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[Skip to content](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#content "Skip to content") [](https://michaelsaves.com/) Menu [](https://michaelsaves.com/ "Michael Saves") Menu - [DEALS\!](https://michaelsaves.com/deals/deal-alerts/) - [Streaming TV](https://michaelsaves.com/category/streaming/) - [How to Cut the Cord in 7 Steps](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/how-to-cut-the-cord/) - [Roku Buying Guide](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/roku-buying-guide/) - [The \#1 Mistake People Make After Canceling Cable TV](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/cord-cutting-mistake-to-avoid/) - [Best Live TV Streaming Services](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming/) - [Watch Local Channels Without Cable](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/local-channels-without-cable/) - [Stream Everything You Want & Save Money: 10 Tips\!](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/streaming-tv-savings-tips/) - [YouTube TV Review](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-tv-review/) - [YouTube TV for Beginners](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-tv-for-beginners/) - [Fubo Review](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/fubo-tv-review/) - [DIRECTV STREAM Review](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/directv-stream-review/) - [Hulu Live Review](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/hulu-live-tv-roku-review/) - [Sling TV Review](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/sling-tv-review/) - [Philo Review](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/philo-review/) - [Frndly TV Review](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/frndly-tv-review/) - [Streaming TV Spending Tracker](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/spending-tracker/) - [Phone Plans](https://michaelsaves.com/category/cell-phones/) - [10 Things to Know Before You Sign Up for a Cheap Phone Plan](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/cheap-phone-plan-things-know/) - [Switching Phone Plans? 7 Mistakes to Avoid](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/switch-cell-phone-plans/) - [Visible Review (Verizon’s Network)](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/visible-review/) - [Xfinity Mobile Review (Verizon’s Network)](https://michaelsaves.com/save-money/xfinity-mobile-review/) - [Mint Mobile Review (T-Mobile’s Network)](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/mint-mobile-review/) - [Tello Mobile Review (T-Mobile’s Network)](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/tello-mobile-review/) - [US Mobile Review (3 Major Networks)](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/us-mobile-review/) - [Home Internet](https://michaelsaves.com/category/internet/) - [How to Choose the Best Home Internet Service For You](https://michaelsaves.com/internet/best-internet-plans/) - [Internet Plan Comparison Tool](https://michaelsaves.com/internet-plan-comparison-tool/) - [Mint Mobile 5G Home Internet Review](https://michaelsaves.com/internet/mint-home-internet/) - [T-Mobile Home Internet Review](https://michaelsaves.com/reviews/t-mobile-home-internet-review/) - [Verizon Home Internet Review](https://michaelsaves.com/internet/verizon-home-internet-review/) - [T-Mobile Home Internet Beginner’s Guide](https://michaelsaves.com/internet/t-mobile-home-internet-setup/) - [Money Tips](https://michaelsaves.com/category/save-money/) - [How to Create a Budget](https://michaelsaves.com/budgeting/google-sheets-budget-template/) - [Weekly Financial Checklist](https://michaelsaves.com/save-money/weekly-financial-checklist/) - [Ibotta Cheat Sheet](https://michaelsaves.com/make-money/ibotta-review/) - [Fetch Rewards Cheat Sheet](https://michaelsaves.com/make-money/fetch-rewards-review/) - [Upside App Review](https://michaelsaves.com/save-money/upside-app-review/) - [The Big 3 Credit Card Strategy](https://michaelsaves.com/credit-cards/big-3-credit-card-strategy/) - [About](https://michaelsaves.com/about-michael-saves/) - [About Michael Timmermann](https://michaelsaves.com/about-michael-saves/) - [YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/michaelsaves) - [Contact](https://michaelsaves.com/contact/) - [Press](https://michaelsaves.com/press/) - [Disclosure & Privacy Policy](https://michaelsaves.com/disclosure-policy/) # Is YouTube Premium Worth It? 3 Things to Know Before You Sign Up October 20, 2023 July 24, 2023 by [Michael Timmermann](https://michaelsaves.com/author/admin/ "View all posts by Michael Timmermann") *Some Michael Saves articles contain affiliate links, which help support my work as an independent content creator.