How to Save Money on Youtube Premium

How to Save Money on YouTube Premium

YouTube is a central part of how we watch videos and listen to music. The constant interruptions from ads can make the experience frustrating. YouTube Premium solves this, but the monthly cost keeps creeping up, making it a significant line item in your monthly budget.

You don't have to pay the full retail price to get rid of those mid-roll ads. There are several legitimate ways to cut your bill significantly. Whether you are a student, a head of a household, or just someone looking for a cheaper alternative, several paths exist to lower the cost.

Quick Answer: The Best Ways to Save Right Now

The most effective way to save money on YouTube Premium is through the Student Plan, which costs $7.99 per month. This is a 43% discount compared to the standard $13.99 individual plan. If you aren't a student, the Family Plan is the next best option. At $22.99 per month for up to six users, the cost drops to about $3.83 per person if you split it. For those who only care about removing ads, the Premium Lite tier offers a stripped-back experience for $7.99 per month.

The Growing Cost of Ad-Free Viewing

A standard individual YouTube Premium subscription currently costs $13.99 per month in the United States. Over a year, that adds up to nearly $168. This price covers ad-free videos, background play, and a full subscription to YouTube Music Premium. Many users feel they are paying for features they don't actually use, like the music service or the ability to download videos for offline viewing.

Pricing also varies based on how you sign up. If you subscribe through the YouTube app on an iPhone or iPad, Apple takes a 30% cut. Google passes this cost to you, often charging $18.99 per month instead of the $13.99 price found on a web browser. Avoiding the "Apple Tax" is the first and easiest way to save money before even looking at discounts.

Legitimate Ways to Reduce Your YouTube Premium Bill

1. Use the Student Discount

College and university students can access a heavily discounted rate. The plan costs $7.99 per month and includes every feature found in the standard individual plan. You get ad-free videos, YouTube Music, and background play. YouTube uses a third-party service called SheerID to verify your enrollment status. You must re-verify every year, and the discount is capped at four years total. Look for a notification in late 2025 if you are currently on this plan. Subscriptions that began before January 2026 will convert to the full $13.99 price once the student eligibility expires.

2. Split a Family Plan

The Family Plan is the most cost-effective official option for households. For $22.99 per month, you can add up to five additional family members for a total of six people on one account. Everyone gets their own private library and recommendations. When split between six people, the cost is roughly $3.83 per person. Google requires all members to live at the same residential address. They check this using occasional electronic check-ins. If you have a group of roommates or a large family, this is the most logical path to savings.

3. Opt for YouTube Premium Lite

Premium Lite is a newer, more affordable tier priced at $7.99 per month. It aims to solve the biggest complaint about the service: the ads. This plan removes ads from most videos across the platform. It does not include YouTube Music, offline downloads, or background play. If you only watch YouTube on your TV or desktop and never use the mobile app for music, this saves you $6 every month compared to the full plan. It is a focused product for people who want a clean viewing experience without the extra fluff.

4. Look for Promotional Bundles

YouTube frequently partners with other services to offer temporary discounts. For example, NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers can sometimes get 50% off three months of YouTube Premium, bringing the price down to $6.99. YouTube TV subscribers often see promotional offers as well. Paying subscribers for YouTube TV might qualify for a $30 per month discount for four months on their TV bill. These offers are usually time-sensitive. The current Sunday Ticket promotion is scheduled to run through July 31, 2026.

5. Consider AccsUpgrade

AccsUpgrade is another option for users looking for discounted access to premium services. It functions as a third-party provider that offers subscriptions at rates lower than the standard retail price. While it can provide significant savings, you should be aware of the trade-offs. These accounts are managed differently than a direct subscription through Google. You may have less control over account recovery or billing cycles compared to a direct relationship with YouTube. It serves as a middle-ground for those who find the official $13.99 price too high but don't qualify for student or family plans.

