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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →YouTube Premium prices rose in the United States in April 2026 and in Germany in June, but the changes are not a single worldwide increase. U.S. monthly pricing went to $15.99 for an individual plan and $26.99 for a family plan; Germany’s reported individual price went to €14.99. Your own new rate and start date depend on your country, plan, billing provider and renewal cycle.
What changed in the United States and Germany?
The documented 2026 increases differ by market and plan. The U.S. figures below were reported on April 10, 2026; the German individual-plan change was reported on June 12, 2026. Prices are shown in local currencies rather than converted, since taxes and regional pricing make nominal currency comparisons misleading.
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| Market and plan | Previous monthly price | New monthly price | Monthly increase | Approximate increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States, individual | $13.99 | $15.99 | $2 | 14.3% |
| United States, family | $22.99 | $26.99 | $4 | 17.4% |
| Germany, standard individual | €12.99 | €14.99 | €2 | 15.4% |
The U.S. prices were reported by TheWrap; the German figures were reported by t-online. For U.S. subscribers, the monthly difference works out to $24 more per year for an individual plan or $48 for a family plan, before tax. Germany’s €2 monthly difference is €24 per year. These are annualized calculations, not separate annual-plan prices.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe available figures establish increases in the United States and Germany, not a synchronized worldwide rise or a complete list of affected countries. YouTube describes price changes in terms of a subscriber’s country or territory; check your own notice and account rather than assuming another market’s price applies to you. The company does not publish a public global price-change table in the cited help information.
#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.
When will the higher price reach existing subscribers?
YouTube says it will notify members by email at least 30 days before an increase in their country or territory. The new monthly rate is charged in the first billing cycle that begins at least 30 days after the plan price increases. The actual date therefore depends on your plan, market, billing channel and renewal date—not a single global cutoff.
To find the amount and date that apply to you:
- Open YouTube and select your profile picture.
- Choose Purchases and memberships, then select YouTube Premium.
- Review the listed price, notice and next renewal date.
- If you pay through Apple or Google Play, also check the subscriptions page for that billing provider.
Labels can vary by device, language and account. Compare the amount shown for your actual membership, not just the price advertised for a new signup. YouTube’s guidance on price notices and checking account pricing is at YouTube Help.
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.
Will your membership or benefits change?
A price notice is not, by itself, evidence that Premium’s core benefits are being removed. Depending on plan and country, Premium includes ad-free viewing, background playback, offline downloads and access to YouTube Music. Feature availability can vary; check the plan description for your location at YouTube Help.
YouTube says changes in market conditions, inflation, local taxes, licensing costs, service changes or business needs may inform price adjustments. It has not established in the cited material that every affected plan receives a benefit change alongside a price rise.
Rank #3
- Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- Double check if the URL/website is genuine before entering card details online. Do not provide any gift card details (example: claim code) to someone you do not know or trust. There are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- If you believe that your Card has been lost or stolen, notify Mastercard immediately by calling 1-833-791-7288. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. Your Amazon.com Balance cannot be used to purchase Mastercard gift cards.
Check the exact product named in your email. YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium are separate paid memberships, so a notice about one should not be treated as confirmation that every paid YouTube product has changed price.
What happens if you cancel, do not accept or have a payment problem?
- Cancel: YouTube says service normally continues until the end of the paid period, then stops. If you later resubscribe, you may be charged the then-current rate; do not assume an older price will be restored.
- A required acknowledgment: In some countries or regions, members may need to accept a price change to continue. If YouTube asks you to do so, follow the notice rather than assuming the membership will renew automatically.
- Payment failure: A declined or failed payment is a separate billing issue and can interrupt service; it is not the same as canceling or declining a price change.
- Older pricing: Existing members may keep their current rate until the announced change takes effect, but the cited policy does not promise permanent grandfathering.
Can billing through Apple or Google Play affect the amount?
It can. The amount shown at direct signup may differ from a price offered through an app store or other billing partner. Taxes, currency fluctuations and bank or platform charges may also affect what appears on a bill. YouTube’s paid-service terms discuss these factors and third-party purchases: YouTube Paid Service Terms.
Rank #4
- 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.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
Before switching billing channels, compare the actual checkout amounts and confirm where your existing membership is managed. Canceling just to test another price can end an older renewal arrangement, and a subscription billed through Apple or Google Play may need to be managed there.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHow to decide whether to keep Premium
Start with the annual cost of the increase, then compare the whole subscription with what you would actually replace. In the U.S., that means weighing $24 more per year for individual membership or $48 more for a family plan against your use of both video and music features; those calculations exclude tax and billing-provider differences.
Best Value
- 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 cards can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, peel or gently scratch label and enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift card, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Keeping full Premium may make sense if you regularly watch YouTube without ads, rely on downloads or background playback, or use YouTube Music instead of another paid music service.
- Canceling may make sense if you mainly wanted fewer ads, rarely use mobile or offline features, or do not get enough value from the music component. Factor in the loss of membership benefits after the paid period and the possibility of paying the current rate if you return.
- Review a family plan honestly: count the household members who use it. YouTube says family members must live at the same residential address as the family manager; sharing with friends in other homes is not an eligible workaround. See YouTube’s membership and travel rules.
What are the legitimate lower-cost alternatives?
Premium Lite, where available
Premium Lite is a separate, cheaper tier intended to make most videos ad-free; it is not a full substitute for Premium. YouTube’s launch announcement described a $7.99 monthly price in selected pilot markets, including Thailand, Germany and Australia. That launch price is not a current universal quote: check Premium Lite availability and pricing in your country, and compare whether its features meet your needs. The announcement is at YouTube’s blog.
Eligible Google One or Google AI offers
Google’s terms describe a discounted YouTube Premium add-on for eligible Google One or Google AI subscribers in selected countries. It is conditional, not a permanent replacement for the regular plan; check eligibility and the full combined cost in the offer terms. A bundle is worthwhile only if you also want its other services.
Free viewing or a music-only service
If you do not need Premium’s video features, you can keep using YouTube without a paid membership and tolerate ads. If music is the main reason you subscribe, compare local music-only plans from services such as Spotify or Apple Music. Neither replaces ad-free YouTube viewing, background YouTube playback or YouTube downloads, and their local prices should be checked before comparing costs.
Why a VPN or foreign subscription is not a dependable savings plan
YouTube requires users to represent their country accurately when signing up for and using Premium. On moving to another country, a subscriber may need to resubscribe there, subject to local availability, price and features. A VPN or foreign payment method does not make a cheaper regional subscription clearly permitted or reliable, and extended travel or relocation can prompt account checks. Review YouTube’s location and travel rules before changing countries on an account.
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.