*  If you watch a lot of YouTube videos, you may have noticed more ads on the platform lately. YouTube Premium removes those advertisements for a monthly fee, but is it worth it? In this article and the video below, I share what you need to know before you sign up. ## **1\. How Much Does YouTube Premium Cost?** - **Individual: \$13.99 per month** - **Individual: \$139.99 for 12 months** - **Family: \$22.99 per month** - **Student: \$7.99 per month** The price of YouTube Premium varies depending on the device that you use when signing up. On the **[YouTube Premium website](https://www.youtube.com/premium)**, the price for individuals is \$13.99 per month after a free trial. The price increased by \$2 per month in July 2023. But I noticed the price is higher from the YouTube app on an iPhone — \$18.99 per month. Here’s why: YouTube is passing along a charge from Apple when people use their iPhones and iPads to purchase the subscription through iTunes. This is sometimes called the “Apple Tax.” To avoid the higher price, sign up for the service on **[YouTube Premium’s website](https://www.youtube.com/premium)** from a computer. In addition to YouTube Premium’s monthly plan, there’s a discount if you pay for a year in advance. The annual plan costs \$139.99 through YouTube’s website. Family and student plans are also available. **[Learn more here.](https://www.youtube.com/premium)** If you’re a **current** YouTube Premium subscriber who pays monthly, you **will not** see the annual option from your account. Here’s how you can change your membership: - Cancel your monthly YouTube Premium plan from the account dashboard - Wait until the current billing cycle ends and you’re no longer a Premium member - Log in to your account and sign up for the annual YouTube Premium plan The annual payment option is only available to individual YouTube Premium subscribers, not families. ## **2\. What Features Do You Get With YouTube Premium?** These are the main benefits of signing up for YouTube Premium: - **Ad-free experience** - **Background play** - **Downloadable videos** - **YouTube Music Premium** ### **Ad-Free Experience** YouTube Premium removes the ads from videos, even the ads that you can typically skip after a few seconds. Some people choose to install ad blockers to avoid internet ads. Premium is different. It eliminates the ads, but the service also ensures that the creators you watch still get paid for their work. Here’s what YouTube says about that on its [website](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6306276?hl=en#:~:text=YouTube%20Premium%20members%20can%20also,Yes.): > “Currently, new revenue from YouTube Premium membership fees is distributed to video creators based on how much members watch your content. As with our advertising business, most of the revenue will go to creators.” While YouTube Premium removes ads served by YouTube, you may still see an advertisement if the creator you’re watching has a paid sponsorship or brand deal. YouTube doesn’t control these ads. As part of my editorial policy to provide trustworthy reviews, none of my content is sponsored. ### **Background Play** With YouTube Premium, you can press play on a YouTube video from the mobile app, and it will continue to play as you navigate to other apps and even when the screen is turned off. If you like to listen to longer YouTube videos as background noise, this feature will come in handy. ### **Downloadable Videos** Premium members can download videos to watch offline. This is helpful if you’re trying to limit cellular data usage, or if you know you’ll be traveling through an area with limited or no reception — like on an airplane. After you’ve downloaded a video, **navigate to the Library tab** from a mobile device and **click Downloads.** You also have the option to turn on **Smart Downloads**. When this feature is activated, YouTube will automatically download 20 recommended videos per week when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. ### **YouTube Music Premium** YouTube Music Premium is another popular benefit included with your subscription. This is a separate app from YouTube. The YouTube Music app has millions of songs and videos from your favorite artists. They’re available to download for offline listening, plus you can use background play. ## **3\. How Do I Know If YouTube Premium Is Worth It?