What You Get With YouTube Premium
- Ad-free viewing: No pre-roll, mid-roll, or banner ads on any video
- Background play: Videos continue playing when you switch apps or lock your phone
- Offline downloads: Save videos to watch without internet connection
- YouTube Music Premium: Full access to YouTube's music streaming service (normally $10.99/month separately)
- YouTube Originals: Exclusive shows and movies (limited library)
Who Should Get YouTube Premium
It's Worth It If:
- You watch 2+ hours of YouTube daily — The ad time savings add up significantly
- You'd use YouTube Music — At $10.99 standalone, Premium is only $3 more for ad-free YouTube
- You watch on mobile frequently — Background play alone can justify the cost for heavy mobile users
- You use YouTube for work or learning — Uninterrupted tutorials and educational content is more efficient
- Ads genuinely frustrate you — Some people find ads more annoying than others
Skip It If:
- You watch less than an hour daily — The per-hour cost doesn't justify it for light users
- You already pay for Spotify or Apple Music — YouTube Music wouldn't replace your existing service
- You mainly watch on desktop — Browser ad blockers provide similar benefits for free
- You're on a tight budget — It's not essential, and $168/year adds up
The Math
At $13.99/month ($168/year), here's how to think about value:
- If you watch 60 hours of YouTube per month, you're paying about $0.23/hour for ad-free viewing
- If you watch 30 hours, it's $0.47/hour
- If you watch 10 hours, it's $1.40/hour — probably not worth it
Compare this to the value of YouTube Music included: if you'd otherwise pay $10.99 for a music service, Premium costs effectively $3/month for ad-free YouTube.
Alternatives to Consider
- Family plan ($22.99/month): Up to 5 family members can share — just $4.60/person
- Student plan ($7.99/month): Available with valid student verification
- Ad blockers: Free browser extensions remove ads on desktop (not available on mobile apps)
- YouTube Music only ($10.99): If you only want the music service without ad-free videos
The Bottom Line
YouTube Premium is a good value for heavy YouTube watchers who want to consolidate their music streaming. The Family plan is an excellent deal when split between multiple people. For casual viewers, the free tier with occasional ads is perfectly fine.