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YouTube Premium prices are rising in multiple markets, but there is no single worldwide increase or effective date. In the United States, the individual plan is rising from $13.99 to $15.99 a month and the family plan from $22.99 to $26.99. Subscribers elsewhere should check their YouTube account and price-change email: local prices, affected plans and billing dates vary.
The confirmed U.S. price increase
YouTube’s U.S. increase was reported on April 10, 2026, and was described as the first U.S. increase since 2023. The changes apply to these monthly plans:
| # | 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 |
| Plan | Previous price | New price | Monthly increase | Approx. increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $13.99 | $15.99 | $2 | 14.3% |
| Family | $22.99 | $26.99 | $4 | 17.4% |
That adds $24 a year for an individual subscriber or $48 for a family plan if the membership stays active for 12 months at the new rate. The family plan can cover up to six people, but members must meet YouTube’s household-residence rules; it is not a general plan for sharing across separate households. TechCrunch reported the U.S. plan prices; Reuters reported the increase and its timing.
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YouTube’s stated rationale, as reported in coverage of the change, was to support continued investment in the service and creators and artists. That is the company’s explanation, not an independently verified breakdown of the cost of providing the service.
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- 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.
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There is no universal international price change
Price changes have also been reported in other markets, but the available country-by-country evidence does not support one definitive global list of affected countries, plans and effective dates. YouTube prices and plan availability are localized. Taxes, market conditions, currency changes, billing through an app store, and local plan offerings can all affect what a subscriber sees. YouTube says it may update prices for reasons including market conditions, inflation and local tax changes, and directs subscribers to their account for their applicable price.
Do not treat a price converted from U.S. dollars as the official price in another country. For the amount that applies to you, rely on the notice YouTube sent and the billing details in your account. YouTube’s country availability page lists supported markets and notes that availability can vary by location. It does not mean every listed country received the same increase.
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.
How to check your price and next bill
- Sign in to the Google account used for YouTube Premium.
- Open YouTube and select your profile menu.
- Choose Purchases and memberships, then open your YouTube Premium membership.
- Check the price, next billing date, plan type, billing platform and any notice asking you to accept a change.
Labels can differ somewhat by device or app version. If you subscribed through Apple or Google Play, check the subscription and price shown by that billing platform as well: third-party billing and applicable taxes can make the amount differ from a direct YouTube signup price.
When existing subscribers pay the new rate
The announcement date is not necessarily the date your first higher charge arrives. Under YouTube’s price-change policy, existing subscribers are charged the new monthly rate in the first billing cycle that begins at least 30 days after the plan price increases. YouTube generally notifies affected subscribers by email at least 30 days ahead. In some countries, subscribers may need to accept the new price to continue; check the membership details for an action notice.
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- 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
A paused membership is charged at the new rate when resumed. If you cancel, recurring charges normally stop while access continues through the end of the paid period; confirm the exact date and access status in your account. If you later re-subscribe, the price shown at that time applies.
What the plans include—and what a cheaper tier leaves out
Full YouTube Premium includes ad-free viewing in supported YouTube experiences, offline downloads, background play and YouTube Music Premium benefits. It works across compatible devices when signed in to the Google account holding the membership. It does not necessarily remove promotions a creator has integrated into a video.
Rank #4
- Redemption: Online
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Premium Lite is a lower-priced option in markets where available. YouTube announced a U.S. price of $7.99 per month. It can remove ads from many general videos, but it is not equivalent to full Premium: ads may still appear around music, Shorts, browsing or search; it does not include YouTube Music Premium, downloads or background play. Check YouTube’s current availability information rather than assuming Lite is offered in your country.
| Feature | Full Premium | Premium Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Ads on general videos | Removed in supported experiences | Reduced in many, not all, experiences |
| Music-related ads | Removed in supported experiences | May remain |
| YouTube Music Premium | Included | Not included |
| Downloads and background play | Included | Not included |
Legitimate ways to reduce the bill
- Consider Lite if it is available. It may suit people who mainly watch ordinary videos and do not need music benefits, downloads or background play. Review its limitations before switching.
- Check whether an annual individual plan is offered. YouTube lists annual plans in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Thailand and Turkey. They are for individuals, not multi-person plans. Compare the current annual price with 12 monthly payments before assuming it saves money. YouTube says an existing recurring subscriber generally needs to cancel and then sign up for annual access after the current period ends. See the annual-plan details.
- Use the family plan only with eligible household members. Sharing among qualifying residents can lower the per-person cost; YouTube’s family-plan rules require members to live at the same residential address as the family manager.
- Cancel if the features no longer justify the cost. Free YouTube with ads remains an option, but you give up Premium benefits. Music-focused services such as Spotify or Apple Music may fit listeners who do not need ad-free YouTube video; they are not replacements for YouTube’s video features.
Why changing your account country is not a safe price strategy
YouTube requires subscribers to accurately represent their country and says memberships should be used predominantly in the country where they were purchased. A locally issued payment method may be required, and moving countries may mean subscribing again at the local price. Ordinary travel is different from deliberately misrepresenting your location, but travel can affect availability or benefits. Do not rely on a VPN or a foreign billing setup to secure a cheaper rate; it can conflict with YouTube’s payment-method requirements and paid-service terms.
Is full Premium still worth it?
The increase is easiest to justify if you watch YouTube often, use downloads or background play, listen through YouTube Music, or can share an eligible family plan. It may be harder to justify if you mostly watch Shorts or music videos, rarely use the extra features, or are paying for a family plan without eligible household members. Compare the new charge with the features you actually use—not just the old price—and check your account before deciding.
Quick Recap
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.
