YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service launched by YouTube that enhances the user experience by offering a suite of exclusive features designed to make viewing more seamless and convenient. With the platform’s rise to dominance in video content, ranging from entertainment and education to music and podcasts, YouTube has become an essential tool for millions of users worldwide. However, as YouTube’s ad-supported model can disrupt the viewing experience, YouTube Premium addresses these concerns by providing ad-free viewing, background play, offline downloads, and access to exclusive content, among other features.
The subscription service is appealing to users who spend significant time on YouTube and want a more uninterrupted, premium experience. For frequent YouTube users, the removal of ads and the ability to download videos for offline access are compelling perks. Additionally, YouTube Premium bundles in access to YouTube Music, making it more than just a video-streaming service. However, YouTube Premium comes at a cost, and whether or not it’s worth the monthly subscription depends on how much users value its features. This article will dive deep into the pros and cons of YouTube Premium, outlining 10 advantages and 10 potential drawbacks to help you determine if the service is right for you.
Pros Of YouTube Premium
1. Ad-Free Viewing
The most obvious and perhaps most attractive feature of YouTube Premium is the elimination of ads. With YouTube Premium, users can watch videos without any interruptions from ads, whether they are pre-roll, mid-roll, or pop-up banners. For people who spend a significant amount of time on the platform, this can save a considerable amount of time and enhance the viewing experience. No longer do users have to sit through multiple ads during a single video, making content consumption more fluid and enjoyable.
2. Offline Viewing
YouTube Premium allows users to download videos for offline viewing. This is particularly useful for people who commute, travel frequently, or have limited internet access. Whether you’re on a plane, subway, or in an area with unreliable Wi-Fi, you can still watch your favorite YouTube content without the need for an active internet connection. This feature is especially beneficial for long-form content like documentaries or tutorial videos that you may want to watch without buffering interruptions.
3. Background Play
Another standout feature of YouTube Premium is background play, which allows videos to continue playing even when you minimize the app or turn off the screen on your mobile device. This is especially useful for users who enjoy listening to long interviews, podcasts, or music videos. Without Premium, videos pause as soon as you exit the app or lock your phone, making it impossible to multitask. With background play, you can browse other apps, check messages, or even use navigation while still listening to your content.
4. Access To YouTube Music Premium
A subscription to YouTube Premium also includes access to YouTube Music Premium, a service that provides ad-free music streaming, offline downloads, and background play for music. YouTube Music offers a wide library of official albums, playlists, remixes, live performances, and user-generated content. The integration of both video and music streaming in one subscription is convenient for users who enjoy both platforms, making YouTube Premium more than just a video service.
5. YouTube Originals And Exclusive Content
YouTube Premium gives users access to YouTube Originals, a collection of exclusive shows, movies, and documentaries. While YouTube Originals may not rival the massive libraries of other streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, it still offers unique content across various genres, including comedy, drama, and documentaries. Popular YouTube creators also produce exclusive content available only to Premium members, providing behind-the-scenes footage and special episodes that are not available to regular users.
6. Support For Content Creators
A key feature of YouTube Premium is that it continues to support content creators even though Premium subscribers don’t see ads. YouTube distributes a portion of the subscription fee to the creators based on how much time Premium users spend watching their content. This ensures that creators continue to earn revenue from their videos, allowing you to support your favorite channels without the interruption of ads. For those who care about directly supporting content creators while avoiding ads, this is a significant benefit.
7. Family Plan Option
For households with multiple YouTube users, the YouTube Premium family plan is an excellent value. For a slightly higher price than the individual plan, the family plan allows up to six members to share a subscription, each with their own separate account and personalized recommendations. This makes it a cost-effective option for families who use YouTube extensively, and it ensures that everyone in the household can enjoy the benefits of Premium across different devices without paying for multiple subscriptions.
8. Improved Viewing Experience On Mobile
The YouTube mobile app experience is significantly enhanced with Premium. In addition to background play and offline downloads, the ad-free experience makes watching videos on mobile devices smoother and more enjoyable. There’s no need to skip or wait for ads while watching short or long videos, and you can enjoy seamless transitions between content without disruption. For users who primarily watch YouTube on mobile, Premium offers a more streamlined and hassle-free experience.
9. No Disruptions For Long-Form Content
For users who enjoy long-form content, such as educational videos, documentaries, or live streams, YouTube Premium provides an uninterrupted viewing experience. Ads, especially mid-roll ads, can be particularly disruptive when watching longer videos, often cutting in at critical moments or breaking the flow of the narrative. With YouTube Premium, you can watch long videos in one sitting without being interrupted by ad breaks, which enhances the overall experience, particularly for educational or entertainment content.
