Is YouTube Premium Worth It? An Honest Review
So, is YouTube Premium actually worth it? The short answer is a big yes, but with a catch. It’s a game-changer if you’re a heavy YouTube user who can't stand ads and frequently listens to videos on your phone with the screen off. If you’re more of a casual viewer who mostly watches on a desktop, you can probably pass on it.
Your Quick Guide to the Value of YouTube Premium
Another monthly subscription can feel like a tough sell, but figuring out if YouTube Premium makes sense for you comes down to a few key habits. It's less about the price tag and more about how central YouTube is to your daily life.
Think of it this way: it’s like deciding whether to buy a car. If you have a long daily commute, owning a car is a no-brainer. But if you only need it for the occasional weekend trip, ride-sharing is probably more cost-effective. The value is all in how much you use it.
To see if it fits your lifestyle, ask yourself these three core questions:
- How much do ads drive you crazy? If you constantly find your viewing experience ruined by mid-roll interruptions, the ad-free feature alone might be enough to justify the cost.
- Do you listen more than you watch? For anyone who loves podcasts, music, or long-form lectures, background play is a killer feature. It basically turns YouTube into an audio-only app, perfect for when you're multitasking.
- Are you already paying for a music streaming service? A full YouTube Music Premium subscription is bundled in. This means you could potentially cancel your Spotify or Apple Music subscription and save some money.
This simple decision tree helps you see at a glance if Premium solves your biggest frustrations with the free version.
YouTube Premium Value Checklist
Still on the fence? This checklist should make the decision crystal clear. Just see which column sounds more like you.
| You Should Consider It If... | You Can Probably Skip It If... |
|---|---|
| You watch YouTube for 1-2 hours or more every day. | You only watch a few videos a week. |
| Ad interruptions genuinely ruin your viewing flow. | Ads are a minor annoyance you can easily ignore. |
| You want to listen to videos while your phone is locked. | You primarily watch on a desktop with an ad-blocker. |
| You'd use YouTube Music as your main music app. | You're happy with your current music subscription. |
| You frequently download videos for offline viewing. | You always have a stable internet connection. |
Ultimately, this all boils down to your personal viewing habits. If your ticks align with the left column, you'll likely find YouTube Premium to be a valuable addition to your subscription lineup.
What You Actually Get with YouTube Premium
So, what does that monthly fee for YouTube Premium really buy you? It's easy to dismiss it as just an expensive ad-blocker, but that's selling it short. Think of it more as a full-blown upgrade to your entire YouTube experience, designed to weave the platform more seamlessly into your life.
The headliner, of course, is ad-free viewing. No pre-roll ads, no mid-video interruptions, no banners. It completely changes the dynamic of watching. Following a deep-dive documentary or binging a creator's entire playlist without being yanked out of the moment is a fundamentally different, and better, way to consume content.
This idea isn't new. YouTube has been tinkering with a premium model since it launched as Music Key back in 2014. It evolved into YouTube Red before landing on its current name in 2018. And it's clearly catching on—the service now boasts over 125 million subscribers for Premium and Music combined as of early 2025. That's a massive leap from 100 million just one year before.
Unlocking True Multitasking and Offline Access
Beyond killing ads, two features truly change how you interact with YouTube on your phone: background play and offline downloads. For many, these are the perks that make the subscription a no-brainer.
Background play is exactly what it sounds like. You can start a video, switch to another app, or even lock your phone, and the audio keeps going. It effectively turns any video into a podcast. This is a game-changer for:
- Listening to long-form interviews or video essays while driving.
- Playing a DJ mix or ambient soundscape while you work.
- Following a guided meditation or workout without draining your battery by keeping the screen on.
Then there's offline downloads. This lets you save videos directly to your device for those times you're without Wi-Fi or cell service. Think about downloading a whole travel series before a long flight or saving a few hours of educational content for the kids on a road trip. Your entertainment is no longer tethered to an internet connection.
The Hidden Gems of a Premium Subscription
While the big features get all the glory, your Premium subscription has a few other tricks up its sleeve that add a surprising amount of value.
