What Is YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium is YouTube’s paid subscription, built for people who use the platform enough to notice its rough edges. You still watch the same videos, from the same creators, in the same app. Nothing about the content changes. What changes is how the experience feels.
With YouTube Premium, ads disappear. Videos keep playing when your phone is locked. You can download content and watch it later. You also get YouTube Music included, which turns YouTube into both a video and music platform under one subscription.
It is less about new features and more about removing small frustrations that add up over time.
What Does YouTube Premium Offer?
The most obvious benefit is ad-free viewing. YouTube ads are not subtle, and if you watch often, they interrupt your rhythm constantly. Premium removes them entirely, across videos, playlists, and live streams.
Background play is another feature that sounds minor but quickly becomes normal. It allows videos to continue playing when you switch apps or lock your phone. For podcasts, lectures, or long interviews, this makes YouTube usable in the same way as a podcast app.
Offline downloads are useful in practical situations. You can save videos ahead of time and watch them without an internet connection. This matters during travel, commutes, or in places with unstable reception.
YouTube Music Premium is included automatically. It removes ads from music, allows offline listening, and supports background play, which means YouTube Premium can replace a separate music subscription for some users.
What Do You Get With YouTube Premium Compared to Free YouTube?
Free YouTube gives you full access to the platform, but with limits. Ads appear before and during videos. Audio stops when the app is closed. Watching content requires a constant internet connection.
YouTube Premium removes those limitations. The platform becomes quieter, more flexible, and easier to use, especially on mobile.
This difference matters most to people who spend a lot of time on YouTube. For casual viewers, free YouTube still works perfectly well.
Does YouTube Premium Include YouTube Music?
Yes, YouTube Music Premium is included with YouTube Premium.
This means you get ad-free music streaming, background listening, and offline downloads. If you already rely on YouTube to discover or play music, this feature adds real value.
If you already pay for another music service and prefer it, this may feel unnecessary. The usefulness depends on existing habits rather than feature quality.
Is YouTube Premium Worth It?
Whether YouTube Premium is worth paying for depends largely on how you use YouTube.
For people who watch YouTube daily, especially on their phones, the subscription often feels justified. Removing ads saves time, and background play and downloads make the platform more practical.
For people who only open YouTube occasionally or mostly use it on a desktop, the benefits may feel limited.
There is no universal answer. The value comes from frequency and use, not from exclusive content.
How to Get YouTube Premium
Sign in to your Google account
- Open YouTube in your browser or the YouTube app.
- Make sure you’re logged into the account you want to use for the subscription.
Go to the YouTube Premium page
- On desktop: click your profile icon (top right) and look for YouTube Premium.
- On mobile: tap your profile icon, then tap Get YouTube Premium (wording can vary slightly).
Choose your plan
- Individual: one person
- Family: Family: share with eligible household members (up to 5 additional members)
- Student: discounted (requires verification)
Start the free trial (if available)
- YouTube often shows a free trial option for first-time subscribers.
- If you don’t see a trial, it may not be available in your country or for your account.
Add a payment method
- Choose a payment option (card, PayPal, etc., depending on your region).
- Confirm the billing details.
Confirm and activate
- Tap or click Subscribe / Buy / Try it free.
- You should see a confirmation screen right away.
Check that it’s working
- Play a video: you should no longer see ads.
- In the YouTube app settings, confirm Background play is enabled.
- Try downloading a video to confirm offline access.
Pricing and trial length vary by country, but YouTube allows you to cancel at any time, which makes it easy to test without a long-term commitment.
Is YouTube TV the Same as YouTube Premium?
No. YouTube Premium and YouTube TV are separate services.
YouTube Premium improves the standard YouTube experience by removing ads and adding offline and background features. YouTube TV is a live television service that streams channels and sports and comes at a higher cost.
They serve different purposes and are billed separately.
Using YouTube Premium While Traveling
YouTube Premium becomes more useful when you are on the move. Offline downloads help when internet access is limited, and background audio reduces battery usage by allowing you to turn the screen off during long listening sessions.
To download or stream content while traveling, a stable internet connection is still necessary. Using an international eSIM, such as Eskimo, can help you stay connected without relying on public Wi-Fi or physical SIM cards
If you want to try this while traveling, you can claim a free 500MB global eSIM from Eskimo to download videos, stream music, or stay connected on the go.
Eskimo is built for frequent travelers:
- Longest validity: fixed data plans stay valid for 2 years at no extra cost
- Data rollover: buy a new plan and extend unused data for another 2 years
- Universal eSIM: install once and use it across multiple destinations, no SIM swapping
- Instant data transfer: send or receive paid data using just a mobile number between Eskimo users
It pairs well with YouTube Premium when you want reliable access without depending on public Wi-Fi.
FAQs
Is YouTube Premium free?
No. It is a paid subscription, though a free trial is often available for new users.
Can you cancel YouTube Premium anytime?
Yes. You can cancel whenever you want, and access remains active until the end of the billing period.
Does YouTube Premium work on all devices?
Yes. It works across phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and supported streaming devices when you are logged in.
