13 ways to get Spotify Premium for free or cheap in 2026
Want to use Spotify Premium for free or at a low cost? This article compiles 13 methods including official trials, student discounts, family plans, gift cards, carrier benefits, and SubPlaza to help you reduce long-term music listening costs.

Spotify Premium gives you ad-free listening, offline downloads, higher audio quality, on-demand playback, and unlimited skips. For people who frequently listen during commutes, workouts, studying, driving, or before bed, the real value of Premium isn't just “another subscription”—it's a smoother, more seamless listening experience.
However, Spotify's official subscription prices aren't cheap. Based on current U.S. pricing, Premium Individual is $12.99/month, Student is $6.99/month, Duo is $18.99/month, and Family is $21.99/month. Prices vary by country and region, so always check Spotify's official page for the final rates.
Below are 13 ways to get Spotify Premium for free or at a low cost, including official trials, student discounts, family sharing, gift cards, brand perks, and low-cost subscription platforms like SubPlaza.
Is Spotify Premium worth it?

The free version of Spotify meets basic listening needs, but Premium offers a more complete experience: no ad interruptions, offline downloads, more control on mobile, and better support for headphones, speakers, car systems, and multi-device switching.
If you only listen to background music occasionally, the free version is enough. But if you use Spotify daily, Premium makes a bigger difference during commutes, travel, workouts, studying, and winding down before bed.
Option | Reference Price | Savings | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Official Free Trial | $0 for first month | ~$12.99 | First-time Premium experience |
Student Plan | $6.99/month | ~$6/month | Eligible students |
Family Plan Split | ~$3.67/month per person | ~$9.32/month | Multiple users, stable sharing |
SubPlaza Spotify | From $4.79/month | ~$8.20/month | Want long-term low price, hassle-free |
1. Spotify Official Free Trial
The official free trial is the most straightforward way for new users who have never subscribed to Premium. On Spotify's U.S. page, Premium Individual currently offers a 1-month trial, after which it renews at the regular monthly rate.
Before signing up, make sure your account is eligible as a new user and note the auto-renewal date after the trial ends. If you only want to try the free period, set a reminder to cancel before it expires.
- Go to the official Spotify Premium page to check the current trial offers.
- Log in with an eligible account and link a valid payment method.
- Confirm the trial duration and renewal price, and cancel auto-renewal as needed before it expires.
2. Spotify Welcome Back Offer
If you’ve subscribed to Premium before but canceled some time ago, keep an eye out for whether Spotify sends you a Welcome Back offer. These promotions typically appear in your email, app notifications, or account page.
Common forms include a 1-month low price, multi-month discounts, or a short free trial. Whether you see the offer depends on your account history, region, and Spotify’s current strategy.
- Make sure your Spotify account can be logged in normally.
- Check your email, app notifications, and account homepage.
- Once you receive an offer, first confirm the renewal price before deciding whether to resubscribe.
3. Spotify Student Plan
The Student plan is one of the official long-term discounts. Taking the current U.S. page price as an example, Student is $6.99/month, about $6 lower than Individual at $12.99/month, a discount of roughly 46%. Over a year, you save about $72.
This plan is suitable for eligible college students. Subscription usually requires student verification, and periodic re-verification may be needed later.
- Go to the Spotify Student page to check if your region is supported.
- Complete verification via your school email or a student authentication system.
- Once verified, subscribe at the student price, and keep track of future re-verification requirements.
4. Spotify Family Plan

Family is ideal for a stable group of users. On the U.S. page, the Family plan is currently $21.99/month, supporting up to 6 Premium accounts. If fully split among 6 people, each pays about $3.67/month, saving roughly $9.32 per month compared to Individual, a savings rate of about 72%.
This option requires that members comply with Spotify's Family plan rules, especially the residency requirement. It's best for family members or stable housemates for long-term use.
- The main account opens Spotify Family.
- Add members via an invitation link.
- Members complete address verification as required and join the plan.
5. Third-Party Low-Cost Subscription Platforms
If you don’t have suitable family members to share a plan and don’t want to commit to the official Individual price long-term, consider third-party low-cost platforms like SubPlaza.
Taking SubPlaza’s current Spotify product price of $4.79/month as an example, compared to the official Individual $12.99/month, you save about $8.20 per month, a savings rate of roughly 63%. Annually, that’s about $98.40 in savings.
Spotify Premium Subscription
Experience Spotify Premium through SubPlaza with more flexible pricing.
The advantage of this approach is transparent pricing and a simple sign-up process, with no need to gather others for a group plan. Before purchasing, it’s advisable to review product details, delivery methods, customer support, and usage rules.
6. Microsoft Rewards Points Exchange
If you regularly use Bing search or the Edge browser, you can check whether Microsoft Rewards offers Spotify-related redemptions. The idea is to earn points through daily tasks and then exchange them for subscription benefits or gift cards on the rewards page.
The availability and redemption thresholds for such offers can change, so it’s not recommended to grind tasks solely for Spotify. It’s better suited for users who already engage with the Microsoft ecosystem and can accumulate points on the side.
- Sign up and log in to Microsoft Rewards.
- Accumulate points through searches, daily tasks, and activities.
- Check the Rewards page for any Spotify-related redemptions.
7. Xbox Game Pass Benefits
The Perks page of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate sometimes offers Spotify Premium trials or redemption codes. It’s not a guaranteed benefit, but worth checking if you’re an Xbox user.
If you’re already a Game Pass subscriber, these perks are an added bonus. Before claiming, note the redemption region, new/old user restrictions, and expiration date.
- Subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
- Open the Perks page on your Xbox or Microsoft account.
- Check for Spotify Premium trials or redemption codes.
8. Carrier Partnership Benefits

