Spotify is increasing US prices again
Spotify’s latest price increases in the US are prompting users to reevaluate whether an ongoing music subscription is worth it compared to buying DRM‑free tracks or hosting their own libraries. Many see strong value in streaming for music discovery, convenience, and family use, but frustration is growing over rising costs, UI bloat, podcasts and “innovation” features they don’t want, and perceived poor compensation for artists. Alternatives like YouTube Music, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, Bandcamp purchases, and self‑hosted solutions are increasingly part of the calculus for those considering cancelling.
Price Increases & Inflation
- Some see the hike as simple “inflation alignment,” others argue the percentages exceed current US inflation.
- There’s debate over whether digital services like Spotify are strongly affected by inflation at all.
- A few claim the service is still “dirt cheap and unsustainable”; others say rising prices plus declining UX cross their personal value threshold.
Streaming vs Buying / Ownership
- Multiple commenters compare lifetime subscription costs to buying DRM‑free tracks/albums (Bandcamp, 7digital, Amazon).
- For listeners with narrow or stable tastes, owning music looks cheaper long term; for heavy, exploratory listening, streaming seems more economical.
- Some emphasize control, permanence, and avoiding future lock‑in; others point out the labor, storage, and maintenance costs of owning and self‑hosting.
Discovery, Convenience & Lock-In
- Many value frictionless access, cross‑device syncing, and discovery algorithms, saying they listen to thousands of tracks and constantly explore new artists.
- Others report that recommendation mixes become repetitive “cul‑de‑sacs” and that their discovery needs have declined with age.
- Integration with cars, Sonos, and family usage is a big reason people stay; some acknowledge this deepens dependency over time.
Alternatives & Self-Hosting
- Alternatives mentioned: YouTube Music (often via YouTube Premium), Apple Music (including iTunes Match), Deezer, Tidal.
- Tools like Navidrome + a cheap VPS, plus desktop/mobile clients, are proposed as DIY “Spotify-like” setups, though several note the time, know‑how, and catalog gaps make this a hobby, not a drop‑in replacement.
- Migration tools (e.g., SongShift) can move playlists between services.
Artists, Royalties & Ethics
- Some argue streaming “pays artists pennies”; others note labels receive ~70% of revenue and that streaming is now the majority of industry income.
- A few prefer buying on Bandcamp and supporting artists via merch or shows instead of subscriptions.
Product Direction, UX & Trust
- Many dislike Spotify’s “innovation”: UI churn, podcast and audiobook clutter, missing features (e.g., advanced library management, HiFi tier).
- There’s frustration that prices rise while the core music experience stagnates or worsens.
- Concerns include emotional profiling for ads, lack of podcast controls for kids, and worries about future lock‑in or sudden platform shutdowns.
- Some say they’re cancelling; others consider Spotify a core utility they’ll keep indefinitely.