YouTube Quietly Raises Subscription Prices for YouTube Premium and Music Services

YouTube has quietly increased the subscription fees for its YouTube Premium service without making any official announcement. Previously priced at $11.99 per month, the upgraded experience will now cost Android users $13.99 per month and iOS users $18.99 per month (up from $15.99). Additionally, the annual subscription price has risen from $120 to $140.

The family plan’s price, which had already increased last fall, remains unchanged at $22.99 per month. With the increased cost, YouTube Premium offers users the ability to download videos, watch ad-free content, play videos while using other apps, and access other features. The ad-free feature is particularly significant, as YouTube has been actively cracking down on ad-blockers recently. The platform relies on ad revenue to provide a free service, leading some users to perceive the crackdown as an attempt to drive more subscribers towards Premium.

The new prices apply to both new and existing subscribers and come amidst a trend of other streaming platforms increasing their subscription fees. Netflix recently eliminated its lowest-cost ad-free subscription plan, and Peacock announced its first-ever price hike.

Although the main tier of YouTube Premium had not seen a price increase since 2018, the change was somewhat anticipated, given the rising costs of subscriptions and services across the industry. However, with prices going up in various places, some users may reconsider whether the added expense is justified.

Furthermore, YouTube’s Music Premium service has also seen a price increase, going from $9.99 to $10.99 per month.  Together, YouTube Premium and Music services boast more than 80 million subscribers across the two platforms.