YouTube's subscription tiers and their monthly prices
YouTube offers three paid subscription tiers: YouTube Premium at $13.99 per month, YouTube Premium Family at $22.99 per month for up to six people, and YouTube Music Premium at $11.99 per month if you only want ad-free music and offline downloads without the video features.
YouTube Premium removes ads from all videos, lets you download videos and music to watch offline, and enables background play so videos keep running when you close the app or lock your phone. YouTube Premium Family shares all these features across up to six accounts under one payment, each with their own watch history and recommendations. YouTube Music Premium gives you the same offline and background features but only for music — you still see ads on regular YouTube videos.
These prices apply in the United States. Costs vary by country and change periodically. YouTube occasionally offers discounts for the first month or bundled pricing if you subscribe through certain platforms or as part of a larger service package.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium costs $13.99 monthly and removes ads from videos, enables offline downloads, and allows background play on phones.
- YouTube Premium Family costs $22.99 monthly and covers up to six people, each with separate accounts and watch histories.
- YouTube Music Premium costs $11.99 monthly if you only want music features without video ad removal.
- Prices are higher if you subscribe through the YouTube app on iPhone or iPad due to Apple's payment processing fees.
- YouTube offers a free tier with ads, and you can cancel any paid subscription at any time without penalty.
How subscription costs differ by device and payment method
The price you pay depends on where you subscribe. If you sign up through YouTube's website or the Android app, you pay the standard rates listed above. If you subscribe through the iPhone or iPad app, YouTube charges more — currently $15.99 for Premium and $25.99 for Premium Family — because Apple takes a percentage of in-app purchases.
You can avoid the higher Apple pricing by subscribing on a web browser or Android device first, then using that same account on your iPhone. Once the subscription is active, you keep the lower price even when using the iOS app, as long as you don't cancel and resubscribe through Apple.
Student discounts may be available in some regions. YouTube occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers, such as a discounted first month. Check the subscription page when you sign up to see what promotions are currently running in your location.
What you get with YouTube Premium versus the free version
The free YouTube tier includes unlimited video watching but shows ads before, during, and sometimes multiple times within a single video. You cannot download videos, background play is limited (videos pause when you lock your phone), and you see personalized ads based on your watch history.
YouTube Premium removes all ads, lets you download any video or music to your device for offline viewing, and keeps videos playing when your screen is locked or you switch apps. You also get access to YouTube Originals, which are exclusive shows and movies produced by YouTube. The Premium Family plan gives all six members these same features independently.
YouTube Music Premium (the music-only tier) removes ads from music content, lets you download songs, and enables background play for music. Regular YouTube videos still show ads unless you have the full Premium subscription.
YouTube Premium Family and how to set it up
YouTube Premium Family costs $22.99 per month and covers up to six people. Each person gets their own account with separate watch history, recommendations, and settings — one person's viewing doesn't affect another's suggestions. You manage the family group through Google Family Link, which is the same system Google uses for family sharing across other services like Google Play and Google One.
To set up a family group, the person paying creates or signs into their Google account, then invites up to five other people by email. Those people accept the invitation and link their own Google accounts to the family group. Everyone needs their own Google account; you cannot add multiple people to a single account.
If someone leaves the family group, they lose Premium access immediately. The person who pays can remove members or change who is in the group at any time. If you already have individual Premium subscriptions, you can switch to Family and the system will credit any remaining time from your individual plan.
Comparing YouTube Premium to YouTube Music Premium
Choose YouTube Premium ($13.99/month) if you watch videos regularly and want ad-free viewing across all content. Choose YouTube Music Premium ($11.99/month) only if you primarily use YouTube for music and rarely watch other videos, since you will still see ads on non-music content.
YouTube Music Premium includes access to YouTube Music, which is a separate app focused on music discovery, playlists, and radio stations. It does not include ad removal from regular YouTube videos. If you use both YouTube for videos and YouTube Music for music, Premium is the better value because it covers both for only $2 more per month.
If you already subscribe to another music service like Spotify or Apple Music, you likely do not need YouTube Music Premium. YouTube Premium alone gives you background play and offline downloads for music videos on the main YouTube app.
When your subscription renews and how to cancel
YouTube subscriptions renew automatically on the same date each month. Your payment method is charged on the renewal date unless you cancel beforehand. You can see your renewal date and manage your subscription through your Google Account settings under "Payments & subscriptions."
To cancel, go to your Google Account, select "Payments & subscriptions," find YouTube Premium, and choose "Cancel subscription." Your access continues until the end of your current billing period — canceling does not cut off your service immediately. You can resubscribe at any time and start a new billing cycle.
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you must cancel through that platform's settings, not through YouTube itself. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > YouTube Premium > Cancel Subscription. On Android, open Google Play, go to your account, select "Subscriptions," choose YouTube Premium, and tap "Cancel subscription."
Free alternatives and when to choose them
YouTube's free tier costs nothing and works well if you tolerate ads and do not need offline viewing or background play. The free version includes all the same videos and features as Premium except for ad removal, downloads, and background play.
If you want to avoid ads entirely, consider whether you actually watch enough YouTube to justify $13.99 monthly. If you watch a few videos per week, the free version with ads may be sufficient. If you watch daily or use YouTube as background music while working, Premium pays for itself in convenience.
Some internet service providers and mobile carriers bundle YouTube Premium with their plans at no extra cost. Check with your provider to see if you already have access through an existing subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my YouTube Premium account with family members?
Not officially on a single account — YouTube will detect and block shared logins. Use YouTube Premium Family instead, which is designed for sharing and costs only $9 more per month than individual Premium. Each person gets their own account and separate recommendations.
What happens to my subscription if I change my payment method?
Your subscription continues without interruption. Update your payment method in your Google Account under "Payments & subscriptions," and YouTube will charge the new method on your next renewal date. You can change your payment method anytime without affecting your current subscription.
Is YouTube Premium worth it if I use an ad blocker?
An ad blocker removes ads on the web version but not on the YouTube app or smart TV. Premium also includes offline downloads and background play, which ad blockers cannot provide. If you primarily watch on your phone or TV, Premium offers features beyond ad removal.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. YouTube does not issue refunds for partial months. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period, then stops. If you need to cancel, do so as soon as you decide rather than waiting until the end of the month.
Can I use YouTube Premium in multiple countries?
Yes, your subscription works in any country. However, if you move to a different country, YouTube may adjust your price to match that region's rates. Your subscription remains active, but the renewal cost may change based on your new location.