Apple raised subscription prices across most of its Music lineup, with one exception standing out for budget-conscious listeners.
The tech giant increased prices on its standard individual plan, family plan, and student subscription tier. The one plan that escaped the hike: Apple Music Voice Plan, which remains at $4.99 per month. This stripped-down tier lets you request songs using Siri voice commands, though it lacks features like spatial audio and lossless audio quality.
For those willing to pay more, Apple's standard individual plan now costs $11.99 monthly, up from the previous rate. The family plan, which covers up to six people, climbs to $19.99 per month. Students still get a discount but pay more than before.
The Voice Plan's stable pricing matters for renters, commuters, and casual listeners who don't demand premium sound quality. At $4.99, it undercuts Spotify's $11.99 standard tier and matches some competitors on bare-bones offerings. However, the plan's limitations include no offline downloads and restrictions on song selection without Siri.
For families, the $19.99 rate now aligns more closely with Spotify's family plan, which costs the same. Apple Music's student plan also faces stiffer competition from Spotify's student offering and YouTube Music's student tier, both priced lower in some markets.
The pricing shift reflects Apple's strategy to push subscribers toward higher-margin services while maintaining an entry point for price-sensitive users. The Voice Plan targets iPhone owners who use Siri regularly and value simplicity over audio fidelity.
Anyone currently paying for Apple Music should expect bill changes on their next renewal date. Those satisfied with voice-only control now have the clearest budget option in Apple's streaming arsenal. For everyone else, the cost increase mirrors broader subscription inflation across the entertainment industry.