Spotify vs Amazon Music Unlimited: price, plans, and which to keep
Current US prices, price history, trial terms, and cancellation friction side by side, built from our service guides. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
The short answer
For anyone without Prime the two cost exactly the same, $12.99 a month, so the decision rests on Prime and on trajectory. Prime members get Amazon Music Unlimited for $11.99, or $119 a year on the annual plan Spotify does not offer, and Family ties at $21.99 with Amazon again adding a $219 annual option. Amazon has raised the price five times since May 2022, twice in thirteen months; Spotify has done it three times since 2023. Spotify keeps a free tier to fall back on, while Amazon drops Prime members to shuffle-only Music Prime.
Amazon Music Unlimited is cheaper by $72 a year on its entry plan.
At a glance
| Spotify | Amazon Music Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest standard plan | Individual: $12.99/mo | Single Device (Echo or Fire TV): $6.99/mo |
| Cheapest plan per year | $155.88 | $83.88 |
| Most expensive plan | Family (up to 6): $21.99/mo | Family (up to 6, monthly): $21.99/mo |
| Price changes since 2023 | 3 | 4 |
| Latest price change | February 2026 | May 2026 |
| Free trial | Usually 1 month free for new Premium users; frequent 2-3 month promos. | 30-day free trial on Individual, Family, Student and Single Device plans, then the plan renews at the regular price until cancelled. |
| Cancellation | 4 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat | 4 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat |
Cheapest and most expensive plans exclude add-ons, student, bundle, and per-seat plans. Price changes are counted from January 2023. US list prices, last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Spotify if…
Pick Spotify if you do not have Prime, are two people (Duo at $18.99 has no Amazon equivalent), or rely on its playlists and podcasts. Cancelling costs you nothing but ads.
Choose Amazon Music Unlimited if…
Pick Amazon Music Unlimited if you have Prime and will pay annually: $119 a year is the cheapest full-catalogue individual plan of the two, and the monthly plan can be paused instead of cancelled. Watch for the next increase; the last two arrived thirteen months apart.
Every current plan
Spotify plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Individual | $12.99/mo |
| Duo | $18.99/mo |
| Family (up to 6) | $21.99/mo |
| Student | $6.99/mo |
Amazon Music Unlimited plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Individual (Prime, monthly) | $11.99/mo |
| Individual (Prime, annual)Prime members only | $119/yr |
| Individual (non-Prime)No annual option | $12.99/mo |
| Family (up to 6, monthly)Prime members only | $21.99/mo |
| Family (annual)Prime members only | $219/yr |
| Single Device (Echo or Fire TV) | $6.99/mo |
| Student | $5.99/mo |
US list prices; taxes, promotions, and app-store billing may differ. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Price history, both services
May 2026 · Amazon Music Unlimited
The Single Device plan rose from $5.99 to $6.99 a month.
March 2026 · Amazon Music Unlimited
Individual (Prime) rose from $10.99 to $11.99 a month and from $109 to $119 a year; non-Prime from $11.99 to $12.99; Family from $19.99 to $21.99 a month and $199 to $219 a year. New customers from February 3, existing subscribers from their first bill on or after March 5.
February 2026 · Spotify
Third hike since 2023: Individual $11.99 → $12.99, Duo $16.99 → $18.99, Family $19.99 → $21.99, Student $5.99 → $6.99.
January 2025 · Amazon Music Unlimited
Individual (Prime) rose from $9.99 to $10.99 a month and $99 to $109 a year; non-Prime from $10.99 to $11.99; Family from $16.99 to $19.99 a month and $169 to $199 a year.
July 2024 · Spotify
Individual rose $10.99 → $11.99.
July 2023 · Spotify
First-ever US price increase: Individual $9.99 → $10.99.
February 2023 · Amazon Music Unlimited
Individual (Prime) rose from $8.99 to $9.99 a month and $89 to $99 a year; non-Prime from $9.99 to $10.99.
May 2022 · Amazon Music Unlimited
Individual (Prime) rose from $7.99 to $8.99 a month and $79 to $89 a year; Single Device from $3.99 to $4.99.
How to run both without paying for both
Never hold both. Prime members already have Music Prime for casual listening, so test whether that plus Spotify Free covers you before paying for either. If you pay, take Amazon's annual plan or Spotify's monthly one and set a renewal reminder; both services apply increases at the next renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Spotify or Amazon Music Unlimited?
Amazon Music Unlimited. Its cheapest standard plan works out to $6.99 a month ($83.88 a year) versus $12.99 a month ($155.88 a year) for Spotify, a difference of $72 a year. Bundles, promotions, and app-store billing can change the final price.
Is Amazon Music Unlimited cheaper than Spotify?
Only for Prime members: $11.99 a month or $119 a year versus $12.99 for Spotify Premium. Without Prime both cost $12.99. Family plans tie at $21.99, but Amazon adds a $219 annual option.
Which one keeps my music if I stop paying?
Spotify moves you to its free tier with playlists intact and ads added. Amazon keeps your playlists on the account but greys out Unlimited tracks; Prime members can still shuffle Music Prime, and monthly plans can be paused to avoid the gap.
Full guides
Spotify price & cancellation guide
Three US price hikes since 2023, Individual hit $12.99 in February 2026 while free-tier features keep shrinking.
View guideAmazon Music Unlimited price & cancellation guide
Prime members pay $11.99 or $119 a year and everyone else $12.99 after the March 2026 increase, the fifth since 2022.
View guideMore comparisons
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