If you are one of those who spends several hours a day watching videos on YouTube, it is likely that at some point you have seen the message inviting you to subscribe to YouTube Premium. And maybe you ignored it thinking that it is just another way to get money from you. But do you really know what benefits you receive by paying for this version of the platform? Is the monthly expense worth it? Here we tell you everything you need to know.

What is YouTube Premium and how much does it cost?

YouTube Premium is the paid version of the famous video site. Its biggest promise is to offer an ad-free experience. But that's not all. In the United States, the monthly price for individual users is $13.99, although there is an annual option that costs $139.99, which is equivalent to almost two free months.

There is also a Family plan that costs $22.99 per month and allows you to share the subscription with up to five other people within the same household. Students, meanwhile, can access a special price of $7.99 per month, although this benefit will no longer be available starting July 5, 2025, when many profiles will be automatically upgraded to the standard plan.

And if all you want is to watch videos without ads but aren't interested in music or other extra features, YouTube has been testing an option called Premium Lite, with a reduced price of $7.99 per month. However, this plan is quite limited: it doesn't include background playback or downloads, and it also doesn't include access to YouTube Music.

What are the real benefits of the subscription?

The most obvious benefit is that you completely forget about ads. No preroll, no mid-roll, no annoying banners. If you've ever been frustrated by watching the mandatory five seconds before each video, this detail alone can make a difference.

Another strong point is background playback, ideal for those who listen to interviews, podcasts, or music from YouTube. You can turn off the screen, switch apps, or even lock your phone, and the audio will continue playing just like a music player.

You can also download videos directly to your device for offline viewing. This feature is especially useful if you're traveling, have poor signal, or simply don't want to waste mobile data.

Plus, your subscription includes full access to YouTube Music Premium, an ad-free alternative to Spotify or Apple Music. Here you can play music in the background, download full albums, and have full control over playlists without commercial interruptions.

As a bonus, you also have access to select original content produced by YouTube. While this isn't the service's biggest draw, some fans of specific creators may find hidden gems among the exclusive titles.

YouTube Premium also extends its benefits to YouTube Kids, removing ads on the children's platform and allowing for better parental controls.

And something few people mention: being a subscriber gives you early access to experimental features, like playback improvements, new viewing modes, or even AI-powered tools that YouTube tests with a select group of users before rolling them out globally.

Is YouTube Premium really worth paying for?

The short answer is: it depends on how much you use the platform. If you're a frequent user who spends several hours a day browsing videos, playlists, tutorials, and music, the change in experience is very noticeable. Not having ads, being able to download content and play it in the background saves you time and makes everything flow much more smoothly.

You're also directly supporting your favorite creators, since some of your subscription money is distributed among the channels you watch, even if they don't have ad monetization.

For those who use YouTube occasionally or just check out the occasional viral video, the monthly payment may not be justified. In that case, it may be worth trying out the free month the platform offers, or consider the Lite plan if you're only interested in removing ads.

However, there has been recent criticism that the Lite plan doesn't block all ads like Shorts or those that appear when searching, which can leave a bitter taste in the mouth for users who were just looking for an uninterrupted experience.

If you use YouTube as your primary source of entertainment or music, the Premium plan isn't a luxury; it's a comprehensive upgrade. But if you're a casual user, your money might be better spent elsewhere.