Prepare to spend more for streaming no matter where you go

Earlier this week, Apple Music bumped its monthly individual subscription price from [insert currency symbol here] 9.99 to 10.99. That basically gives all the other platforms to raise their prices, too.

Paris-based Deezer has increased the price of its premium service by the same amount locally from 9.99 to 10.99. (It should be noted that Deezer charges on a sliding scale based on local economic conditions. For example, a Brazilian sub costs about $4.50.)

So what about Spotify? CEO Daniel Ek says that the company is thinking about boosting prices in 2023. These comments were made during the company’s 3Q financial report. Spotify stock fell more than 15% afterward.

Here’s the thing about streaming: All the platforms have more-or-less the same access to all the same songs, but there are some differences.

• The user interface. Which platform looks the nicest? Which works the fastest? Which has the best mobile app? Who has the best search functions?
• Audio quality: Apple Music and Amazon Music offer some kind of lossless codec that allows for better-sounding audio?

The battle for your streaming love continues.