Music streaming is now the lifeblood of the UK’s music business. Whether it’s their morning commutes with Spotify playlists or late-night sessions of Apple Music, it’s the mode through which most listeners connect to their favorite artists.
But the numbers themselves tell the real story. Not only is the UK music streaming category large in 2026, but it’s also changing rapidly. Subscriber numbers continue to increase, ARPU continues to shift, and platforms battle for market share.
If you work in the music world — whether you’re building apps, starting labels, or plotting investments — it’s essential for you to be informed. — That’s why we’ve gathered 55 stats on the UK music streaming market in 2026.
Subscribers, ARPU, revenue, trends, and challenges — we’ve got it all so you can understand where the market is today and in the future.
Key Takeaways
- The UK Music Streaming Market Size is expected to cross $ 3 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of over 14.9% during the forecast period.
- Total users (34 million of those are paid subscribers) will reach 58 million, and the service is having good momentum with Gen Z uptake.
- ARPU is forecast to be US$7.80/month, higher than the world average, as a result of premium plans and bundled deals.
- Among the services, Spotify with 55% leads in market share, followed by Apple Music (23%), Amazon Music (12%), and YouTube Music (6%).
- On-demand is the largest category, but live streaming will be the fastest-growing one by 2030.
- Users stream 112 minutes a day, with 87% of that streaming on mobile, and 22% on smart speakers.
- Podcasts make up 16% of listening, and can cut churn by almost a quarter.
- Ad-supported tiers will account for more than the US$800 million, or 25%, by 2026.
- Gen Z users represent 40% of all UK streams, which has influenced playlist-oriented and social-sharing behaviour.
- Subscription fatigue is real. Twenty-eight percent of consumers believe they will cancel at least one service by 2026.
- ‘Licensing costs are still enormous 55% of the revenue – artists paid £003 -£0.005 per stream!’
- Then add in-body movement control, the use of clothes, dancing to never-before-heard tracks, and more.” Music that’s been composed by AI (8% of all songs listened to are AI-generated in the next decade), Characters and Social Baked into the Platform.
- The streaming of Music, meanwhile, will be worth £1.53bn annually by the same date — 88% of all remaining recorded music revenues in the UK outside of physical and downloads.
Best Music Streaming Apps in the UK (2026)
Market is dominated by a handful of global platforms with market-leading positions in certain sectors. Here’s a look at the top music streaming apps in UK that are faring in 2026.
| Platform | UK Market Share (2026) | Key Strengths | Notable 2026 Stats |
| Spotify | ~55% | Largest catalogue, AI-driven playlists, strong brand loyalty | Over 34 million UK users, churn at just 3% |
| Apple Music | ~23% | Seamless with iOS, curated playlists, exclusive releases | 2nd most popular service among Gen Z in the UK |
| Amazon Music | ~12% | Bundled with Prime, smart speaker integration | 22% of UK streams via smart speakers come from Amazon Music |
| YouTube Music | ~6% | Video-first, popular with younger audiences | 18% of Gen Z list YouTube Music as their primary service |
| Deezer + Tidal | ~4% combined | High-fidelity audio, niche listeners | 15% of premium subscribers opt for hi-fi tiers |
Subscribers & User Growth Statistics
The UK music streaming market has been growing, with both free and paid subscribers contributing to the surge. In 2026, subs are expected to make up the bulk of revenue, but free ad-supported streaming remains important for driving audiences.
UK Streaming Market Size 2024
There is a good base for the UK music streaming industry, which was valued at 2.53 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, to continue on an upward trajectory.
Forecast Market Size 2030
That will nearly double ($5.87 billion) by 2030, suggesting sustained demand for streaming services.
Growth Rate 2025–2030
The UK streaming industry will grow at a CAGR of 14.9% by 2030, higher than most entertainment markets.
On-Demand Streaming Dominance
The majority of revenue in 2024 came from on-demand streaming, suggesting that British users prefer a pick-and-mix approach to audio over being presented with something that’s radio-esque.
Live Streaming Growth
Live streaming, which is currently comparatively small, is expected to be the fastest-growing in the UK between now and 2030 – driven by concerts and virtual events.
UK Share of Global Streaming Market
The UK accounted for 5.4% of global recorded Music streaming revenues in 2024, one of the most important streaming markets in Europe.
Music Streaming Revenue & ARPU Statistics
Revenue growth in the UK music streaming sector is being fuelled by a mix of rising subscriptions and steady ad-supported usage. At the same time, ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) gives insight into how much value platforms extract per listener, and how pricing strategies are shaping the market.
