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What every streaming service pays per stream
In short
- 1What each app pays per play.
- 2Why it changes.
- 3Try your own numbers in the calculator.
There is no fixed rate
Music apps do not pay a set amount per play. Each app pools its money and shares it by how much each song was played. So your pay changes with listener country, free or paid listeners, and total plays.
- Money is pooled, then shared out
- Paid listeners are worth more than free
- Rates change from month to month
Our estimates, highest paying
These are the per-stream estimates the LUCY calculator uses. They are not official rates, since no major app publishes one. We base them on real payouts to independent artists.
- Tidal, approximately $0.013 per stream
- Apple Music, approximately $0.008 per stream
- Deezer, approximately $0.0064 per stream
Our estimates, lower paying
Treat these figures as rough planning numbers, not money you are owed. They are the figures the LUCY calculator used in September 2026. YouTube Music pays least per play but reaches the most people.
- Spotify, approximately $0.0044 per stream
- Amazon Music, approximately $0.004 per stream
- YouTube Music, approximately $0.003 per stream
What this means for you
A million Spotify plays is roughly $4,400 for the recording. That is before sharing with co-writers, producers or a label. Songwriting money from the same plays is collected separately.
- 1 million Spotify plays is roughly $4,400
- Songwriting money is collected separately
- Higher paying apps usually have fewer listeners
Be on every app
Rates differ a lot between apps. Tidal pays about three times what YouTube Music pays, but reaches far fewer people. A low-paying play still beats a play that never happened.
- Release on every app, not one
- Listener location matters as much
- Use the calculator to plan your mix
Questions? Easy answers.
How much does Spotify pay per stream in 2026?+
There is no official rate. The LUCY calculator uses an estimate of about $0.0044 per stream, but real pay can vary a lot.
Which music app pays the most per stream?+
Tidal pays most at roughly $0.013, then Apple Music at around $0.008. But higher paying apps have fewer listeners.
Why did my pay change when my plays did not?+
The rate is not fixed. If the app earned less, or total plays rose, your share of the money shrinks.
Do these rates include songwriting money?+
No, these figures cover the recording only. Songwriting money from the same plays is collected separately, and many songwriters never claim it.
Are these rates official?+
No. No major music app publishes a per-stream rate, so every figure online, including ours, is an estimate from real payouts.