** If you’re not sure whether YouTube Premium makes sense for you or your family, here are three things to consider: - **Your usage** - **Your ad tolerance** - **Your overall streaming setup** ### **Usage** The more time you spend on YouTube, the more likely a Premium subscription will be worth it. YouTube provides usage stats to all users. **Click your profile icon**, then **Time watched** and you’ll see a summary of your watch time history. This data is for YouTube only, not YouTube Music or YouTube TV. ### **Ad Tolerance** The second thing to think about is how disruptive you find the ads, which is going to depend on the content that you watch on the platform. Personally, I appreciate that YouTube lets me skip a lot of the ads. However, I finally signed up for YouTube Premium after noticing an ad from the same company being shown on a lot of videos. The length of the ads didn’t bother me, but the repetitiveness did. ### **Overall Streaming Setup** The third thing to consider is how subscribing to the service would affect your overall streaming setup. Would you spend more time on YouTube without the ads? And would you take advantage of other Premium benefits, including the separate music app? If so, you may be able to cancel another subscription to offset the cost. ## **Final Thought** I’ve enjoyed YouTube Premium and decided to keep it after my free trial. But my biggest hurdle is a mental one. I pay for **[YouTube TV](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming/)** for part of the year. So when you add up the cost of YouTube TV and YouTube Premium, it feels like an awful lot of money going to YouTube every month. There is no discount if you subscribe to both YouTube TV and YouTube Premium. *What do you think about YouTube Premium? Add to my review down below in the comments\!* *** ### **More Michael Saves Articles You May Like:** - **[How to Cut the Cord in 7 Simple Steps](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/how-to-cut-the-cord/)** - **[Best Live TV Streaming Services to Replace Cable](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming/)** - **[How to Stream TV and Save Money](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/streaming-tv-savings-tips/)** Categories [Streaming TV](https://michaelsaves.com/category/streaming/) [Is Twigby Mobile Worth It? 5 Things to Know Before You Sign Up](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/twigby-wireless-review/) [Consumer Cellular Review: Is It Worth the Savings? (Pros and Cons)](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/consumer-cellular-review/) ## 4 thoughts on “Is YouTube Premium Worth It? 3 Things to Know Before You Sign Up” 1.  Ray Berg [July 28, 2023 at 12:58 pm](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-346176) This is a late commentary …But… We switched over to YouTube TV after dish network was raising our rates and would not budge despite the fact we were 20 year customers. That has worked out and I decided to add YouTube premium because after a trial period of no ads it was decided to be worth it. It seems like YouTube raised the rate almost as soon as we enrolled, but we do use the Music app and that’s fine for now and we dropped HBO… because HBO dropped so much Content. [Reply](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-346176) 2.  Linda [May 4, 2023 at 6:40 pm](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-320338) Hi, If you sign up for You Tube Premium, can you DVR the programs without the Ads? And if you have the family plan, does each person have their own Library of DVR programs? Thanks [Reply](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-320338) -  [Michael Timmermann](https://michaelsaves.com/) [May 4, 2023 at 11:54 pm](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-320379) Since it’s regular YouTube, there is no DVR. But you can download videos to watch later with Premium. [Reply](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-320379) 3.  Jon [April 11, 2023 at 3:37 pm](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-318126) I cut the cord today on Xfinity cable TV, which was costing me \$266 a month (TV, modem rent, all those fees, etc). I was able to double my speed to 800 mbps, get an updated modem, and Flex TV free for \$135 which includes my HBO max continuation. That sounds great, but in order to get major broadcasts live (CNN, NBC, MSNBC, etc) I stilll need youtube TV. So, my cost is actually 213-ish. So, the cost savings is frankly only about \$50 bucks a month, to include cloud DVR, etc I didn’t have with Xfinity old plan. If I were to purchase “add free” Premium for family…then I’m actually not saving more than about \$30 bucks. While nice, it’s hardly a significant bargain to go with Youtube TV…. [Reply](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#comment-318126) ### Leave a Comment [Cancel reply](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-premium-review/#respond)  ### **Michael Timmermann** #### Personal finance writer