UK Streaming Revenue 2026 Forecast
By 2026, the UK music streaming industry is projected to surpass US$3.1 billion in annual revenue, marking consistent year-on-year growth.
Global Ranking by Revenue
The UK is expected to remain the third-largest music streaming market in Europe by 2026, behind Germany and France.
Paid Subscriptions Revenue Share
Premium subscriptions will account for over 70% of total UK streaming revenue in 2026, highlighting the shift toward paying users.
Ad-Supported Revenue Share
Ad-supported listening will still generate around 25% of revenues, showing free tiers remain essential for market penetration.
ARPU in the UK 2026
The average revenue per paid subscriber in the UK is forecast at US$7.80 per month, slightly higher than the global average.
ARPU Growth vs 2025
Compared to 2025, ARPU is expected to grow by 3–4%, supported by subscription price adjustments and bundled services.
Impact of Family Plans on ARPU
Family and student discount plans are lowering per-user income, but increasing overall subscriber numbers, balancing revenue streams.
Ad Revenue Expansion
With more listeners choosing free tiers, ad revenue is forecast to cross US$800 million by 2026, boosted by targeted advertising.
Music Streaming Industry Market Share & Platforms
Competition among platforms in the UK is fierce, with Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music leading the charge. Market share data gives a clear view of who’s winning in subscriptions, ad revenue, and daily engagement.
Spotify’s Market Share in the UK 2026
Spotify is projected to hold around 55% of the UK streaming market, keeping its lead thanks to strong playlists and premium adoption.
Apple Music’s Market Share in the UK 2026
Apple Music is expected to capture 23% of subscriptions, driven by seamless integration with iOS devices and curated playlists.
Amazon Music’s Market Share in the UK 2026
Amazon Music will secure 12% of the UK streaming market, with Prime bundles being its biggest driver of sign-ups.
YouTube Music’s Market Share in the UK 2026
YouTube Music is forecast to reach 6% of the market, appealing mainly to younger listeners and video-first audiences.
Deezer and Other Platforms
Smaller platforms like Deezer and Tidal together will account for around 4%, catering to niche audiences and high-fidelity streaming fans.
Premium vs Free Users Split
Across platforms, 65% of UK users in 2026 will be premium subscribers, with the rest on free, ad-supported plans.
Cross-Platform Subscriptions
Nearly 15% of UK listeners are expected to use two or more streaming services by 2026, reflecting subscription overlaps.
Platform Churn Rates
Churn remains a challenge: Spotify’s churn is projected at 3% annually, while smaller platforms face churn rates as high as 8%.
Music Streaming Usage & Consumption Habits
Streaming isn’t just about subscriber counts — it’s about how UK listeners consume music daily. From playlists to podcasts, the habits of 2026 show how streaming is woven into everyday life.
Average Listening Time per Day
By 2026, the average UK user will spend 112 minutes per day on music streaming platforms.
Mobile vs Desktop Usage
87% of streams in the UK will come from mobile devices, with desktop use continuing to decline year over year.
Smart Speaker Adoption
Around 22% of UK streaming activity will take place on smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest.
Playlist Culture
More than 70% of streams in 2026 will come from curated playlists, both algorithmic and user-generated.
Podcasts on Music Platforms
Podcasts will account for 16% of total listening time, a jump from just 9% in 2023.
Gen Z Listening Share
Gen Z users (under 25) will make up 40% of active streaming accounts, shaping demand for personalised and short-form content.
Peak Listening Hours
Evening streaming (6–10 PM) remains the busiest, accounting for 38% of daily traffic across platforms.
Average Playlists per User
By 2026, the typical UK user will have created 7 personal playlists, up from 5 in 2024.
Social Sharing Growth
1 in 4 UK listeners will regularly share music directly from streaming apps to social platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
Offline Downloads
Over 60% of premium subscribers in the UK use offline download features at least once a week, showing its ongoing importance.
Trends & Innovations in Music Streaming Industry UK
The UK music streaming market in 2026 is defined by fast-moving innovations — from AI-driven discovery to the blending of audio formats. These shifts are shaping how users listen and how platforms compete.
AI-Powered Recommendations
Over 75% of UK listeners say AI-driven playlists (like Spotify Discover Weekly) influence their listening habits each week.
Growth of Ad-Supported Tiers
Ad-supported streaming will see a 12% increase in active users, showing many prefer free access over paying for premium.
