You can lower what you pay for YouTube Premium by checking student eligibility, comparing an annual plan where it is available, sharing a family plan only with eligible household members, using an available trial carefully, and removing a duplicate YouTube Music Premium subscription. Which options work—and what they cost—depends on your country and account, so compare the current terms shown to you before switching.
1. Check whether you qualify for a student plan
YouTube offers student memberships in supported locations to students enrolled at eligible higher education institutions. You must verify your eligibility through SheerID; not every school or country qualifies. YouTube allows student membership for up to four consecutive years and requires verification each year. Check the student membership eligibility and verification details before relying on a student rate.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Google Play gift code | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Google Play gift code | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
$200 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Twitch eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
2. Compare the annual plan with monthly payments
In countries where it is offered, YouTube’s annual plan is an individual membership paid upfront for 12 months. It is nonrecurring, so it will not automatically renew; to keep Premium after it expires, you must purchase another plan. You cannot pause or get a refund for the annual plan. YouTube lists availability in Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States; availability can change, so confirm it in your account. See YouTube’s annual plan terms.
Compare the annual total displayed for your country with 12 months of the monthly price shown to you. The plan is not automatically the better deal: the upfront payment, lack of refunds, and inability to pause may outweigh any difference for someone who might stop using Premium before the year ends. Current prices and a universal savings amount are not established here.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
3. Share a family plan only with your household
A family plan can cover a manager and up to five other people, but all members must live at the same residential address as the manager. YouTube says it electronically checks the household requirement every 30 days. Do not count friends or relatives who live elsewhere when deciding whether the plan is worthwhile. Read the family plan requirements and compare the price shown for your country with the number of eligible household members who will actually participate.
4. Check for a trial and prevent an unwanted renewal
Trial offers depend on account history. YouTube says introductory trials are available to first-time members and to some people who canceled at least six months ago; only one introductory trial is allowed in a 12-month period. Trial length varies, and signing up requires a payment method. Unless you cancel, the membership renews at the then-current price when the trial ends. Review the offer on your own paid-membership page and its end date before signing up. YouTube explains the trial eligibility and terms.
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
If you do not want the paid renewal, set a reminder to cancel before the trial ends. Check the cancellation date and renewal terms shown in your account rather than assuming every trial lasts the same amount of time.
5. Check for a separate YouTube Music Premium charge
YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music Premium. If you are paying for both services separately, review your active subscriptions and billing route: YouTube says you may save by canceling the separate Music membership. Confirm that the duplicate charge is active and that canceling it will not affect a different account or billing arrangement before making a change. See what is included with YouTube Premium.
Rank #3
- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
- Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
How to compare the options before changing plans
Use the prices and terms presented for your country and account. Compare plans over the same period rather than judging by the headline price alone.
- Total cost: Compare an annual total with 12 monthly payments, or divide a family plan’s displayed cost by the eligible household members who will participate.
- Eligibility: Check student verification rules and household requirements before assuming a discount or shared plan is available to you.
- Payment timing: Distinguish a recurring monthly charge from a prepaid annual payment.
- Flexibility: Check renewal, pause, and refund terms—especially before prepaying for a year or starting a trial.
- Included benefits: Make sure you are not paying separately for a benefit already included in Premium.
YouTube also lists a two-person plan among its membership types. The terms and eligibility details are not established here, so confirm the current offer and conditions in your country before treating it as an alternative. You can review the available YouTube Premium plans.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Redemption: Online
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
