Apple Music pricing: the current rates

Apple Music costs $10.99 per month for an individual subscription as of now. If you want to share the service with family members, the Family plan is $16.99 per month and covers up to six people. There is also a Student plan at $5.99 per month if you are enrolled in an accredited college or university — Apple will ask you to verify your student status through SheerID, a third-party verification service.

Apple also offers a three-month trial period at no cost when you first sign up, whether you are a new Apple Music user or returning after a break. This means you can listen to the full catalog before your first charge hits your payment method.

If you own an Apple device and subscribe to Apple One — Apple's bundle that combines Music, TV+, iCloud storage, and other services — Apple Music is included. The bundle starts at $14.95 per month for the individual tier, which can save you money if you already use or want to use multiple Apple services.

Key Takeaways

  • Individual Apple Music costs $10.99 per month, with a three-month free trial when you first sign up.
  • The Family plan at $16.99 per month lets up to six people use separate accounts on the same subscription.
  • Students pay $5.99 per month and must verify enrollment through SheerID each year to keep the rate.
  • Apple One bundles Music with TV+, iCloud, and other services starting at $14.95 per month, which may cost less than subscribing to each service separately.

What the individual plan includes

The $10.99 monthly plan gives you access to Apple Music's full library of over 100 million songs, ad-free. You can download tracks to your device and listen offline, create playlists, and use Siri voice commands to play specific songs or artists. The service works on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, HomePods, and Android phones.

You also get access to Apple Music Replay, which creates a year-end playlist of your most-played songs, and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on compatible devices — a surround-sound format that some listeners prefer for certain albums. Lyrics appear in real time as songs play, and you can see what your friends are listening to if you follow them.

How the Family plan works

At $16.99 per month, the Family plan covers up to six people, each with their own account and listening history. Family members do not see each other's playlists or recommendations unless they choose to follow one another. Each person gets the same features as the individual plan: offline downloads, Spatial Audio, lyrics, and the full catalog.

To set up a Family plan, you create a family group in your Apple ID settings and invite the other members by email or phone number. They accept the invitation and link their own Apple ID to the group. If someone leaves the family group, they lose access to Apple Music unless they start their own individual subscription.

Student pricing and verification

The Student plan costs $5.99 per month and requires proof of enrollment at an accredited college or university. When you sign up, Apple directs you to SheerID, which verifies your student status using your school email, student ID, or other documents. The verification is instant in most cases.

You must re-verify your student status once per year to keep the discounted rate. If you graduate or leave school, your subscription automatically moves to the full $10.99 individual rate on your next billing date. Apple sends you a notification before this happens.

Comparing Apple Music to other music streaming services

Spotify's individual plan also costs $10.99 per month, matching Apple Music's price. YouTube Music is the same at $10.99 per month. Amazon Music Unlimited is $10.99 per month for non-Prime members, though Prime members get a lower-cost tier at $8.99 per month. Tidal's standard plan is $10.99 per month, and Tidal's lossless audio tier is $14.99 per month.

The main differences are not price but features. Spotify has the largest social features and playlist discovery. Apple Music includes Spatial Audio on more devices. YouTube Music integrates with YouTube Premium. Amazon Music is cheaper if you already pay for Prime. The best choice depends on which devices you use and what features matter to you.

How to check your current subscription and billing date

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, select Subscriptions, and look for Apple Music. You will see your plan type, the next billing date, and a button to manage or cancel. On a Mac, go to System Settings, click your name, select Subscriptions, and find Apple Music there.

If you are on Android, open the Apple Music app, tap your profile picture in the top right, select Account, and tap Subscriptions. You will see the same information. You can also check your billing history by going to your Apple ID account page on a web browser and selecting Payment Method.

Pausing or canceling your subscription

You can cancel Apple Music at any time through the same Subscriptions menu where you view your plan. Cancellation takes effect immediately, and you lose access to offline downloads and the full catalog right away. If you have already paid for the current month, you do not get a refund — the service runs until your next billing date.

Apple does not offer a pause feature like some other services do. If you want to stop paying but think you might return later, you have to cancel and then re-subscribe when you are ready. When you re-subscribe, you will get another three-month trial if you have been away for at least 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Music on a non-Apple device?

Yes. Apple Music works on Android phones through the Apple Music app, which you can download from the Google Play Store. You get the same features as on Apple devices: the full catalog, offline downloads, lyrics, and Spatial Audio on compatible Android phones. You cannot use Apple Music on Windows computers through an app, but you can access it through a web browser at music.apple.com.

What happens to my music if I cancel?

Any songs you added to your library remain in your account, but you cannot play them once your subscription ends. If you re-subscribe later, your library is still there. Songs you downloaded to your device for offline listening will no longer play after cancellation, even if they are still stored on the device.

Do I need an Apple device to use Apple Music?

No. You need an Apple ID to sign up, but you can use Apple Music on Android phones, web browsers, and some smart speakers that are not Apple products. The main limitation is that some features like Spatial Audio work best on Apple devices, but the core service — streaming and downloading music — works everywhere.

Can I share my Apple Music account with someone outside my family group?

Not officially. If you share your Apple ID login with someone, they will see your listening history and playlists. The Family plan is designed for this reason — it lets multiple people use the service without sharing login credentials. If someone outside your family needs access, they should start their own subscription or join a Family plan you create.

Is there a free version of Apple Music?

Apple Music does not have a free tier with ads like Spotify does. The only free access is the three-month trial when you first sign up. After that, you must pay the monthly subscription to continue listening.