How much is YouTube Premium? In 2026 the Individual plan costs $13.99–$15.99 a month in the US — but what you actually pay depends on which plan you choose and, importantly, where you sign up. Subscribe inside the iPhone app and it can jump to around $20 a month. Here's the full price breakdown for every plan, plus how to avoid overpaying.
YouTube Premium prices in 2026 (US)
| Plan | Monthly price | Roughly per year |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $13.99–$15.99 | $168–$192 |
| Individual via iPhone app | ~$18.99–$20.99 | ~$228–$252 |
| Family (up to 5) | $22.99 | ~$276 |
| Student | $7.99 | ~$96 |
| Premium Lite | ~$8.99 | ~$108 |
Prices have gone up more than once — the Individual plan recently rose from $13.99 to $15.99 — which is why a lot of people are reconsidering whether it's worth it.
Why you might be paying more (the iPhone markup)
If your bill says around $18.99–$20.99, you almost certainly subscribed through the YouTube app on an iPhone or iPad. Apple adds a markup of about $5 a month to in-app subscriptions. To pay the lower price, cancel and re-subscribe through the YouTube website in a browser instead of the app.
What each plan includes
- Individual / Family / Student: ad-free video, background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music Premium.
- Premium Lite: removes ads from most videos, but still shows ads on music, and does not include background play or downloads.
So if background audio is the feature you care about, Premium Lite won't cover it — you'd need a full plan.
How to pay less (or nothing) for ad-free YouTube
- Subscribe on the web, not the app — avoids the Apple markup.
- Use the Student plan if you qualify — $7.99/month.
- Split a Family plan with up to five people.
- Skip the subscription entirely — if you mainly watch on an iPhone and just want ad-free video and music, Tube Browser Pro does that free, with background playback and no monthly fee. It's a separate app, not a discounted Premium, but it covers the essentials.
Still deciding whether a subscription makes sense? See our full breakdown in Is YouTube Premium Worth It?
FAQ
How much is YouTube Premium per month?
The Individual plan is $13.99–$15.99/month on the web. Family is $22.99, Student is $7.99, and Premium Lite is about $8.99. Subscribing through the iPhone app costs more — roughly $18.99–$20.99.
Why is my YouTube Premium $18.99 or $20.99?
That's the price when you subscribe inside the iOS app, because Apple adds a markup. Re-subscribing through the YouTube website usually lowers it to the standard $13.99–$15.99.
How much is YouTube Premium per year?
The Individual plan works out to roughly $168–$192 a year on the web, or around $228–$252 a year if you signed up via the iPhone app.
Is there a cheaper YouTube Premium plan?
Yes — Premium Lite (about $8.99/month) is cheaper, but it keeps ads on music and drops background play and downloads. The Student plan ($7.99) is the cheapest full plan if you qualify.
Can I get ad-free YouTube without paying?
On an iPhone, a dedicated app like Tube Browser Pro plays YouTube video and music ad-free with background playback and no subscription. It's a separate app rather than a way to get Premium for free.
Don't want to pay every month? Get Tube Browser Pro for free ad-free YouTube on iPhone, or read Is YouTube Premium Worth It? to decide.