Sorry, Another Streaming Price Hike Is Incoming, and This Time It's From Apple

Will McCurdy

Sat, July 18, 2026 at 2:34 PM UTC

Apple music logo - Credit: Timon Schneider/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Apple Music has hiked its subscription fee for the first time since late 2022 , while the Apple One bundle is also getting more expensive.

In the US, Apple Music's Individual plan jumped from $10.99 to $11.99 per month. The Family plan also rose from $16.99 to $19.99, while its Student price increased from $5.99 to $6.99. Apple tells Music Business Worldwide the move is due to "rising licensing costs."

An individual subscription to Apple One , meanwhile, which grants you access to Apple Music, Apple TV , Apple Arcade , and 50GB of iCloud+ storage, will remain at $19.95. But a Family plan will now cost you $27.95, up from $25.95, and a Premier plan will now cost you $39.95, up from $37.95. This is the bundle's first price hike since October 2023.

Apple also announced similar price rises in the UK and the EU, and it's expected that they will soon apply to other regions as well.

How Does This Compare to Music-Streaming Alternatives?

Apple isn't the only music streaming giant raising prices, though it still edges out its closest rival, Spotify, on price. In February, Spotify raised its Premium plan from $11.99 to $12.99 per month, and its Student plan from $5.99 to $6.99 per month. Spotify's Duo and Family plans also saw $2 price hikes. Its Duo plan now costs $18.99 per month, up from $16.99, while its Family plan now costs $21.99 per month, up from $19.99.

YouTube Music's Individual plan is now on par with Apple's offering from a cost perspective. In April, YouTube Music's individual plan increased from $10.99 to $11.99 per month. Its family plan is less expensive than Apple's, at $18.99 per month.

"Streamflation" remains a serious issue for consumers. Streaming service inflation was 20% in December 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, higher than any other category and rising more than five times faster than essentials like food and utilities. Almost every major streaming service has announced price increases over the past year, including Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Disney+.

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How Does This Compare to Music-Streaming Alternatives?

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