Apple Music announces price increase

Apple has announced that it will raise its U.S. pricing, effective July 17, across all three Apple Music subscription tiers. This announcement marks Apple Music’s first price change since October 2022, when the Individual plan increased to $10.99 from $9.99

The Individual plan moved from $10.99 to $11.99 per month, an increase of roughly 9 percent. The Family plan, which supports up to six accounts, saw the largest jump, rising nearly 18 percent from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. The Student plan, available to verified university students, increased by $1, from $5.99 to $6.99 per month.

Similar increases have rolled out in other markets, including the United Kingdom, where the Individual and Family plans rose to £11.99 and £19.99, respectively.

In a statement provided to Music Business Worldwide, Apple said the increase was tied directly to licensing costs, citing rising costs as the reason for the change. The company has used similar language in past price increases, including its 2022 adjustment, when it said the change would allow artists and songwriters to earn more from streaming.

The Apple Music price increase also affected select tiers of Apple One, Apple’s subscription bundle that combines Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+. The Family and Premier tiers of Apple One each increased by $2 per month, while the Individual Apple One plan held steady.

Apple’s increase follows a similar round of price hikes from Spotify earlier this year. Record labels and industry groups have pushed streaming platforms to raise subscription costs, arguing that music streaming pricing has not kept pace with inflation and remains comparatively low next to video streaming services. Even after the increase, Apple Music continues to be priced below Spotify’s comparable subscription tiers.

The 2026 Apple Music Price Hike
Category	Details
The Headline	Apple has officially increased the monthly subscription prices for Apple Music and select Apple One bundles in the U.S. and other international markets.
The Reason	In a statement provided to the press, Apple confirmed the price hikes are a direct result of "rising licensing costs" to pay artists and songwriters.
Individual & Student Plans	The standard Individual plan has gone up by $1 to $11.99 per month. The Student tier also saw a $1 increase, moving to $6.99 per month.
Family Plan	The Apple Music Family plan saw the largest jump, increasing by $3 to cost $19.99 per month.
Apple One Changes	The Apple One Family tier increased by $2 to $27.95 per month, while the Premier tier rose to $39.95 per month. The Apple One Individual plan remains unchanged at $19.95.
Broader Context	This marks the first time Apple Music has raised its rates since October 2022. It follows a recent price hike implemented by its biggest rival, Spotify, earlier this year.