Spotify Premium Costs Go Up in Kenya: Here’s How Much You’ll Pay

Spotify has increased pricing for all its Premium plans in Kenya. Users were notified of these changes through an email explaining that the price adjustment is meant to help the company continue innovating its product offerings. While these changes bring new pricing tiers and one-time payment options, they also reflect a broader global trend of streaming services gradually increasing their prices.

The Email Notification

In the email, Spotify informed Premium Family subscribers of the following:

"We're increasing the price of Premium Family so that we can continue to innovate on our product offerings and features, and bring you the best experience.
Thank you for choosing Premium."

The Spotify Team

Comparing Old and New Spotify Premium Prices in Kenya

Detailed Breakdown of One-Time Payment Options

Spotify’s new one-time payment options allow users to pay upfront for a set period, avoiding monthly auto-renewals. These options are available for both the Individual and Duo plans, with discounts for longer-term commitments.

Individual Plan One-Time Payment Options:

• KES 369 for 1 month
• KES 999 for 3 months (KES 333 per month)
• KES 1,999 for 6 months (KES 333.17 per month)
• KES 3,390 for 1 year (KES 282.50 per month, saving KES 678)

Duo Plan One-Time Payment Options:

• KES 479 for 1 month
• KES 1,299 for 3 months (KES 433 per month)
• KES 2,599 for 6 months (KES 433.17 per month)
• KES 5,149 for 1 year (KES 429.09 per month, saving KES 599)

The Global Trend of Streaming Price Increases

There has been an upward trend in the pricing of streaming platforms across the world. Companies often enter new markets with low, enticing prices to attract users, only to raise prices once customers become reliant on their services. While Spotify remains relatively affordable in Kenya compared to American and European markets, such price increases risk alienating users, especially when introduced frequently.

For instance, platforms like Netflix and Apple Music have also increased their prices globally, which has sparked debates among consumers about the sustainability of these services in price-sensitive regions like Kenya. In the case of Spotify, despite its ongoing innovation and rich feature set, users may feel the pinch if these price hikes continue at the current pace.

Breakdown of the New Monthly Plans

1. Mini Plan (KES 69 per week):

• A budget-friendly, mobile-only option that includes offline listening for up to 30 songs on one device with basic audio quality.

2. Individual Plan (KES 339 per month for new, KES 369 continuing):

• The standard plan offers ad-free music streaming, offline listening, and access to millions of songs and podcasts. One-time payment options are available for those who prefer more flexible payment structures.

3. Student Plan (KES 169 per month):

• This discounted plan is available for verified students at higher education institutions, providing all the benefits of the Individual plan at a lower price point.

4. Duo Plan (KES 439 per month):

• A great option for two people sharing the same address, Duo offers two separate Premium accounts along with the popular Duo Mix feature.

5. Family Plan (KES 549 per month):

• Supporting up to six accounts, the Family plan allows for content control (e.g., filtering explicit songs) and shared playlists, making it ideal for larger households.

Final Thoughts

Spotify’s new pricing structure, while still competitive compared to other global markets, may raise concerns for some users about the sustainability of subscription services at ever-increasing prices. As more consumers look for the best value for their money, Spotify will need to ensure that their innovations and offerings justify these periodic price hikes, or else they’ll fail.