All posts
Tech News

You Won't Believe How Much More You'll Be Paying for YouTube Premium Soon

Manaal Khan11 April 2026 at 3:27 pm5 min read
You Won't Believe How Much More You'll Be Paying for YouTube Premium Soon

YouTube is increasing the prices of its premium services, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music, in the US. The new prices will apply to both new and existing subscribers. This move follows similar price hikes by other streaming services like Netflix and Spotify.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube Premium individual plan is increasing from $13.99 to $15.99 per month
  • YouTube Music individual plan is going from $10.99 to $11.99 per month
  • The price hike will apply to both new and existing subscribers

In This Article

  • What's Changing with YouTube Premium Prices
  • YouTube Music Price Increase: What You Need to Know
  • Why is YouTube Raising Its Prices?
  • What This Means for You, the Subscriber
  • The Bigger Picture: Industry Trends and Price Hikes
  • What YouTube Has to Say About the Price Hike

What's Changing with YouTube Premium Prices

If you're a fan of ad-free videos and music on YouTube, you might want to sit down before reading this. The prices of YouTube Premium and YouTube Music are going up, and it's not just a small increase.

  • The individual plan for YouTube Premium is increasing by $2, from $13.99 to $15.99 per month
  • The family plan for YouTube Premium is going up by $4, from $22.99 to $26.99 per month

YouTube Music Price Increase: What You Need to Know

It's not just YouTube Premium that's getting a price hike. YouTube Music, the streaming service that offers ad-free music and background play, is also increasing its prices.

  • The individual plan for YouTube Music is going up by $1, from $10.99 to $11.99 per month
  • The family plan for YouTube Music is increasing by $2, from $16.99 to $18.99 per month

Why is YouTube Raising Its Prices?

So, why is YouTube raising its prices? According to the company, it's to continue delivering a high-quality experience that supports creators and artists on the platform.

  • YouTube says the price hike will allow it to maintain features like ad-free viewing, background play, and a massive library of music
  • The company is also investing in new features and content to keep subscribers engaged

What This Means for You, the Subscriber

If you're already a subscriber to YouTube Premium or YouTube Music, you might be wondering what this price hike means for you. Don't worry, we've got you covered.

  • Existing subscribers will receive an email from YouTube at least 30 days before the price change takes effect
  • You can choose to cancel your subscription or switch to a different plan if you're not happy with the new prices

The Bigger Picture: Industry Trends and Price Hikes

YouTube's price hike is not an isolated incident. Other streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Video have also raised their prices in recent months.

  • The streaming industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with more services vying for subscribers' attention
  • Price hikes are often necessary for companies to invest in new content and features to stay ahead of the competition

What YouTube Has to Say About the Price Hike

We reached out to YouTube for a statement on the price hike, and here's what they had to say:

We’re updating the price for YouTube Premium plans in the US for the first time since 2023 to continue delivering a high-quality experience that supports creators and artists on YouTube

— YouTube Spokesperson

Final Thoughts

The price hike for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music may come as a shock to some subscribers, but it's a necessary move for the company to continue delivering a high-quality experience. With the streaming industry becoming increasingly competitive, it's likely we'll see more price hikes in the future. For now, subscribers will have to weigh the benefits of ad-free viewing and music against the increased cost.

Sources & Credits

Originally reported by TechCrunch — Aisha Malik

M

Manaal Khan

Tech & Innovation Writer