One of the best is access to a higher bitrate for 1080p videos. It's a bit technical, but think of bitrate like the thread count on a set of sheets. A higher number means more data is packed into each frame, giving you a noticeably crisper, smoother, and more detailed picture. If you care about visual quality, this is a serious upgrade.
Key Takeaway: YouTube Premium isn't about a single feature. Its real value comes from the ecosystem it creates—combining ad-free viewing, background play, offline access, and a full music streaming service into one convenient package.
Speaking of music, your subscription also includes a full YouTube Music Premium membership. This is Google's direct competitor to Spotify and Apple Music. For many people, this alone justifies the price, as it means they can cancel another music subscription and consolidate their bills.
And while Premium is all about an uninterrupted experience, if you're looking to get through content even faster, you might find some external YouTube video summarizer tools useful. Curious to see a full list of every single perk? You can find a complete breakdown in our guide to all the https://accountshare.ai/blogs/new/youtube-premium-benefits.
Breaking Down The YouTube Premium Price And Plans
Before you can decide if YouTube Premium is a good deal, you have to get past the flashy features and look at the price tag. The cost isn't a simple, single number. Instead, YouTube has a few different subscription tiers built for different kinds of users, which means its value really depends on your specific needs.
Think of it like choosing a data plan for your phone. A single person has totally different needs than a family of six, and there's often a special deal for students. YouTube's pricing works the same way, so let's dig into the options to see which one makes the most sense.
Individual Plan
The Individual plan is as straightforward as it gets. Clocking in at $13.99 per month, this is the standard, no-frills option designed for one person.
This is the perfect fit if you're the main YouTube watcher in your house or if you live alone. You get all the premium perks—no ads, background play, downloads—without paying for extra accounts you don't need. It’s simple and direct.
Family Plan
Now, here’s where the value really starts to shine. The Family plan costs $22.99 per month and lets you share your subscription with up to five other people who live with you, making it a total of six users.
When you do the math, it’s a game-changer. Splitting the cost six ways brings the price down to just over $3.80 per person each month. That makes it a fantastic deal for families, couples, or even a group of roommates. For a closer look at the numbers, check out this guide on the YouTube Premium family plan cost to see how sharing really stretches your dollar.
Pro Tip: If you're an Apple user, try subscribing on a computer's web browser instead of through the YouTube app on your iPhone. You can often sidestep the extra fees Apple's App Store tacks on, which sometimes get passed along to you.
Student Plan
For anyone hitting the books, YouTube offers a major discount. The Student plan gives you all the same features as the Individual plan for only $7.99 per month—that's almost half off.
To get this price, you'll need to prove you're enrolled in a college or university through a verification service called SheerID. You have to re-verify every year, but it's easily the cheapest way to get a premium experience while you're on a student budget.
YouTube Premium Plan Comparison
To make it even clearer, here’s a quick side-by-side look at how the plans stack up against each other.
| Plan Type | Monthly Price (USD) | Number of Users | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $13.99 | 1 | Solo viewers who want a premium experience. |
| Family | $22.99 | Up to 6 | Households, couples, or groups of roommates. |
| Student | $7.99 | 1 | Verified higher-education students on a budget. |
Ultimately, the "best" plan comes down to your situation. For solo users, the Individual plan is a solid choice, but for any group of two or more, the Family plan delivers incredible value.
The Pros and Cons: A Straight-Up Look
No service is perfect, and YouTube Premium is no exception. Deciding whether to pull the trigger means taking an honest look at both sides of the coin. Think of it like a scale: for every huge benefit, there’s a potential drawback or a reason to hesitate.
Let's break it down and weigh the good against the bad so you can get a clear, balanced picture of what you're really paying for.
The Strongest Arguments For Subscribing
Let's be real: the biggest reason anyone signs up is to get rid of the ads. This isn’t just a small convenience; it completely changes the way you watch. Binging a new series from your favorite creator or getting lost in a long-form documentary without being jolted out of the experience by a loud ad is a total game-changer.
The other killer feature is background play. This one feature turns YouTube into an endless podcast and music library. You can lock your phone and keep listening to an interview, a lecture, or a music mix while you're driving, working out, or just doing chores around the house. It's a massive win for anyone who multitasks.
Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest pros:
- Zero Advertisements: This is the main event. You get a truly uninterrupted viewing experience, letting you stay completely immersed in whatever you're watching.
- Background Play & Picture-in-Picture: These two features give mobile users incredible flexibility. You can listen to videos like podcasts or pop a video into a small window while you reply to a text.
- YouTube Music Premium Is Included: This is a huge value-add. You're not just getting a better YouTube; you're also getting a full-blown music streaming service that can easily replace a separate Spotify or Apple Music subscription.
- Offline Downloads: A lifesaver for travelers, commuters, or anyone with a spotty internet connection. Just download videos ahead of time and watch them anywhere, no Wi-Fi needed.
Key Insight: The real magic of YouTube Premium isn't just one feature. It's how they all work together to create a seamless experience that blends video, on-the-go audio, and offline access into a single, convenient package.
The Most Common Arguments Against Subscribing
Now, let's look at the other side of the scale. The number one reason people hesitate is, without a doubt, the cost. We're all feeling a bit of subscription fatigue these days, and adding another monthly bill—especially one that has crept up in price—is a tough pill to swallow.
Plus, some of the main benefits aren't exactly exclusive. For years, people have used ad-blockers on their desktop browsers to get a pretty similar ad-free experience. While this doesn't help on your phone or smart TV, it definitely takes some of the shine off the main selling point for heavy desktop users.
Here are the main cons to think about:
- The Recurring Cost: At $13.99/month for an individual plan, it's not cheap. That adds up to nearly $170 a year, which could be spent elsewhere.
- Ad-Blockers Offer a Partial Fix: While YouTube is fighting back, ad-blockers can still give you an ad-free experience on a computer for free. They won't, however, work on the official mobile apps or most smart TV platforms.
- You Might Not Use All the Perks: If you're already happy with your music streaming service and mostly watch YouTube on your laptop, you'd be paying for features you simply don't need.
Ultimately, whether YouTube Premium is worth it comes down to what you value most. If ads drive you crazy and you live on your phone, the pros are incredibly compelling. But if you're watching your budget and primarily use a desktop computer, the cons might just be enough to make you stick with the free version.
How Your Subscription Supports Content Creators
Ever wondered if that monthly YouTube Premium fee actually makes its way to the creators you watch? The answer is a resounding yes. It’s a simple but effective system: part of your subscription fee gets distributed to the channels you watch, based on your total watch time.
Think of yourself as a patron for your favorite creators. Instead of their income being at the mercy of unpredictable ad views, where thousands of clicks might only add up to a few dollars, your dedicated viewership as a Premium member gives them a much more reliable income source. This direct financial support helps them invest in better gear, dedicate more time to creating, and ultimately, make the content you love even better.
A More Stable and Valuable Revenue Stream
For many YouTubers, Premium revenue isn't just a nice little bonus—it's a serious chunk of their income. In fact, the money earned from a single Premium subscriber's watch time can often be significantly higher than from a viewer who watches with ads.
This financial stability is a game-changer. It allows creators to take creative risks and focus on making high-quality videos instead of just pumping out content to chase ad impressions. It gives them the freedom to build something meaningful, knowing a baseline income is there from their most dedicated fans.
Your consistent viewership as a Premium member is often far more valuable to a small creator than thousands of ad-based views from casual passersby.
How Premium Shifts the Creator Economy
The YouTube Premium model is quietly nudging the creator economy in a healthier direction. It encourages creators to focus on building a loyal, engaged audience that sticks around, rather than just trying to go viral with clickbait. This leads to deeper, more thoughtful content that keeps you genuinely hooked.
This support system is a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to how creators make money on the platform. To see how this fits into the bigger picture, you can check out our guide on what are subscriptions on YouTube. In the end, your subscription helps foster an ecosystem where creators are rewarded for the value they bring to their community. And for those curious about the other side of the coin, you can learn about strategies for boosting earnings with publisher video ads.
Who Should Get YouTube Premium and Who Can Skip It
So, is YouTube Premium actually worth the money? The honest answer is: it depends entirely on how you use YouTube. This isn't a one-size-fits-all subscription. Its real value is tied directly to your daily habits.
