Student discounts are about more than cheaper music
Spotify currently lists its US Premium Student plan at $6.99 per month and includes access to Hulu for eligible subscribers. Apple lists a $6.99 Student plan and says it includes access to Apple TV. YouTube also offers student memberships for both YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium, with eligibility verified through SheerID in supported locations.
That means the best plan can depend on which non-music service you would otherwise pay for. A student who already wants Hulu may value Spotify very differently from someone who spends most of their time on YouTube.
Start with the extra subscription you can remove
Write down every entertainment subscription you currently pay for. If one student music plan replaces a separate video bill, count the avoided bill as part of the music plan’s value. Do not count an included service you would never have purchased on its own.
This is where headline price comparisons often go wrong: a $1 difference in the music fee matters less than a $10 service that can genuinely be cancelled.
Verification rules can change the winner
Student plans normally require active enrollment at an eligible higher-education institution and periodic re-verification. YouTube states that its student memberships are valid for up to four years with annual eligibility checks. Apple also limits student status over time, and Spotify uses verification requirements for eligible institutions.
If graduation or a change in enrollment is close, compare the standard plan you will move to next. A temporary discount should not lock you into a service that becomes poor value immediately afterward.
ScoutSubs verdict
For students, the strongest music deal is usually the one whose bundled video service replaces something already in the budget. Verify eligibility, compare the post-student price and avoid stacking Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music simply because each has a different perk.
