YouTube Subscription Price: Plans, Monthly Cost & Price History

YouTube Premium is the paid subscription that removes ads from YouTube videos, adds background play and offline downloads, and includes YouTube Music. It is a different product from YouTube TV, which is a separate live TV service with its own pricing and is not covered here. Premium comes in several plans, priced by who will use it and which features you want.

The plan prices on this page come from Droid Life and Ubergizmo, and were checked on Oct 13, 2026. YouTube raised US prices in 2026, so older articles may show lower numbers. Prices can change again, so confirm the current rate on the official YouTube Premium page before you subscribe.

The Individual plan costs $15.99/mo. The Family plan costs $26.99/mo. The Student plan costs $8.99/mo. Premium Lite also costs $8.99/mo.

Which YouTube Premium Plan Fits You

• Individual ($15.99/mo): One account with the full set of features, including ad-free viewing, background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music.
• Family ($26.99/mo): Covers several people in one household. It costs less than buying separate Individual plans for each person.
• Student ($8.99/mo): For verified full-time students at eligible schools. Re-verification is required each year, so keep your enrollment details handy.
• Premium Lite ($8.99/mo): A lower-priced option. According to Ubergizmo, Lite keeps ads on some content and does not include YouTube Music benefits. It suits people who mainly want fewer ads and do not use YouTube Music.

If you listen to music on YouTube often, Individual or Family gives you the full package. If you only watch videos and want fewer interruptions, Lite may do the job for less.

Individual can also be billed yearly. The annual plan costs $159.99/yr.

Paying yearly costs less than twelve monthly payments. It makes sense if you already know you will keep the subscription for the year. If you use YouTube heavily only part of the year, the monthly plan lets you stop sooner.

YouTube raised US Premium prices in April 2026. The change applied to new subscribers immediately and to existing subscribers from June, according to Ubergizmo. YouTube told customers by email rather than publicly announcing it, as reported by Droid Life. These are the plan prices before the increase:

Individual rose from $13.99/mo to $15.99/mo. Family rose from $22.99/mo to $26.99/mo. Student and Lite rose as well. The 2026 increase followed an earlier US increase in 2023.

• Taxes: Sales tax may be added depending on your state.
• Billing channel: Subscribing on an iPhone through the App Store can be billed differently from subscribing on the web. Check which channel your account uses.
• Trials and promotions: Introductory offers are temporary. Note the date the regular price begins.
• Bundles: Some carriers and other services include YouTube Premium. Check before you pay separately.
• YouTube Music Premium: Sold separately as a music-only plan. If you only want music, compare it with the plans here.

• Use the Student plan if you qualify.
• Share a Family plan with people you live with instead of buying separate Individual plans.
• Choose Premium Lite if you do not need YouTube Music.
• Pay annually only if you will keep the plan for the full year.
• Check whether a carrier or bundle already covers it.