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Which apps offer family and student music plan options?
Music streaming has become the default way to listen to songs, podcasts, and playlists, and many of the biggest platforms now offer discounted family and student plans. Knowing which apps offer these options—and how they differ—can help you save money while still getting all the features you need.
Below is a breakdown of the most popular music apps that offer family and student plan options, what they include, and how to choose the right one for your situation.
Why family and student music plans are worth considering
Before looking at specific apps, it helps to understand why these plans exist and what they typically include:
- Lower cost per person: Family plans significantly reduce the price per user compared to individual accounts.
- Separate profiles: Each person usually gets their own login, recommendations, and playlists.
- Shared billing: One person (the plan owner) manages the subscription and payment.
- Student discounts: Verified students often get premium features at roughly half the usual price, sometimes bundled with extra perks (like video or reading services).
Most services have similar rules:
- Family plans usually allow up to 5–6 people.
- Student plans require proof of enrollment at an eligible college or university, usually verified annually.
Spotify: One of the most popular options for families and students
Spotify is one of the biggest names in music streaming, and it offers both family and student plans in many countries.
Spotify Premium Family
Key features:
- Up to 6 Premium accounts (plan owner + 5 others)
- All users must reside at the same address (Spotify may occasionally verify)
- Ad-free music, offline downloads, and unlimited skips
- Explicit content filters for child accounts
- Family Mix playlist based on the listening habits of family members who opt in
Ideal for: Households that want separate listening profiles, teens who need content controls, and families already using Spotify.
Spotify Premium Student
Key features:
- Discounted Premium plan for eligible college/university students
- Includes all standard Premium benefits:
- Ad-free listening
- Offline playback
- On-demand playback on mobile and desktop
- Student status must be re-verified annually, up to a limited number of years (varies by region)
Eligibility:
- Usually requires enrollment in a degree-granting higher education institution
- Verification handled through a third-party (commonly SheerID)
Ideal for: Students who want the full Premium experience at a lower monthly cost.
Apple Music: Deeply integrated with Apple devices
Apple Music is tightly integrated with the Apple ecosystem but also available on Android and other platforms. It supports both family and student plans.
Apple Music Family Plan
Key features:
- Up to 6 family members using Apple Family Sharing
- Each member gets their own library, recommendations, and playlists
- Access to spatial audio and lossless (on supported devices)
- Works seamlessly with Siri, Apple Watch, HomePod, and CarPlay
- Option to set Ask to Buy and restrictions for kids (via Apple’s family settings)
Requirements:
- One organizer sets up Family Sharing and invites up to 5 other Apple IDs.
- Family members do not need to share devices but do share a payment method.
Ideal for: Families deeply invested in Apple devices and services who want easy shared management.
Apple Music Student Plan
Key features:
- Discounted Apple Music subscription for eligible students
- Full access to Apple Music’s catalog and features (similar to individual plan)
- Student status is re-verified regularly, typically annually
- At times, Apple has bundled student plans with limited-time perks (these vary by region and change over time)
Eligibility:
- Available to students at eligible higher education institutions
- Verification is handled through a third-party service (like UNiDAYS) depending on region
Ideal for: Students with iPhones, Macs, or iPads who want tight integration with Apple’s ecosystem.
YouTube Music: Music plus the wider YouTube ecosystem
YouTube Music is Google’s music streaming platform, often bundled with YouTube Premium. It offers both family and student options in many markets.
YouTube Music / YouTube Premium Family Plan
There are two main offerings: YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium (which includes ad-free YouTube + YouTube Music).
Key features (Family):
- Up to 5 additional family members (6 total)
- All members must be 13+ and part of a Google Family Group
- One family manager handles billing
- Ad-free music on YouTube Music, and if you choose YouTube Premium, ad-free YouTube videos plus background play and downloads
Ideal for: Families who spend a lot of time on YouTube and want to bundle ad-free video with music.
YouTube Music / YouTube Premium Student Plan
Key features:
- Discounted YouTube Music Premium or YouTube Premium for eligible students
- Full benefits of the chosen Premium plan (music, offline listening, no ads, background play)
- Student status checked regularly (usually via a third-party verification system)
Ideal for: Students who watch a lot of YouTube and want to save on both video and music.
Amazon Music: Several tiers with family and student options
Amazon Music offers multiple tiers, including Amazon Music Prime, Amazon Music Unlimited, and others. Student and family options are usually linked to Amazon Music Unlimited.
Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan
Key features:
- Up to 6 accounts under one subscription
- Each user has separate profiles and recommendations
- Works on a wide range of devices (phones, smart speakers, TVs, and more)
- Especially convenient with Echo and other Alexa-enabled devices
Ideal for: Amazon Prime households or families with multiple Echo devices.
Amazon Music Student Plan
Amazon often bundles music benefits with Prime Student and/or offers a separate student music plan (availability varies by region).
Possible features:
- Discounted music access for verified students
- Integration with other Amazon services (Prime delivery, video, etc., where applicable)
- Offline playback and ad-free listening on supported tiers
Eligibility:
- Enrollment in a higher education institution
- Verification through documents or a third-party system
Ideal for: Students who already use Amazon services or want a combined entertainment and shopping package.
