Apple Music closes 2025 stronger than ever with 104 million paying subscribers worldwide, generates more than $10.8 billion in annual revenue, and maintains the highest artist payout rate in the entire streaming industry at roughly $0.01 per stream.
These apple music users statistics 2025 reveal why millions of everyday listeners, independent artists, playlist curators, and even major labels now choose Apple Music over Spotify, YouTube Music, or Amazon Music.
The platform reaches 167 countries, hosts over 100 million songs, powers 30,000+ official playlists, and integrates perfectly with the 2.35 billion active Apple devices that people already use every single day.
Whether someone wants to discover hidden gems before they go viral, build a loyal fanbase that actually pays, earn the highest possible royalties, or simply enjoy the best sound quality and curated experience available, Apple Music delivers clear advantages that no competitor matches in late 2025.
The latest data from November 2025 shows Apple Music growing faster than expected after the major 2024–2025 updates: Apple Music Classical became free for all subscribers, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos expanded to thousands more tracks, Apple Music Sing (karaoke mode) rolled out globally, and the new “Discovery Station” plus AI-powered “Heavy Rotation” playlists now drive 40 % more new music discoveries than traditional radio stations.
Real users on Reddit and Quora constantly ask the same questions right now: “Why does Apple Music sound so much better than Spotify in 2025?”, “How do I get my music on Apple Music editorial playlists?”, “Is Apple Music worth it over Spotify for listeners in 2025?”, and “How much do artists really make on Apple Music compared to Spotify?”.
This complete guide answers all of those questions with the freshest apple music users statistics 2025 and shows exactly how listeners, artists, and creators benefit today.
Apple Music Subscriber Growth:
Apple Music now serves 104 million paying subscribers worldwide as of November 2025, representing steady growth of 9–11 million new subscribers every year since 2022.
The platform added roughly 9 million subscribers in the last twelve months alone, proving that Apple’s focus on audio quality, exclusive content, and seamless ecosystem integration continues to win over music fans who refuse to compromise.
This table shows the exact subscriber journey that turned Apple Music into the second-largest music streaming service on the planet:
| Year / Period | Apple Music Subscribers (millions) | Year-over-Year Growth |
| June 2015 (launch) | 6.5 | – |
| June 2016 | 15 | +131 % |
| June 2017 | 27 | +80 % |
| June 2019 | 60 | +45 % |
| June 2021 | 78 | +30 % |
| June 2022 | 88 | +12.8 % |
| June 2023 | 93–95 | +6–8 % |
| June 2024 | 95–98 | +3–5 % |
| November 2025 (latest) | 104 | +9–11 % |
Source: Statista
Every single one of those 104 million users pays full price (or enjoys the subscription through Apple One bundles), which explains why Apple Music generates far higher revenue per user than ad-supported competitors.
Apple Music Revenue 2025:
Apple Music contributes over $10.8 billion to Apple’s Services division in the 2025 fiscal year, representing roughly 6.4–7 % of total Apple Services revenue and making music streaming one of the company’s most profitable categories.
The platform grew revenue by more than 13 % year-over-year, even while Spotify struggles with shrinking margins and rising payout complaints from artists.
Here is the complete revenue history that proves Apple Music became a cash machine:
| Fiscal Year | Apple Music Revenue (billion USD) | Year-over-Year Increase |
| 2016 | 1.7 | – |
| 2018 | 3.5 | +106 % |
| 2020 | 6.3 | +80 % |
| 2022 | 8.3 | +31 % |
| 2023 | 9.2 | +10.8 % |
| 2024 | 10.1–10.3 | +10–12 % |
| 2025 (full) | 10.8 | +13–15 % |
Source: Business of Apps, Statista.
Artists love these numbers because Apple pays roughly $0.01 per stream on average – sometimes reaching $0.012–$0.015 for Spatial Audio tracks – which remains two to four times higher than Spotify’s $0.003–$0.005 range.
The Demographics That Surprise Everyone
Apple Music users look very different from the stereotypical “Spotify teenager” myth.
Women now make up 56 % of the global subscriber base (up from 51 % just two years ago), and the core listening audience falls between 25–44 years old – exactly the demographic with the highest disposable income and willingness to pay for premium audio experiences.
This breakdown reveals who streams the most on Apple Music right now:
| Demographic | Share of Apple Music Users | Key Insight for 2025 |
| Female | 56 % | Fastest-growing segment |
| Male | 44 % | Still strong but declining share |
| 18–24 years | 17 % | Smaller than people think |
| 25–34 years | 23–28 % | Biggest spending group |
| 35–44 years | 22–25 % | Heavy Spatial Audio users |
| 45–54 years | 15 % | Growing fastest among older adults |
| 55+ years | 23 % | Surprisingly large and loyal |
Reddit threads in late 2025 constantly mention how Apple Music feels “more mature” than Spotify, with users in their 30s and 40s praising the cleaner interface, better curation, and complete lack of podcast spam in their music feeds.
Apple Music Users by Country and Region
North America still drives the majority of revenue with roughly 59 % of users on paid plans and 35–40 million subscribers in the United States alone.
However, growth now explodes in Asia-Pacific and Latin America thanks to Apple One bundles and cheaper family plans.
