Apple Music launched a little over a month ago, on June 30, 2015. Since then, it has obtained 11 million users. That’s a pretty remarkable number for a service that hasn’t been around very long.
The thing to keep in mind is that this number is counting trial memberships. Apple has been offering a free three-month trial to everyone who signs up. The earliest users, who signed up on June 30, can listen for free up through September 30. After that, the free trial will end. Those who signed up later might have their free trial end in October.
Individual membership plans for Apple Music are $9.99 a month. Family plans are $14.99 a month. Those without a membership will be able to listen to Beats 1 radio, Connect, and to hear Apple Music’s ad-supported stations.
The free three-month membership gives people the full Apple Music experience on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC. The Apple Music website describes it as “an all-access pass”. I think people are going to notice a difference when their free trial ends – unless they pay for a membership.
Billboard reports that if the numbers hold, Apple Music will already boast half the number of paid subscriptions as Spotify has. USA Today reports that Apple’s Senior Vice President of internet software, Eddy Cue, said that two million of the trial users chose the pricer family plan. It will be interesting to see what the numbers of subscribers look like after the initial wave of free trial memberships end.