Spotify says it paid more than $11 billion to the music industry in 2025, the highest amount ever distributed by the Swedish streaming platform. According to the company, last year marked the largest payout in Spotify’s history, amid ongoing criticism over how streaming services compensate artists.
The total exceeds 2024 payments by roughly $1 billion, with Spotify stating that half of the $11 billion went to independent artists and labels. The clarification comes as streaming platforms face accusations of favoring major record companies over independent players.
“Consistent growth in payouts shows that the streaming model continues to generate value for the entire music industry,” the company said, addressing concerns about royalty levels.
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Platform comparisons and sustained growth
Since its launch, Spotify claims to have paid around $70 billion to the music industry. By comparison, YouTube paid about $8 billion in music rights between July 2024 and June 2025.
The gap highlights Spotify’s dominant position in the global audio streaming market, where subscription revenue remains the core business model. Despite multiple subscription price increases in recent years, driven by profitability pressures and industry demands, Spotify’s growth has continued.
At the end of the latest reported quarter, Spotify reached 713 million global users, reinforcing its status as the world’s largest audio streaming platform.
Photo: Bloomberg
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