Music is a daily comfort—whether it’s powering your morning jog, keeping you company on the commute, or setting the mood for relaxing at home. With streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and countless others, you can access millions of songs anytime.
But convenience comes at a cost. Even modest monthly fees add up over time, especially if you’re paying for multiple services or premium tiers. The good news? There are plenty of ways to save on your music streaming habit without giving up your favorite playlists. Here’s how to keep more money in your pocket while still enjoying all the tunes you love.
Reevaluate Your Subscriptions
Start by taking stock of your current services.
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Are you paying for more than one platform?
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Do you actually use all the premium features you’re paying for?
For example, maybe you have Spotify Premium but rarely download music for offline listening. Or perhaps you also have YouTube Premium mainly for ad-free videos, which overlaps with music needs. Trimming down to one main service could save you $10–$20 a month.
Use Free Versions Strategically
Most streaming platforms offer a free tier that still gives you access to their full music catalog, just with ads and some limitations.
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Free Spotify lets you play millions of songs with occasional ads and limits on skips.
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YouTube’s free service still allows you to watch or listen, though not with screen off.
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Pandora’s basic tier gives you ad-supported stations.
If you mostly listen at home or don’t mind the occasional ad, you may not need to pay at all.
Look Into Family or Duo Plans
If multiple people in your household use the same service, consolidating to a family or duo plan can cut costs dramatically.
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Spotify Family is $16.99/month for up to six accounts—way cheaper than six individual subscriptions.
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Apple Music Family is $16.99/month, also for up to six.
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Spotify also offers a Duo plan at $14.99 for two people.
Everyone still gets their own playlists and recommendations, just under one discounted umbrella.
Take Advantage of Student Discounts
If you’re a student, you could pay half the normal rate.
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Spotify Premium Student is only $5.99/month and includes Hulu and Showtime in many regions.
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Apple Music offers a student plan for $5.99/month as well.
You’ll typically need to verify enrollment through a student status portal, but the savings are substantial.
Bundle With Other Services You Already Use
Some streaming services come as perks with other subscriptions.
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Amazon Prime members automatically get Amazon Music Prime, which includes 100 million songs and ad-free playlists (though fewer premium features than their full Music Unlimited).
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Some mobile plans—especially on T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T—offer included or discounted streaming as a perk.
Check your current subscriptions—you might already be paying for music without realizing it.
Share Playlists and Explore Free Playlists Online
If you’re mostly looking for good mixes or workout playlists, you might not even need a subscription.
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Spotify, YouTube, and SoundCloud all have countless free playlists created by other users.
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You can stream curated mixes for free on platforms like 8tracks, Mixcloud, or even find high-quality background music on free sites.
For casual listening, these can completely replace paid plans.
Use Trial Periods and Rotate
Most streaming services offer generous free trials—often one to three months.
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Sign up for Spotify Premium for the trial, then switch to Apple Music or Tidal for their free period after that.
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This way you can enjoy ad-free music and premium perks for several months at no cost.
Just remember to cancel before the billing cycle starts to avoid unexpected charges.
Manage Offline Downloads Thoughtfully
One big perk of paid subscriptions is downloading songs for offline listening. But if you only really use this for occasional trips, consider downloading your favorite songs, then switching to the free tier.
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Most free versions still let you stream online when you’re on WiFi, so you only miss offline listening on the go.
You could subscribe just for vacation months when offline listening matters most.
Take Control of Auto-Renewals
It’s easy to let subscriptions auto-renew for months (or years) without even realizing it.
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Set calendar reminders to review your subscriptions every 3-6 months.
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Or use apps like Truebill/Rocket Money to track and cancel unwanted services.
Even pausing your subscription for a few months when you’re busy or using other platforms can add up to big yearly savings.
Avoid Paying Twice for the Same Content
Many people end up subscribing to both a music service and another platform that includes music features.
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For example, YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music. If you’re already paying for one, there’s usually no need for Spotify or Apple Music on top.
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If you’re mostly watching music videos, a YouTube Premium subscription might be the only one you need.
Being strategic means you still get all your favorites without duplicating fees.
Look for Deals, Bundles, and Annual Payment Discounts
Occasionally, streaming services offer promotional rates for the first few months or bundled savings.
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Spotify often has deals like three months free for new sign-ups.
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Some services offer slight discounts if you pay annually instead of monthly.
Stack these deals to lock in savings.
Music is one of life’s everyday joys—and you shouldn’t feel guilty spending a little to keep it in your life. But there’s no need to pay more than necessary. By using free tiers wisely, sharing family plans, leveraging student or bundle deals, and regularly reviewing your subscriptions, you can still enjoy endless playlists without emptying your wallet.
Being intentional with your streaming services keeps both your playlists and your budget balanced, so you can keep dancing, relaxing, or driving with your favorite songs—at a fraction of the cost.
