Amazon Just Dropped a Price Hike Bomb on Music Lovers

Amazon is turning up the heat on its Music Unlimited subscriptions, and your wallet might feel the burn. The tech giant just announced a price increase across the board, and it’s time to break down what this means for you.

Here’s the Breakdown:

• Prime Members: Your Individual plan just jumped from $9.99 to $10.99 per month. Still a dollar cheaper than non-Prime folks, but ouch.
• Non-Prime Subscribers: Your monthly bill is climbing from $10.99 to $11.99. That’s an extra $12 a year – enough to buy a couple of coffees or a snack at the movies.
• Family Plan: The biggest hit? The Family plan skyrocketed from $16.99 to $19.99. That’s a $3 leap – the cost of a Netflix Basic subscription right there.

How Does Amazon Stack Up Against the Competition?

Amazon’s new pricing puts it neck-and-neck with Spotify, which bumped its Premium plan to $11.99 last June. But here’s the kicker: YouTube Music and Apple Music are still holding steady at $10.99. So, if you’re a Prime member, Amazon’s $10.99 plan is still a dollar cheaper than Spotify, but non-Prime subscribers might start eyeing those competitors.

“In order to bring you even more content and new features, we’re updating the price of select Amazon Music Unlimited plans.”

Amazon Music FAQ

When Does This Hit Your Wallet?

New customers are already feeling the pinch as of Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Existing subscribers? You’ve got a little breathing room. The new prices will kick in on your next billing cycle on or after March 5, 2025.

Why the Price Hike?

Amazon claims this move is all about delivering “even more content and features” to its users. Sound familiar? That’s because they used the same line back in August 2023 when they last raised prices. Whether this means better playlists, exclusive content, or just more overhead costs, only time will tell.

The Bottom Line:

Amazon’s Music Unlimited is no longer the budget-friendly option it once was. With prices now in line with Spotify and higher than YouTube Music and Apple Music, it’s time to ask yourself: Is the Prime discount enough to keep you loyal, or are you ready to explore other streaming options?