What Is YouTube Premium? Everything You Need to Know Before Subscribe

YouTube is the world’s largest video-streaming platform, used by millions of people worldwide to watch entertainment, music, podcasts, tutorials, and educational content. Because YouTube is free to access, many users often ask: “If YouTube is already free, why should I pay for a Premium subscription?”

If YouTube is part of your daily life—whether for entertainment, learning, or listening in the background—you may have considered upgrading to YouTube Premium. But is it really worth paying for, especially when pricing and features can vary across regions?

If you’ve ever had this question, this guide is for you. We cover everything you need to know about YouTube Premium—what it is, why people choose to subscribe, its key benefits, and how much it costs.

In this updated 2026 guide, we explain what YouTube Premium includes, its latest features, global pricing considerations, how Premium compares with Premium Lite, and who should consider subscribing this year.

What is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service from Google that enhances the overall YouTube experience by removing ads and unlocking additional features across YouTube and YouTube Music.

With YouTube Premium, users around the world can:

• Watch videos without ads
• Play videos in the background
• Download videos for offline viewing
• Access YouTube Music Premium
• Try early and experimental features

Previously known as YouTube Red, YouTube Premium provides ad-free viewing across all YouTube apps, including YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids. It is designed to improve the viewing and listening experience, allowing users to enjoy content seamlessly—online or offline—without interruptions.

Benefits and Features of YouTube Premium Subscription

Ad-Free Viewing

Enjoy uninterrupted watching with no pre-roll, mid-roll, or banner ads across most videos, Shorts, and playlists.

Note: Sponsored segments added directly by creators may still appear.

Background Play

Keep videos or music playing while:

• Switching between apps
• Locking your device screen

This feature is widely used worldwide for music, podcasts, and long-form content.

Offline Downloads

Download videos and playlists to watch without an internet connection—perfect for:

• Commuters and travelers
• Users in areas with limited or unstable network access

YouTube Music Premium Included

Your YouTube Premium subscription includes YouTube Music Premium, which offers:

• Ad-free music streaming
• Offline downloads
• Background playback

This makes YouTube Premium a strong alternative to separate music-streaming subscriptions.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP)

Watch videos in a floating window while using other apps. PiP is available on supported Android and iOS devices in most countries.

Access Across Devices

Your ad-free experience applies wherever you’re signed in with your Google account, including:

• Web browsers
• Smartphones and tablets
• Smart TVs and streaming devices such as Apple TV and Roku

YouTube Originals

Get access to YouTube Originals, including exclusive shows, documentaries, and movies created by well-known creators.

YouTube Kids

YouTube Premium works with the YouTube Kids app, which features age-appropriate content designed specifically for children.

YouTube TV (Availability Varies)

In supported regions, YouTube offers YouTube TV—a separate live TV streaming service with cloud DVR functionality. Availability and pricing vary by country.

If you’re considering activating YouTube Premium, it’s important to understand its features and compare pricing in your region to decide whether it offers good value for your viewing habits.

How Much Does YouTube Premium Cost?

YouTube Premium Pricing in India

India continues to offer one of the most affordable YouTube Premium plans globally.

YouTube Premium Pricing (Global – Approx.)

Prices vary by country due to taxes, currency, and local pricing strategies.

How to Get YouTube Premium Subscription?

Follow these simple steps to subscribe to YouTube Premium on your computer, phone, or tablet:

Step 1: Open YouTube on your device.

Step 2: Sign in to the Google Account you want to use for your membership.

Step 3: Tap or click your profile picture.

Step 4: Select Get YouTube Premium and start your free trial if you’re eligible. If not, choose a plan and complete the subscription process.

Once subscribed, you’ll immediately gain access to all YouTube Premium features.

What Is YouTube Premium Lite?

YouTube Premium Lite is a lower-cost option available in selected countries.

What Premium Lite Includes:

• Ad-free videos (most content)

What Premium Lite Does NOT Include:

• ❌ Background play
• ❌ Offline downloads
• ❌ YouTube Music Premium

Best for:
Users who only want an ad-free viewing experience at a lower price.

YouTube Premium vs Premium Lite (Quick Comparison)

Is YouTube Premium Worth It in India?

Yes, for most users, because:

• Pricing is low compared to global rates
• Includes both video and music benefits
• Saves mobile data with offline downloads

For Indian users, YouTube Premium offers excellent value for money.

Is YouTube Premium Worth It Globally?

Globally, YouTube Premium is worth it if:

• You watch YouTube daily
• You consume long-form videos or podcasts
• You want to replace multiple subscriptions (music + video)
• You dislike frequent ads

For casual users, Premium Lite may be sufficient.

Can You Share YouTube Premium?

Family Plan Rules (India & Global):

• Up to 5 additional members
• Members must live in the same household
• YouTube may verify location periodically

Google has increased checks on family plan misuse in several countries.

YouTube Premium Free Trial

• Available in many countries, including India
• Typically 1-month free trial
• Requires payment method
• Cancel anytime before billing

How to make your subscribed channels public or private:

YouTube allows you to control whether your subscribed channels are visible to others. Based on your preferences, you can choose to keep your subscriptions public or make them private. Follow the step-by-step guide below to update your YouTube subscription privacy settings.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Sign in to your YouTube account.

Step 2: Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.

Step 3: Select Settings from the menu.

Step 4: In the left-hand menu, click Privacy.

Step 5: Under Likes and subscriptions, check or uncheck the option “Keep all my subscriptions private.”

• Checked → Your subscriptions are private
• Unchecked → Your subscriptions are public

Step 6: Click Save to apply the changes.

Your subscription visibility settings will be updated immediately and can be changed again at any time.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium Subscription

YoYou can cancel or unsubscribe from your YouTube Premium membership at any time if you no longer wish to continue. To cancel a YouTube Premium subscription on an Android device or through a web browser, follow these simple steps:

1. Sign in to your YouTube account on your mobile device or computer.
2. Tap your profile picture and select Paid memberships.
3. Choose the YouTube Premium membership you want to cancel.
4. Tap Continue to cancel.
5. Select a reason for canceling YouTube Premium and tap Next.
6. Tap Yes, cancel to confirm.

Once the cancellation is complete, your Premium plan will be canceled, and you will receive a confirmation email to your registered Gmail account.

How to cancel a YouTube subscription on iPhone

If you’re using YouTube on an iOS device and originally subscribed to YouTube Premium through iTunes, you’ll need to cancel your paid membership from your Apple account by following these steps:

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile photo in the top-right corner.
3. Select Manage Subscriptions.
4. Tap YouTube Premium from the list.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription, then tap Confirm to complete the process.

Once canceled, your YouTube Premium benefits will remain active until the end of the current billing period.

If you face any issues during cancellation, you can contact Apple’s customer support team or reach out to YouTube’s customer support team for additional assistance. Users can also manage or disable their subscriptions at any time through their Apple ID settings.ewal date of the premium plan. If you need any assistance, contact the youtube premium support team through the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube Premium remove all ads?

Yes, except for creator-inserted sponsorships.

Can I use YouTube Premium on multiple devices?

Yes. Sign in with the same Google account on any device.

Is YouTube Premium better than Spotify?

If you use both YouTube and music streaming, YouTube Premium provides more overall value.