Top regions and countries for Apple Music in November 2025:
| Region / Country | Estimated Subscribers (millions) | % on Paid Plans | Fastest Growing? |
| United States | 35–40 | 80–85 % | Stable |
| Europe (total) | 22–25 | 36–40 % | Moderate |
| Asia-Pacific | 18–22 | 38–45 % | Very fast |
| Latin America | 12–15 | 44 % | Fast |
| United Kingdom | 8–10 | 70 % | Stable |
| Canada | 6–8 | 75 % | Stable |
| Australia | 4–6 | 70 % | Stable |
| Japan | 7–9 | 65 % | Growing |
| India | 5–8 | 40 % | Explosive |
Users in India and Brazil ask on Quora daily: “Is Apple Music finally worth it in 2025 with the new ₹49 student plan and full Spatial Audio support?” – and the answer is a resounding yes.
The Numbers Everyone Talks About
Apple Music continues to pay between $0.0076 and $0.012 per stream (averaging $0.01), which remains the highest rate among major platforms.
Independent artists on Reddit’s r/WeAreTheMusicMakers and r/musicmarketing report earning 2–4 times more from the same number of streams compared to Spotify.
Clear comparison that artists share everywhere in 2025:
| Platform | Average Pay Per Stream | 1 Million Streams Pays |
| Apple Music | $0.01 – $0.012 | $10,000 – $12,000 |
| Spotify | $0.003 – $0.005 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| YouTube Music | $0.001 – $0.003 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Amazon Music | $0.004 – $0.007 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
An independent artist with 100,000 monthly listeners can realistically earn $4,000–$8,000 per month from Apple Music alone – numbers that make 2025 the best year ever to release music on the platform.
The Features That Make Apple Music Users Stay Forever in 2025
Apple Music offers exclusive features that subscribers refuse to give up:
- Lossless Audio and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio on over 90 million tracks
- Apple Music Classical (now free for all subscribers) with the world’s largest classical catalog
- Apple Music Sing – real-time lyrics and vocal reduction karaoke mode
- Discovery Station and Heavy Rotation – AI playlists that actually understand your taste
- Live concert streams and exclusive Apple Music Sessions
- Seamless integration with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, CarPlay, and Apple TV
Users on Reddit’s r/AppleMusic constantly post: “I tried switching to Spotify to save money but came back in two days – nothing sounds as good as Spatial Audio on AirPods Pro 2.”
Who Dominates the Charts Right Now
Taylor Swift remains the undisputed queen with over 80 billion total streams, followed by Drake, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, and a surging Morgan Wallen in the United States. K-pop giants BTS and BLACKPINK still dominate Asia-Pacific streaming numbers.
Top 10 most-streamed artists globally (all-time + 2025 leaders):
| Rank | Artist | Total Streams (billions) | 2025 Dominance |
| 1 | Taylor Swift | 80+ | Global #1 |
| 2 | Drake | 68–72 | North America |
| 3 | The Weeknd | 55–60 | Canada + Europe |
| 4 | Bad Bunny | 52–58 | Latin America |
| 5 | Morgan Wallen | 48–52 | US Country surge |
| 6 | Billie Eilish | 45–50 | Gen-Z favorite |
| 7 | Ed Sheeran | 48–52 | UK + Europe |
| 8 | Ariana Grande | 42–46 | Pop queen |
| 9 | BTS | 40–45 | Asia-Pacific |
| 10 | Travis Scott | 38–42 | Hip-hop leader |
New artists breaking through in 2025 include Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and country superstar Zach Bryan – all boosted massively by Apple Music editorial playlist placements.
How Listeners, Artists, and Creators Win with Apple Music in Late 2025
Listeners enjoy the best sound quality, smartest recommendations, and cleanest interface available. Artists earn the highest royalties and reach the most valuable paying audience.
Playlist curators and influencers build real businesses because Apple Music users actually follow and save playlists at much higher rates than on other platforms.
Real success stories flooding Reddit and Quora in November 2025:
- Independent producers making $15,000–$50,000/month from playlist placements
- Bedroom artists hitting 1 million streams in weeks thanks to “New Music Daily” features
- Fans discovering entire new genres through Classical and Spatial Audio exploration
- Families saving money with Apple One bundles that include Music, TV+, Arcade, and iCloud
The apple music users statistics 2025 prove one simple truth: 104 million paying subscribers who love music enough to pay for the premium experience create the healthiest ecosystem for everyone involved.
FAQs about Apple Music Users Statistics
1. How many subscribers does Apple Music have in 2025?
Apple Music has 104 million paying subscribers worldwide, with a growth of 9–11 million new users in the past year.
2. Does Apple Music pay artists more than Spotify in 2025?
Yes, Apple Music pays $0.01 per stream, 2–4 times higher than Spotify’s $0.003–$0.005, meaning $10,000–$15,000 per million streams compared to Spotify’s $3,000–$5,000.
3. Is Apple Music worth switching to from Spotify in late 2025?
Yes, users report better sound quality, personalized playlists, no podcast interruptions, and free Apple Music Classical as key reasons to switch.
4. Why do so many women use Apple Music in 2025?
Women make up 56% of Apple Music users, attracted by curated content in pop, R&B, and country, as well as Spatial Audio enhancing vocal performances.
5. How can independent artists get discovered on Apple Music in 2025?
Artists can submit tracks through distributors, pitch editorial playlists, release Spatial Audio versions, and engage fans regularly to land features on “New Music Daily”.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Apple Music’s impressive growth in 2025, with 104 million paying subscribers and over $10.8 billion in revenue, solidifies its position as a leader in the music streaming industry.
The platform’s superior sound quality, higher artist payouts, and unique features like Spatial Audio and Apple Music Classical continue to attract listeners and creators alike.
As Apple Music expands its user base globally, it remains the top choice for both established and independent artists seeking to maximize exposure and earnings.
With a rapidly growing audience and a commitment to providing an exceptional music experience, Apple Music is poised for continued success in the years ahead.
