YouTube Premium costs $13.99/month in the US, and once you have it, going back to ads is painful. No ads on videos, background play on mobile, YouTube Music included, offline downloads. If you watch YouTube daily, paying for ad-free access genuinely changes the experience. But $14/month is $168/year. Here's how to pay less.
What You Actually Get with YouTube Premium
- Ad-free YouTube: no pre-roll, mid-roll, or banner ads
- Background play: video keeps playing when you switch apps or lock your phone
- YouTube Music Premium: included, a full Spotify competitor
- Offline downloads: save videos to watch without internet
For a full breakdown of whether it's worth it, see our YouTube Premium review.
Option 1: Family Plan
YouTube Premium's family plan covers up to 6 people for $22.99/month. If you can fill all 6 spots, that's under $4/person, the best official deal available.
Option 2: Student Plan
If you have a valid .edu email, YouTube Premium student pricing is $7.99/month, nearly half the regular price. Valid for up to 4 years of study.
Option 3: Discounted Access via Norths Clearance
YouTube Premium via Norths Clearance is the most cost-effective option for people who don't qualify for student pricing and can't fill a family plan. Full Premium experience at bulk pricing, delivered within 24 hours.
If you're building a streaming stack, pair it with Netflix, Max (HBO Max), and Amazon Prime Video, all available in the entertainment collection at Norths Clearance. For the full strategy on cutting streaming costs, see our guide on getting all major streaming services for under $20 a month.
Bottom Line
YouTube Premium is worth it for heavy users. The cheapest ongoing option for most people is discounted access via Norths Clearance. Pair it with Surfshark VPN for a fully private, ad-free browsing experience across every device.