Spotify yearly subscription gives you 12 months of music streaming for one upfront payment
Spotify's yearly plan charges you once per year instead of monthly. You pay the full year's cost at the start of your subscription period, then your access continues uninterrupted for 12 months. After that year ends, Spotify will charge you again unless you cancel.
The yearly plan costs less per month than paying monthly — Spotify charges a lower annual rate to encourage longer commitments. The exact price varies by country and changes periodically, so you should check Spotify's website or app to see the current rate where you live.
You get the same features on the yearly plan as you would on a monthly subscription at the same tier. If you choose Premium, you get ad-free listening, offline downloads, and higher audio quality whether you pay yearly or monthly. The only difference is how often you pay and the total cost.
Key Takeaways
- Yearly plans charge one lump sum upfront and cover 12 months of streaming, while monthly plans charge every 30 days.
- The per-month cost is lower on a yearly plan than on a monthly plan, but you must pay the entire year's amount at once.
- You can cancel a yearly subscription at any time, though Spotify does not refund unused months in most cases.
- Spotify offers yearly plans at different tiers — Free (ad-supported), Premium, and Duo or Family plans — each with different features and prices.
- Your yearly subscription renews automatically on the same date each year unless you cancel before the renewal date.
How much a yearly subscription costs
Spotify's yearly Premium plan typically costs between $100 and $130 USD per year, depending on your country and current promotions. The exact price on your account may differ from what you see on Spotify's main website if you signed up during a promotional period or through a third-party platform.
Spotify also offers a Free tier with yearly access, though it includes ads and has restrictions on skipping and audio quality. The Free tier does not require payment.
Family and Duo plans have separate yearly pricing. A Family plan (up to six accounts) typically costs more per year than a single Premium subscription, while a Duo plan (two accounts) costs less. Check your country's Spotify pricing page to see the exact yearly rate for each plan type.
When you pay and how renewal works
When you start a yearly subscription, Spotify charges your payment method immediately. Your subscription period then runs for exactly 12 months from that date. On the anniversary of your start date, Spotify will attempt to charge you again for the next year.
Spotify sends you a reminder email before your renewal date, usually a few days in advance. This gives you time to cancel if you no longer want the subscription. If you do nothing, the charge goes through automatically.
If your payment method fails on the renewal date, Spotify will try again over the next few days. If payment continues to fail, your account will eventually be downgraded to Free. You can update your payment information in your account settings at any time.
Cancelling a yearly subscription and refund policies
You can cancel a yearly subscription through your Spotify account settings at any point during the year. Cancellation takes effect immediately, and your access continues until the end of your paid 12-month period. You do not lose access mid-year when you cancel.
Spotify does not refund unused months if you cancel partway through your yearly subscription in most countries. Once you have paid for the year, that payment is non-refundable even if you stop using the service after one month. Some countries have consumer protection laws that may override this policy, so check your local regulations if you believe you are may have access to to a refund.
After your yearly subscription ends and you do not renew, your account reverts to Free (ad-supported) if you keep using Spotify. You do not automatically lose access to your playlists or saved music — they remain in your account under the Free tier.
Yearly versus monthly: which costs less
A yearly subscription always has a lower per-month cost than a monthly subscription. If Spotify's yearly Premium plan costs $120 and the monthly plan costs $11.99, the yearly plan works out to $10 per month. Over 12 months, choosing yearly saves you roughly $24 compared to paying monthly.
The savings increase if Spotify raises monthly prices during your subscription year. Once you have paid for a yearly plan, your rate is locked in for those 12 months. Monthly subscribers pay the new rate immediately when prices change.
The trade-off is that you must commit to paying the full amount upfront. If you are unsure whether you will use Spotify for a full year, a monthly plan gives you more flexibility to cancel without losing money on unused time.
How to switch between yearly and monthly plans
You can change from a monthly plan to a yearly plan, or vice versa, through your Spotify account settings. Go to your subscription details and look for an option to change your plan type. Spotify will show you the new price and when the change takes effect.
If you switch from monthly to yearly mid-month, Spotify prorates the cost. You pay only for the remaining days of your current billing cycle, then the yearly plan begins. The exact calculation depends on how many days remain in your current month.
If you switch from yearly to monthly before your year is up, you lose the remainder of your prepaid time. Spotify does not refund the unused portion. Your new monthly plan starts immediately, and you begin paying the monthly rate going forward.
Using a yearly subscription across devices
A yearly Premium subscription works on any device where you log into your Spotify account — phones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, and gaming consoles. You do not need separate subscriptions for each device. Your account and payment cover all of them.
The number of devices you can use at the same time depends on your plan type. A single Premium account can stream on one device at a time. Family and Duo plans allow multiple people to stream simultaneously on different devices.
If you share your login with someone else, you are both using the same subscription. Spotify's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use only, so sharing login credentials violates the terms. If you want multiple people to have separate accounts and simultaneous streaming, a Family or Duo plan is the intended option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel my yearly subscription early?
Spotify does not refund unused months in most cases. Once you pay for a year, that payment is final even if you cancel after one month. Some countries have consumer protection laws that may require refunds in certain situations — check your local regulations or contact Spotify support if you believe you are may have access to to one.
What happens to my music and playlists if my yearly subscription expires?
Your playlists and saved music stay in your account. When your subscription ends, you drop to the Free tier (ad-supported) and can still access everything you saved. You lose features like offline downloads and ad-free listening, but your library remains intact.
Does Spotify offer discounts on yearly plans?
Spotify occasionally runs promotional pricing on yearly subscriptions, especially around holidays or for new users. Prices and promotions vary by country and change throughout the year. Check Spotify's website or app to see current offers in your region.
Can I use a yearly subscription in multiple countries?
Your subscription works in any country where Spotify operates, as long as you log into your account. However, Spotify's catalog and features may vary by country. If you move to a different country, your subscription continues, but you may notice differences in available music or features.
What payment methods does Spotify accept for yearly subscriptions?
Spotify accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and in some countries, mobile billing and other local payment methods. You can see which options are available in your region during checkout. Your payment method must be valid and have sufficient funds when your renewal date arrives.