Alexis Kestler
If you‘re wondering "how much is Apple Music?", you‘ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore all the pricing options for Apple Music subscriptions so you can find the perfect plan.
Apple Music offers access to over 90 million songs, expertly curated playlists, music videos, live radio stations, Spatial Audio, Lossless Audio, and much more.
Depending on your needs as a music lover, Apple Music costs between $4.99/month up to $14.99/month. There are also ways to get Apple Music for free or at a discounted rate.
Let‘s dive into the details so you can determine the ideal Apple Music plan and pricing for your listening habits.
An Overview of Apple Music Pricing
Before we break down each plan, here‘s a quick look at how much Apple Music costs:
- Apple Music Voice Plan: $4.99/month
- Apple Music Student Plan: $4.99/month
- Apple Music Individual Plan: $9.99/month
- Apple Music Family Plan: $14.99/month
There are also occasional promotions that allow you to get Apple Music free for 3-6 months when you purchase certain Apple devices. And Verizon customers can get it bundled with their wireless plan.
Now let‘s explore what you get with each paid subscription option.
Apple Music Voice Plan – $4.99/Month
The Apple Music Voice Plan is Apple‘s newest addition, announced in October 2022. It costs just $4.99/month and is tailored specifically for music access through Siri.
With this plan, you can ask Siri to play any song, album, playlist or station from the entire Apple Music catalog. It will work on all your Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and HomePod mini.
However, the Voice Plan has some limitations:
- You can‘t see the Apple Music app or browse for music
- Limited to Siri voice commands only
- No support for music videos or Spatial Audio
- Can‘t download songs for offline listening
- Audio quality capped at 256kbps (vs. lossless on other plans)
But for just $5/month, it provides an affordable way to enjoy Apple Music through voice commands. It‘s ideal for listening while driving, on a smart speaker, or on-the-go when you don‘t need offline downloads.
Apple Music Student Plan – $4.99/Month
As a student, you can get an Apple Music subscription for just $4.99/month. This saves you about 50% compared to the standard individual plan.
To qualify for the student rate, you‘ll need to verify your enrollment through your educational institution. You can use your college or university credentials to prove you‘re a student.
With the Student Plan, you get full access to all Apple Music features and content including:
- Over 90 million songs ad-free
- Thousands of playlists and radio stations
- Ability to browse Music app and downloads
- Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio support
- Listen across all your devices
- Share audio with family members
This is one of the cheapest ways to get premium music streaming. The student discount makes Apple Music very affordable for those still in college.
Apple Music Individual Plan – $9.99/Month
The Apple Music Individual Plan for $9.99/month is the standard subscription most people choose. With this plan you can enjoy Apple Music across all your devices:
- iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
- Mac and Windows PCs
- Apple TV and other smart TVs
- Apple Watch
- Android phones
- In the web browser
You get unlimited access to Apple‘s full music catalog without any ads. You can download any song, album or playlist for offline listening anytime.
Other standout features include:
- Over 90 million songs, 30,000 playlists, and live radio stations
- Unlimited skips and replays
- Personalized music recommendations
- Exclusive shows, concerts, interviews, and content
- Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio support
- Family Sharing with up to 5 other users
- Siri integration to request music
For $9.99/month, this plan gives you the complete Apple Music experience. It‘s the best value for individual users who want full access on multiple devices.
Apple Music Family Plan – $14.99/Month
For families or groups, the Apple Music Family Plan allows up to 6 users to share one subscription for $14.99/month.
Each person gets their own individual Apple Music account with separate libraries, playlists, recommendations, profiles, and stations. You can stream on multiple devices simultaneously with no limit.
The Family Plan works seamlessly with Family Sharing, so it‘s perfect for families who already share app purchases and iCloud storage.
Up to 6 people can enjoy Apple Music for less than $2.50 per person. You‘ll save money as long as you have at least two people on the same Family Plan.
It gives families a great deal and allows each person to customize their own preferences. For larger households, it‘s the most cost-effective Apple Music subscription.
Apple Music Subscribers and Growth
As of June 2022, Apple reports that Apple Music has over 90 million subscribers globally. This is up from the 60 million subscribers reported in 2019.
Apple Music saw consistent growth between 2-3% month-over-month in 2022. This growth has helped Apple Music secure the second largest share of the music streaming market behind Spotify.
Getting Apple Music for Free or at a Discount
While Apple Music plans start at $4.99/month, there are some ways you can score Apple Music at no cost:
- Apple offers a free 3-month trial for new users
- Verizon customers can get Apple Music free with certain plans
- New Apple device purchases include 6 free months
- Occasional gift card promotions for free months
- The Apple One subscription bundle saves money
For example, if you purchase AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, Apple will give you 6 months of Apple Music absolutely free. This lets you test it out before paying.