Bundled Services Expansion
More than 40% of UK subscribers will access music streaming through bundles (Prime, Apple One, telecom deals).
Short-Form Audio Surge
18% of UK users in 2026 will regularly consume short-form audio clips — quick mixes, previews, or social-driven snippets.
Podcasts Driving Retention
Users who stream podcasts on music platforms are 23% less likely to churn, making podcasts a retention tool.
Localised Content Demand
Regional UK artists and local playlists will account for 14% of streams, boosted by platforms highlighting UK talent.
Rise of Interactive Features
Features like polls, shared listening rooms, and lyric-sync are projected to reach 20% adoption among active UK users.
Gen Z Personalisation Expectations
Nearly 90% of Gen Z listeners in the UK expect hyper-personalised recommendations, from mood-based playlists to AI-driven mixes.
High-Resolution Audio Adoption
By 2026, 15% of premium subscribers will opt for hi-fi or lossless streaming tiers, driven by services like Tidal and Apple Music.
Cross-Platform Integration
Around 12% of UK users will regularly stream music through gaming consoles or fitness apps, showing audio’s expansion beyond core apps.
Challenges & Industry Insights
While growth continues, the UK music streaming industry in 2026 faces serious hurdles — from rising costs to user churn. These insights show where platforms may struggle.
Licensing Cost Pressure
Licensing fees will continue to eat up over 55% of UK streaming revenue, making profitability harder for smaller platforms.
Artist Payout Concerns
The average per-stream payout to artists in the UK remains low, at £0.003–£0.005, sparking ongoing debates about fair compensation.
Subscription Fatigue
Nearly 28% of UK consumers say they are considering cancelling at least one streaming subscription in 2026 due to subscription fatigue.
Rising Competition
Smaller services like Deezer and Tidal are struggling, with projected churn rates of 8% annually compared to Spotify’s 3%.
User Acquisition Costs
Platforms are spending 20–25% more on marketing in 2026 to attract new users as the market nears saturation.
Ad Revenue Dependence
Free-tier platforms risk over-reliance on ads, with 25% of ad budgets tied to just three major brands in the UK.
Regulation Watch
The UK government is reviewing streaming royalty frameworks in 2026, which could alter how revenues are split between platforms and artists.
Future Outlook for UK Music Streaming (2026 & Beyond)
Even with strong subscriber growth and steady revenues, the future of streaming in the UK will be shaped by innovation, regulation, and changing consumer behaviour. These stats look at what’s next.
Market Value by 2030
The UK music streaming industry is forecast to hit US$5.87 billion by 2030, nearly double 2024 levels.
CAGR Through 2030
From 2025–2030, the UK market will expand at a 14.9% CAGR, outpacing traditional music revenue streams.
Dominance of Mobile-First Streaming
By 2030, over 90% of music streams in the UK will originate from smartphones and tablets.
Growth of Voice Search in Streaming
1 in 5 UK users will rely on voice assistants like Alexa and Siri to start playlists by 2026.
Streaming’s Share of UK Music Revenue
Streaming is projected to account for 88% of the UK music industry’s total recorded revenue by 2030.
Expansion of Niche Platforms
Smaller, niche-focused platforms (jazz, classical, indie) are expected to capture 3% of the UK market by 2030, showing room for specialised apps.
Blockchain & Royalty Transparency
By 2028, 10% of UK streaming platforms may adopt blockchain-based royalty tracking for fairer payouts.
Virtual Concert Integration
15% of UK music fans are forecast to engage with virtual or hybrid concerts directly through streaming platforms by 2027.
AI-Created Music
AI-generated tracks could make up 8% of total streams in the UK by 2030, changing how platforms license content.
Growth in Multi-Language Playlists
As UK demographics diversify, 12% of playlists are expected to include non-English music by 2026, especially Spanish and South Asian tracks.
What to Make of These Statistics?
Numbers on their own are just data — but when you connect the dots, a clear story emerges about the UK music streaming market in 2026.
Streaming is Now the Core of UK Music
With nearly 90% of recorded music revenue coming from streaming by 2030, this isn’t a side channel anymore — it is the industry.
Subscribers Are Willing to Pay
More than 34 million UK users are on premium plans, showing that people see value in subscriptions, not just free listening.
Ad-Supported Models Still Matter
With 25% of revenue expected from ads, free users aren’t freeloaders — they’re part of the growth equation.
Gen Z is Reshaping Consumption
Nearly 40% of users are under 25, driving demand for short-form audio, AI-driven playlists, and social-first features.
