How Can I Get the Cheapest YouTube Premium?
The cheapest way to get YouTube Premium is by utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to subscribe through a country with lower subscription costs, or by opting for a family plan and sharing it with others. Consider exploring student discounts and regional deals for even more savings.
Why Bother with YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium, beyond just removing those pesky pre-roll ads, offers a wealth of benefits that enhance the viewing experience. Understanding these perks highlights why finding the cheapest way to access them is so appealing.
- Ad-Free Viewing: The most obvious and universally appreciated benefit is uninterrupted viewing. No more waiting for skippable ads!
- Background Play: This allows you to listen to YouTube videos, including music, even when the app is minimized or your phone is locked. A game-changer for multitasking.
- YouTube Music Premium: Included with YouTube Premium, this grants you ad-free listening, background play, and downloads for offline enjoyment within the YouTube Music app.
- Offline Downloads: Download videos directly to your device for viewing without an internet connection. Perfect for travel or areas with limited connectivity.
- YouTube Originals: Access to exclusive content, including movies and series, that are not available to free users.
These features transform YouTube from a casual viewing platform to a comprehensive entertainment and information source. Therefore, securing these benefits at the lowest possible cost is a smart move.
The VPN Route: A Global Savings Strategy
This method leverages the principle of regional pricing, where subscription costs vary significantly between countries. Using a VPN allows you to connect to a server in a country with a cheaper subscription rate and subscribe as if you were a local resident.
- Choose a Reputable VPN: Research and select a VPN service with servers in countries known for lower YouTube Premium pricing (e.g., Argentina, Turkey, India). Ensure the VPN is reliable and secure. Avoid free VPNs as they often have data limits or security risks.
- Connect to a Server: Connect to a server in your chosen country through the VPN app.
- Create a New Google Account (Recommended): For the best results, create a new Google account while connected to the VPN. This ensures your account is initially associated with the chosen country.
- Subscribe to YouTube Premium: Navigate to the YouTube Premium sign-up page and subscribe. You should see prices in the local currency.
- Payment: Use a credit card or payment method that works in the chosen country. Sometimes a virtual credit card or prepaid card is necessary.
- Maintain the VPN: While you may not need to keep the VPN on constantly after subscribing, it’s generally recommended to connect to the VPN server occasionally to maintain your subscription and prevent it from being revoked.
Potential Downsides: Using a VPN violates Google’s terms of service, and they may suspend your account. Payment method issues can also arise, and the process requires some technical know-how. Always research and proceed with caution.
Family Plan: Share the Savings
YouTube Premium offers a family plan, which allows you to share the subscription with up to five other family members (living in the same household). This is often the most cost-effective option, especially if you have a group of friends or family members who are also interested in YouTube Premium.
- The Organizer: One person subscribes to the YouTube Premium Family plan.
- Invite Members: The organizer invites family members (over 13 years old with a Google account) to join the group.
- Accept the Invitation: Invited members accept the invitation to join the family group.
- Enjoy Premium: Everyone in the family group enjoys the benefits of YouTube Premium.
Cost Comparison (Example – US Pricing):
| Plan | Price | Price Per Person (6 users) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $13.99/month | $13.99 |
| Family | $22.99/month | $3.83 |
As you can see, the family plan offers significant savings per person compared to individual subscriptions.
Student Discount: Education Pays Off
If you’re a student, you might be eligible for a discounted YouTube Premium subscription. YouTube partners with educational institutions to offer student pricing, providing a significant reduction in the monthly fee.
- Eligibility Check: Verify your eligibility through YouTube’s student verification process. This typically involves providing proof of enrollment at a qualified educational institution.
- Subscription: Once verified, you can subscribe to YouTube Premium at the student rate.
- Renewal: You’ll typically need to re-verify your student status annually to maintain the discounted price.
Regional Deals and Bundles
Keep an eye out for special promotions or bundles offered by YouTube or its partners. These deals can sometimes provide a discount on YouTube Premium or bundle it with other services.
- Mobile Carrier Bundles: Some mobile carriers offer YouTube Premium as part of their service plans.
- Google One Bundles: Google One, Google’s cloud storage service, sometimes includes YouTube Premium as part of its higher-tier plans.
- Limited-Time Promotions: YouTube occasionally runs promotional offers, such as discounts for new subscribers.
Stay informed by following YouTube’s social media channels and checking their website regularly for announcements about potential deals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Free VPNs: As mentioned, free VPNs often come with security risks and data limitations.
- Using Invalid Payment Methods: Ensure your payment method is valid and accepted in the country you’re subscribing from (if using a VPN).
- Sharing Accounts Outside the Family Plan: Sharing individual accounts violates YouTube’s terms of service and could result in account suspension.
- Forgetting to Cancel Auto-Renewal: If you’re using a temporary VPN subscription, remember to cancel auto-renewal to avoid being charged after the initial period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get YouTube Premium for free?
There is no legitimate way to get YouTube Premium entirely for free, indefinitely. YouTube sometimes offers free trials to new users, but these are temporary. Avoid websites or services claiming to offer free YouTube Premium, as they are likely scams or involve illegal activities.
Is it legal to use a VPN to get cheaper YouTube Premium?
While using a VPN itself is generally legal, using it to circumvent regional pricing can violate YouTube’s terms of service. This could lead to your account being suspended or terminated. Proceed at your own risk.
Which country offers the cheapest YouTube Premium?
Countries like Argentina, Turkey, and India are often cited as having the lowest YouTube Premium subscription prices. However, these prices can fluctuate based on currency exchange rates and YouTube’s pricing policies.
Will YouTube detect if I’m using a VPN?
YouTube has mechanisms to detect VPN usage. While it’s not guaranteed that they’ll catch you, there is a risk of detection and potential account suspension.
What happens if YouTube detects my VPN usage?
If YouTube detects you using a VPN to circumvent regional pricing, they may suspend your account or revoke your YouTube Premium subscription.
How do I cancel YouTube Premium?
You can cancel YouTube Premium by going to your YouTube account settings, navigating to the “Purchases and memberships” section, and selecting “Cancel membership.”
Do YouTube Premium family members need to live at the same address?
Yes, YouTube’s terms of service for the family plan state that all members must reside in the same household.
Can I use YouTube Premium on all my devices?
Yes, once you’re subscribed to YouTube Premium, you can use it on any device where you’re logged in with your Google account.
What is YouTube Music Premium, and how is it related to YouTube Premium?
YouTube Music Premium is included as part of YouTube Premium. It provides ad-free listening, background play, and offline downloads within the YouTube Music app.
How long does a YouTube Premium free trial last?
The duration of a YouTube Premium free trial can vary, but it is typically one month.
What are the advantages of YouTube Premium over YouTube Music Premium?
While YouTube Music Premium focuses solely on music, YouTube Premium offers ad-free viewing across all YouTube videos, background play, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Originals.
If I already have Google Play Music, do I need YouTube Premium?
Google Play Music has been replaced by YouTube Music. Therefore, subscribing to YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium is necessary to enjoy the ad-free listening and offline download features that Google Play Music used to offer.