How to Set Up the Student Plan (Recommended Method)

If you have a valid .edu email address or can prove current enrollment, this is the best value. Here is how to set it up:

1. Navigate to the YouTube Premium Student landing page on a web browser. Avoid using the mobile app to ensure you see the correct pricing.
2. Click on the "Try it free" or "Get Student Plan" button.
3. You will be redirected to the SheerID verification form. Enter your legal name and the name of your university.
4. Upload a document that proves you are currently enrolled. This could be a student ID card, a transcript, or a tuition receipt.
5. Wait for the confirmation email from SheerID. This usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 48 hours.
6. Once verified, complete the checkout process with your payment method.

Who should avoid this? If you are a part-time student or graduating in less than six months, the manual re-verification process might become a hassle. This plan is also not available in every country, so check local availability before trying to verify.

Deep Dive: What is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is a comprehensive subscription service that alters how you interact with the platform. It is not just about skipping ads. It changes the technical capabilities of the mobile app and integrates a separate music streaming service into your account.

Core Features and Capabilities

• Ad-free Viewing: This is the primary feature. It removes pre-roll, mid-roll, and banner ads. It also removes ads from the YouTube Kids app.
• Background Play: This allows you to keep the audio of a video playing even when you lock your phone or switch to another app. It is essential for listeners who treat YouTube like a podcast platform.
• Offline Downloads: You can save videos directly to your device's internal storage. This is useful for flights or commutes where internet access is spotty. You can choose the resolution, from 144p up to 1080p or 4K depending on the video.
• YouTube Music Premium: This is a standalone app and web service that competes with Spotify and Apple Music. It includes millions of official tracks, live performances, and remixes. A standalone subscription to this costs $10.99, so it makes up a large portion of the Premium bundle's value.

Plan Requirements and Limits

The Individual, Family, and Student plans all include the full suite of features. Premium Lite is the exception. Lite users do not get background play, downloads, or the Music app. Access to these features is tied to your Google account login. You can use your subscription on multiple devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and tablets. However, there are limits on simultaneous streams. For individual plans, you can generally stream on only one device at a time. The Family plan allows for multiple concurrent streams across the different member accounts.

Practical Workflow

To get the most out of the service, use the "Smart Downloads" feature. This automatically downloads videos you might like based on your history when you are on Wi-Fi. It ensures you always have something to watch without eating into your data plan. If you use the service for music, make sure to sign in to the YouTube Music app separately. Your history and likes will sync between the main video app and the music app.

Risks and Eligibility Checks

Before you commit to a long-term plan or a specific discount, consider these potential hurdles. Google is strict about its regional pricing. If you try to use a VPN to sign up for a cheaper price in another country, you might face account suspension. Your credit card must generally match the region of the account.

The Family Plan has a household requirement. Google uses your location history and IP addresses to verify that all members live together. If members are consistently in different cities, Google may remove them from the family group. There is also a limit on how often you can switch family groups. You can only change your family group once every 12 months.

Refunds are rare. YouTube typically does not offer pro-rated refunds if you cancel in the middle of a billing cycle. Instead, your access will continue until the end of the current month. For student plans, remember the 2026 deadline. If your eligibility lapses, your price will nearly double overnight without much warning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube Premium offer an annual plan?
Yes, YouTube offers an annual individual subscription in some regions. This typically provides a small discount compared to paying monthly for 12 months. However, annual plans do not auto-renew, so you have to manually sign up again every year. Annual plans are not available for Family or Student tiers.

Can I get YouTube Premium for free?
Most new users can access a one-month free trial. Occasionally, buying a new Android phone or a Google Nest device will come with a 3-month or 6-month trial. You must provide a credit card up front, and the subscription will auto-renew at the full price unless you cancel it before the trial ends.

Is YouTube Music Premium different from YouTube Premium?
YouTube Music Premium is a subset of YouTube Premium. If you only want music and don't care about ads on regular videos, you can pay $10.99 for just the music service. If you pay for the full YouTube Premium, you get the music service included for "free."

What happens to my downloaded videos if I cancel?
Your downloaded videos will remain on your device, but they will become locked. You will not be able to play them until you resubscribe or connect to the internet to watch them with ads. YouTube