Spotify crows about Apple being forced to show alternative pricing

The EU's anti-steering measures mean Apple must now let developers tell users of prices available outside of the App Store, and it's a good thing — but maybe not the victory for democracy that Spotify is trying to claim.

Spotify has consistently complained about what it sees as Apple failing to comply with EU rules over the App Store. Now, though, the company has announced that it is going to do what it was previously prevented doing, and show full pricing details.

The company says it is doing this via what Apple calls a Music Streaming Services Entitlement. If a music streaming app developer applies to use this, and they are approved, then within the European Economic Area (EEA), they can link to other ways of purchasing digital goods or services.

This Music Streaming Services Entitlement is in place because of European pressure, but Spotify attempted to join it in April 2024. At that time, Apple told Spotify that it had failed to comply with the requirements for requesting the entitlement.

Four months on from then, Spotify has presumably complied. But Spotify is saying only that "starting today, Spotify is opting into Apple's "entitlement for music streaming services."

Presuming that it means Apple has now approved the update, Spotify says that "iPhone consumers in the EU will now see pricing information for Spotify in the app and the fact that they can go to our website to purchase items directly."

It is certainly better for users to be informed of all buying options. But Spotify won't just take the win, it has to continue complaining about what it insists are "illegal and predatory taxes" that Apple charges App Store developers.

Previously, Spotify has tried spinning the story so that it appears Apple made it impossible to subscribe to the service from within the Spotify iOS app. The company even said that such subscriptions were "outside of our control," when really it was solely that it didn't want to pay Apple's 30% fee.

Apple has not commented on Spotify's opting in to the Music Streaming Services Entitlement. However, it has previously objected to Spotify's arguments, saying that the company wants a free ride in the App Store.

"We provide the platform by which users download and update their app," said Apple in March 2019. "We share critical software development tools to support Spotify's app building. And we built a secure payment system — no small undertaking — which allows users to have faith in in-app transactions."

"Spotify is asking to keep all those benefits while also retaining 100 percent of the revenue," it concluded.

In its announcement of being able to show pricing in the iOS app, Spotify says that this is a consequence of the EU concluding that Apple harms consumers. Spotify, whose audience dwarfs that of Apple Music, does not mention that Apple is contesting the EU's $2 billion fine over the issue.