According to reports from Business Standard, clues discovered in the Apple Music Android beta suggest the company may be testing different subscription tiers. The references were spotted by Aaron Perris, an analyst working with MacRumors, who discovered code strings that appear to point to different levels of access within Apple's music streaming service. Currently, Apple Music is available through paid Individual, Student, Family and Apple One plans, and unlike rivals such as Spotify, it does not offer a free ad-supported tier.
As reported by Business Standard, the Android beta version of Apple Music contains references to 'premium access' and a message informing users that they have reached a 'skip limit' and can no longer skip tracks. One of the strings suggests that certain actions may require a higher level of access, while another appears to restrict the number of songs a user can skip. These references are notable because Apple Music currently does not impose track-skipping limits on paying subscribers.
According to Business Standard, the presence of these strings hints that Apple may be testing additional subscription tiers for Apple Music, possibly a free tier or a low-cost tier to counter Spotify. However, there is currently no information about what those plans could look like. One possibility is that Apple is exploring a lower-cost or free version of Apple Music with certain restrictions, while another possibility is that the company could introduce premium tiers that unlock additional features. However, as reported by Apple Music VP Oliver Schusser, any new tier from Apple probably won't be offered for free, citing concerns about artist monetization.
As reported by Business Standard, the discovery comes just weeks after Apple Music chief Oliver Schusser reportedly reiterated the company's opposition to free music streaming tiers. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Schusser said he believes offering music services for free was a mistake for the industry, according to 9To5Mac, citing Bloomberg. He also pointed out that Apple Music remains the only major music streaming platform that does not offer a free tier and said the company is proud of that position. Schusser emphasized that giving music away for free is not the right thing for songwriters and artists, especially with the very little monetization they would receive in return.
According to Business Standard, Apple already offers plans for its music platform, including Individual, Student, Family and Apple One. The Individual plan costs ₹119/month with one month free for new subscribers, featuring over 100 million songs, ad-free access, Spatial Audio and lossless audio quality, exclusive artist access, and free Apple Music Classical app access. The Student plan costs ₹59/month with special pricing for verified students and Apple TV included at no extra cost. The Family plan costs ₹179/month with access for up to five people via Family Sharing.