10. Integration With Google Services
As part of the Google ecosystem, YouTube Premium integrates seamlessly with other Google services. Your subscription and viewing history can be synced across all your devices, and features like Google Home or Chromecast can be used to cast videos to your TV without ads. The seamless connection between Google accounts and devices makes using YouTube Premium an effortless experience for those already invested in Google’s suite of products, offering a cohesive, streamlined experience across platforms.
Cons Of YouTube Premium
1. High Monthly Cost
One of the most significant drawbacks of YouTube Premium is its monthly subscription fee, which is around $11.99 in the U.S. While the ad-free experience and additional features are beneficial, the cost can feel steep compared to other subscription services that offer more content for the same or a lower price. For users who don’t use YouTube heavily, the monthly fee may not be justified, especially if they primarily use the platform for casual video watching.
2. Not All Videos Are Available For Download
While the offline viewing feature is convenient, not all videos on YouTube are available for download. Some content creators restrict downloading options due to copyright or licensing agreements. This limitation can be frustrating for users who expect full access to download any content they choose. If you frequently rely on offline viewing, it’s worth noting that some of your favorite videos may not be available for this feature.
3. Limited Exclusive Content
YouTube Originals, while interesting, cannot compete with the vast catalogs of other streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+. The selection of YouTube-exclusive movies and series is limited, and the content may not appeal to users looking for mainstream TV shows or blockbuster films. If you’re subscribing to YouTube Premium primarily for access to exclusive content, you may find the offerings underwhelming compared to dedicated streaming services.
4. YouTube Music May Lack Depth
While YouTube Music Premium offers an extensive library of remixes, covers, live performances, and official albums, it may not be as deep or curated as competing music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music. Some users may find that YouTube Music’s playlists and algorithm-based recommendations don’t match the quality or depth of those offered by dedicated music platforms, particularly for discovering new music or listening to expertly curated playlists.
5. Background Play Is Available On Other Platforms for Free
While background play is a helpful feature on YouTube Premium, similar functionality is available for free on other platforms. Music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music offer background play at no extra charge. For users who primarily use YouTube for music or podcasts, this feature may not provide enough additional value compared to other free or lower-cost options.
6. Ad Blockers Offer A Free Alternative
For desktop users, ad blockers provide a free way to eliminate YouTube ads without needing to pay for YouTube Premium. While ad blockers don’t offer the additional benefits of offline viewing or background play, they effectively remove ads for users who primarily watch YouTube on their computers. This can reduce the appeal of YouTube Premium, especially for users who are already accustomed to using ad-blocking extensions.
7. May Not Be Worth It For Casual Users
If you’re a casual YouTube viewer who only watches videos occasionally, YouTube Premium may not provide enough value to justify the subscription cost. Users who don’t spend hours on the platform every day may find that the occasional ad isn’t bothersome enough to warrant paying for an ad-free experience. In this case, sticking with the free version of YouTube may make more sense, as you can still access the same content without paying.
8. Lower Revenue For Creators
While YouTube Premium does provide some financial support to content creators, the amount creators earn from Premium watch time is generally lower than what they receive from ad revenue. For users who want to maximize their support for their favorite creators, direct contributions through Patreon, memberships, or donations may provide more financial impact than watching videos through Premium.
9. Requires A Google Account
YouTube Premium requires users to sign in with a Google account, which may be a drawback for users concerned about privacy or those who prefer not to use Google services. While many users already have a Google account, some may be hesitant to link their YouTube activity to their overall Google profile. Privacy-conscious users may feel uncomfortable with the integration between YouTube Premium and Google’s broader data-collection practices.
10. Limited Cross-Platform Benefits
Unlike services like Amazon Prime, which offers a range of benefits across multiple platforms (e.g., Prime Video, Prime Music, and free shipping), YouTube Premium’s advantages are limited to the YouTube ecosystem. While it does include YouTube Music, it doesn’t offer the same level of versatility as other bundled services that combine video, music, and other perks under one subscription. Users looking for a more comprehensive entertainment package might find better value in a service that spans more media types.
Conclusion
YouTube Premium offers a host of benefits for frequent YouTube users, from ad-free viewing and background play to offline downloads and exclusive content. These features significantly enhance the viewing experience, particularly for those who rely on YouTube for entertainment, education, or music streaming. For people who spend a lot of time on the platform or prefer a seamless, uninterrupted experience, YouTube Premium can be a worthwhile investment.
However, the service’s relatively high subscription fee and limited exclusive content may deter casual users who don’t spend enough time on YouTube to justify the cost. Additionally, with free alternatives like ad blockers and competing music streaming services, some users may not feel that YouTube Premium offers enough added value to make the monthly fee worthwhile.
Ultimately, whether YouTube Premium is the right choice for you depends on your individual usage habits and preferences. If you’re a heavy YouTube user who values an ad-free, uninterrupted experience, along with access to exclusive content and YouTube Music, the subscription is likely worth the cost. However, for more occasional viewers or those primarily interested in mainstream streaming content, you may want to explore other options.