Spotify has raised its Premium plans in the U.S., pushing the individual tier to $12.99 and the student rate to $6.99. Duo climbs to $18.99 and Family to $21.99, making it the priciest option among rivals. The change takes effect immediately for new sign‑ups and next billing for current users.

Spotify just rolled out lossless, CD‑quality audio last September, a feature that had been promised years earlier. The price hike follows that launch, sparking debate over value. Competitors like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music Unlimited offer similar or higher‑quality streams at lower monthly rates for users today everywhere now.

Listeners weighing the upgrade may consider YouTube Music or Apple Music, which deliver lossless audio for $10.99 a month and include Dolby Atmos tracks. Spotify’s focus on algorithms and social features remains a draw, but the higher price could push subscribers toward rivals offering cleaner, higher‑fidelity sound for music fans.