and founder of MichaelSaves.com My passion is helping people save money and that’s what I’ve been doing professionally for more than a decade. I began writing about money back in 2010. Prior to going full-time with Michael Saves, I was the Director of Content and Senior Writer for Clark.com. I also produced TV segments for Clark Howard earlier in my career while working for CNN's sister network, HLN. My money tips have been featured on major websites like NBCNews.com and CNN.com. Whether you want to **[cut the cable TV cord](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/how-to-cut-the-cord/)**, **[find a cheap cell phone plan](https://michaelsaves.com/cell-phones/cheap-phone-plan-things-know/)** or [**explore affordable internet options**](https://michaelsaves.com/internet/best-internet-plans/), you’ll find plenty of ways to lower your monthly bills on my website. MichaelSaves.com and my **[YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/michaelsaves)** provide reviews that you can actually trust. When I test a product or service, I purchase it with my own money and thoroughly test it out before publishing a review. My goal is to lay out the pros and cons in a simple way to help you make an informed decision before buying. [**Learn more about me and my review process here.**](https://michaelsaves.com/about-michael-saves/) To receive updates when I post new content, **[subscribe to my free weekly newsletter\!](https://michaelsaves.beehiiv.com/)** You can also follow Michael Saves on [**Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/themichaelsaves), [**X (formerly Twitter)**](https://twitter.com/michaelsaves) and **[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/michaelsaves)**. ### **NEW AND UPDATED:** - [March 2026 Deal Alerts: Streaming TV, Phone & Internet](https://michaelsaves.com/deals/deal-alerts/) - [Never Pay \$83/Month for YouTube TV: Here’s What to Do Instead](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-tv-savings-tips/) - [Is Philo Still Worth It in 2026? 5 Things to Know Before You Sign Up](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/philo-review/) - [How to Switch YouTube TV Plans](https://michaelsaves.com/save-money/switch-youtube-tv-plans/) - [The Ultimate Guide to Streaming Live TV in 2026](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming/) ### **THE MICHAEL SAVES DIFFERENCE** The purpose of Michael Saves is to share my experience with products and services that I use or have used in the past. To support this work, some articles contain affiliate links. For example, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. With these affiliate links, I may receive compensation when visitors use the links and make a purchase. **[Read my Ad Disclosure & Privacy Policy.](https://michaelsaves.com/disclosure-policy/)** © Michael Saves Media, LLC 2026 \| **[Privacy Policy & Ad Disclosure](https://michaelsaves.com/disclosure-policy/)**

If you watch a lot of YouTube videos, you may have noticed more ads on the platform lately. YouTube Premium removes those advertisements for a monthly fee, but is it worth it? In this article and the video below, I share what you need to know before you sign up. ## **1\. How Much Does YouTube Premium Cost?** - **Individual: \$13.99 per month** - **Individual: \$139.99 for 12 months** - **Family: \$22.99 per month** - **Student: \$7.99 per month** The price of YouTube Premium varies depending on the device that you use when signing up. On the **[YouTube Premium website](https://www.youtube.com/premium)**, the price for individuals is \$13.99 per month after a free trial. The price increased by \$2 per month in July 2023. But I noticed the price is higher from the YouTube app on an iPhone — \$18.99 per month. Here’s why: YouTube is passing along a charge from Apple when people use their iPhones and iPads to purchase the subscription through iTunes. This is sometimes called the “Apple Tax.” To avoid the higher price, sign up for the service on **[YouTube Premium’s website](https://www.youtube.com/premium)** from a computer. In addition to YouTube Premium’s monthly plan, there’s a discount if you pay for a year in advance. The annual plan costs \$139.99 through YouTube’s website. Family and student plans are also available. **[Learn more here.](https://www.youtube.com/premium)** If you’re a **current** YouTube Premium subscriber who pays monthly, you **will not** see the annual option from your account. Here’s how you can change your membership: - Cancel your monthly YouTube Premium plan from the account dashboard - Wait until the current billing cycle ends and you’re no longer a Premium member - Log in to your account and sign up for the annual YouTube Premium plan The annual payment option is only available to individual YouTube Premium subscribers, not families. ## **2\. What Features Do You Get With YouTube Premium?