YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month for an individual plan, though family and student plans cost less per person
YouTube Premium removes ads from videos, lets you download content to watch offline, and plays videos in the background while you use other apps. The standard individual plan runs $13.99 monthly. YouTube also offers a family plan for $22.99 per month (up to six people), a student plan for $7.99 monthly (if you have a valid .edu email), and YouTube Music Premium bundled with YouTube Premium for $14.99 per month. Prices vary slightly by country and change periodically.
You do not have to pay for YouTube itself — the free version works on any device with a browser or the YouTube app. You only pay if you want to remove ads and unlock the extra features. Many people use YouTube free for years without subscribing.
YouTube Premium also includes YouTube Music, which is a separate music streaming service. If you subscribe to YouTube Premium, you get both the ad-free video experience and access to YouTube Music's catalog without paying extra.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes ads and costs $13.99 per month for one person, with cheaper per-person rates for family and student plans.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Google Account settings, and your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle.
- YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music, so you do not need a separate music subscription if you sign up.
- Free YouTube works indefinitely with ads; Premium is optional and only worth the cost if ads bother you or you want offline downloads.
- Family plans let up to six people share one subscription, but each person needs their own Google Account.
How to start a YouTube Premium subscription
Open YouTube on any device and look for the "Premium" option in the menu. On the YouTube app, tap your profile picture in the top right, then select "Get YouTube Premium." On a computer, click your profile picture and choose "Purchase a membership." YouTube will show you the available plans and ask you to confirm your payment method.
You need a Google Account to subscribe. If you do not have one, create it free at accounts.google.com. Once you choose a plan and enter your payment information, your subscription starts immediately and you can watch ad-free right away.
YouTube will charge your payment method on the same day each month. You can use a credit card, debit card, or payment method linked to your Google Play account.
Canceling or pausing your subscription
To cancel, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions" on the left, then select "Manage subscriptions." Find YouTube Premium in the list and click "Cancel subscription." YouTube will ask you to confirm; once you do, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period. You keep access until that date, then ads return.
YouTube does not offer a formal pause button, but you can cancel and restart whenever you want. There is no penalty for canceling, and you can resubscribe later without losing your watch history or playlists.
If you signed up through the YouTube app on an iPhone or Android phone, you may need to cancel through your phone's app store settings instead of through Google. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > YouTube Premium > Cancel Subscription. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and subscriptions" > "Subscriptions," then find YouTube Premium and tap "Cancel."
Family plans and sharing
The YouTube Premium family plan costs $22.99 per month and covers up to six people. Each person needs their own Google Account, and you manage the family group through Google Family Link. The person who pays is the family manager and can add or remove members, but everyone gets the same Premium features.
Family members do not see each other's watch history or recommendations unless they share a device. Each account keeps its own separate viewing data. If someone leaves the family group, they lose Premium access immediately, though their watch history stays on their account.
To set up a family plan, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Manage your Google Account," then select the "Family" tab. Follow the steps to create a family group and invite members by email. Once they accept, they can start using YouTube Premium right away.
What YouTube Premium includes beyond ad removal
Offline downloads let you save videos to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. This works on the YouTube app only, not on a computer browser. Downloaded videos stay on your device for up to 30 days, and you can download the same video multiple times if needed.
Background play means videos keep playing even when you minimize the app or lock your phone. This is useful for music videos, podcasts, or long-form content. On free YouTube, the video stops if you leave the app.
YouTube Music Premium comes bundled in, so you can search for and play any song in YouTube Music's catalog without ads. You also get access to music videos and can create playlists. If you already pay for a separate music service, YouTube Premium might replace it and save you money.
Troubleshooting common subscription problems
If ads still appear after you subscribed, try signing out and back into your Google Account. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to recognize your subscription. Close the YouTube app completely, wait a few seconds, then reopen it. If you are on a computer, try a different browser or clear your browser cache.
If your subscription was canceled by mistake or you were charged twice, contact Google Support through myaccount.google.com. Click "Help & support" at the bottom, then search for your issue. Google can refund accidental charges and restore your subscription if there was an error.
If you share a family plan and someone else's account is using your payment method, check your family group settings. Only the family manager should be able to add or remove members. If someone unauthorized is on your plan, remove them through the Family Link settings and contact Google Support if you were charged without permission.
YouTube Premium vs. YouTube Music Premium
YouTube Premium removes ads from videos and includes YouTube Music Premium. YouTube Music Premium is a music-only subscription for $10.99 per month and does not include the ad-free video experience. If you mainly watch music videos and listen to songs, YouTube Music Premium alone might be enough. If you watch regular YouTube videos and want them ad-free, you need YouTube Premium.
Some people subscribe to YouTube Premium for the ad-free video experience and use the included YouTube Music as a bonus. Others subscribe to YouTube Music Premium only because they do not care about video ads. Choose based on what you actually use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use YouTube Premium on multiple devices?
Yes. Log into your Google Account on any device and YouTube Premium works on all of them. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, and smart TV at the same time, though simultaneous streams may be limited depending on your plan. The family plan lets each member use their own account on their own devices.
What happens to my subscription if I change my payment method?
Your subscription continues without interruption. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions," then "Payment methods" to add or update your card. YouTube will charge your new payment method on your next billing date. If your payment fails, YouTube will try again a few times before canceling your subscription.
Do I lose my watch history if I cancel YouTube Premium?
No. Your watch history, playlists, subscriptions, and all other account data stay on your Google Account. If you resubscribe later, everything is still there. Canceling Premium only removes the ad-free viewing and offline download features.
Is YouTube Premium worth the cost?
That depends on how much ads bother you and whether you use offline downloads or background play. If you watch YouTube for an hour or more daily, the cost spreads across many hours of viewing. If you watch occasionally, free YouTube with ads might be fine. Try the free version for a week and count how many ads you see to decide if Premium is worth it for you.
Can I get a free trial of YouTube Premium?
YouTube sometimes offers free trial periods, usually one month, but this varies by country and changes over time. When you visit the Premium page, YouTube will show you if a trial is available. You still need to enter a payment method, and the subscription converts to paid after the trial ends unless you cancel.