Spotify to Cost More in the US Soon – Check These 4 Cheaper Alternatives

Key Takeaways

• Spotify’s individual Premium plan now costs $11.99.
• For better value, consider YouTube Music or Amazon Music.
• Apple Music stands out for its seamless on-device integration and lossless audio.

Spotify Prices to Increase Again

Spotify has adjusted its pricing structure in the US market once again. Starting next month, subscribers to Spotify’s Premium, Duo, and Family tiers will see price increases.

Here’s are the changes:

• Premium plan: $10.99 per month to $11.99 per month.
• Duo plan: $14.99 per month to $16.99 per month.
• Family plan: $16.99 per month to $19.99 per month.

Spotify has stated that it will email US users about these adjustments over the coming month. If you’re unhappy with these changes and considering other options, we’ve compiled a list of four Spotify alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages.

Cheaper Spotify Alternatives

1. Apple Music: Lossless Audio Quality With the Best Ecosystem Integration

Apple Music is cheaper than Spotify and offers two major advantages. Firstly, it offers lossless audio streaming for both Apple devices and Android, allowing users to stream in the best possible quality. This feature alone makes Apple Music a better alternative for audiophiles.

While Spotify plans to introduce its own Hi-Fi streaming soon, Apple Music already offers this feature at a lower price, providing a clear win for consumers.

The second major advantage is its native integration with Apple devices. Apple Music comes pre-installed on Apple devices, offering seamless integration and superior support.

That said, I believe Spotify still has a better user interface and playlists. However, is that enough to justify paying more for Spotify without the lossless feature?

Price: $10.99/month (individual subscription), $16.99/month (family).

Also Read: How to buy and listen to audiobooks on Spotify

2. YouTube Music: Beautiful UI That Makes Song Discovery Easier

YouTube Music offers a fluid, modern UI that I personally prefer over Spotify. It is easy to navigate and has some of the best playlists on any streaming platform, making it excellent for music discovery.

Another major advantage of YouTube Music is that you get it for free with YouTube Premium, which adds a lot of value. Ad-free YouTube videos, combined with high-quality music and personalized mixes, create a win for consumers.

However, one significant advantage Spotify has over YouTube Music is its dedicated desktop app. YouTube Music is limited to use in a web browser.

Price: $10.99/month (standalone), $13.99/month (bundled with YouTube Premium).

3. Amazon Music: Great Value, but Not the Best App Experience

Before I describe its features, remember that, like Spotify, Amazon Music also has a free version that lets you play music but with ads. It is a fair bargain for those who don’t want to pay money.

Right off the bat, based on my personal experience, Amazon Music has much better audio quality compared to Spotify. When I streamed Amazon Music for the first time in my car, it sounded much fuller compared to Spotify Premium.

Another big reason to choose Amazon Music is its stellar integration with Alexa devices. It just works.

However, the Amazon Music app’s UI isn’t the best and takes some time to get used to. Additionally, features like Lyrics aren’t as robust as Spotify’s.

Price: $10.99/month (standalone), $19.99/month (with Amazon Prime)

Also Read: How to enable song lyrics on YouTube Music on mobile and desktop

4. Tidal: The Ideal Platform for Audiophiles

Tidal has built a name for itself with its lossless, High Res FLAC, and Dolby Atmos streaming options, making it an ideal platform for audiophiles seeking the best audio quality.

However, Tidal focuses more on music and less on other content like podcasts and channels, unlike Spotify, which promotes a wide range of content. This focus can be both a disadvantage and an advantage. Someone whose primary focus is listening to music will appreciate Tidal’s emphasis, while a casual user may prefer Spotify’s diverse offerings.

Tidal also lacks the social features that Spotify offers, making sharing songs a tad difficult. However, if high-quality streaming is your priority and the absence of social features isn’t a problem, Tidal is a great & cheaper alternative to Spotify.

Price: $10.99/month (individual), $16.99/month (family)