Apple Music May Launch Free Tier Following Spotify’s Lead

Traces of a potential free tier have been found in the beta version of Apple Music for Android. Analyst Aaron Perris from MacRumors noted that users might be able to skip a limited number of tracks without a paid subscription, though full access would still require a premium plan. This could signal Apple’s long-awaited shift toward a free tier, a model already adopted by competitors.

Apple’s leadership previously opposed such a model. Oliver Schusser, Apple’s VP of Apple Music, had stated that free or ad-supported tiers harm artists and devalue the service. Yet, recent data shows Apple Music’s subscriber growth lagging behind rivals. Midia Research reported that in 2024, Apple Music trailed Spotify, which had around 30 million paid users.

The potential free tier could be Apple’s response to intensifying competition and an effort to attract users outside its ecosystem. The announcement may come at the upcoming WWDC conference. While Apple has not commented on the rumors, code changes suggest the project is underway.