If you’re a US Spotify subscriber, brace yourself another price bump is likely on the way. According to new reports, Spotify is gearing up to raise its subscription fees in the first quarter of 2026, as the company continues its push toward long-term profitability.
Spotify price hike in the US likely to mirror global increases
The Financial Times reports that Spotify is “preparing to raise” prices in the US early next year. While no exact figure has been confirmed, recent history suggests a moderate increase most likely $1 for individual plans. That would continue Spotify’s slow but steady pricing trend, which has added just $2 over the last 14 years in the US.
As of now, current US plan prices are:
- Individual: $11.99/month
- Duo: $16.99/month
- Family: $19.99/month
- Student: $5.99/month
If the pattern holds, Individual could climb to $12.99, with Duo and Family accounts likely seeing similar bumps.
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Record labels want more from streaming
One major driver behind the upcoming hike? The music industry. Big record labels have reportedly been pressing Spotify and its rivals to raise prices. They argue that music streaming still costs far less than video platforms, despite being consumed at comparable or even greater volumes.
With Spotify already rolling out higher subscription fees in parts of Europe, South Asia, and Latin America, this move in the US feels like a natural next step.
Spotify’s more features, more justification
Spotify has recently introduced higher-tier features like lossless audio, which sweetens the value proposition but also gives the company cover for a price increase. At the same time, its growth strategy is shifting away from simply expanding its user base and toward boosting average revenue per user.
Spotify is still investing in original podcasts, AI playlists, and algorithmic discovery but without pricing power, profitability remains a moving target.
Expect changes in early 2026
If the reports prove accurate, subscribers in the US should expect new prices to take effect sometime in Q1 2026. That means anyone on monthly billing could see the first hike by March at the latest.
For now, there’s no confirmation from Spotify directly, but with label pressure mounting and losses still a concern, the writing’s on the playlist.
