Spotify Technology SA (NYSE: SPOT) has officially announced another round of subscription price hikes, marking the third increase in just three years for UK subscribers. The new pricing will go into effect starting September 2025, affecting Premium users across multiple regions, including the UK, Europe, South Asia, Latin America, and more.
For UK users, the monthly subscription cost for Spotify Premium will rise from ￡11.99 to ￡12.99, continuing an upward trend that began in 2023 when the price jumped from ￡9.99 to ￡10.99 after more than a decade of stability. The company says the latest adjustment is tied to investments in innovation, improved features, and user experience.
But what does this mean for listeners, and how does it fit into Spotify’s broader financial story? Let’s take a closer look.
A Brief History of Spotify Price Changes in the UK
Spotify Premium launched in the UK at ￡9.99 per month, holding steady at that price for 12 years. For over a decade, users enjoyed uninterrupted stability even as inflation and competition changed the broader streaming landscape.
That changed in July 2023, when Spotify raised Premium to ￡10.99 per month, citing inflation and increased licensing costs. Less than a year later, in May 2024, the price rose again to ￡11.99.
Now, in September 2025, Premium will increase for the third time, reaching ￡12.99 per month. This brings the cumulative increase to 30% in just over two years — from ￡9.99 to ￡12.99.
UK Spotify Premium Pricing Timeline
2011–2022: ￡9.99/month
July 2023: ￡10.99/month
May 2024: ￡11.99/month
September 2025: ￡12.99/month
This makes Spotify one of the most aggressively priced music subscription services in the UK compared to competitors like Apple Music (￡10.99/month in 2025) and Amazon Music Unlimited (￡10.99/month).
Why Is Spotify Raising Prices Again?
Spotify explained the increase in a statement to investors, emphasizing that higher subscription fees will fund “continued innovation in product offerings and features” and help deliver the best possible user experience.
However, the price hike also comes at a time when the company is facing financial pressure:
Q2 2025 Results: Spotify reported revenue of €4.19 billion, up 10% year-over-year but below analyst expectations of €4.3 billion.
Earnings: The company posted a loss of €0.42 per share, compared to €1.37 EPS a year ago.
Operating Income: Spotify generated €406 million, missing its own guidance of €539 million, citing higher personnel costs and marketing spend.
Currency Fluctuations: Unfavorable exchange rates reduced revenue growth by 440 basis points, well above the 170 basis points anticipated.
Taken together, it’s clear that while user growth continues, profitability remains a challenge, especially as licensing costs rise and competition heats up. Raising subscription prices is a direct attempt to shore up revenue and offset operating pressures.
How Spotify Premium Compares Globally
Spotify Premium subscribers in the UK aren’t alone in facing higher costs. The 2025 price increase affects multiple regions:
United States: $11.99 per month
Canada: C$12.69 per month
Australia: A$12.99 per month
UK: ￡12.99 per month
Interestingly, even after the increase, Spotify Premium remains cheaper in the US (around ￡9.40 equivalent) compared to the UK. This disparity has sparked frustration among UK subscribers who feel they are paying more than their American counterparts for the same service.
Impact on UK Subscribers
For many UK listeners, Spotify Premium has long been seen as the go-to streaming option thanks to its massive library of over 100 million tracks, curated playlists, and exclusive podcast deals. But at ￡12.99 per month, the service will now cost:
￡155.88 annually for individuals
￡215.88 annually for a Duo plan (currently ￡17.99 per month)
￡239.88 annually for a Family plan (currently ￡19.99 per month, likely subject to future hikes)
This new price point raises questions about whether Spotify remains the best value compared to alternatives like:
Apple Music: ￡10.99/month
Amazon Music Unlimited: ￡10.99/month (discounted further for Prime members)
YouTube Music Premium: ￡10.99/month
While Spotify offers unmatched social sharing features and playlist personalization, competitors are now undercutting its price in the UK.
Is Spotify Still Worth It at ￡12.99?
The answer depends on how much you use Spotify’s unique features. Some of the main value points include:
Personalized Playlists – Spotify’s recommendation algorithm (Discover Weekly, Daily Mix, Release Radar) remains industry-leading.
Podcasts and Audiobooks – Exclusive partnerships, including The Joe Rogan Experience, keep Spotify differentiated.
Cross-Device Integration – Spotify Connect makes it easy to stream across smart speakers, TVs, cars, and consoles.
Social Sharing – Playlist collaboration and integration with Instagram and TikTok help keep Spotify relevant with younger audiences.
For heavy users, the extra ￡1 per month may not be enough to justify switching. However, casual listeners may begin considering alternatives, especially as the gap with Apple Music widens.
The Broader Industry Context
Spotify isn’t the only streaming service raising prices. In fact, subscription inflation is becoming the norm across the media landscape:
Netflix has raised prices four times since 2020 in the UK.
Disney+ increased from ￡7.99 to ￡10.99 for ad-free viewing.
Apple Music raised its UK subscription from ￡9.99 to ￡10.99 in 2023.
The trend suggests that streaming services are maturing. After years of prioritizing subscriber growth with low entry prices, platforms are now shifting toward profitability.
For Spotify, this aligns with its long-term strategy to increase average revenue per user (ARPU), even if subscriber growth slows.
FAQs
Q: Why is Spotify raising UK subscription prices in 2025?
A: Spotify says the increase will support product innovation and user experience. Financially, it also helps offset missed earnings targets and rising costs.
Q: How much is Spotify Premium in the UK now?
A: From September 2025, Spotify Premium in the UK will be ￡12.99 per month.
Q: Is this the first time Spotify has raised prices?
A: No. This is the third increase in three years — from ￡9.99 in 2022 to ￡12.99 in 2025.
Q: How does Spotify compare to Apple Music or Amazon Music?
A: Both Apple Music and Amazon Music are cheaper at ￡10.99 per month, though Spotify continues to dominate with its personalization features and podcasts.
Q: Will the Family and Duo plans also increase?
A: While not officially confirmed, it is likely those tiers will see future adjustments in line with the individual plan increase.
Conclusion
The Spotify UK third price increase in 2025 marks a major turning point for the streaming giant and its subscribers. With Premium moving from ￡9.99 to ￡12.99 in just over two years, the service is testing how much users are willing to pay for music access.
While Spotify remains the largest music streaming platform globally with over 600 million users, it faces growing competition and financial strain. Whether the higher subscription price is justified depends on how much value you place on its unmatched playlists, recommendations, and ecosystem.
For now, UK subscribers must decide: pay more for Spotify’s strengths, or explore rival services offering similar music libraries at a lower cost.