Think of it like deciding whether to buy an unlimited data plan for your phone. If you're constantly streaming video and burning through data, it's a no-brainer. But if you just make a few calls and send some texts, a basic plan is all you need. Let’s break down who really benefits from Premium and who can happily stick with the free version.
The Ideal YouTube Premium Subscriber
If you nod your head at any of the following, you'll probably find that a Premium subscription is a game-changer. It's practically built for you.
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The Daily Commuter or Multitasker: Do you listen to video essays, podcasts, or music mixes on YouTube while you drive, work out, or do chores? If so, the background play feature alone is probably worth the price of admission. It turns your phone into a true media player.
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The Ad-Hater: For some people, ads are a minor annoyance they can click past. For you, they're a jarring interruption that ruins the flow of a video. If you want your content on-demand without a single ad, Premium delivers.
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The Family Media Hub: Are you looking to streamline your monthly subscriptions? The Family plan is an incredible deal if you can replace a separate music streaming service for your household. Getting YouTube Music for up to six people plus ad-free YouTube is a huge win.
The Bottom Line: If YouTube is one of your main sources for entertainment and learning, and you use it a ton on your phone, the subscription will feel less like an expense and more like a necessary upgrade to your daily routine.
Who Can Confidently Skip a Subscription
On the flip side, plenty of people get everything they need from the free version of YouTube. You can almost certainly skip Premium if this sounds like you.
You're a casual, desktop-first viewer. Most of your YouTube time is spent on a laptop or PC where you're already running a solid ad-blocker. You don't really need mobile-first features like offline downloads or background play, so the core perks of Premium just don't hit home.
You're also a safe bet to skip if you're a loyal subscriber to another music service. If you're already happy with Spotify or Apple Music and have no plans to switch, a huge piece of Premium's value is lost on you. In that case, you're better off putting that money elsewhere.
Still Have Questions? Let's Clear Things Up
Even after breaking it all down, you might still have a few things you're wondering about. Let's tackle some of the most common questions head-on to help you figure out if YouTube Premium is the right move for you.
Can I Share My YouTube Premium Account With Others?
You absolutely can, but only if you opt for the Family plan. This plan is designed for households and lets you share every single Premium perk with up to five other people (for a total of six users).
The Individual and Student plans, however, are strictly for one person. Trying to share login details for those can get your account flagged or even suspended. If you want to share, the Family plan is the only way to go—and it's a great deal. When you split the cost, it often works out to be cheaper per person than a solo plan.
Does YouTube Premium Also Give Me YouTube TV?
That’s a common point of confusion, but no, they are two completely separate services.
Think of it this way: YouTube Premium is all about enhancing the regular YouTube you already use—no ads, offline downloads, and background listening. On the other hand, YouTube TV is a full-blown replacement for your cable subscription, offering live TV channels like ESPN, CNN, and your local news.
Even though Google runs both, they aren't bundled. Subscribing to one won't get you access to the other.
The Bottom Line: YouTube Premium supercharges your on-demand video experience. YouTube TV replaces your live television service. They are sold as two different subscriptions.
What Happens to My Downloaded Videos if I Cancel My Subscription?
This is a big one. The moment your YouTube Premium subscription ends, you will lose access to all of your downloaded videos. The offline viewing feature is a perk tied directly to an active membership.
Once you cancel, all those videos you saved for flights or commutes will be locked and unplayable. You'll have to resubscribe to get them back. Essentially, you're renting access to that offline content, not owning it.
Is There Any Way to Get a Discount on YouTube Premium?
Yes, there are a couple of smart ways to save some cash.
- Student Plan: If you're a student in higher education, you can get a steep discount—often cutting the price by nearly 50%. You'll just need to verify your student status.
- Family Plan: As mentioned before, sharing the Family plan among a group of people is a fantastic way to lower the cost for everyone involved.
It's also a good idea to keep an eye out for special promotions. Mobile carriers and other service providers sometimes run deals that include a free trial or a discounted rate for YouTube Premium. It never hurts to check with your provider to see if they have an offer running.