Is YouTube Premium Worth It? 6 Reasons Why You Should Subscribe

YouTube is synonymous with video. The free online video streaming platform also has subscription plans with benefits like ad-free videos, background playback, and offline viewing. I will walk you through YouTube Premium to help you decide if it's worth it to you.

What Is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is the subscription service of the popular and free Google platform. There are different types of paid memberships on offer.

• YouTube Premium individual membership costs $13.99⁠/⁠month. After the one-month free trial, you can opt for the annual plan at $139.99 for 12 months.
• YouTube Premium Family plan retails at $22.99⁠/⁠month with a month's free trial. You can share this plan with up to 5 family members (ages 13+). The primary member can also share any purchased Primetime Channels (available in the US, Germany, France, Australia, and the UK only) with the group.
• YouTube Premium Student plan costs the lowest at $7.99⁠/⁠month with a month's free trial. However, you must be enrolled at a higher education institution offering YouTube student memberships.

All YouTube Premium plans come with YouTube Music Premium and other benefits that can make you consider paying for the subscription or at least trying it out with the trial offers.

Why You Should Subscribe to YouTube Premium

The deciding factor for enjoying YouTube Premium benefits instead of sticking to the free YouTube will come down to your entertainment needs and budget. Here are key reasons to consider it.

Watch Ad-free Videos

The ability to watch videos without ads interrupting the flow is arguably the biggest reason for getting a subscription plan. The absence of ads covers all platforms, like your smart TV apps, game consoles, tablets, and phones.

However, while Google will not throw video overlay ads, third-party banner ads, or search ads at you, embedded ads in the videos can still show up. The creator enables these and not YouTube directly.

Note: YouTube shares part of its subscription revenues with creators. So, creators can afford to give premium subscribers an ad-free experience.

Disruption-Free YouTube Kids

With YouTube Kids, this ad-free watching becomes even more critical. Kids hate disruption in their cartoons and shorts, and some ads may not always suit young audiences.

Non-Stop Music on YouTube

For music buffs, ad-free songs and undisturbed playlists are must-haves. The premium plans ensure you enjoy the same benefits as YouTube Music Premium.

Download Videos and Music

As a YouTube Premium user, you can download videos to your device and watch them offline. This covers your journeys (road trips and plane rides) or contingencies like spotty Wi-Fi. The YouTube Kids app also supports offline videos.

Listen With Background Play

YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, and YouTube Kids all offer background play. With this feature, you can listen to music or podcasts on YouTube while using other apps or when your device's screen is off and locked.

It's perfect for multitasking or when you want to enjoy content without keeping the YouTube app open. For instance, podcast listeners or joggers can make maximum use of this and justify the price of their subscriptions.

Resume Watching Across Devices

The ability to continue watching a video or a song when you switch devices is a handy feature. YouTube saves the location and lets you carry on from there on any other devices.

Other YouTube Premium Benefits 

Here's a short list of additional enhanced features only available with a YouTube Premium membership.

• Set up a queue of videos to watch next on the YouTube app while watching another video.
• Change video quality settings—for instance, you can watch videos in 1080p on iPhones and iPads.
• An informative YouTube Premium benefits page with stats on your viewing habits.
• Experimental features like the free-to-play games on YouTube Playables.

Why You Don't Need a YouTube Premium Subscription

Both YouTube and YouTube Premium give you the same vast sea of content. If you are happy with that and don't mind the ads, you don't need to pay for a YouTube Premium subscription. Here are a few more reasons to make up your mind.

Cost Savings

Unlike many streaming platforms, YouTube, without a subscription, doesn't restrict access to its content. You can tolerate the ads and use the savings to broaden your entertainment choices.

Limited Music Listening Habits

If you are not a music lover or have a subscription to Spotify, you don't need the added YouTube Music Premium. You can continue watching and listening on YouTube Music for free without the benefits.

The YouTube Originals Library

YouTube Originals, with its exclusive shows, used to be a factor, but YouTube shuttered it in favor of the YouTube Partner Program. Now, there are many more places to watch original series and movies. Cobra Kai, one of its top hits, moved to Netflix.

Also, you can continue to watch all old YouTube Originals favorites like the reality series Mind Field and documentaries like BTS: Burn the Stage for free but with ads.

Are YouTube Premium Benefits Worth It?

If you consider yourself a very heavy YouTube user, then a Premium subscription is worth it. The ad-removal feature by itself can push you to loosen your wallet. Benefits like offline watching, background play, downloads, and the enhanced viewing experience are welcome. It's also a good option if you don't use any other music streaming service.