YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month for individuals, $22.99 for a family plan covering up to six people, and $6.99 for students
YouTube offers three subscription tiers. The standard YouTube Premium plan runs $13.99 monthly and removes ads from videos, lets you download content to watch offline, and enables background play so videos keep running when you close the app. The YouTube Premium Family plan costs $22.99 per month and covers up to six household members, each with their own account and recommendations. The YouTube Premium Student plan is $6.99 monthly if you have a valid .edu email address.
YouTube also bundles Premium with other Google services. YouTube Premium + YouTube Music Premium costs $22.99 per month and combines ad-free video with ad-free music streaming and offline downloads for both. A family version of this bundle runs $32.99 monthly. These bundle prices are the same whether you buy them together or separately, so bundling adds no extra cost.
Prices in this article are current as of early 2025 and apply in the United States. YouTube has raised prices multiple times in recent years — the individual plan was $11.99 in 2022 — and may change again. Prices vary by country and currency.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes ads and enables offline downloads and background play, costing $13.99 monthly for one person or $22.99 for a family of up to six.
- The student plan costs $6.99 per month if you have a valid university email address, and YouTube verifies your status through SheerID.
- Bundling YouTube Premium with YouTube Music Premium costs $22.99 individually or $32.99 for a family, the same price as buying them separately.
- YouTube offers a one-month free trial for new Premium subscribers, though the trial period may vary by region and promotion.
What YouTube Premium includes
The core benefit of any YouTube Premium plan is ad removal. Videos play without ads before, during, or after them, and the platform shows no banner ads on the page. This applies to all videos on YouTube, including content from channels you don't subscribe to.
Offline downloads let you save videos to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. You can download from the YouTube app on Android or iOS by tapping the download icon below any video. Downloaded videos expire after 30 days or when your subscription ends, whichever comes first.
Background play means audio continues when you minimize the app or lock your phone. This is useful for music videos, podcasts, and livestreams. Without Premium, closing the YouTube app stops playback immediately on mobile devices.
Premium also includes picture-in-picture mode, which shrinks the video into a small window so you can use other apps while watching. This feature works on phones, tablets, and computers.
YouTube Music Premium and bundle pricing
YouTube Music Premium is a separate subscription that costs $12.99 per month on its own, or $22.99 when bundled with YouTube Premium. The bundle saves you nothing in price but combines two services into one subscription. YouTube Music Premium removes ads from music, allows offline downloads of songs, and enables background play for music.
The family bundle for both services costs $32.99 per month and covers up to six people. Each family member gets their own YouTube Premium account and their own YouTube Music Premium account with separate recommendations and download libraries.
If you already pay for YouTube Premium and want to add YouTube Music, you can upgrade your existing subscription to the bundle. The price difference depends on your current plan — if you pay $13.99 for Premium alone, upgrading to the $22.99 bundle costs an extra $9 per month.
Student plan requirements and verification
The YouTube Premium Student plan costs $6.99 per month but requires proof of enrollment at an accredited college or university. YouTube uses SheerID, a third-party verification service, to confirm your student status. You will need a valid .edu email address or other official school documentation.
When you sign up for the student plan, YouTube directs you to SheerID's verification page. You enter your school email or upload a photo of your student ID. Verification usually completes within minutes, though it can take up to 24 hours. If SheerID cannot verify you automatically, you may need to upload additional documents like a tuition bill or enrollment letter.
The student plan automatically converts to the full $13.99 Premium plan when you graduate or your student status expires. YouTube sends a notification before the conversion happens, usually 30 days in advance.
Free trial and payment methods
YouTube offers a one-month free trial for new Premium subscribers. The trial applies to any of the three individual plans — standard Premium, Premium + Music, or the student plan. You must provide a payment method to start the trial, and YouTube charges your account when the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand.
You can cancel the trial at any time through your YouTube account settings under "Memberships" or "Purchases and subscriptions." Canceling stops your subscription immediately, and you lose access to Premium features right away.
YouTube accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and payment methods linked to your Google account. If you have a Google Play balance, YouTube can draw from that first. Family plan members pay through the family manager's payment method, and the manager controls billing.
How to check your current plan and billing date
To see which YouTube plan you have and when you are charged, open YouTube on any device and go to your account menu in the top right corner. Select "Purchases and subscriptions" or "Memberships," depending on your device. This page shows your current plan, your next billing date, and your payment method.
On a computer, you can also visit youtube.com/paid_memberships directly. On a phone or tablet, the YouTube app's account menu leads to the same information. If you have a family plan, only the family manager sees billing details, though each member can see their own plan status.
YouTube sends a reminder email a few days before your billing date. If you want to change plans — for example, upgrading from Premium to the Premium + Music bundle — you can do so on this same page, and the change takes effect immediately.
Comparing YouTube Premium to other video streaming services
YouTube Premium is fundamentally different from services like Netflix or Disney+. Those services offer a library of shows and movies you choose from. YouTube Premium gives you access to the same videos as the free version — it just removes ads and adds offline downloads and background play.
If you watch mostly YouTube creators and music videos, YouTube Premium's $13.99 price is competitive. If you want a library of professional TV shows and movies, you would need a separate service like Netflix ($6.99 to $22.99 per month depending on the plan) or Disney+ ($7.99 to $13.99 per month). Many people subscribe to YouTube Premium and a traditional streaming service at the same time.
YouTube Premium does not include YouTube TV, which is a separate live television service. YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month and includes live channels, cloud DVR, and on-demand shows, but it is a different product entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a YouTube Premium family plan with people who don't live with me?
YouTube's terms say family members should live in the same household, but the platform does not verify location. However, YouTube has been stricter about enforcing this rule and may ask members to confirm they live together. If members are in different locations, YouTube may revoke access without warning.
What happens to my downloads if my subscription ends?
Downloaded videos stop playing 30 days after your subscription ends. You cannot re-download them unless you subscribe again. The downloads remain on your device but become unplayable.
Does YouTube Premium work on all devices?
YouTube Premium works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs through the YouTube app or website. Some features like offline downloads only work on the mobile app. Picture-in-picture works on phones, tablets, and computers but not on all TV apps.
Can I use YouTube Premium in multiple countries?
Your subscription works in any country, but prices are set by region. If you move to another country, YouTube may update your price to match that region's rates. You can use your account anywhere temporarily, but permanent relocation may trigger a price change.
Is there a way to get YouTube Premium cheaper?
The student plan at $6.99 per month is the lowest official price. YouTube occasionally runs promotions offering discounted trials or first months, but these vary by region and time. Bundling with YouTube Music costs the same as buying them separately, so there is no savings there.