresses. Each person creates their own account and password.

Spotify occasionally verifies that accounts on a Family plan actually live in the same place. If someone moves out, they should be removed from the plan. If Spotify detects that accounts are being used from different locations over time, it may ask for verification or suspend the Family plan until the issue is resolved.

If someone on your Family plan wants their own individual Premium account instead, you can remove them and they can start a new subscription. There is no penalty for changing the plan or removing people.

How to change or cancel your plan

You can change your plan type, pause your subscription, or cancel entirely through your account settings on Spotify's website or app. Go to your Account menu, select "Subscription," and choose the option you want. Changes take effect when ready if you are upgrading to a more expensive plan. If you are downgrading or canceling, the change takes effect at the end of your current billing period.

If you pause your subscription, your account is frozen for up to four weeks. During that time, you are not charged, but you cannot stream music. When you resume, you pay for the month you resume in and your account picks up where it left off.

If you cancel, you lose access to Premium features at the end of your billing period. You can resubscribe anytime and your playlists and listening history remain in your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Spotify Premium on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. Premium lets you stream on multiple devices simultaneously, though some content restrictions explore depending on your device type and where you are. Family accounts can stream on different devices at the same time without restriction.

What happens if I don't pay my Spotify bill?

Spotify suspends your account and tries to charge your payment method again a few days later. Your playlists and account history stay intact. Once you update your payment method, your account reactivates when ready and you can stream again.

Is there a yearly payment option instead of monthly?

Spotify does not offer a yearly subscription option in the United States. You pay month to month. Some countries may have different billing options, so check your local Spotify pricing page.

Can I share my Premium account with someone who doesn't live with me?

Premium is for individual use only. If you want to share with someone outside your household, they need their own subscription or you can add them to a Family plan if they live with you. Spotify may suspend Family plans if it detects accounts being used from different households.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Spotify does not refund unused portions of your subscription. When you cancel, you keep access until the end of your billing period, then your account reverts to Free.