The Download
- YouTube Premium lets you watch videos without ads and enjoy music without interruptions.
- With YouTube Premium, you can download videos and music to enjoy offline anytime, anywhere.
- Background play lets you keep listening to videos or music while using other apps or when your screen is off.
YouTube is synonymous with video. This free online video streaming platform also offers subscription plans with benefits including ad-free videos, background playback, and offline viewing. This guide will walk you through YouTube Premium to help you decide if it’s worth it for your needs.
What Is YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium is the subscription service offered by the popular and free Google platform. Several types of paid memberships are available.
- The YouTube Premium individual membership costs $13.99/month. After the one-month free trial, you have the option to switch to an annual plan for $139.99 for 12 months.
- At $22.99/month, the YouTube Premium Family plan comes with a one-month free trial and can be shared with up to five family members (ages 13+). The primary member can also share any purchased Primetime Channels with the group, available in select countries.
- The YouTube Premium Student plan is the most affordable at $7.99/month with a month’s free trial. Enrollment in a higher education institution offering YouTube student memberships is required.
All YouTube Premium plans include YouTube Music Premium and other benefits, making the subscription compelling enough to consider purchasing or at least trying out the trial offers.
Note
YouTube TV is a separate service and is not included in the YouTube Premium package.
Why You Should Subscribe to YouTube Premium
Deciding whether to enjoy YouTube Premium’s benefits instead of sticking with free YouTube will depend on your entertainment needs and budget. Here are key reasons to consider it.
Watch Ad-free Videos
The ability to watch videos without ad interruptions is arguably the biggest reason to subscribe. This ad-free experience extends across all platforms, including smart TV apps, game consoles, tablets, and phones.
However, while Google won’t display video overlay ads, third-party banner ads, or search ads, embedded ads in videos can still appear. These are enabled by the content creator, not YouTube directly.
Note: YouTube shares part of its subscription revenue with creators, allowing them to provide premium subscribers with an ad-free experience.
Disruption-Free YouTube Kids
With YouTube Kids, ad-free viewing becomes even more crucial. Children dislike interruptions in their cartoons and shorts, and some ads may not always be suitable for young audiences.
Non-Stop Music on YouTube
For music enthusiasts, ad-free songs and seamless playlists are essential. Premium plans provide the same benefits as YouTube Music Premium.
Note
YouTube Music Premium is available as a standalone subscription for those interested only in music or music videos.
Download Videos and Music
As a YouTube Premium user, you can download videos to watch offline, perfect for travel or when Wi-Fi is unreliable. The YouTube Kids app also supports offline video downloads.
Tip
Smart Downloads on YouTube Premium automatically adds recommended content to your library, sparing you from manual searches and downloads for offline enjoyment.
Listen With Background Play
YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, and YouTube Kids offer background play, allowing music or podcasts to continue while using other apps or when your device’s screen is off.
This feature is ideal for multitasking or enjoying content without keeping the YouTube app open, offering value for podcast listeners or joggers.
Note
Picture-in-picture (PiP) on YouTube Premium allows video viewing while using other apps. PiP is also available in the free YouTube Android app in the U.S., but music videos are excluded.
Resume Watching Across Devices
Seamlessly continue watching videos or songs across devices with YouTube’s feature that saves your spot, allowing you to pick up where you left off on any device.
Other YouTube Premium BenefitsÂ
Here are additional enhanced features exclusive to YouTube Premium membership.
- Queue videos to watch next while viewing another on the YouTube app.
- Adjust video quality settings, like watching videos in 1080p on iPhones and iPads.
- Access a YouTube Premium benefits page with viewing habit stats.
- Try experimental features, such as free-to-play games on YouTube Playables.
Why You Don’t Need a YouTube Premium Subscription
YouTube and YouTube Premium offer the same extensive content library. If you’re content with that and don’t mind ads, a YouTube Premium subscription may not be necessary. Here are more factors to consider.
Cost Savings
Unlike many streaming platforms, YouTube allows access to its content without a subscription. You can choose to tolerate the ads and use the savings to broaden your entertainment choices.
Tip
The YouTube Premium family plan can be cost-effective when shared among multiple family members.
Limited Music Listening Habits
If you’re not a music enthusiast or already have a Spotify subscription, you don’t need YouTube Music Premium. You can continue watching and listening on YouTube Music for free, though without the extra benefits.
The YouTube Originals Library
YouTube Originals used to feature exclusive shows, but YouTube discontinued it in favor of the YouTube Partner Program. Now, there are many more places to watch original series and movies, such as Cobra Kai, which has moved to Netflix.
You can still watch old YouTube Originals favorites, like the reality series Mind Field and documentaries such as BTS: Burn the Stage, for free, though with ads.
Are YouTube Premium Benefits Worth It?
If you’re a heavy YouTube user, a Premium subscription might be worth it. The ad-removal feature alone can make it appealing. Additional benefits like offline watching, background play, downloads, and an enhanced viewing experience are valuable. It’s also a great option if you don’t use any other music streaming service.
Thanks for letting us know!
Subscribe
Tell us why!
Other
Not enough details
Hard to understand
