Question 1

How much does Apple Music pay per stream in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Apple Music pays an average of $0.006 to $0.010 per stream in 2026, roughly double Spotify's rate. Because Apple Music has no free tier, all streams come from paying subscribers, resulting in higher per-stream payouts.

Question 2

Why does Apple Music pay more than Spotify?

Accepted Answer

Apple Music pays more per stream primarily because it has no ad-supported free tier. Every listener pays a subscription fee, creating a larger revenue pool per user. Spotify's free tier dilutes the average per-stream payout.

Question 3

How many Apple Music streams to make $1,000?

Accepted Answer

At an average rate of $0.008 per stream, you need approximately 125,000 Apple Music streams to earn $1,000 before any distributor or label fees—roughly half the streams needed on Spotify.

Question 4

Does Apple Music have a minimum stream requirement?

Accepted Answer

No. Unlike Spotify, Apple Music does not currently have a minimum stream threshold. Artists earn royalties from the very first stream, making it more accessible for smaller artists.

Apple Music Royalty Calculator 2026

Apple Music Earnings by Stream Count

How many Apple Music streams to make $1,000?