Some mobile carriers offer Spotify Premium as a perk with specific plans, such as 1 to several months free. This works best if you already need the carrier plan.
When evaluating value, don’t just look at the Spotify membership price—also factor in the carrier plan cost. If the plan already suits your needs, the Spotify benefit is a nice bonus.
- Check if your local carrier has a Spotify partnership offer.
- Confirm the specific plan, eligibility requirements, and validity period.
- Redeem through the carrier’s benefits center or campaign page.
9. Xiaomi Partnership Campaign
Some phone brands offer Spotify Premium trials on certain models or in specific regions, and Xiaomi device promotions are one example. This is best for those already planning to upgrade their phone.
If the promotion offers 1 month, that saves about $12.99; if 3 months, about $38.97. Specific models, regions, and deadlines depend on the local official page.
- Purchase a participating Xiaomi device.
- Check the in-device benefits center or Xiaomi’s official campaign page.
- Follow on-screen instructions to link your Spotify account and activate the benefit.
10. OnePlus Phone Benefits
OnePlus may also offer Spotify Premium promotions in certain markets. Similar to Xiaomi, this isn’t a permanent perk and is best grabbed when you’re already planning to get a new phone.
It’s recommended to confirm the campaign is still active before purchasing, to avoid choosing an unsuitable device just for the membership.
- Confirm the participating OnePlus models and regions.
- Complete activation of the new device.
- Claim the Spotify trial through the official campaign page or system benefits center.
11. Starbucks Employee Benefits
This method is for specific employee groups. If your company or organization offers Spotify Premium as an employee benefit, you can claim it through the internal benefits platform.
Its advantage is low cost or even free, but availability is limited. Whether it includes Spotify depends on your company’s benefits page.
- Log in to the employee benefits platform.
- Search for Spotify or music subscription-related benefits.
- Follow the internal instructions to claim or link your account.
12. Buy a Spotify Gift Card
Spotify gift cards aren't always free, but during promotions they can lower the cost of a long-term subscription. For example, buying a 20% off gift card on an Individual plan costing $155.88 a year would save about $31.18.
This method works well for those willing to plan their subscription budget in advance. When purchasing, be mindful of the gift card's applicable country, redemption restrictions, and expiration date.
- Search for Spotify Gift Cards on trusted e-commerce platforms or at physical retailers.
- Prioritize discounted gift cards during promotional periods.
- Redeem the card to your Spotify account and use it to cover your subscription fees.
13. Holiday Limited-Time Promotions

Spotify may offer limited-time discounts during back-to-school season, Black Friday, Christmas, or other marketing events. Common promotions include a low first-month price, multi-month discounts, or extended free trials.
These offers are best for those who aren't in a hurry to subscribe. You can keep an eye on Spotify emails, app notifications, and official social accounts, then sign up when a promotion appears.
- Follow Spotify's official website, emails, and app notifications.
- Pay special attention to back-to-school, Black Friday, and year-end promotions.
- Before claiming, confirm the eligible regions, restrictions for new vs. existing users, and the renewal price.
Conclusion: Which method works best for long-term use?
In 2026, there's more than one way to lower the cost of Spotify Premium beyond the standard subscription. Official free trials are great for first-time experience, student plans suit those who qualify, family plans work well for stable group use, and gift cards or holiday promotions are ideal for those willing to wait for deals.
If you prefer a more stable, hassle-free long-term Premium experience without having to organize a group plan yourself, SubPlaza's Spotify Premium offering is a more direct choice. Starting at $4.79/month, it's lighter than the official Individual plan, making it suitable for users who want to cut subscription costs while keeping the full listening experience.
FAQ
What is the current official price of Spotify Premium in the US?
As of the time of writing, Spotify's US page shows Individual at $12.99/month, Student at $6.99/month, Duo at $18.99/month, and Family at $21.99/month. Prices may vary by region.
Can everyone claim a Spotify Premium free trial?
Not necessarily. Official free trials are usually for eligible new users. Eligibility depends on your account history, region, and the current promotion.
Can the student plan be used indefinitely?
The student plan requires eligibility and verification, and may need periodic re-verification. Refer to Spotify's official page for the exact rules.
Can I share a Family plan with anyone?
The Family plan has rules regarding members and addresses. It's suitable for eligible families or housemates. Be sure to check the official terms before joining.
Who is SubPlaza best for?
SubPlaza is best for users who want to lower their Spotify Premium costs long-term, don't want to organize a family plan themselves, and prefer quick activation with after-sales support.