YouTube is a well-known video platform owned by Google that plays a crucial role in the internet. It hosts a wide range of content, from silly memes to radical political material, and it is all freely accessible. However, there is an option to upgrade to YouTube Premium for additional benefits. This includes an ad-free experience and the ability to watch videos offline on mobile devices, starting at $13.99 per month. However, these perks are minimal in comparison to the features offered by the basic version of YouTube. As a result, we hesitate to recommend it as a video streaming service to those who are not dedicated YouTube users. It would be wiser to invest in one of our top-rated Editors’ Choice winners, such as Hulu, Netflix, or Peacock.
What Content is Available on YouTube Premium?
All the content available on YouTube is also accessible on YouTube Premium. This offers an immense selection of videos to choose from, including uploads from various sources such as companies, influencers, and everyday individuals filming in their own homes. However, the list of exclusive content on YouTube Premium is not as appealing.
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(Source: YouTube)
In the past, YouTube had a premium level known as YouTube Red and introduced it along with a collection of original content. Most of these videos resembled popular YouTube shows with slightly higher budgets, rather than fully professional shows that are exclusive to other streaming services. It is significant that one of YouTube’s top exclusives, the spin-off series of “The Karate Kid” called “Cobra Kai”, has moved to Netflix. Additionally, viewers can still watch PewDiePie’s reactions while playing a video game or check out “Bad Internet”, College Humor’s version of “Black Mirror”.
In recent times, YouTube appears to be placing less emphasis on promoting its exclusive Premium shows. The YouTube Originals channel does not regularly release new content and many shows have already concluded, including a selection of original anime series. The target demographic seems to be younger audiences who are more inclined towards watching cooking reality shows or documentaries about popular musicians such as Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato. Overall, the exclusive library of YouTube Premium does not match up to the content available on streaming platforms like Hulu or Max. An alternative option, Tubi, which has been selected as the Editors’ Choice, allows viewers to watch movies and shows for free. For families, Disney+ is the superior choice.
Similar to Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, YouTube offers the option to become a subscriber of exclusive premium channels, including AMC+, Paramount+, and Starz. It is important to note that these Primetime Channels are not included in the YouTube Premium package, and require a separate payment for each individual subscription.
Additional Features of YouTube Premium
One positive aspect of YouTube Premium is the gradual introduction of appealing benefits. These include a subscription to ad-free YouTube Music, which is a valuable addition. While it may not be our top choice for a music streaming service, it offers a great selection of features such as music videos, collaborative playlists, lyric searching, and other exciting options. For a more in-depth analysis, please refer to our comprehensive review.
YouTube Premium has recently introduced a collection of casual games for both desktop and mobile devices, known as YouTube Playables. Users can now access popular titles such as Angry Birds, The Daily Crossword, and Solitaire. With a catalog of 37 games, players can use either a mouse or touch screen depending on the device. This offering is more comparable to Netflix’s selection of games rather than Google’s unsuccessful Stadia venture. However, due to the strong connection between gaming and YouTube culture, these Playables have garnered interest. It should be noted that as of now, YouTube has only announced the availability of these games until the end of March 2024, so it may be best not to become too attached.
Subscribers of YouTube Premium are also granted early entry to test out new and experimental features on YouTube Studio. As a creator, you can be one of the first to experience upcoming AI tools such as a video assistant, condensed comment summaries, personalized music suggestions, and image creation.
What is the Monthly Cost of YouTube Premium?
The video-sharing platform YouTube understands that many users are used to accessing the site for free, which is why they offer a 30-day trial for YouTube Premium. However, it is important to keep in mind that you will be required to provide your payment details in order to activate this trial. Once that is done, you will have the option to select from various pricing plans.
The monthly subscription fee for the individual tier has been increased to $13.99. While this may seem costly, the benefits of YouTube Premium are worth considering. For those interested in YouTube Music, the monthly cost is $10.99, making the option of YouTube Premium even more appealing as it includes additional video features. A recent price change has raised the cost of the Family plan to $22.99 per month, allowing up to six accounts to access YouTube Premium. Students can take advantage of a discounted rate of $7.99 per month.
It should be noted that there are alternative methods for utilizing funds on YouTube that are unrelated to YouTube Premium. One such option is to purchase or rent popular movies and TV shows individually. Additionally, YouTube provides access to YouTube TV, which has been named an Editors’ Choice for live TV streaming and costs $73 per month. In case of any confusion, a comparison of YouTube Premium and YouTube TV can be found at https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/youtube-premium-vs-youtube-tv-whats-the-difference.