** These are the main benefits of signing up for YouTube Premium: - **Ad-free experience** - **Background play** - **Downloadable videos** - **YouTube Music Premium** YouTube Premium removes the ads from videos, even the ads that you can typically skip after a few seconds. Some people choose to install ad blockers to avoid internet ads. Premium is different. It eliminates the ads, but the service also ensures that the creators you watch still get paid for their work. Here’s what YouTube says about that on its [website](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6306276?hl=en#:~:text=YouTube%20Premium%20members%20can%20also,Yes.): > “Currently, new revenue from YouTube Premium membership fees is distributed to video creators based on how much members watch your content. As with our advertising business, most of the revenue will go to creators.” While YouTube Premium removes ads served by YouTube, you may still see an advertisement if the creator you’re watching has a paid sponsorship or brand deal. YouTube doesn’t control these ads. As part of my editorial policy to provide trustworthy reviews, none of my content is sponsored. ### **Background Play** With YouTube Premium, you can press play on a YouTube video from the mobile app, and it will continue to play as you navigate to other apps and even when the screen is turned off. If you like to listen to longer YouTube videos as background noise, this feature will come in handy. ### **Downloadable Videos** Premium members can download videos to watch offline. This is helpful if you’re trying to limit cellular data usage, or if you know you’ll be traveling through an area with limited or no reception — like on an airplane. After you’ve downloaded a video, **navigate to the Library tab** from a mobile device and **click Downloads.** You also have the option to turn on **Smart Downloads**. When this feature is activated, YouTube will automatically download 20 recommended videos per week when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. ### **YouTube Music Premium** YouTube Music Premium is another popular benefit included with your subscription. This is a separate app from YouTube. The YouTube Music app has millions of songs and videos from your favorite artists. They’re available to download for offline listening, plus you can use background play. If you’re not sure whether YouTube Premium makes sense for you or your family, here are three things to consider: - **Your usage** - **Your ad tolerance** - **Your overall streaming setup** ### **Usage** The more time you spend on YouTube, the more likely a Premium subscription will be worth it. YouTube provides usage stats to all users. **Click your profile icon**, then **Time watched** and you’ll see a summary of your watch time history. This data is for YouTube only, not YouTube Music or YouTube TV. The second thing to think about is how disruptive you find the ads, which is going to depend on the content that you watch on the platform. Personally, I appreciate that YouTube lets me skip a lot of the ads. However, I finally signed up for YouTube Premium after noticing an ad from the same company being shown on a lot of videos. The length of the ads didn’t bother me, but the repetitiveness did. ### **Overall Streaming Setup** The third thing to consider is how subscribing to the service would affect your overall streaming setup. Would you spend more time on YouTube without the ads? And would you take advantage of other Premium benefits, including the separate music app? If so, you may be able to cancel another subscription to offset the cost. ## **Final Thought** I’ve enjoyed YouTube Premium and decided to keep it after my free trial. But my biggest hurdle is a mental one. I pay for **[YouTube TV](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming/)** for part of the year. So when you add up the cost of YouTube TV and YouTube Premium, it feels like an awful lot of money going to YouTube every month. There is no discount if you subscribe to both YouTube TV and YouTube Premium. *What do you think about YouTube Premium? Add to my review down below in the comments\!* *** ### **More Michael Saves Articles You May Like:** - **[How to Cut the Cord in 7 Simple Steps](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/how-to-cut-the-cord/)** - **[Best Live TV Streaming Services to Replace Cable](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming/)** - **[How to Stream TV and Save Money](https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/streaming-tv-savings-tips/)**