What YouTube Premium is and who pays for it
YouTube Premium is a paid subscription that removes ads from videos, lets you download videos to watch offline, and gives you access to YouTube Music Premium at no extra cost. Google owns YouTube and runs the subscription service directly — you pay Google, not a third party.
The monthly cost varies by country and changes periodically. In the United States, the standard plan costs around $13.99 per month as of 2024, though Google has raised prices multiple times in recent years. Family plans that cover up to six people cost more — roughly double the individual rate. Student plans, where available, cost less than the standard rate.
You can cancel at any time. Your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle, and you lose Premium features immediately if you do not renew. If you signed up through an app store (Apple, Google Play, Samsung), you may need to cancel through that store rather than through YouTube itself.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes ads, allows offline downloads, and includes YouTube Music Premium in one subscription.
- Monthly cost is around $13.99 in the US for an individual, with family and student plans available at different prices.
- You can cancel anytime and lose access at the end of your current billing period.
- If you signed up through an app store, you must cancel through that store, not through YouTube's website.
- YouTube Premium does not change what content is available — it only removes ads and adds offline viewing.
How to start a YouTube Premium subscription
Go to youtube.com on a web browser or open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. Look for the profile icon in the top right corner and tap or click it. You will see an option for "Get YouTube Premium" or "Try it free" — the exact wording depends on whether Google is currently offering a free trial period.
Click that option and you will be taken to a page showing the available plans: individual, family, or student (if you are in a country where the student plan exists). Choose the plan you want. You will need to enter a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or payment account linked to your Google account.
After you confirm the payment method, your subscription starts immediately. You will see a confirmation email from Google. Premium features turn on right away, and you will no longer see ads on videos.
What you get with YouTube Premium
Ad-free viewing is the main feature. Videos play without ads before, during, or after them. This applies to all videos on YouTube, including music videos, tutorials, and livestreams.
Offline downloads let you save videos to your device and watch them without an internet connection. This is useful for travel, commutes, or places with unreliable internet. Downloaded videos expire after 30 days, and you can only download them through the YouTube app on a phone or tablet — not on a computer.
YouTube Music Premium is included at no extra cost. This is a separate music streaming service that lets you listen to songs, albums, and playlists without ads, download music to listen offline, and play any song on demand (rather than shuffle-only, as the free version requires).
Background play lets you close the YouTube app or lock your phone while a video or music plays. On the free version, playback stops when you close the app.
Family plans and how they work
A YouTube Premium Family plan covers up to six people in your household. Each person gets their own account and their own Premium features — ad-free viewing, downloads, and YouTube Music Premium. The family manager (the person who pays) controls who is in the family group and can remove members.
Family members do not share watch history or recommendations. Each person's YouTube account stays separate. If someone leaves the family group, they lose Premium access immediately, though their watch history and subscriptions remain on their account.
The family manager can see which family members are using the service, but not what they watch. If a family member is under 18, the family manager can set parental controls through Google Family Link.
Student plans and may be able to access
YouTube Premium Student plans cost less than the standard individual plan and are available in some countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The exact price and availability depend on your location.
To use a student plan, you must verify your student status through SheerID, a third-party verification service. You will need to provide proof — usually a current student ID, a tuition bill, or a school email address. Verification is free and takes a few minutes.
Student plans renew automatically each year, but you must re-verify your student status annually. If you graduate or are no longer a student, your plan converts to the standard individual plan at the full price.
Cancelling your subscription
To cancel, go to youtube.com and click your profile icon. Select "Purchases and memberships" or "Manage your Google Account," then find YouTube Premium. Click "Cancel membership" or "Manage membership" and follow the prompts.
If you signed up through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Samsung TV Plus, you must cancel through that platform instead. Open the app store, go to your subscriptions or purchases, find YouTube Premium, and select cancel.
Your Premium features stop working immediately after you cancel, but you are not charged again. If you have a free trial, cancelling before the trial ends means you will not be charged at all.
Price changes and what happens when YouTube raises rates
Google changes YouTube Premium prices periodically. When a price increase happens, existing subscribers are usually notified by email at least 30 days before the new rate takes effect. You have the option to cancel before the new price applies.
If you do not cancel, your subscription continues at the new price on your next billing date. Price increases apply to all plans — individual, family, and student — though the exact dollar amount varies.
YouTube has raised prices multiple times since Premium launched in 2015. The most recent increases in the US happened in 2022 and 2023. There is no way to lock in a lower price or avoid future increases other than cancelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get YouTube Premium for free?
Google occasionally offers free trial periods — usually one to three months — to new subscribers. Whether a trial is available depends on your location and the current promotion. You will see the offer when you try to start a subscription. After the trial ends, you are charged the full monthly price unless you cancel.
Does YouTube Premium work on all devices?
YouTube Premium works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. However, some features are device-specific. Offline downloads only work on the YouTube app for phones and tablets, not on computers or TVs. Ad-free viewing and background play work on all devices.
What happens to my watch history and subscriptions if I cancel?
Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists stay on your account. Cancelling Premium only removes the Premium features — ad-free viewing, downloads, and YouTube Music Premium. You can still watch videos and use YouTube for free.
Can I share my YouTube Premium account with someone outside my household?
YouTube's terms of service say Premium is for personal use by you and your household. Sharing with people outside your home violates the terms. If detected, Google can suspend or terminate your account. Family plans exist specifically to let multiple people in your home use Premium legally.
How do I switch from individual to family plan?
You cannot upgrade directly. You must cancel your individual plan and start a new family plan. Your watch history and subscriptions transfer automatically to your account. The family plan costs more, so you will pay the difference for the remainder of your billing cycle.