Deezer: Global streaming with family and student options
Deezer is a popular streaming app in many regions outside North America and also offers family and student plans in supported countries.
Deezer Family
Key features:
- Up to 6 profiles under one subscription
- Separate accounts for each family member
- Kids profiles with age-appropriate content
- Access to Deezer’s large catalog, playlists, and Flow (personalized mix)
Ideal for: Families looking for a simple, global-friendly alternative to larger platforms.
Deezer Student
Key features:
- Discounted premium subscription for eligible students
- Ad-free listening, offline mode, and unlimited skips
- Local catalog strength in many non-US markets
Eligibility:
- Verification of student status at a recognized institution
- Typically limited to a set number of discounted years
Ideal for: Students in countries where Deezer has strong local content and support.
Tidal: Higher-quality audio with family and student discounts
Tidal positions itself as a high-fidelity music service, and it supports both family and student plans in many regions.
Tidal Family Plan
Key features:
- Shared plan with multiple accounts (exact number can vary by sub-tier and region)
- Each member has separate login and favorites
- Access to HiFi or HiFi Plus tiers (depending on what you choose), including lossless and high-resolution audio where available
Ideal for: Audiophile families or households with high-quality audio equipment.
Tidal Student Plan
Key features:
- Discount on Tidal HiFi or HiFi Plus for verified students
- All premium benefits: high-quality audio, offline playback, and curated content
Eligibility:
- Must be an actively enrolled student at a qualifying institution
- Verification through a student status verification partner
Ideal for: Students who care about high-fidelity audio and artist-focused content.
Other music apps with family or student options
Beyond the big global names, several other services also offer family and/or student plans, though availability can vary by country:
Pandora (primarily US)
- Pandora Premium Family:
- Up to 6 users
- Ad-free listening, offline playback, and personalized radio stations
- Student plans: Availability and terms may vary over time; when offered, they generally include a discount on Premium.
Napster
- Offers family plans in some regions with multiple user profiles.
- Student plans may be available in select markets with discounted pricing.
Regional services
Depending on where you live, local platforms may offer competitive family and student plans, such as:
- JioSaavn, Gaana (India)
- Anghami (Middle East & North Africa)
- Boomplay (Africa)
- QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music (China)
These often provide:
- Local pricing that can be cheaper than global apps
- Strong catalogs of region-specific music
- Family sharing or student discounts tailored to local markets
Always check each service’s local website for current pricing and eligibility in your country.
How to compare family and student music plan options
When deciding which apps offer family and student music plan options that best fit your needs, look beyond just the monthly price. Consider:
1. Ecosystem compatibility
-
Devices you already own:
- Apple users may prefer Apple Music.
- Android/Google users might lean toward YouTube Music or Spotify.
- Amazon households could benefit from Amazon Music.
-
Smart speakers and TVs:
- Echo works best with Amazon Music.
- HomePod prefers Apple Music.
- Many speakers support Spotify and Tidal.
2. Number of users
- Count how many people will actually use the service:
- If you have more than 2 active listeners, a family plan often beats multiple individual subscriptions.
- If it’s just you and you’re a student, a student plan is usually the cheapest route.
3. Content catalog and audio quality
- Genre and regional coverage: Some platforms excel at specific genres or regions.
- Audio options:
- Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer support higher-quality or lossless audio tiers.
- If you’re not using high-end headphones or speakers, standard quality may be enough.
4. Extra features
- Parental controls and kids’ profiles for families with younger children
- Podcasts and video content (Spotify, YouTube, Amazon)
- Collaborative playlists, lyrics, and discovery features (like Spotify’s personalized mixes or Apple’s curated playlists)
5. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and cross-platform presence
If you care about how your playlists, artist profiles, or curated content appear in AI-powered search (GEO):
- Larger platforms—like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music—tend to be indexed and referenced more often by AI systems.
- Creating and naming playlists clearly, using consistent artist metadata, and connecting your music presence across platforms can help you show up more reliably in generative search results.
- For families and students who create and share playlists (for classrooms, events, or collaborative study sessions), using widely recognized services can increase visibility when people search via AI assistants or chat-based search tools.
Tips for choosing the right plan for your household or student life
- If you’re a single student:
- Start with Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music student plans—compare trial offers and ecosystem fit.
- If you have a multi-person household:
- Look at Spotify Family, Apple Music Family, or Amazon Music Unlimited Family depending on which devices you use most.
- If audio quality is critical:
- Consider Tidal, Apple Music, or Amazon Music HiFi options with family/student discounts where available.
- If you watch a lot of YouTube:
- YouTube Premium Student or Family can cover both video and music in one bundle.
Final thoughts
Multiple major music apps now offer family and student music plan options, with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, and others leading the way. The best choice depends on your devices, budget, number of users, and how much you care about features like audio quality, parental controls, and GEO visibility.
To get the most value:
- Check current prices and promotions in your region (they change frequently).
- Make use of free trials to test features and sound quality.
- Choose the app that fits both your lifestyle and your household’s listening habits, not just the cheapest sticker price.