YouTube Premium vs YouTube Music Premium: Plans, Prices, and Key Differences
> Editorial note: Prices, plans, promotions, taxes, and availability can change. We link to official provider sources and recommend confirming the final terms at checkout. > This guide is informational and is not financial, investment, legal, tax, or medical advice.
Quick comparison answer
If you mainly listen to music, YouTube Music Premium gives ad-free listening, background play, and offline downloads focused on music; it’s the simpler, music-first option YouTube Music Premium. If you want ad-free video across all of YouTube (plus background play, downloads, and access to YouTube Originals) choose YouTube Premium — it also includes YouTube Music YouTube Premium. Verify current pricing and regional availability on the official product pages.
Side-by-side comparison table
| Feature | YouTube Premium | YouTube Music Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-free video (YouTube site & app) | Yes — ad-free across YouTube, including YouTube Kids where applicable YouTube Premium | No — music service is ad-free, but standard YouTube video ads remain unless you also have Premium YouTube Music Premium |
| Ad-free music playback | Yes (included) YouTube Premium | Yes — ad-free playback for music content YouTube Music Premium |
| Background play (mobile) | Yes — works across YouTube and YouTube Music YouTube Premium | Yes — background play for music YouTube Music Premium |
| Offline downloads | Yes — videos and music can be downloaded (Premium) YouTube Premium | Yes — music downloads for offline listening YouTube Music Premium |
| YouTube Originals | Included access with Premium YouTube Premium | Not included (music-only subscription) YouTube Music Premium |
| Scope | All of YouTube (video + music + apps) YouTube Premium | YouTube Music app and music features only YouTube Music Premium |
Notes: check the official product pages for the latest regional pricing, plan names, and availability YouTube Premium · YouTube Music Premium.
Decision criteria
Use these quick checks to pick the right plan for your needs.
Primary use
- •Mostly music listening on mobile, desktop, or smart speakers: YouTube Music Premium is purpose-built for this and removes music ads and enables downloads YouTube Music Premium.
- •Frequent video watching on YouTube (not just music), want downloads and background playback for videos too: YouTube Premium covers both video and music YouTube Premium.
Device and multitasking needs
- •If you want background playback for non-music videos (e.g., podcasts, long-form creators) only Premium provides that across the full YouTube experience YouTube Premium.
- •For music-only background play and offline listening, Music Premium is sufficient YouTube Music Premium.
Budget and plan types
- •Compare the official price and family/student options on the service pages before deciding; regional pricing varies YouTube Premium · YouTube Music Premium. Verify current pricing on the official site.
Trial, switching, and limits
- •Review the product pages for current trials, family-member limits, and student verification rules before you subscribe YouTube Premium · YouTube Music Premium.
When to choose each option
This section gives concrete scenarios and the recommended plan for each.
Scenario 1 — Daily music listener on the go
If you listen to music for commuting, workouts, or while working and don’t care about ad-free video, YouTube Music Premium is the efficient choice. It focuses on music features like downloads and background play YouTube Music Premium.
Scenario 2 — Mixed video and music user
If you use YouTube for videos, news, long-form channels, and music, YouTube Premium gives a single subscription that removes video ads, enables background playback for all content, and includes YouTube Music YouTube Premium.
Scenario 3 — Shared household or family
If multiple household members use both video and music heavily, consider the family plan options listed on the official pages to weigh cost vs features for each member — check the service pages for family plan details and member limits YouTube Premium · YouTube Music Premium.
Tradeoffs and caveats
Understand these practical limits before you subscribe.
Scope vs. price
YouTube Premium covers more (video + music) but is a broader, higher-priced bundle; Music Premium is narrower and often the lower-cost option for music-only needs YouTube Premium · YouTube Music Premium. Verify current pricing and promotions on the official pages.
Premium Lite and feature differences
YouTube offers a lower-cost "Premium Lite" in some markets that removes most YouTube ads but does not include YouTube Music Premium or several other features such as high-quality audio and video controls; check the official help page for details Get a Premium Lite membership on YouTube.
Regional availability and plan names
Plan names, trial offers, student discounts, and family options can vary by country. Always confirm the exact terms on the official product page for your region YouTube Premium · YouTube Music Premium.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Assuming ad-free music equals ad-free video: Music Premium removes music ads, but not general YouTube video ads unless you have YouTube Premium YouTube Music Premium · YouTube Premium.
- •Overlooking Premium Lite limitations: Premium Lite may not include features you expect, such as YouTube Music or high-quality streaming; read the help article carefully Get a Premium Lite membership on YouTube.
Conclusion
Short answer: choose YouTube Music Premium if you only need ad-free, offline, background music. Choose YouTube Premium if you want the full ad-free YouTube experience (video + music) and Extras like YouTube Originals YouTube Music Premium · YouTube Premium.
Next steps:
- •Confirm current prices, trials, and plan names on the official pages before subscribing YouTube Music Premium · YouTube Premium.
- •Compare the official cost and plan details in Subpilot's YouTube Music Premium cost guide.
- •If you are also weighing live television service, see the YouTube TV cost guide.
Why trust this page: the publication focuses on practical subscription comparisons and points you to official product pages so you can verify current pricing, features, and local availability.
Want a clearer view of your subscriptions?
Subpilot helps you track your subscriptions in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium?
YouTube Premium covers the whole YouTube experience — ad-free video, background play, downloads, and includes YouTube Music. YouTube Music Premium focuses only on music features: ad-free listening, downloads, and background play for music YouTube Premium · YouTube Music Premium.
Does YouTube Premium include YouTube Music Premium?
Yes. YouTube Premium includes access to YouTube Music, so a Premium subscriber receives the music benefits without a separate Music Premium subscription YouTube Premium.
Does Premium Lite include YouTube Music?
No. YouTube’s Premium Lite does not include YouTube Music Premium or other advanced features; it primarily removes ads for most YouTube and YouTube Kids videos in supported regions Get a Premium Lite membership on YouTube.
Are there family or student discounts?
Both services offer family and student plans in many regions. Check the official product pages for current availability, eligibility rules, and verification details YouTube Music Premium · YouTube Premium.
Keep reading smart
Guides help you decide. Subpilot helps you act on it.
Subpilot reviews detected recurring charges from connected accounts — so the call you make after reading actually sticks, and the next renewal doesn't catch you out.
Review my subscriptions