With YouTube Premium, you can enhance your current YouTube account and enjoy its benefits on various platforms such as the web, mobile devices (Android and iOS), video game consoles including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, as well as smart TVs and media streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku.
(Source: YouTube)
Accessing YouTube Premium on the Web and Mobile
YouTube Premium is not a standalone application, but rather an enhancement to the current YouTube app. Upon subscribing to the service, users will notice the word “Premium” displayed next to the familiar red YouTube logo. This means that both YouTube and YouTube Premium have a similar interface on both web and mobile platforms.
It is not a negative aspect, as YouTube is a top-rated platform for a valid reason. My home Wi-Fi connection (with a 60Mbps download speed) provided seamless video playback, even when watching 4K videos. One can effortlessly share, like, clip, and save videos for future viewing. Despite that, the YouTube comment section is known for its extensive and enthusiastic community, but several Premium videos have disabled comments.
YouTube Premium offers helpful functions that enhance the viewing experience on YouTube. One of these features is the removal of YouTube’s commercials. Many content creators on YouTube often include ads in the middle of their videos, but with YouTube Premium, you can now watch uninterrupted videos without the interruption of unrelated advertisements. Say goodbye to those awkward self-aware ads that remind you about the skip button before guilt-tripping you into not using it.
YouTube Premium on mobile allows for the continuous playback of a video even when the screen is turned off, making it perfect for listening to music. However, this feature has the potential for even more practical uses. For example, I often watch YouTube videos that are primarily focused on discussions rather than visuals, similar to podcasts. With this feature, I can now multitask and listen to these videos without draining my phone’s battery by leaving the screen on.
The Individual plan for YouTube Premium allows for simultaneous streaming on two devices, while the Family plan increases the limit to four per account. With YouTube Premium, users can also download videos for offline viewing on mobile devices. The new Smart Downloads feature will automatically add recommended videos to the user’s library. Regardless of the plan, offline downloading is supported on up to ten devices. This feature is highly desirable in premium video subscriptions, and although there are clever workarounds available, users can already download YouTube videos without payment.
Additional features enhance the convenience of using YouTube Premium. One of these features is the ability for mobile viewers to queue videos and watch them together through FaceTime or Google Meet. Additionally, users can seamlessly switch between devices for uninterrupted viewing and enjoy enhanced bitrate 1080p videos.
While these may be attractive benefits, they give the impression of being add-ons that a high-end service would offer to enhance its overall appeal. They are not significant enough to be standalone selling points, which is the situation in this scenario.
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(Credit: YouTube)
Parental Controls and Accessibility
YouTube Premium offers similar accessibility features as regular YouTube, including customizable subtitles (if available) and the ability to adjust playback speed. Additionally, Premium videos usually offer a variety of language options for closed captioning.
YouTube has a separate application, YouTube Kids, specifically designed for parental controls. This app only allows children to view curated content, although it is still possible for the algorithmically generated content to be somewhat unsettling. By using YouTube Premium, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children will not be exposed to any advertisements. Additionally, the option for offline downloads is beneficial in ensuring that children can still watch their preferred shows even without a wireless connection.
VPN and YouTube Premium
If you happen to go down various rabbit holes, YouTube can be considered as one of the most risky online platforms. To protect yourself, it is advisable to use a VPN to ensure safety and security. Generally, VPNs are not compatible with most video streaming services due to the manipulation of geographic location, which can disrupt regional licensing agreements. However, I presumed that YouTube Premium would be an exception, as it is essentially just YouTube.
When I used YouTube Premium on a Windows computer while connected to ProtonVPN servers, I encountered no problems with streaming premium content from different regions around the world. However, it’s possible that this could change in the future as some video streaming services have been known to block VPN traffic after the fact.
Stick to the Basics on YouTube
For those who frequently watch YouTube, opting for YouTube Premium can enhance the viewing experience by providing offline downloads and an ad-free platform. Furthermore, users may discover enjoyable YouTube Premium shows, entertaining YouTube Playable games, or utilize the subscription to gain access to the impressive YouTube Music. However, for the majority of YouTube viewers, sticking with the free service would suffice as there is no significant loss in value.
For those seeking a conventional high-quality streaming service, we recommend exploring our top picks such as Netflix for its exclusive series, Hulu for its combination of live and on-demand offerings, and Peacock for its budget-friendly selection of TV shows and films.
If you are interested in YouTube, take a look at our choices for the top channels. To learn more about streaming in general, read our five reasons for abandoning your video subscription and keeping cable. Discover how to select streaming services that fit your finances, and indulge in a variety of low-quality reality TV. Lastly, if you need help deciding what to watch, check out our recommended streaming video guides.
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