ouTube has introduced a new budget-friendly subscription tier called Premium Lite, offering ad-free streaming of “most” videos on the platform for $7.99 per month. However, the plan comes with key limitations—most notably, it does not include YouTube Music, meaning users will still see ads on music content and music videos, and they won’t have access to features like background play or offline downloads.
Unlike the standard YouTube Premium plan, which is priced at $13.99 per month in the U.S. and includes ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music, Premium Lite provides only a stripped-down experience. While users can watch most videos without interruptions, ads may still appear on YouTube Shorts, music-related content, and while browsing the platform.
Currently launched as a pilot program in the U.S., YouTube plans to expand Premium Lite to more countries, including Australia, Germany, and Thailand, in the coming weeks. The new tier is part of YouTube’s ongoing efforts to offer more flexible subscription options, allowing users to choose plans based on their preferences.
The move comes as YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking a milestone with a total of 125 million subscribers, including those on trial plans. With this expansion, the Alphabet-owned video platform aims to cater to different audience needs—whether they prioritize ad-free viewing or an all-inclusive experience with YouTube Music.
As YouTube continues to refine its subscription offerings, the question remains—is the lower price worth the trade-offs, or is YouTube Music an essential part of the experience?
