Streamlining Your Streaming: Why Apple One Might Be Your Best Bet
The landscape of streaming services in the U.S. is becoming increasingly pricey. With subscriptions to multiple platforms, bills can easily climb into the hundreds each month. Take Netflix, for example: it has raised its prices six times in the last decade, with its Premium plan now costing an eye-watering $28.99 a month.
While Apple hasn’t been immune to this trend, it has managed to keep its Apple TV Plus pricing relatively stable for longer than many competitors. However, with the latest increase from $12.99 to $15.99 per month, the service is starting to feel less like a steal. Many users may start to reconsider if they want to keep shelling out over $15 monthly.
If you find that Apple TV’s price tag feels burdensome, there’s an alternative that can enhance your value—especially if you’re already using Apple devices: Apple One.
What is Apple One?
Apple One is essentially Apple’s bundled offering that combines several of its services similar to Amazon Prime or Google One. It’s structured to deliver considerable value, especially for avid users of Apple products.
Subscription Tiers
Apple One comes in three tiers—Individual, Family, and Premier. Each tier increases the number of services included along with your total iCloud storage. Opting for Apple One can save you money compared to subscribing to each service separately. For example, the top-tier Premier plan offers an astounding potential savings of up to $551 annually.
How Much Does Apple One Cost?
Here’s a closer look at the pricing and what each tier includes:
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Individual Plan: At $24.95 per month, this plan offers Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud+ storage. If you were to subscribe to these services individually, you’d pay around $40.46 monthly, saving you approximately $15.51 each month—over $186 annually.
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Family Plan: For $31.95 per month, this plan includes the same services as the Individual plan but ups the iCloud+ storage to 200GB. When bought separately, these services would cost around $50.46 monthly, yielding a yearly saving of about $222.12. Plus, you can share this plan with five family members, maximizing its value further.
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Premier Plan: Priced at $49.95 per month, this plan includes all Apple subscription services: Music, TV Plus, Arcade, Fitness Plus, and News Plus, along with a generous 2TB of iCloud+ storage. Separately, you would spend around $95.94 monthly, saving a hefty $551 a year. Like the Family plan, this can also be shared among five users, though the iCloud storage is a shared pool rather than individual allocations.
Why I Choose Apple One
As a long-time Premier subscriber, I’ve found that I primarily benefit from Apple Music and Apple TV Plus. Occasionally, I’ll explore Apple Fitness Plus, and I appreciate the access to Apple News for current events and entertainment.
The standout feature for me is the 2TB of iCloud storage. This significant cloud space alleviates any concerns about running low on my iPhone’s storage. I can back up my device easily and store countless photos without a hitch.
Although I only share my plan with my partner, a Family plan becomes increasingly worthwhile if you have a larger household. Instead of three individuals each paying for their own Apple Music subscriptions, you can share one Family plan for just $31.95 a month.
In my case, if I were to subscribe individually to Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, and 2TB of iCloud storage, my costs would add up to nearly $44 monthly. For just a bit more, I access three additional Apple services—making the Premier plan a sensible choice.
Try Before You Commit
If you’re uncertain about whether Apple One suits your needs, consider starting with a free trial. This allows you to explore the services included in the tier you’re interested in. Keep in mind, however, that if you already subscribe to any service, you’ll only get free access to the additional ones.
To sign up for a free trial, simply visit the Apple One website, which will direct you to your device’s App Store for easy signup.
In today’s streaming landscape, bundling services can significantly improve your experience—both in content and cost. If you’re an Apple device user, Apple One might just be what you’re looking for.
