Spotify has implemented its first-ever price hike in India since its 2019 launch, increasing Premium plan rates by as much as 28%—sparking widespread discussion and dissatisfaction.
📊 New Subscription Rates After Spotify Price Hike India
Updated Premium prices (effective now for new users, and soon for existing ones):
| Plan | Old Price | New Price | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | ₹119/month | ₹139/month | ~16.8% |
| Duo | ₹149/month | ₹179/month | ~20.1% |
| Family | ₹179/month | ₹229/month | ~27.9% |
| Student | ₹59/month | ₹69/month | ~16.9% |
📈 Why Did Spotify Raise Prices?
Spotify says the price rise is part of a global adjustment affecting South Asia and other regions, aimed at offsetting rising operational costs and fueling investment in new features and innovation on the platform.
The move follows corporate efforts to boost profitability, including cost reductions and restructuring, despite growing subscriber numbers and platform expansion.
🔍 What This Means for Indian Consumers
- Higher monthly expenses: Especially hardest hit are families—now paying ₹229/month.
- Potential user migration: News of price hikes has prompted some to explore alternatives like Amazon Music, Apple Music, or JioSaavn.
- Retention of premium perks: Users keep benefits like ad‑free listening, offline downloads, high-quality audio, and DJ-style playlists.
🧠 Broader Context & Industry Comparison
- India is critical for Spotify’s growth strategy, particularly as competitors like Wynk, Resso, and Gaana exit or restructure. Business Today
- Global alignment: The price hike mirrors changes in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific from September onwards.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Spotify India has raised plan prices for the first time—individual, duo, family, and student plans all increased.
- Family plan saw the largest jump (~28%).
- The hike is part of a global strategy to sustain innovation and profitability.
- Existing users will be notified via email and billed at new rates next cycle.
- Platform competitors offer alternatives that may appeal to cost‑conscious users.
🔄 Alternatives Worth Considering
- YouTube Music / YouTube Premium
- Apple Music – competitive pricing, robust features
- Amazon Music – bundled with Prime
- JioSaavn / Hungama Music – lower-cost regional platforms
