1. Opt for Annual Subscriptions
Many music streaming services offer both monthly and annual subscription plans. While the monthly plan may seem more affordable in the short term, the annual plan often provides a significant discount. For example, Spotify Premium costs $9.99 per month, but the annual subscription is $99, saving you almost $20 over the course of a year. Similarly, Apple Music offers a $99 annual plan, which is $20 less than paying monthly.
2. Take Advantage of Student Discounts
If you’re a student, you can save a lot on music streaming services. Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal all offer student discounts that can cut the cost of a subscription in half. To qualify, you’ll need to verify your student status through a service like UNiDAYS or SheerID.
3. Share a Family Plan
Most music streaming services offer family plans that allow multiple users to share a single subscription. For example, Spotify’s Family Plan costs $14.99 per month and allows up to six people to use the service. That’s a significant savings compared to each person having their own individual subscription.
4. Try Ad-Supported Free Versions
Many music streaming services offer free versions that are supported by ads. While you’ll have to listen to occasional commercials, you won’t have to pay anything for the service. Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio all offer ad-supported free versions of their services.
5. Look for Promotions and Trials
Music streaming services often run promotions or offer free trials to attract new subscribers. For example, Spotify frequently offers three months of Premium for free to new users. Apple Music and Tidal also offer free trials, usually for a period of one to three months. Just remember to cancel before the trial period ends if you don’t want to start paying.
6. Use Cash Back or Rewards Credit Cards
Some credit cards offer cash back or rewards for digital music streaming services. For example, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. The Capital One Savor Card offers 4% cash back on entertainment, which includes music streaming services.
7. Limit Data Usage
If you’re streaming music on your mobile device using data, you could end up with a hefty bill. To save money, download your favorite songs or playlists while you’re connected to Wi-Fi and listen to them offline. Most music streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music, offer this feature.
Related Saving Tips
In conclusion, there are many ways to save money on music streaming services. Whether you opt for an annual subscription, take advantage of student discounts, share a family plan, use a free version, look for promotions, use a rewards credit card, or limit your data usage, you can enjoy your favorite music without breaking the bank. Remember, every little bit helps when it comes to saving money.