YouTube Premium costs $15.99/month for an individual plan in 2026. It removes ads from YouTube and YouTube Kids, adds background play and offline downloads for video, and includes full access to YouTube Music Premium. Here is a breakdown of every plan and how to decide whether it is worth the cost.
YouTube Premium Plan Prices (2026)
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Free Trial | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $15.99 | $159.99/yr (save ~15%) | Varies | Heavy YouTube viewers |
| Family | $26.99 | N/A | Varies | Households up to 6 members (13+) |
| Student | $8.99 | N/A | 1 month free | Verified higher-ed students (4-year cap) |
| Premium Lite | $8.99 | N/A | Varies | Viewers who mainly want fewer ads |
Prices verified July 2026. YouTube adjusts pricing periodically. Subscribe through youtube.com – subscribing through the iOS App Store costs more due to Apple’s in-app purchase fee. Verify current prices at youtube.com/premium.
What Is Included in YouTube Premium
Individual – $15.99/month
- Ad-free YouTube: No ads on videos, Shorts, or YouTube Kids
- Background play: Continue listening or watching with your screen off or while using other apps on mobile
- Offline downloads: Download videos to watch without an internet connection
- YouTube Music Premium: Full access to ad-free music streaming, offline listening, and background play in the YouTube Music app (a $11.99/month value)
- Annual plan available at $159.99/year – about 15% cheaper than monthly billing; note there is no partial refund if you cancel an annual plan early
Family – $26.99/month
- All features of the Individual plan
- Share with up to 5 additional members (6 total) who are 13 or older and live in the same household
- Each member must have their own Google account
- Each member gets their own YouTube Music library and recommendations
Student – $8.99/month (after one free month)
- All features of the Individual plan at a reduced price
- Available to students enrolled at eligible higher education institutions
- Eligibility must be verified annually
- Discount is capped at four years total
- First month is free for new subscribers
Premium Lite – $8.99/month
- Mostly ad-free viewing on YouTube and YouTube Kids
- Does not include:
- Ad-free YouTube Music app
- Offline video downloads
- Background play
- Best for viewers who mainly watch YouTube on a desktop browser and do not need the music or mobile features
YouTube Premium vs. YouTube Music: Which Should You Get?
| Feature | YouTube Music ($11.99/mo) | YouTube Premium ($15.99/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-free music streaming | Yes | Yes |
| Offline music downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Background music play | Yes | Yes |
| Ad-free YouTube video | No | Yes |
| Offline video downloads | No | Yes |
| Background video play | No | Yes |
Choose YouTube Music if you primarily want an ad-free music streaming service comparable to Spotify or Apple Music. At $11.99/month, it costs $4.00 less than YouTube Premium.
Choose YouTube Premium if you watch a lot of YouTube videos and want to remove ads, or if you want background play for video. Since YouTube Music is included, you also get the full music streaming service at the same time.
Annual Cost at Each Tier
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (monthly billing) | Annual plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $15.99 | $191.88 | $159.99 (save $31.89) |
| Family | $26.99 | $323.88 | Not available |
| Student | $8.99 | $107.88 | Not available |
| Premium Lite | $8.99 | $107.88 | Not available |
The annual plan saves about 15% but requires paying the full year upfront. There is no partial refund if you cancel before the year ends.
YouTube Music Premium Prices (2026)
If you want music only – no ad-free YouTube video – YouTube Music Premium is available as a standalone subscription:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $11.99 | $119.99 (save ~15%) |
| Family (up to 6) | $18.99 | N/A |
| Student | $5.99 | N/A |
YouTube Music includes a free tier with ads, similar to Spotify Free. The premium tier adds ad-free listening, offline downloads, and background play.
YouTube Music vs. Spotify vs. Apple Music: Price Comparison
| Plan | YouTube Music | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $11.99 | $12.99 | $10.99 | $10.99 (Prime) / $11.99 (non-Prime) |
| Family | $18.99 | $21.99 | $16.99 | $17.99 (Prime) |
| Student | $5.99 | $6.99 | $5.99 | Not available |
| Annual individual | $119.99 | N/A | N/A | $104.99 (Prime) |
| Free ad-supported tier | Yes | Yes | No | Prime Music (limited) |
All prices verified July 2026. Verify current prices at each service’s website before subscribing.
| Feature | YouTube Music | Spotify | Apple Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lossless audio | No | No | Yes (included) |
| Music videos | Yes | No | No |
| Unofficial/cover recordings | Yes (large catalog) | Limited | Limited |
| Podcast catalog | No | Yes (extensive) | Limited |
| Social features | No | Yes | No |
| Free ad-supported tier | Yes | Yes | No |
| Offline downloads | Yes (premium) | Yes (premium) | Yes |
| Background play | Yes (premium) | Yes (premium) | Yes |
YouTube Music’s standout advantage is its catalog of music videos and unofficial recordings – cover songs, live performances, and remixes – that are not available on Spotify or Apple Music. Redditors frequently cite this as a reason to choose YouTube Music if you listen to obscure artists or want live recordings.
Important: Avoid the iOS App Store Surcharge
Subscribing to YouTube Premium or YouTube Music through the iOS App Store costs more than subscribing directly through YouTube’s website. Apple charges developers a fee for in-app purchases, and that cost is often passed on to subscribers. Always subscribe or manage your subscription at youtube.com rather than through the iPhone or iPad app to get the standard monthly price.
Is YouTube Premium Worth It?
YouTube Premium makes the most sense if you:
- Watch YouTube daily and find ads disruptive
- Want to play YouTube videos in the background on your phone (audio-only while using other apps)
- Already pay for a music streaming service but would save money by replacing it with YouTube Music, which is bundled at no extra cost
- Download videos for offline viewing while traveling
YouTube Premium is harder to justify if you:
- Only watch YouTube occasionally
- Already have an ad blocker on your desktop browser
- Are on a tight budget and mainly want music – YouTube Music alone ($11.99/month) costs $4.00 less
- Use YouTube through a smart TV or gaming console where the Premium Lite option may suffice at $8.99/month
See also: Spotify Cost 2026 | Apple Music Cost 2026 | Monthly Budget Guide
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