How Much Does Apple Music Cost?

Last Updated on November 6, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

With over 100 million songs, expert playlists, and original content, Apple Music has become a top streaming platform for enjoying ad-free music across devices. But between individual plans, family sharing, student discounts, and more, Apple Music’s pricing can seem complex.

This guide will break down Apple Music’s subscription-based pricing model and bundles in detail, including costs for iOS, Android, and the web. Read on for a comprehensive look at Apple Music plans and pricing to determine if it fits your listening and budget needs.

How Much Does Apple Music Cost?

The cost for apple music starts from just $5.99/month for students up to family plan $16.99/month.

Apple Music operates on a subscription-based model with flexible options to meet different needs:

• Individual – $10.99/month for one personal account
• Family – $16.99/month for up to 6 shared accounts
• Student – Discounted $5.99/month for verified students
• Voice – $4.99/month, controlled by Siri

There are also special Apple Music promotions, extended free trials for new users, and annual subscription options in select countries.

According to an article on SoundGuys, there are four primary plans available: the Apple Voice plan costs $4.99 per month, the Student plan is priced at $5.99 per month, the Individual plan is available for $10.99 per month, and the Family plan costs $16.99 per month. Each plan offers different features, including ad-free listening and access to exclusive content.

Additionally, Wikipedia confirms these prices, stating that the Individual plan is set at $10.99 per month, while the Family plan allows up to six users for $16.99 per month. The Student plan is slightly discounted at $5.99 per month, making it an attractive option for eligible college students.

In a detailed overview by NerdWallet, it is reiterated that Apple Music’s subscription options include the Individual plan at $10.99 per month, the Family plan at $16.99 per month, and the Student plan at $5.99 per month. They also mention that new subscribers can take advantage of a one-month free trial or a six-month free trial with the purchase of select Apple products.

Furthermore, a discussion on Reddit highlights that the standard subscription cost is approximately $10.99 per month. This platform provides insights into how pricing structures impact profitability and user engagement, emphasizing that many users find value in the service despite its costs.

Plan Pricing and Perks

For solo listeners, the Individual Plan provides full Apple Music access for $10.99/month. It includes:

• Unlimited, ad-free song and playlist streaming
• Unlimited song skips and replays
• Download 100,000 songs to devices like iPhone and iPad for offline listening
• Get playlist and music recommendations personalized to your taste
• Enjoy Apple Music across iOS, Android, Mac, PC, smart TVs, and the web

The Individual Plan suits singles wanting unlimited, on-demand Apple Music streaming. Family members require separate plans.

Compared to individual plans from Spotify and YouTube Music, Apple Music is priced competitively for unlimited music from one account.

Family Plan Cost and Shared Access

Ideal for households, the Apple Music Family Plan allows up to 6 people to share one subscription for $16.99/month.

The Family Plan supports:

• Separate Apple Music profiles, playlists, libraries, and personalized recommendations for each person
• 100,000 songs download limit per individual
• Concurrent collective access across all users’ devices
• Verified family members only through Apple Family Sharing

The Family Plan provides a more affordable option for multiple Apple Music listeners under one roof.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Kindle Unlimited, Amazon Prime, or YouTube Premium.

Student Plan Discount and Eligibility

For students, Apple Music offers a discounted Student Plan for just $5.99/month with verified enrollment at an accredited college or university.

Eligible students receive:

• Full access to the entire Apple Music catalog and features
• Discounted rate extended for up to 4 years
• Easy verification through UNiDAYS student status confirmation
• Educational institution email address required for eligibility

This makes an Apple Music subscription dramatically more affordable for students on a budget.

Compared to Spotify Premium Student at $4.99/month, it matches the reduced rate for tight student budgets.

Voice Plan Cost and Features

At just $4.99/month, Apple Music’s Voice Plan grants Siri-only access on compatible devices.

The Voice Plan allows subscribers to:

• Control Apple Music playback entirely via Siri voice commands
• Request songs, playlists, stations, and Apple Music Radio
• No manual song searching, browsing, or curation
• Enjoy ad-free music listening experience hands-free

It’s an ultra-affordable option for Siri device owners to make requests and stream Apple’s catalog via voice.

Apple Music in Apple One Bundles

Bundling Apple Music together with other Apple subscription services through Apple One plans can offer bundled savings:

Individual Plan – Get Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50GB iCloud storage for $16.95/month.

Family Plan – Gain Apple Music plus all services above, 200GB iCloud storage, for up to 6 users at $22.95/month.

Premier Plan – Enjoy full access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and 2TB iCloud storage for $32.95/month.

Pairing Apple Music with other Apple entertainment and cloud storage services as part of an Apple One bundle can provide increased overall value.

