If you've ever been five seconds into a video and got slapped with a loud ad about toothpaste, you’ve probably wondered: Is YouTube Premium worth it? Or better yet, how much is YouTube Premium now, and what are you getting for that price?
With over 125 million members worldwide and some fresh updates rolled out in 2025, YouTube Premium is trying to be more than just "YouTube without ads." In this post, we’ll dig into what YouTube Premium is offering today, how it's evolving, and whether it deserves your monthly subscription.
No ads, original content, and videos that play in the background: For video fanatics, this is just a small taste of what YouTube Premium offers to subscribers. Formerly known as YouTube Red, this rebranded service combines a variety of features for the perfect YouTube binge.
Here’s a complete list of all the exciting Premium features:
These are great perks for viewers; however, creators will appreciate Premium for a different set of reasons. While the audience can expect fewer interruptions on the app, creators are getting what they’ve always wanted from the deal: more ways to increase their revenue on YouTube.
The service also lets creators get paid through your subscription, so you're still supporting the people you watch, even if you're skipping ads.
And now for the big question: How does it all work? How are creators able to make more money on top of AdSense revenue with YouTube Premium?
In a nutshell, YouTube shares some of its Premium revenue with creators. Whatever the portion may be, the platform distributes this money to creators based on much Watch Time they earn from Premium subscribers.
So, for example, if one channel receives higher Watch Time than another, it gets a larger chunk of money. In the end, YouTube takes a 45% cut of a creator’s Premium earnings, just as it does for ad-generated revenue.
Nevertheless, earning some extra cash with Premium is something to aspire to. Every video on YouTube’s free platform is available on the paid version, so no matter what, your videos will contribute to your Premium Watch Time and earnings.
Let’s talk numbers. As of 2025, YouTube Premium offers several subscription options:
You also get a one-month free trial, so there’s no harm in taking it for a test run.
But here’s the twist: YouTube is now testing Premium Lite, a stripped-down version that offers ad-free viewing but no background play, no downloads, and no YouTube Music. It's cheaper, and for many users, that might be all they need.
Premium Lite is being piloted in the U.S. after earlier tests in Germany, Australia, and Thailand. The idea? Offer more flexible price points while still keeping the ad-free experience intact.
YouTube Premium has evolved into a tiered service, tailored for different needs:
This move makes sense. Not everyone needs the same features, and YouTube is trying to meet users where they are. Think of it like choosing your gym membership: some people want weights and cardio; others just want the pool.
Let’s not forget that YouTube Music Premium is bundled with the full version of YouTube Premium. It lets you:
It's a solid offering if you’re already deep into the Google ecosystem. It may not have fully replaced Spotify for some, but it’s a nice bonus.
Here’s where things get interesting. In 2025, YouTube Premium is diving headfirst into artificial intelligence.
This isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a way to make your time on YouTube more efficient and intuitive. It's still early days, but the tech is promising.
Premium members can go to youtube.com/new to test experimental features before they’re released widely. Think of it like a sandbox for future tools.
One cool example is the 4x playback speed. For power users who binge tutorials or long commentary videos, that’s a time-saver.
User feedback on this platform directly shapes what YouTube rolls out next, making Premium members part of the development process.
You can also opt for specific plans according to users on your YouTube Premium account. Special categories of such plans are:
Just remember that the student plan requires annual verification. So yes, you need to be an actual student.
YouTube Premium isn’t perfect, but it’s getting smarter and more flexible. Between the new AI tools, better tier options like Premium Lite, and a global expansion plan, the service is adapting in a way that makes sense.
If you use YouTube daily (and let’s be honest, most of us do), then yes—it might be worth it. Especially if you hate ads, want smarter features, or just enjoy seamless streaming.
While we are on the subject of viewer experience, check out this different way of watching videos on YouTube.
Creators earn money based on the watch time their content gets from Premium subscribers. Their earnings depend on how long people watch, making every minute count.
Decided it’s not for you? Canceling is easy: Go to youtube.com/paid_memberships Click "Manage Membership" Hit "Deactivate" or "Cancel" You keep your benefits until the billing cycle ends, so you can still squeeze in some last-minute offline downloads or AI playlist experiments.
Yes, every video that is monetized can earn YouTube Premium revenue. The amount you earn depends on how much watch time Premium subscribers give your videos.
Yes, YouTube Shorts can contribute to Premium revenue. They use the same system based on watch time, even if the shorter length means less total time per view.
Yes, YouTube Analytics keeps Premium revenue separate from ad revenue. This separation lets creators easily see how much they earn from Premium subscribers.
In addition to being an avid movie and gaming enthusiast, Uttaran Samaddar is an experienced writer who has lent his creativity and unique perspective to various publications. He loves hearing and telling stories.
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