When it comes to streaming music, Spotify is a household name. With over 600 million monthly active users worldwide, the Swedish platform dominates the audio streaming industry. For military service members, discounts from companies like Apple, Amazon, and Verizon are often a welcome perk. But one common question keeps coming up: does Spotify have a military discount?
The short answer is no — Spotify does not currently offer a dedicated military discount in the United States or internationally. Instead, the platform provides other savings options, such as the Spotify Student Discount, Family Plan, and promotional bundles with companies like Hulu.
This doesn’t mean military personnel and veterans are left without options. In this guide, we’ll break down Spotify’s pricing structure, available discounts, and compare it to other streaming platforms that do provide military deals.
Spotify Premium Plans and Pricing
Before diving into the issue of a Spotify military discount, let’s look at the current pricing for Spotify Premium in 2025:
Individual Plan – $11.99/month
Duo Plan – $16.99/month (two accounts at the same address)
Family Plan – $19.99/month (up to six accounts)
Student Plan – $5.99/month (includes Hulu with ads and SHOWTIME in the U.S.)
As of September 2025, Premium pricing has increased in the U.S., U.K., and other global markets. For comparison:
United States: $11.99/month
United Kingdom: ￡12.99/month
Canada: C$12.69/month
Australia: A$12.99/month
Despite these increases, Spotify has not announced a military-specific offer.
Why Spotify Doesn’t Have a Military Discount
Unlike companies such as Apple Music or Amazon, Spotify has historically focused its discount strategy on students rather than veterans or active-duty service members. The likely reasons include:
Licensing and Margins – Spotify pays around 70% of its revenue to record labels, publishers, and rights holders. Offering military discounts could further squeeze already thin margins.
Target Audience Focus – Students represent a long-term customer acquisition strategy, as they’re more likely to stick with Premium after graduation.
Third-Party Partnerships – Spotify leans heavily on bundles (Hulu, Showtime, Xbox Game Pass) instead of direct service-specific discounts.
While these business decisions make sense from a corporate standpoint, they leave service members without the recognition many competing brands extend.
Alternatives: Streaming Services With Military Discounts
The good news is that several other music and entertainment platforms do offer military discounts. Here’s a comparison:
Apple Music
Military Discount: Yes
Price: $5.99/month for verified active duty, reservists, and veterans
Verification: Through ID.me
Amazon Music Unlimited
Military Discount: No standalone discount
Workaround: Military members who are also Amazon Prime subscribers can access Amazon Music Prime (2 million songs) included, or pay a discounted rate for Music Unlimited.
Pandora Premium
Military Discount: Yes
Price: $7.99/month (vs $9.99 standard)
Verification: Through SheerID
TIDAL
Military Discount: Yes
Price: 40% off Premium or HiFi tiers
Verification: Through VerifyPass
Compared to these options, Spotify stands out as one of the only major music services without a military discount in 2025.
How Military Personnel Can Save on Spotify
Even without a dedicated military discount, service members can still cut their Spotify costs using existing offers and bundles:
1. Use the Student Discount (if eligible)
Many active-duty service members are also enrolled in school programs, especially through the GI Bill. If you’re attending a qualifying institution, you can get Spotify Premium Student for $5.99/month, plus Hulu (ad-supported) and SHOWTIME.
2. Bundle Spotify with Other Services
Hulu + Spotify: Some promotional deals still exist where Spotify Premium comes with Hulu and SHOWTIME.
Cellular Plans: In the past, carriers like Verizon offered Spotify Premium as part of select unlimited plans. Keep an eye on updated carrier deals.
3. Share Costs with Family or Duo Plans
Splitting a Duo or Family plan reduces the effective cost per person. For example, six people on a ￡19.99/month Family plan brings the individual cost down to about ￡3.33/month in the UK, or under $4 in the U.S.
4. Look for Limited-Time Promotions
Spotify occasionally runs 3-month free trials or discounted introductory offers for new subscribers. While not military-specific, these can still provide savings.
Real Data: Why Discounts Matter to Military Communities
According to a Blue Star Families 2024 survey, nearly 60% of military families reported financial stress as their top concern, driven by rising living costs. Discounts on everyday services, including streaming platforms, can make a noticeable difference.
For example, if Spotify offered a military discount similar to Apple Music at $5.99/month, a single service member would save:
$72 per year compared to the standard $11.99/month plan.
A family of four using Premium could save nearly $300 annually.
This is why many military households actively seek out brands that provide tailored recognition and benefits.
Could Spotify Introduce a Military Discount in the Future?
While there’s no official announcement, several factors could push Spotify to consider adding a military discount:
Competitive Pressure – Apple Music and TIDAL already cater to this demographic.
Public Relations Value – Supporting veterans and active-duty service members boosts brand goodwill.
Market Opportunity – The U.S. military community alone includes more than 1.3 million active-duty personnel and 16.5 million veterans.
If Spotify sees declining loyalty due to rising prices, introducing a military discount could help them retain subscribers in a competitive landscape.
FAQs
Q: Does Spotify have a military discount?
A: No, Spotify does not currently offer a military discount in the U.S. or abroad.
Q: Can active-duty military use the Spotify student discount?
A: Yes, if they are enrolled at a qualifying educational institution and can verify their student status.
Q: What’s the cheapest way for military personnel to use Spotify?
A: The Student plan at $5.99/month (if eligible), or splitting costs via the Family plan.
Q: Which music services offer military discounts?
A: Apple Music, TIDAL, and Pandora Premium all provide reduced pricing for active-duty and veteran users.
Q: Has Spotify ever offered a military discount?
A: No, Spotify has never announced a military-specific program, focusing instead on student and family discounts.
Conclusion
So, does Spotify have a military discount? Unfortunately, no. Unlike competitors such as Apple Music and TIDAL, Spotify has chosen not to offer a direct discount to active-duty military or veterans.
However, there are still ways to save. From the Student Plan to Family sharing, bundled deals, and limited-time promotions, military personnel can reduce costs if they take advantage of available options.
Looking ahead, with rising subscription prices and increased competition, Spotify may eventually recognize the value of extending a dedicated military discount. Until then, service members seeking maximum savings may want to compare Spotify against military-friendly alternatives like Apple Music or TIDAL.
