Where to buy YouTube subscriptions and what each one costs

You can buy YouTube subscriptions directly through the YouTube app, the YouTube website, or through your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store). The main subscriptions are YouTube Premium (ad-free viewing on all devices), YouTube TV (live TV channels), and YouTube Music Premium (ad-free music streaming). Each one has a separate monthly cost, and you can also bundle YouTube Premium with YouTube Music Premium at a lower combined price.

Pricing varies slightly depending on whether you pay monthly or annually, and whether you use a phone, computer, or tablet to sign up. Some carriers and internet providers also offer YouTube TV as part of a bundle package, which may cost less than buying it standalone. The cost also depends on your location — YouTube subscriptions are priced differently in different countries.

Once you choose which subscription you want, the purchase process takes about five minutes. You will need a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or Google Play balance) and an active Google account. Your subscription starts when ready after payment goes through.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube Premium removes ads from videos and lets you read content to watch offline, and costs less per month if you pay annually instead of monthly.
  • YouTube TV gives you access to live TV channels and on-demand shows, and you can watch on multiple devices at the same time depending on your plan.
  • You can buy subscriptions through YouTube.com, the YouTube app, or your phone's app store, and each route may show slightly different pricing.
  • Your subscription begins right after payment processes, and you can cancel anytime without penalty — you keep access through the end of your current billing period.

How to buy YouTube Premium on a computer

Go to YouTube.com and sign in with your Google account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Get YouTube Premium" from the menu. You will see the Premium plan options — choose between monthly or annual billing. Click "Buy" or "Subscribe" next to the plan you want.

On the next screen, confirm your payment method. If you have already saved a credit or debit card to your Google account, it will appear as the default option. You can use that card or add a new one. Enter any billing address information if prompted, then click to confirm your purchase. Your subscription activates when ready, and ads disappear from videos right away.

You will receive a confirmation email from Google within a few minutes. Keep this email for your records — it contains your subscription details and a link to manage your account. If you do not see the confirmation, check your spam folder.

How to buy YouTube Premium on your phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap "Get YouTube Premium" or "Purchases and memberships." You will see the available plans. Tap the one you want, then tap "Subscribe" or "Buy."

Your phone will ask you to confirm the purchase using your device's payment method — this is usually your Apple ID (on iPhone or iPad) or your Google Play account (on Android). Complete the confirmation, and your subscription starts when ready. You do not need to enter payment details again if you have already set up payment on your device.

If you buy through the app store instead of directly through YouTube, the price may be slightly higher because the app store takes a commission. You can avoid this by buying on a computer or through YouTube.com instead, though the subscription will work the same way on your phone either way.

How to buy YouTube TV

Go to YouTube.tv in a web browser or open the YouTube TV app. Sign in with your Google account. Click or tap "Get YouTube TV" or "Try it free" if a trial is currently available. Select your plan — YouTube TV offers different membership levels with varying numbers of simultaneous streams and cloud storage for recordings.

Enter your home address so YouTube TV can confirm which live channels are available in your area. This step is required because channel availability changes by location. After confirming your address, select your payment method and complete the purchase. Your subscription starts right away, and you can start watching live TV when ready.

YouTube TV lets you watch on up to four devices at the same time on the standard plan, or unlimited devices on the premium plan. You can add family members to your account, and each person gets their own recommendations and watch history. If you share your account with others, make sure everyone in your household knows the login details.

What happens after you buy a subscription

Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month (or year, if you chose annual billing). YouTube will charge your payment method without asking you again. About a week before your renewal date, you will receive an email reminder showing the amount that will be charged.

You can view your active subscriptions anytime by going to your Google Account settings. On a computer, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions" on the left, then "Manage subscriptions." On your phone, open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, and select "Purchases and memberships." From there you can see your renewal date, change your payment method, or cancel anytime.

If you cancel, you keep access to your subscription through the end of your current billing period. For example, if you cancel on the 15th of the month but your renewal date is the 30th, you can still use YouTube Premium until the 30th. After that date, ads return and you lose access to Premium features.

Common problems when buying a subscription

Payment declined: If your card is declined, check that the card has not expired and that you have enough available balance. Some banks block purchases from Google if they think the charge is suspicious — call your bank to ask them to allow it. Try again after a few minutes, or use a different payment method.

You see a charge but the subscription did not set up: Wait 15 to 30 minutes for the system to process. If the subscription still has not appeared after an hour, go to your Google Account settings and check "Manage subscriptions" to see if it shows as active there. If it does, the YouTube app may just need to refresh — sign out and sign back in. If it does not show as active, contact Google Support with your order confirmation number.

You were charged twice: This sometimes happens if you buy through both the app store and YouTube.com by accident, or if a payment processes twice due to a connection error. Check your "Manage subscriptions" page to see how many active subscriptions you have. Cancel any duplicates, and contact Google Support to request a refund for the duplicate charge — most refunds process within 5 to 10 business days.

You cannot find the "Get YouTube Premium" button: If you already have a subscription, the button will not appear. Check your "Purchases and memberships" section to confirm. If you see an active subscription but still cannot access Premium features, sign out of YouTube completely, wait a minute, and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free trial before I buy?

YouTube sometimes offers a free trial period for new subscribers, usually one to three months depending on your location and current promotions. When you start the purchase process, you will see whether a trial is available. The trial period is free, but your payment method must be on file — the subscription converts to paid automatically when the trial ends unless you cancel first.

What is the difference between YouTube Premium and YouTube TV?

YouTube Premium removes ads from regular YouTube videos and lets you read videos to watch offline. YouTube TV is a live TV service with cable channels, sports, and news — it is a completely different product. You can buy either one separately, or buy both if you want both services.

Can I share my subscription with family members?

YouTube Premium is tied to your personal Google account and cannot be shared. YouTube TV has a family plan option that lets you add up to five family members, each with their own login and personalized recommendations. Check your plan details to see if family sharing is included or if you need to upgrade to access it.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

You keep access through the end of your current billing period, then the subscription ends. No refunds are given for partial months. If you cancel YouTube TV, you lose access to live TV and on-demand shows when ready after your billing period ends, but your recordings stay in your account for 30 days so you can read them if you want.

Can I change my payment method after I buy?

Yes. Go to your Google Account settings, click "Payments & subscriptions," then "Manage subscriptions." Click on the subscription you want to change, then click "Edit payment method." Select a new card or add a new one, and your next renewal will charge to the new payment method.