YouTube has both free and paid options, and which one you use depends on what you watch and how much interruption you tolerate
You do not have to pay to watch YouTube. The site's basic service—searching for videos, watching them with ads, creating a free account, and uploading your own content—costs nothing. However, YouTube also offers a paid subscription called YouTube Premium that removes ads, lets you read videos to watch offline, and gives you access to YouTube Music and YouTube TV (which are separate paid services). Most people use the free version. The paid version is optional.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube's free tier includes unlimited video watching, account creation, and uploads, but shows ads before and during videos.
- YouTube Premium removes ads, costs around $13.99 per month for individuals, and includes offline downloads and background play on mobile.
- YouTube Music and YouTube TV are separate paid services with their own monthly costs and are not included in a basic YouTube account.
- Family plans for YouTube Premium cost more than a single subscription but let up to six people use the service on different accounts.
- YouTube Premium offers a free trial period, usually one month, so you can test whether the paid version is worth it to you.
How the free version works and what ads look like
The free YouTube experience is straightforward: you search for a video, click it, and watch. Before the video starts, you see an advertisement—usually 5 to 20 seconds long, and often skippable after 5 seconds. During longer videos, ads appear in the middle as well. These ads are how YouTube pays creators and keeps the service running at no cost to you.
You can create a free account, subscribe to channels, build playlists, and upload your own videos without paying anything. The only limitation is that you cannot read videos to watch later, and on mobile devices, the screen will turn off if you lock your phone while a video is playing (unless you pay for Premium).
YouTube Premium: what it includes and what it costs
YouTube Premium removes ads from all videos you watch. It also lets you read videos to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. On mobile, you can play videos in the background—meaning you can listen to music or podcasts while your screen is locked or while you use another app. The service costs around $13.99 per month for an individual subscription, though the exact price varies by country and may change.
YouTube Premium also includes YouTube Music, which is a music streaming service similar to Spotify. If you already subscribe to YouTube Music separately, Premium includes it at no additional cost. The service typically offers a free trial—usually one month—so you can test it before you commit to paying.
Family plans and how to share a subscription
If multiple people in your household want Premium, a Family Plan is cheaper than buying separate subscriptions. A Family Plan costs around $22.99 per month and covers up to six people, each with their own account and separate watch history. Everyone gets ad-free viewing, downloads, and background play.
Each family member needs their own Google account, and the person who sets up the plan is the family manager. The manager can remove people from the plan or change settings, but each person's viewing history and recommendations stay private. If someone leaves the family group, they lose access to Premium when ready.
YouTube TV is a separate paid service
YouTube TV is not the same as YouTube Premium. YouTube TV is a live television service that streams channels like ESPN, CNN, NBC, and others in real time. It costs around $72.99 per month (prices vary by location and change periodically) and is a completely separate subscription from YouTube Premium. You do not need YouTube Premium to use YouTube TV, and YouTube Premium does not include YouTube TV.
YouTube TV includes cloud storage for recorded shows, the ability to watch on multiple devices at once, and a library of on-demand content. If you are interested in live TV, you would need to pay for YouTube TV separately from any YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube Music is also separate from YouTube Premium
YouTube Music is a music streaming service that costs around $10.99 per month on its own. However, if you subscribe to YouTube Premium, YouTube Music is included at no extra cost. YouTube Music lets you stream songs, create playlists, and listen offline (if you have Premium). If you only want music and not ad-free YouTube video viewing, you can subscribe to YouTube Music alone without paying for Premium.
What happens if you do not pay
If you use YouTube without paying, you straightforward see ads. Your account works the same way—you can watch, subscribe, upload, and comment. The only things you cannot do are read videos, play videos in the background on mobile, or remove ads. You will never be locked out of YouTube or forced to pay. The free version is a complete, working service.
YouTube occasionally shows a prompt encouraging you to try Premium, but you can dismiss it and keep watching for free. There is no hidden cost or surprise charge if you use the free version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch YouTube on my TV without paying?
Yes. YouTube works on smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV, and gaming consoles without a paid subscription. You will see ads, but the service is free. If you have YouTube Premium on your account, the ads disappear on all devices you use.
Do I need YouTube Premium to upload videos?
No. You can upload, edit, and share videos on a free YouTube account. YouTube Premium does not change your upload limits or features. The only upload restriction is that accounts under 18 years old cannot upload videos longer than 15 minutes.
What is the difference between YouTube Premium and YouTube Music?
YouTube Premium removes ads from videos and includes offline downloads and background play. YouTube Music is for streaming songs and music content. YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music, but YouTube Music alone does not remove video ads or include Premium features.
Can I cancel YouTube Premium anytime?
Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings, and you will stop being charged the next billing cycle. You will lose Premium features when ready, but your account, playlists, and watch history remain.
Does YouTube Premium work on all my devices?
Yes. If you are signed into your Google account on any device—phone, tablet, computer, or TV—YouTube Premium works on all of them. Your subscription covers one person across all devices, not one device.