Opportunities Beyond Music
Podcasts, hi-fi tiers, AI-generated music, and even virtual concerts are creating new categories inside streaming.
Challenges Mean Openings
High licensing costs, payout debates, and subscription fatigue create space for niche platforms with transparent or innovative models.
Is It the Right Time to Invest in Music Streaming App Development?
Absolutely — 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years for music streaming in the UK. The stats speak for themselves: more than 58 million active users, over US$3.1 billion in revenue, and steady double-digit growth through 2030.
Here’s why now is the right time to develop a music streaming app:
- Subscriber Growth is Still Rising → Paid users are expected to cross 34 million, with plenty of space for niche or innovative apps.
- Gen Z & Millennials Drive Demand → Younger listeners dominate streaming, pushing trends like AI-curated playlists, podcasts, and social-sharing features.
- Room for Differentiation → Big players like Spotify and Apple Music lead, but smaller platforms with hi-fi audio, localised content, or bundled services are capturing loyal audiences.
- Revenue Models are Expanding → Beyond subscriptions, there’s money in ads, live streaming, podcasts, and virtual concerts — giving new apps multiple income streams.
- Future Trends Open Opportunities → With AI-generated music, blockchain royalty tracking, and virtual concerts on the rise, startups can innovate where incumbents move slower.
For businesses, the message is clear: the UK music streaming market isn’t saturated, it’s evolving. And those who invest now can ride the next wave of growth.
If you’re considering entering this space, Bestech Solutions, a trusted UK music app development company, can help you design, build, and launch a platform tailored for success in the UK market.
Why Partner with Bestech Solutions – A Trusted UK Music App Development Company
The UK music streaming market in 2026 is packed with opportunity — but also loaded with challenges. Subscriber growth is strong, ARPU is shifting, and competition among platforms is more intense than ever. To stand out, you need more than just an idea; you need a product built for scale, compliance, and user engagement.
That’s where Bestech Solutions, a leading music app development company, comes in.
We help businesses design, build, and launch music streaming apps that aren’t just functional, but future-ready. Whether you’re aiming to create a niche streaming service, integrate AI-powered recommendations, or monetise with subscriptions and ads, our team ensures your app is secure, scalable, and built for success in the UK market.
With Bestech Solutions, you get:
- Custom music streaming app development tailored for the UK market.
- Payment and subscription flows optimised for revenue growth and user retention.
- Built-in compliance for licensing, GDPR, and platform requirements.
- Ongoing support to keep your app evolving with industry trends.
If you’re planning to ride the wave of UK music streaming growth, partner with Bestech Solutions — your trusted app development company for music and media platforms.
Conclusion
The UK music streaming market in 2026 shows no signs of slowing down. Subscriber numbers keep climbing, ARPU is shifting upward, and platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music continue to compete fiercely for attention.
At the same time, user habits are evolving — with more time spent on playlists, podcasts, and smart devices. New challenges such as licensing costs, subscription fatigue, and artist payout debates remind us that growth doesn’t come without hurdles.
FAQs
How big is the UK music streaming market in 2026?
By 2026, the UK music streaming market is projected to generate over US$3.1 billion in revenue, driven mainly by paid subscriptions and ad-supported listening.
How many music streaming subscribers will the UK have in 2026?
The UK is expected to reach 58 million total streaming users by 2026, with around 34 million paid subscribers.
What is the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) for music streaming in the UK?
In 2026, ARPU for premium streaming subscribers in the UK is forecast to be US$7.80 per month, slightly above the global average.
Which platforms dominate the UK music streaming market?
Spotify leads with over 50% market share, followed by Apple Music (23%), Amazon Music (12%), and YouTube Music (6%), with smaller players like Deezer and Tidal making up the rest.
What are the biggest trends shaping UK music streaming in 2026?
Key trends include AI-driven recommendations, growth of podcasts, expansion of bundled services, and increasing demand for hi-fi streaming. Gen Z users are also pushing for hyper-personalised playlists.
What challenges face the UK music streaming industry in 2026?
The main hurdles are licensing costs, artist payout debates, subscription fatigue, and rising user acquisition costs. Platforms are also preparing for potential royalty regulation changes in the UK.
How can businesses enter the UK music streaming market?
Building a streaming platform requires strong tech, compliance with licensing and GDPR, and engaging user experiences. Partnering with Bestech Solutions, a leading UK music app development company, helps you launch a secure and scalable streaming service tailored for the UK market.
