Spotify yearly subscriptions are sold directly by Spotify and through authorized retailers, but the price and terms depend on which route you choose
Spotify offers a yearly plan as an alternative to paying month-to-month. You can buy it directly from Spotify's website or app, or through third-party retailers that sell digital gift cards and subscription codes. The yearly plan costs less per month than paying monthly, but you pay the full year upfront — typically around $119 to $139 depending on your region and which tier you choose (Standard, Premium, or Duo). The exact price varies by country and changes periodically.
The main trade-off is commitment: you pay for twelve months at once, so if you cancel before the year ends, most providers will not refund the unused portion. Some retailers occasionally discount yearly codes, but these sales are unpredictable and the savings are usually modest.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify yearly plans cost less per month than monthly subscriptions, but you must pay the full year upfront with no refund if you cancel early.
- You can buy directly from Spotify or through authorized retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, or digital code sellers, each with different refund policies.
- Yearly subscription codes from third-party sellers are non-transferable to a different Spotify account once redeemed.
- Some retailers occasionally discount yearly codes, but discounts are rare and savings are usually $10 to $20 for the year.
Buying directly from Spotify
The simplest route is to buy through Spotify's own website or mobile app. Log into your account, go to your subscription settings, and select the yearly plan. You pay with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal, and the plan starts immediately. Spotify handles billing and customer support directly, so if you have questions about your subscription or need to cancel, you contact Spotify.
The downside is that Spotify rarely discounts its yearly plans. You pay the standard price, which is set by region. If you cancel before twelve months are up, Spotify will not refund the unused time — your subscription simply ends on the anniversary date you paid for.
Buying through retailers and gift card sellers
Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and other retailers sell Spotify yearly subscription codes as digital products. You buy the code, receive it by email, and redeem it on your Spotify account. The code adds twelve months to your subscription, starting immediately or on your next billing date depending on whether you already have an active plan.
The advantage is that some retailers occasionally run sales on these codes, and you may find them cheaper than Spotify's direct price. The disadvantage is that codes are final sales — once you redeem a code, you cannot transfer it to another account or get a refund. If you buy from a third-party marketplace (not an official retailer), verify the seller's reputation first, because fraudulent or already-redeemed codes do exist.
Understanding the yearly plan terms
When you buy a yearly subscription, you are committing to twelve months of service. Spotify will charge your payment method once per year on the anniversary of your purchase. If you cancel during the year, your access ends on that anniversary date — Spotify does not prorate or refund the remaining months.
If your payment method fails or is declined when the renewal date arrives, Spotify will attempt to charge you again over a few days. If payment continues to fail, your subscription will pause, and you will lose access to Spotify until you update your payment information. You will not be charged again until you manually restart your subscription.
Comparing yearly to month-to-month
A yearly plan typically costs between $119 and $139 per year, depending on your region and plan tier. A monthly plan costs between $11 and $17 per month, which adds up to $132 to $204 per year if you pay month-to-month. The yearly plan saves you money if you plan to keep Spotify for the full twelve months.
However, if you think you might cancel within a year, the monthly plan is safer because you can stop anytime without losing money. The monthly plan also gives you flexibility to pause or downgrade if your circumstances change. Choose yearly only if you are confident you will use Spotify for the full year.
What happens if you cancel early
Spotify does not refund unused months on a yearly plan. If you pay for a full year and cancel after six months, you lose the money for the remaining six months. Your access ends immediately when you cancel, so you cannot use Spotify after that point.
Some credit card companies offer purchase protection or refund insurance, so if you paid with a credit card, you could contact your card issuer to ask about a chargeback. This is rare and usually only works if you can show the service was not delivered or was fraudulently charged. Spotify's terms of service state that yearly plans are non-refundable, so this route is not reliable.
Redeeming a subscription code
If you bought a code from a retailer, redeeming it takes a few minutes. Log into your Spotify account on the web or app, go to your account settings, find the option to redeem a code or gift card, and enter the code exactly as it appears. Spotify will validate the code and add twelve months to your subscription.
If you do not yet have a Spotify account, you can create one first, then redeem the code. The code will activate your subscription immediately. If you already have an active subscription, the code will extend your current plan by twelve months from your next renewal date, not from today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Spotify yearly subscription as a gift for someone else?
Yes. Buy a subscription code from a retailer and send them the code. They redeem it on their own Spotify account. You cannot transfer a code once it is redeemed, so make sure they have their own account set up first. If you buy directly from Spotify, you cannot gift it — you can only add it to your own account.
What if the code I bought does not work?
Contact the retailer where you bought it. They can verify whether the code was already redeemed or is invalid. If the code is defective, the retailer will issue a refund or send you a new code. Spotify does not handle refunds for codes sold by third parties — you must go back to the seller.
Does the yearly plan include the same features as the monthly plan?
Yes. Whether you pay yearly or monthly, you get the same Spotify features for your plan tier. A yearly Premium plan gives you the same ad-free listening, offline downloads, and sound quality as a monthly Premium plan. The only difference is how often you pay and whether you can get a refund.
Can I switch from yearly to monthly before my year is up?
You can downgrade to a monthly plan, but Spotify will not refund the unused portion of your yearly payment. Your yearly plan will end on its anniversary date, and you can start a monthly plan anytime. You will be charged for the monthly plan on whatever date you switch.
What if I move to a different country?
Your yearly subscription remains active, but the price and available plans may differ in your new country. When your yearly plan renews, Spotify will charge you at the rate for your new location. If you want to change your plan tier or billing address, update your account settings in Spotify.