YouTube Premium is the best way to ensure your fave creators are getting their due, without having to deal with seemingly endless ads. Extra perks like background play, downloading abilities, and an included YouTube Music subscription make it even more appealing.
But this streaming service – perks and all – isn't for everyone. The minimum cost of $7.99/month (for students) is rather steep for the occasional YouTube watcher.
YouTube Premium features
Here’s a quick overview of YouTube Premium's prices and features:
Why You Want It
Subscribe for ad-free streaming + Download videos to watch offline.
Special Features
- Ad-free streaming
- Background play
- Offline viewing
- Access to YouTube Music
- Links with YouTube Kids
Eligibility
- Be 18 years or older
Provinces
ALL
Features
Min Monthly Fee
$7.99
Max Monthly Fee
$22.99
Ads In Min Monthly Fee
Watch On Smart TVs
Watch On Phones/Tablets
Watch On Computer
Watch On Game Consoles
In-House Content
Kids Programming
Live Sports
Number Of Screens That Can Watch At Once
5
Estimated # Of Shows/Movies
Unlimited
Option To Add More Users
Pay An Annual Fee For A Discount
Current Promo
N/A
Promo End Date
N/A
YouTube Premium Canada product rating: 2.8 stars
You’re offered a 1-month free trial, with a 7-day reminder before the trial ends so you can then assess whether the price is right for you. But the main benefit of YouTube Premium is the lack of ads interrupting your viewing experience.
Despite what YouTube Premium offers, it can be hard to justify splurging on a streaming service that can cost up to $22.99/month, especially if you already subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and/or similar services.
Rating methodology
To calculate our Genius Ratings, we compare the features of the account or product in question with other similar products in Canada. We give each feature a score out of 5 based on that comparison. Once we’ve rated all the features, we run them through our proprietary algorithm to produce a final rating out of 5.
Learn more about our rating methodology.
The pros of YouTube Premium
There are plenty of benefits to a YouTube Premium subscription, but these are at the top of the list:
Pros
Ad-free streaming
Paying for YouTube Premium means that there are zero pop-up ads and video ads before, after, or during your programming (as long as you're signed in). This applies to mobile devices, tablets, desktops, and TVs., making your viewing experience much less fractured and much more enjoyable.
Background play feature
Background play allows you to keep watching videos while you’re using other apps or doing other things on your device. You can also keep videos playing even when your screen is off or locked. This feature is ideal for listening to podcasts that don’t require you to keep the screen on.
Download videos to watch later (even offline)
Offline viewing lets you download and save videos to watch later without an internet connection. This can be very handy when you want to save on data or anticipate that you won’t have wifi, like if you're commuting or during air travel.
Includes a YouTube Music subscription
YouTube Music provides music streaming and boasts a library of more than 100 million songs, videos, and live performances. Subscriptions cost between $5.49/month for a student and $16.99/month for a family plan – but a YouTube Premium subscription provides unlimited free access to YouTube Music.
Links with YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids is an app that lets parents exclude content on YouTube that isn’t suitable for young kids, creating a contained environment where kids can explore without running into age-sensitive content. YouTube Premium can be linked with YouTube Kids, allowing your kids to have all the same benefits as you (including no ads and offline streaming).
The cons of YouTube Premium
Here’s what you need to look out for with a YouTube Premium subscription:
Cons
High price tag
Unless you're an avid YouTube user, it's hard to justify this cost – a family plan will cost $22.99 per month, which is pricier than the majority of streaming services. Plus, if you already have a music subscription with Spotify, Apple Music, etc., it makes YouTube Premium appear even more expensive (and unnecessary).
Cancelling means losing saved content
One of the big benefits of YouTube Premium is the ability to download content and watch it offline – but if you cancel your subscription, all downloaded content disappears. This is common with subscription services but still worth noting.
YouTube Premium alternatives
Here are some YouTube Premium alternatives if you’re looking for other streaming services:
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account | Netflix | Amazon Prime Video | Disney+ |
| Genius Rating | |||
| Why You Want It | Access a huge selection of entertainment + Set up multiple profiles. | Access original content and news + Get free shipping and Amazon Music. | Get exclusive access to Disney, Marvel, and more + Stream on 4 screens. |
| Min Monthly Fee | $7.99 | $4.99 | $8.99 |
| Max Monthly Fee | $23.99 | $9.99 | $15.99 |
| Ads In Min Monthly Fee | | | |
| Watch On Smart TVs | | | |
| Watch On Phones/Tablets | | | |
Show More | |||
| Apply Now See more Netflix products Compare | Learn More See more Amazon products Compare | Learn More See more Disney products Compare |
FAQ
How much is YouTube Premium?
A student subscription is $7.99/month, a family subscription is $22.99/month, and a typical, one-user subscription is $12.99/month. Plus, you can always try it out for free with the 1-month trial.
What is included in YouTube Premium?
This subscription includes ad-free streaming, plus access to YouTube Music. You also have the ability to download videos to watch offline, and "background play" lets you watch while simultaneously watching, listening to, or doing other things on your device.
How do I get YouTube Premium for free?
Everyone can try YouTube Premium for free with a 1-month trial. It includes all the features of a full subscription, but there's no commitment. Otherwise, you can watch YouTube as a regular viewer for free, but you'll be subjected to ads.
Is there a cheaper way to get YouTube Premium?
You may find promotions from various retailers and service providers that offer YouTube Premium for free or at a discounted price. For instance, Best Buy Canada offers 3 months of YouTube Premium service for free with the purchase of certain products.
How to cancel YouTube Premium?
To cancel, click on your profile icon and navigate to "Purchases and memberships." Then select the dropdown arrow to "Manage Membership" and click "Cancel." Once you've officially cancelled, you'll still have access until the end of your billing cycle.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone, and is not endorsed or sponsored by a bank, credit card issuer, rewards program or other entity. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website.
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