You can also save money by buying discounted Apple gift cards from big box retailers. A $100 iTunes gift card could cover almost a full year of an Individual subscription.
Finally, the Apple One subscription bundle packs in Apple Music along with other services like Apple TV+, iCloud storage, Apple Arcade, and more, for one monthly fee. Depending on your needs, it could potentially save you money compared to stand-alone subscriptions.
How Apple Music Stacks Up Against Competitors
When considering "How much is Apple Music?", it helps to see how it compares against competitors like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and others.
Here‘s an overview of how Apple Music‘s pricing and features stack up:
| Service | Individual Plan | Family Plan | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | $9.99/month | $14.99/month (up to 6 people) | Over 90 million songs, expert playlists, Spatial Audio, Lossless Audio, music videos, Siri support, Android & web access |
| Spotify | $9.99/month | $15.99/month (up to 6 accounts) | 82 million songs, algorithmic playlists, podcasts, mobile & web access, slightly larger music library |
| YouTube Music | $9.99/month | $14.99/month (up to 6 people) | 90 million official songs, millions more unofficial uploads, YouTube integration, playlists |
| Amazon Music Unlimited | $7.99/month for Prime members | $14.99/month (up to 6 people) | 90 million songs, high-quality streaming, Alexa integration, podcasts, mobile & web access |
The pricing is very similar across top music streaming platforms. Most offer student, individual, and family plans at comparable rates.
Apple Music stands out for its integration with Apple devices, curated playlists, Spatial Audio support, and access to Apple exclusives. But Spotify still maintains a slight edge with its larger music library and popularity among younger users.
It often comes down to personal preferences around device ecosystem, music discovery, and platform usability. The best option is to take advantage of free trials to experience each service for yourself before deciding.
Breaking Down the Costs of Apple Music
To give you a better idea of real-world costs, let‘s break down some pricing examples for Apple Music subscriptions:
- Individual monthly price: $9.99/month
- Individual annual price (paid upfront): $99/year, $8.25/month
- Family monthly price for 3 users: $14.99/month, $5/month per person
- Family yearly price for 4 users: $149/year, $3.75/month per person
- Taxes vary but can add 10-15% in many regions
As you can see, the longer your subscription, the more you can save with Apple Music. The family plan also drops the per user cost for groups.
Is Apple Music Worth the Price?
Apple Music can definitely be worth the price, especially if you:
- Own multiple Apple devices and want seamless integration
- Listen to music constantly throughout the day
- Prefer expertly curated playlists rather than algorithmic ones
- Enjoy music videos, concert films, and other video content
- Use Siri voice commands frequently
- Want lossless quality and Spatial Audio
- Prefer a cleanly designed app with simple navigation
The higher family plan pricing also becomes worthwhile if you can split the cost between a group of people.
For more casual listeners, the cheaper Voice Plan may provide enough value when you just want quick music access. But power users will appreciate the full features unlocked by the Individual and Family plans.
What Reviewers Are Saying About Apple Music
Most reviewers agree that Apple Music has come a long way since its 2015 launch. The current Apple Music experience earns strong marks for its features and design.
Tech Radar calls it "the complete package" with an impressive catalog, excellent playlist curation, and a smooth user experience. They say it stacks up strongly against any competitor.
CNET highlights the human-curated playlists, Siri capabilities, exclusive content, Spatial Audio support, and real-time lyrics as standout features. But they warn the mobile app can sometimes feel a little cluttered.
Many reviewers agree that Spotify still leads in terms of social sharing, music discovery, and cross-platform experience. But Apple Music takes the crown for integration with Apple devices and premium audio quality.
Overall, Apple Music scores consistently high for its pricing structure, song catalog size, audio features, and integration with the Apple ecosystem. While not perfect, it provides tremendous value to both casual listeners and music lovers seeking a premium experience.
Is Apple Music Right for You?
So should you subscribe to Apple Music? Ask yourself the following:
- Do you own Apple devices and want perfect integration?
- Will you stream music for several hours each day?
- Do you care about expert playlists and music discovery?
- Will you use extras like music videos and concert footage?
- Do you want to listen on Android or web as well?
- Are you an audiophile who demands the highest quality?
- Do you need a family plan to share with others?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, then Apple Music is likely a great fit for your listening habits and preferences.
The different plans cater to light users, students, individuals, and families. So there should be an Apple Music subscription that aligns with your needs and budget.
Take advantage of the free trial when signing up. This lets you test Apple Music for yourself before committing.
But with high-quality audio, endless music variety, intelligent recommendations, and constant app enhancements, Apple Music packs tremendous value in each tier.
