Let‘s examine if paying for Apple Music family access makes sense for households.
Comparing Apple‘s Music Streaming Subscription Plans
First, an overview of what Apple themselves offer to subscribers:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Highlights | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice | $4.99 | Siri access, stations, exclusives | No song browsing |
| Student | $5.99 | Full catalog and features | Verified active students only |
| Individual | $9.99 | Full catalog and features | None |
| Family | $16.99 | 6 members, shared payment | Account owner only changes |
The Family Plan allows up to six members for a competitive $16.99 monthly price point. But shared access leads to some management tradeoffs.
The Building Blocks of Apple Music‘s Family Plan Offering
Apple Music itself only launched publicly in 2015, but work was underway for years prior behind the scenes to allow for something later like a Family Plan.
- Acquired Lala Media streaming technology in 2009
- Acquired Beats Music streaming service in 2014
- 2015 – Apple Music launches to all with one Individual Plan option
- 2016 – iOS 10 overhaul leads to adding Student and eventual Family plans
It took time to refine pricing options for wider appeal. But with 4 plan varieties now serving different audiences, Apple Music has soared to over 150 million subscribers.
Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Family Sharing Access
Below we break down the key advantages and limitations families face with the Music Family Plan:
Pros
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Household Size Pricing | Up to 6 users for $2.83 each per month |
| Personalized Accounts | Separate libraries, intelligent playlists for all members |
| Home Sharing Flexibility | No limit on same-household relationships |
Cons
| Compromise | Impact |
|---|---|
| Account Ownership Restrictions | Only the plan organizer can change subscription details |
| Apple Device Optimization | Limited benefit for Android or Windows households |
| Cost | Higher than competitors like Pandora‘s $14.99 family pricing |
Great per-member value but best fit depends on your household‘s existing technology.
Music Streaming Family Plan Landscape and Alternatives
How does Apple compare against other major competitors‘ offerings?
| Service | Family Pricing | Max Users | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | $16.99/month | 6 | Lossless audio, largest song catalog |
| Spotify | $15.99/month | 6 | Top playlists and podcasts |
| Amazon Music Unlimited | $14.99/month | 6 | Cheapest HD streaming option |
| YouTube Music | $17.99/month | 5 | Ad-free YouTube access |
| Pandora Plus | $14.99/month | 6 | Strong radio-style stations |
Pricing is very similar across top providers, but Apple Music brings added audio quality.
Determining When Apple Music Family Sharing Makes Sense
Below we break down ideal family types who can maximize benefits from the Family Plan:
- Households with teenage children all wanting private accounts
- Apple privileged households invested into their ecosystem
- Larger families needing to minimize subscription costs
It may be less valuable for:
- Mixed operating system device households
- Pairs or groups of 3 or less people
- Users wanting maximum account control flexibility
Single Individual Plans could cost 50-75% less for smaller groups.
Expert Analysis on Music Streaming Plans Relevance
Industry analysts have insight on how music subscriptions are trending:
"Family plan offerings cater towards almost 45% of streaming service sign-ups today. Apple Music competes very favorably on family pricing compared to Spotify." – Julia Alexander, Music Streaming Analyst
"Average household size in the US is 2.5 people. Unless needing 4+ private streaming accounts, single plans can provide better value currently." – Luis Perez, Tech Market Researcher
Experts rightly indicate pricing tiers relevance depends on your actual household streaming needs.
Addressing Key Family Account Questions
Can child accounts access explicit content?
Yes, Apple Music family accounts have no filtering unless additional parental controls are set by the family organizer.
Can we each use different payment methods?
No, only the account owner‘s payment method is used for a Family Plan subscription.
What happens after 1 year with Apple Music?
Family Plan pricing remains the same at $16.99 per month unless canceled. However, Apple frequently offers a free trial period upfront.
While not perfect for every possible family situation, for larger, Apple connected households, the per person cost savings of Apple Music‘s Family Plan can make the move worthwhile. Assess your actual usage scenarios and streaming priorities before committing however.
