For years, Apple users have enjoyed a free three-month trial for new users, this free trial period has been reduced to one month in some countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, and the U.K. Some others too.
This move does not affect the limited six-month trial program awarded for a limited time with the purchase of some Apple devices, like AirPods, HomePod mini and some Beats products. Monthly subscription rates are also seemingly unaffected as of yet. An individual Apple Music plan still costs $9.99 ($4.99 for college students), and a 5-person family plan is $14.99. There is also the newer Apple Music Voice Plan, which gives you limited access to some of the music catalogues through voice and Siri, without spatial or lossless audio for $4.99 a month.
One of Apple’s biggest competitors, Spotify is currently offering a free premium trial for new users beyond its ad-based free tier., however, in the U.S. and some other countries, Spotify runs limited two-month trial campaigns and pays for Premium through PayPal can get you three months free.
Spotify’s market share has declined from 34% in 2019 to 33% in 2020 and 31% last year. Apple Music has a 15% slice of the streaming market pie worldwide followed by Amazon’s 13%. Despite the current trends, for Apple to catch up and overtake Spotify it will have to take a long term, patient approach to the business of streaming music.
