Apple Music keeps finding new listeners with smooth playlists, immersive audio, and top-tier device integration. Before jumping in, get a clear look at exactly what you’ll pay—and what you get in return.
Apple Music Pricing Breakdown for 2025
Photo by Juairia Islam Shefa
Apple Music offers several plans tailored for different users:
- Individual Plan: $10.99/month
- Student Plan: $5.99/month (requires student verification)
- Family Plan: $16.99/month (covers up to six people)
New subscribers may see special deals, including six months of access for $2.99 (as a one-time payment) with some device purchases or trial periods. Standard free trials for most start at up to three months.
What Do You Get?
Each plan unlocks:
- 100+ million ad-free tracks
- Offline listening
- Personalized playlists and recommendations
- Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
- Lossless streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz
- Seamless integration across Apple devices
- Apple Music Classical app access (over 5 million classical tracks)
- Real-time lyrics and exclusive content
The Family Plan lets you share with five other people. Each gets their own library, recommendations, and listening history.
How the Student Plan Works
College students can qualify for a big discount at $5.99/month. Students not only get the full Apple Music library but also Apple TV+ at no extra cost for up to four years, as long as their student status remains verified through UNiDAYS.
Why does Apple offer this? Simple—students love music, and Apple wants to keep them loyal. If you’re back in school, it could be a no-brainer deal.
Family Plan Details
If you have a household with different music tastes, the Family Plan offers real value at $16.99/month. Set up Family Sharing on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then invite up to five more people. Everyone has a private library and playlists. No awkward “who added this?” moments in your queue.
Family Sharing also makes managing payment easy—just one monthly bill, and you control who gets invited or removed from the plan.
Apple One Bundle: Savings for Heavy Users
For those deep into the Apple ecosystem, Apple One offers bundled savings. It’s built for people who want more than just music, rolling in services like iCloud+, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Fitness+.
- Individual Bundle: $19.95/month
- Family Bundle: $25.95/month
- Premier Bundle: $37.95/month (includes extra iCloud space and Apple News+)
You pay one bill and access all the included services. Many users find it’s the cheapest way to enjoy Apple Music alongside other subscriptions.
Special Offers and Trials
Apple is famous for luring new users with long trial offers—especially if you’ve just bought a new iPhone, Mac, HomePod, or even a set of AirPods.
- Get up to six months for $2.99 with some device purchases (one-time payment)
- Up to three months free for new users, no device required
During the free period, cancel before the end and you won’t get charged. If you stay subscribed, billing starts the day your trial ends.
How Apple Music Pricing Compares to Rivals
Spotify and Amazon Music are still the main alternatives, but Apple Music’s recent price hike has pushed many to reconsider their service of choice.
- Spotify: $10.99/month for individuals
- Amazon Music Unlimited: $10.99/month for individuals (discount with Prime)
Apple stands out with lossless and spatial audio included at no extra charge, and a strong focus on artist compensation. Some platforms offer lower rates for limited libraries or only low-quality streams.
Features Behind the Cost
The recent $1 price jump isn’t for nothing. Apple’s new fees help pay for:
- Higher-quality audio, now at lossless and hi-res levels
- Dolby Atmos immersive sound
- More exclusive live sessions and artist interviews
- Bigger payouts for musicians and producers
Streaming is no longer a race to the cheapest price. Services are betting listeners will pay more for quality, exclusive content, and fair artist support.
How to Pick the Right Plan
Ask yourself:
- Are you a student with an active college email? Student plan wins.
- Got a big family or roommates? Family plan slashes per-person cost.
- Already pay for several Apple services? Bundle with Apple One.
- Just need music for yourself? Individual plan fits.
Cancel any time via Settings—there are no contracts, so you’re not locked in if your needs change.
The Bottom Line
Apple Music is priced to compete with other big streaming services, matching their entry-level fees while putting extras like lossless audio and device integration front and center.
Pick a plan based on your situation: students for deep savings, families for sharing, or bundles if you’re Apple all-in. With new price points for 2025, Apple bets you’ll trade up for higher-quality sound and seamless device syncing.
Whether you’re jumping in for the first time or thinking of switching, understand what each tier gets you. Try it risk-free with a trial—and start listening your way.