Spotify ended the third quarter of 2026 with 788 million monthly active users, putting the streaming platform within reach of the 800 million milestone before the end of the year. Its latest financial results, covering the three months to 30 September, also show double-digit revenue growth, rising Premium subscriptions and improved profitability.
The company added 11 million monthly active users during Q3, an 11% increase year-on-year. Premium subscribers reached 306 million after six million net additions, while advertising-supported monthly active users grew 12% year-on-year to 499 million.
Spotify expects that growth to accelerate in the final quarter, forecasting 818 million monthly active users and 316 million Premium subscribers by the end of 2026.
Spotify Revenue Reaches Almost €5 Billion In Q3 2026
Spotify reported total revenue of €4.97 billion for Q3, up 16% compared with the same period in 2025. Premium revenue rose 17% year-on-year to €4.49 billion, while advertising-supported revenue increased 10% to €482 million.
The results show growth across both sides of Spotify’s business, with subscriptions continuing to provide the bulk of its income and advertising delivering a stronger contribution.
| Spotify Q3 financial results | Q3 2026 | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | €4.97bn | +16% |
| Premium revenue | €4.49bn | +17% |
| Advertising revenue | €482m | +10% |
| Gross profit | €1.64bn | +21% |
| Operating income | €672m | +15% |
| Gross margin | 33.0% | Up from 31.6% |
Spotify’s operating income reached €672 million, exceeding its forecast by €2 million. Gross margin also improved to 33%, compared with 31.6% in Q3 2025.
The company attributed its operating income performance partly to lower-than-expected marketing and personnel costs, alongside stronger gross margin.
Premium Subscribers Reach 306 Million
Spotify’s Premium subscriber base grew 9% year-on-year to 306 million, adding six million paying subscribers during the quarter. That figure was one million above the company’s guidance.
The platform’s advertising-supported audience also continued to expand, reaching 499 million monthly active users, up from 446 million a year earlier.
Spotify’s average revenue per user, or ARPU, rose 9.3% year-on-year to €4.95. The increase suggests that subscription pricing and revenue growth are helping the company generate more income per Premium user while its overall audience continues to expand.
The results do not, however, establish that price increases have had no effect on individual users. They show that Spotify continued to grow its subscriber base during the reporting period.
Spotify Expects To Pass 800 Million Users In 2026
Spotify’s outlook for the final quarter points to a significant increase in its global audience.
The company forecasts that monthly active users will reach 818 million by the end of 2026, which would mean adding 30 million users in Q4. It also expects Premium subscriptions to rise to 316 million.
Those projections would take Spotify past 800 million monthly active users before the year closes, assuming it meets its guidance.
The forecast follows a quarter in which the company met or exceeded its key performance targets. Monthly active user additions matched guidance at 11 million, while Premium net additions outperformed expectations.
Latin America Closes In On North America For Premium Subscribers
Spotify’s latest figures also highlight how its subscriber base is distributed across the world.
Europe accounts for 36% of Premium subscribers, followed by North America at 25%, Latin America at 24% and the rest of the world at 15%.
Latin America is therefore approaching North America in its share of paying subscribers. If the trend continues, the region could overtake North America in subscriber numbers, although that would not necessarily mean it generates more revenue.
The geographical mix of Spotify’s total monthly audience is changing, too. The rest of the world accounted for 38% of listeners in Q3 2026, compared with 36% a year earlier and 26% in Q3 2022.
Over the same period, Europe’s share of monthly active users fell from 31% to 25%, while North America’s declined from 22% to 16%. These are changes in the percentage distribution, not necessarily declines in the actual number of listeners. Spotify’s overall audience has continued to grow.
Spotify Expands Creator Tools And Audiobooks
Alongside its financial performance, Spotify highlighted several product developments as it looks to broaden its services for listeners and creators.
The company launched Taste Profile for Premium subscribers in the United States, allowing users to edit how Spotify understands their musical preferences.
It also announced an expansion of the Spotify Partner Program and Creator Memberships into additional markets, giving eligible creators more ways to earn revenue from audience engagement.
Audiobooks are another area of expansion. Spotify said it planned to increase audiobook availability from 22 markets to more than 180 by the end of 2026, providing access to more than 350,000 titles across over 120 languages.
These developments form part of Spotify’s wider strategy to grow beyond music streaming while increasing the ways creators can reach audiences and earn money on the platform.
What Spotify’s Q3 Results Mean For The Music Industry
Spotify’s latest results point to continued growth in streaming, with a larger audience, more paying subscribers and higher revenue than a year ago. Its improved gross margin and operating income also suggest that the business is converting some of that growth into stronger financial performance.
However, not every cash-flow measure improved. Net cash flow from operating activities fell 11% year-on-year to €740 million, while free cash flow declined 9% to €735 million.
The next quarter will show whether Spotify can meet its ambitious forecast of 818 million monthly active users and 316 million Premium subscribers. If it does, the platform will close 2026 with a significantly larger global audience and further evidence of the scale of the subscription streaming market.