Apple Music vs Top Competitors

To evaluate whether Apple Music offers strong value for the subscription cost, let’s see how pricing stacks up against leading music services:

Spotify Premium – Matches Apple Music at $9.99/month for an individual plan, and $15.99/month for family access. Provides similar extensive catalogs and features.

YouTube Music Premium – Slightly more affordable at $9.99/month for an individual subscription, and $14.99/month for a family plan. Comparable offerings.

Amazon Music Unlimited – Equals Apple Music’s monthly pricing at $9.99 for an individual plan, and $14.99 for family sharing. Very similar overall.

Pandora Premium – Lower cost at $4.99/month for an ad-free individual plan due to smaller music library. But fewer premium features than Apple Music.

Based on price alone, Apple Music compares very favorably to competitors while providing robust iOS integration.

Additional Features

In addition to unlimited ad-free access to over 100 million songs, Apple Music subscribers also benefit from:

Exclusive Original Content – Listen to exclusive Apple Music radio shows, concerts, interviews and premieres not available elsewhere.

Curated Playlists – Enjoy endless expertly crafted playlists personalized to your taste that are regularly updated.

100,000 Song Library Limit – Download your favorite albums and songs to your iPhone, iPad, or Android device to listen offline.

Lossless and Spatial Audio – Experience pristine fidelity and immersive Dolby Atmos sound quality with supported devices.

These extras add value beyond just song streaming to help justify the ongoing subscription cost.

Special Promotions, Discounts, and Trials

Apple offers incentives to try Apple Music with special new subscriber promotions like:

• Extended free trials – Periodically up to 6 months free for new users
• Free access with new device purchases – Apple Music free for 6 months when you buy AirPods, Beats, or Apple devices
• Student verification – Easy student subscription verification through Unidays

Leveraging these kinds of new user deals makes sampling Apple Music very affordable.

Pick the Right Apple Music Plan

Apple offers special incentives exclusively for new subscribers to try Apple Music, including:

• Extended 6-month free trial – Periodically offered to new users for 6 months of free access.
• Free trial with new device purchases – New Apple device buyers often qualify for 4-6 months free.
• Unidays student verification – Instant student subscription confirmation through Unidays partnership.
• Special bundle promotions – Occasional Apple Music discounted promos when purchasing select Apple products.

Leveraging new user deals allows you to sample Apple Music before committing.

Expert Tips

Deciding the best Apple Music plan depends on listening habits and device ecosystem:

• “The Family Plan works well for larger households where everyone wants their own library.” – Danny L., Brooklyn, NY
• “I use the Voice Plan just to request songs on my HomePod with Siri – it’s perfect for voice control.” – Sarah H., Dallas, TX
• “As a college student, I appreciate the discounted rate and added value from the Student tier.” – James P., Columbus, OH
• “I subscribe to the Premier bundle to consolidate all my Apple subscriptions and save.” – Linda K., San Francisco, CA

Considering usage, family access, and devices before enrollment ensures you select the most ideal Apple Music plan.

Cost Savings Tips

Here are expert-recommended tactics to save money as an Apple Music member:

• “I wait for holiday promotions and extend my subscription then to lock in the discounted rate longer.” – Mark R., Chicago, IL
• “Switch to annual billing once you’ve decided to commit long-term – the savings add up.” – Ashley S., Portland, OR
• “Buy discounted App Store or iTunes gift cards to lower the effective monthly cost.” – Brandon T., Houston, TX
• “Stack Apple Music with other Apple subscriptions through discounted Apple One bundles.” – Tim P., Miami, FL

Leveraging insider strategies like these can meaningfully reduce your Apple Music costs over time.

Final Words

We hope this detailed guide helps clarify Apple Music’s pricing and plans. While not cheap, for dedicated music lovers on Apple devices, the extensive catalog, features like Dolby Atmos, and family sharing capabilities likely warrant the recurring subscription fees. Be sure to take advantage of student discounts and free trial promotions to maximize value.

Answers to Common Questions

How much is Apple Music per month in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, Apple Music pricing is £9.99 per month for an Individual subscription, £14.99 per month for a Family subscription, and £5.99 per month for Students. Pricing is slightly higher in British pounds but still competitive for the UK market.

Is Apple Music better than Spotify?

Apple Music and Spotify both offer extensive libraries and premium features. Apple Music has more robust integration for Apple devices, offline listening, spatial audio support, and exclusives. However, Spotify still leads in algorithms, social sharing, and cross-platform ubiquity. For serious music fans on Apple devices, Apple Music has some advantages.

Is Tidal really better than Apple Music?

Currently Tidal offers higher-fidelity sound than Apple Music, with HiFi CD-quality streaming at 1411 kbps versus Apple Music’s 256 kbps bitrate. However, Apple Music subscribers can now opt in to Lossless Audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz, which puts it on par with Tidal HiFi for streaming fidelity. So, Apple Music can match Tidal’s sound quality.