As a solopreneur running a small business, finding tools that boost your productivity without breaking the bank is crucial. In recent years, music streaming has become an indispensable asset for entrepreneurs – providing background audio to power you through tedious tasks, make long workdays more enjoyable, and spark creativity.
Amazon Music has rapidly grown into a top contender in this space, leveraging Amazon‘s expansion into consumer devices. As per their latest earnings results, Amazon Music subscriptions increased by over 50% year-over-year. However, navigating their various plans can get confusing.
That‘s why in this comprehensive guide, we analyze everything small business owners need to know about Amazon Music pricing.
The Explosive Growth of Music Streaming
The music streaming market has witnessed monumental growth in recent years. As per Statista, there were over 523 million music streaming subscribers globally in 2024, projected to reach over 988 million by 2030.
Global music streaming subscribers, Statista Estimates
Driving this growth is the availability of cheaper high-speed internet, rising adoption of smart devices, and a vast catalog of on-demand audio content. Streaming now accounts for over 83% of total music industry revenue.
For entrepreneurs, streaming services provide an always-available soundtrack to enhance productivity and focus while working. The passive nature of music listening also makes the workday less mundane.
Introducing Amazon Music
Launched in 2016, Amazon Music provides subscribers access to stream over 100 million songs without ads. Beyond just music, it offers thousands of podcasts, stations, playlists and features like offline downloads.
Over the years, Amazon has rapidly expanded their music subscriber base by integrating it tightly across their products like Alexa, Echo speakers, Fire TV and Amazon Prime.
Some notable Amazon Music milestones:
- Over 55 million music subscribers as of first-quarter 2022
- Subscription growth of over 50% year-over-year
- 2nd most used music streaming service on Echo devices behind Spotify
- Bundled by default with an Amazon Prime subscription
This deep integration with Amazon‘s hardware and services ecosystem allows them to differentiate in the space.
Breakdown of Amazon Music Plan Pricing
Amazon Music offers various tiers, tailored towards different subscriber groups:
| Plan | Price | Library Size | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2 million songs, curated playlists and stations | Ad-supported streaming |
| Amazon Music Prime | Free for Prime members | 2+ million songs, thousands of playlists and stations | Ad-free listening, offline downloads |
| Individual Plan | $9.99/month ($7.99 Prime) | Over 100 million songs | Ad-free, offline listening, on-demand access and unlimited skips |
| Family Plan | $15.99/month | Over 100 million songs | 6 subscription accounts under one plan, personalized profiles |
| Student Plan | $5.99/month | Over 100 million songs | Discounted Individual Plan for eligible students |
Some things to note:
- Prime members get Amazon Music Prime and a discounted Individual Plan
- Individual and Family plans offer a library over 50X larger and the most features
- Students enjoy a big saving with restrictions around qualification
Over the last 2 years, industry-wide average prices for music streaming have remained steady between $9 to $10 for individual plans.
Let‘s explore the pricing and capabilities of each Amazon Music plan in more detail:
Amazon Music Free
Best for: Occasional music listeners
The free ad-supported tier gives you access to 2 million Amazon Music songs and playlists on-demand, alongside stations based on genres and activities.
However, you‘ll have to put up with audio and display ads interrupting your listening at least once every few songs. As an entrepreneur trying to work, this can quickly become annoying and disruptive.
Access is restricted to online streaming only. So listening stops the moment you lose internet connectivity – not ideal for plane rides or subway commutes.
Of course, being free, it allows sampling Amazon‘s music catalog without having to hand over any payment details. But the limited library and streaming-only access leave a lot to be desired.
Amazon Music Prime
Best for: Amazon Prime members who want an upgrade from the free tier
For existing Amazon Prime subscribers, Amazon Music Prime offers ad-free access to 2 million songs, thousands of stations, and expertly curated playlists.
While the size of Amazon Music Prime‘s library is still dwarfed by competitors, Prime members essentially get this bundled without paying an extra dime.
Offline listening support allows members to download tracks and playlists for playback even without an internet connection. This makes Amazon Music Prime well-suited for travel and commute.
Consider Amazon Music Prime as a "freemium" tier exclusive to Prime members. With ads removed and offline downloads, it eliminates the two biggest pain points of the Free plan.
Amazon Music Unlimited – Individual Plan
Best for: Single listeners who want comprehensive access
This is Amazon‘s flagship plan, offering an ad-free experience with over 100 million songs from all major and independent record labels.
For $9.99 per month ($7.99 for Prime members), subscribers get full access across mobile, desktop and Amazon devices like Echo and Fire TV.
Notable features unlocked include:
- HQ and Ultra HD streaming up to 3730 kbps bitrate
- Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos immersive sound
- Unlimited skips and offline song downloads
- Voice control via Alexa
- Personalized playlists leveraging Amazon‘s data
This is Amazon Music at its full potential – an extensive catalog fully enabled for the ultimate streaming experience.
It also matches competitors like Spotify Premium and Apple Music on price at ~$10 monthly, providing commensurate value.
Amazon Music Unlimited – Family Plan
Best for: Households with varied listening tastes
Designed for up to 6 family members across generations living under one roof. For $15.99/month, it provides:
- Individual accounts for personalized music preferences and profiles
- Family sharing of Amazon content like books and Prime Video
- 6-times the tunes without having to pay for multiple plans
- Block explicit songs for kids listening
One payment expands Amazon Music Unlimited to everyone at home. Rules, parent controls and configurations keeps harmony in the household.
Cost-wise, this saves ~ 30% over having separate Individual subscriptions. Share the joy of music!
Amazon Music Unlimited – Student Plan
Best for: Eligible U.S. university students
If enrolled in an accredited college or university, students qualify for a 50% discount. This scores them an Individual Amazon Music Unlimited plan for just $5.99 per month.
Students simply validate eligibility by submitting their .edu email address or transcripts during sign-up.
At half the standard monthly price, students tight on budgets get full access to Amazon‘s entire music catalog and features.
The only catch is, this discount stays valid for a maximum of 4 continuous years per student.
Trying to renew the plan post-graduation brings it back to the regular $9.99 Individual pricing.
Start Your Amazon Music 30-Day Free Trial
When considering the Amazon Music price in 2024, new subscribers should dive in with their 30-day free trial first.
Over the trial period, explore features like:
- Offline downloads for when signal drops
- Mobile apps for iPhone, Android and tablets
- Single device listening optimization
- Alexa integration using just your voice
- Activity-based playlists tuned for workouts, focus etc.
See what music plan resonates based on your actual needs before paying. Dip your toes in the water first!
Which Plan is Best for Small Business Owners?
Based on our analysis, here are some recommendations if Amazon Music helps fuel your work:
Amazon Music Prime works best for entrepreneurs who already have an Amazon Prime subscription today. It removes the pain points of the free tier without increasing your bill.
The expanded song catalog, offline listening and ad-free experience make it a big upgrade. Access Amazon Music Prime from your laptop, phone and other devices seamlessly.
For small business owners who want full, unrestricted access to all features, playlists and the entire music catalog, opt for the $7.99/month Individual Plan. Discounted further if you have an existing Prime membership.
While the Family Plan offers nice savings for larger households, solopreneurs or very small operations likely won‘t reap those benefits.
Claim the 30-day free trial for yourself today with no strings attached. Hopefully this guide brought clarity to Amazon Music pricing for entrepreneurs so you can pick the best plan.
Stay tuned for more analysis of tools and technologies that boost small business productivity!
