Spotify’s New Family Plan in Malaysia: Fewer Members, Is It Still Worth It?
In a surprising move, Spotify has made a significant change to its Premium Family Plan in Malaysia, reducing the number of members allowed per account from six to four. This revision, which recently took effect, has left many Malaysians wondering if the popular music streaming service is still the right choice for families.
Here’s everything you need to know about the updated plan, a comparison with other subscription options, and what this means for Malaysians who have relied on Spotify as their go-to music app.
What Changed in the Family Plan?
Previously, Spotify’s Premium Family Plan allowed six family members living under one roof to share a single subscription. This offered incredible value for larger families or groups of housemates keen on splitting costs while enjoying ad-free, high-quality streaming.
Now, the number of members per plan is capped at four. Despite this, the monthly fee of RM24.90 remains unchanged. While smaller families may not feel the impact, larger households will need to make adjustments—perhaps even resorting to alternative plans or services.
Spotify Premium Subscription Plans in Malaysia (2024)
To help you weigh your options, here’s a breakdown of Spotify’s updated subscription packages:
| Plan | Price | Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Mini | RM 3.20 for 1 week | Ad-free listening, 30 song downloads, mobile-only | One-time payment; not auto-renewable. |
| Premium Individual | RM 15.90/month | Ad-free listening, offline downloads, high audio quality | RM 8.50 for the first 3 months for new users. |
| Premium Duo | RM 21.50/month | 2 accounts, shared playlists, separate recommendations | For two people at the same address. |
| Premium Family | RM 24.90/month | 4 accounts, explicit content filters, shared billing | Additional accounts available for an extra cost. |
| Premium Student | RM 8.50/month | Ad-free listening, offline downloads, high audio quality | Exclusive for students in higher education institutions. |
What Does This Mean for Malaysian Families?
The Upside
For smaller families or households of up to four people, the new cap doesn’t pose a major issue. The Premium Family Plan still provides a good deal, especially with added features like parental controls and access to the Spotify Kids app, which tailors content for younger listeners.
The Downside
However, the reduction from six to four accounts hits larger Malaysian households hard. In Malaysia, where family structures often include extended relatives or multi-generational setups under one roof, the change feels restrictive. Those with more than four members may now need to split into two plans, increasing their monthly subscription costs.
Take, for example, a family of six. Under the previous plan, they paid RM24.90. Now, to accommodate everyone, they would need to subscribe to a Family Plan (RM24.90) and an Individual Plan (RM14.90), bringing the total to RM39.80 per month—a significant 60% increase.
How Does Spotify Compare to Its Rivals?
With this update, Spotify’s value proposition for families is less competitive compared to other streaming services like Apple Music and YouTube Premium, both of which still offer family plans with six-member limits. Malaysians looking for alternatives might find better value elsewhere, particularly for larger households.
Is Spotify Still Worth It?
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your family size and budget. If your household fits within the four-member cap, the Spotify Premium Family Plan still offers a solid streaming experience. However, for bigger families or groups looking to share costs, the new limits might push you towards exploring competitors.
For long-time Spotify users, this change might feel like a blow, but it’s also a good time to reassess your streaming habits. After all, Malaysians love a good deal, and this might just be the nudge you need to see if Spotify is still your perfect fit—or if it’s time to explore other options.
What Are Malaysians Saying?
Feedback from local Spotify users has been mixed. Some are disappointed by the reduction in value, especially as other markets seem to retain the six-member cap. Meanwhile, others argue that four accounts are sufficient for their needs, as long as Spotify maintains its high-quality streaming and curated playlists.
Final Thoughts
While Spotify’s Premium Family Plan remains a popular choice in Malaysia, the recent downgrade makes it less appealing for larger households. Smaller families, however, will likely still find it an attractive package.
If you’re a loyal Spotify fan, this might not be a dealbreaker, but it’s a good opportunity to evaluate whether you’re getting the best bang for your buck. For those feeling the pinch, exploring competing services could lead to better value for your household.
How do you feel about the new changes? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below!
