Spotify is raising its U.S. Premium plan to $12.99 per month, the third increase in three years, the company confirmed in emails to subscribers.
At a Glance
- Monthly Premium rises from $11.99 to $12.99 starting next billing cycle
- Third U.S. hike since 2023; price has climbed 30% in 36 months
- Estonia and Latvia markets also affected
- Why it matters: Listeners will pay more while Spotify chases an estimated $500 million revenue boost predicted by JPMorgan analysts
The streaming giant framed the move as essential to sustaining product development and royalty payouts. “Occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers, enabling us to continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists,” the company wrote in a blog post.
Price Timeline
Spotify’s U.S. Premium trajectory shows steady climbs:
| Date | Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2023 | $9.99 | – |
| July 2023 | $10.99 | +$1 |
| June 2024 | $11.99 | +$1 |
| January 2026 | $12.99 | +$1 |
User Impact
Roughly 70 million of Spotify’s 281 million global paid subscribers are in North America, accounting for about 25% of its premium base. Every one-dollar increase across the region alone would add roughly $840 million in annualized revenue before churn.
The company did not disclose grandfathering periods or student-plan adjustments in its email, saying only that the updated rate applies “from the next monthly billing cycle.”
Market Context
The hike follows November 2025 reporting by the Financial Times that Spotify would raise U.S. prices in Q1 2026. JPMorgan analysts cited in that story estimated a single-dollar bump could lift corporate revenue by $500 million over the following four quarters.
Spotify enacted comparable increases last year in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Estonia and Latvia join the U.S. in the newest round, though specific local pricing was not detailed in the announcement.
Subscriber Sentiment
Social-media reaction has been swift, with many users criticizing the timing after years of artist-payment complaints. The company has long argued that higher subscription fees help fund expanded features such as audiobooks, AI DJ tools, and video podcast support.
Spotify’s stock closed up 2.3% on the Nasdaq following the news, as investors appeared to price in the anticipated revenue lift.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Premium jumps to $12.99, matching the Financial Times leak timeline
- Third increase since 2023; price has risen $3 in three years
- JPMorgan sees potential $500 million upside from the move
- Roughly a quarter of Spotify’s paid base sits in North America
- Estonia and Latvia also affected; no word on other regions yet
