Spotify to Hike Premium Subscription Prices in Select Countries Starting September

By Ronald Kapper | NewsSutra.com

Spotify users, get ready to pay more. Starting September 2025, the music streaming giant will roll out premium price hikes across several select international markets. The company confirmed the changes this week, stating that the move is part of a broader strategy to “deliver continued value to users while investing in product innovation and content.”

Key Details: What’s Changing?

Spotify hasn’t released a full list of affected countries, but early reports suggest that markets in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia will see the new pricing rolled out gradually throughout the month of September.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Spotify Premium Individual Plan is expected to increase by $1 (approx. ₹80) in most regions.

• Duo and Family Plans may rise by $2 to $3 (₹160–₹240), depending on the market.

• The Student Plan will reportedly remain unchanged in most countries.

These new prices are expected to reflect rising licensing costs, technology upgrades, and new AI-driven personalization features that Spotify is planning to roll out later this year.

Which Countries Are Affected?

Although Spotify hasn’t formally disclosed the full list, leaks reported by sources such as Bloomberg and TechCrunch indicate that the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Japan, and India are likely among the countries where changes will be implemented.

In India, where Spotify Premium is priced lower than in the U.S. or Europe, even a small increase could significantly impact student and family plan subscribers. Spotify has not confirmed whether all plan types in India will be affected.

Why Is Spotify Raising Prices Again?

This marks the second price hike in just over a year. The last increase came in mid-2024, when the company adjusted subscription rates to align with inflation and bolster earnings.

According to Spotify CFO Paul Vogel, the company continues to face “margin pressure due to rising artist payouts and investments in AI technology and podcast infrastructure.” Spotify also recently made headlines with its investment in AI voice cloning technology for audiobooks and personalized podcast summaries.

“We believe this change will allow us to continue innovating while maintaining the high quality our users expect,” Vogel stated in the company’s Q2 earnings call.

Subscriber Reaction

Initial reaction among users has been mixed. While some understand the need for pricing adjustments, others argue that Spotify hasn’t provided enough value in return—especially given increasing competition from Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music.

Still, with over 615 million monthly active users and 239 million premium subscribers globally, Spotify remains the dominant music platform.

What Should You Do?

Spotify says it will notify users 30 days in advance via email and in-app notifications. Users will have the choice to continue at the new rate or cancel their plan before the price hike takes effect.

To check your plan details or make changes, visit Spotify’s official support page:
https://support.spotify.com/account-payment-help

For students or budget-conscious users, Spotify is expected to promote its Free and Mini plans more aggressively in price-sensitive regions like India and Southeast Asia.

Final Thoughts

Spotify’s decision to raise prices in select markets underscores a shift in the streaming industry, where profitability is finally taking center stage after years of growth-focused strategies. As competition heats up and the cost of digital content continues to rise, streaming platforms will increasingly turn to their loyal subscribers to absorb the costs.

Whether users will remain loyal—or switch to cheaper alternatives—remains to be seen this fall.