YouTube vs. YouTube Premium: Which is Better?

With so many streaming services available today, it can be hard to figure out what you should be spending your money on, especially if you’re not sure which service will give you the best experience overall.

YouTube is one of the biggest platforms on the internet, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for everyone who wants to make money online. YouTube Premium can be an excellent alternative if you want to take advantage of the platform and its associated perks without adhering to YouTube’s terms of service, which can be restrictive when monetizing videos.

If you’re looking to view videos from around the world, YouTube is probably your go-to video-sharing platform. However, before you decide which one you’d like to subscribe to, let’s look at what they have in common and their key differences to help you figure out which one will work best for your needs and preferences.

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What is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is a subscription service that offers ad-free access to YouTube, as well as a variety of exclusive features and content. This includes everything from ad-free viewing and background play to offline downloads and access to YouTube Originals.

YouTube Premium is available in over 50 countries. YouTube Red was launched in October 2015 as a premium paid subscription service that allowed users to watch ad-free videos.

In May 2018, YouTube Red was renamed YouTube Premium and expanded to include access to exclusive original programming, YouTube Music, and other benefits.

While YouTube Premium in the U.S. costs money, it represents a significant discount over buying individual episodes or movies. In addition, YouTube Premium subscribers also get access to Google Play Music and YouTube T.V., and for many people, it is well worth the price of admission.

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Added Benefits of YouTube Premium Over Regular YouTube Membership

YouTube Premium is a subscription service that offers a variety of perks, including ad-free viewing, background play, and access to exclusive content. For many users, YouTube Premium is well worth the price.

Here are a few benefits of YouTube Premium:

1. Ad-Free Viewing

One of the most appealing features of YouTube Premium is the ability to watch videos without ads. This can greatly improve your viewing experience and avoid having your favorite videos interrupted by commercial breaks.

2. Background Play

With YouTube Premium, you can continue watching videos even when you leave the app. This can be handy if you want to multitask or don’t want to miss a minute of your favorite content.

3. Offline Viewing

Another great feature of YouTube Premium is the ability to download videos for offline viewing. This can be helpful if you’re going to be without internet access for an extended period or if you want to conserve data usage.

4. Access to Exclusive Content

As a YouTube Premium subscriber, you’ll have access to exclusive content that you can’t find anywhere else. This includes ad-free videos, access to YouTube Originals, and a variety of other perks.

For example, as a YouTube Premium subscriber, you can watch popular shows like “Cobra Kai” and “The Walking Dead” without having to sit through any commercials.

You also get access to content only available to YouTube Premium subscribers, such as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and bonus scenes.

In addition, YouTube Premium subscribers get unlimited skips on ads and can download videos to watch offline. If you’re a big fan of YouTube, then YouTube Premium is worth the price.

5. Better Sound Quality

While a free YouTube account provides access to an enormous wealth of content, there are some definite advantages to upgrading to YouTube Premium.

One of the most important is sound quality. With YouTube Premium, listeners can enjoy their favorite songs and videos in high-quality audio. This can make a big difference when trying to appreciate the subtle nuances of a piece of music or follow a spoken word recording.

With YouTube Premium, you’ll also enjoy better sound quality when watching videos. This can improve your overall viewing experience and make it more enjoyable overall.

6. No More Ads on Other Sites

If you use YouTube frequently, you’re probably used to seeing ads on YouTube and other websites that host YouTube videos (such as Facebook).

With YouTube Premium, you won’t have to see these ads anymore, which can be a nice perk.

7. Discounts on Google Products

As a YouTube Premium member, you’ll also receive discounts on other Google products, such as Google Play Music and Google Express shopping.

These discounts can save you a lot of money if you use these services frequently.

8. Early Access to New Features

You’ll get early access to new features as a YouTube Premium subscriber. Sometimes YouTube releases a new feature to Premium subscribers before making it available to everyone.

This way, you can try out new features and give the support feedback so that they can make sure they’re the best they can be before releasing them to everyone.

This can be helpful if you want to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that you’re always using the best possible version of YouTube.

And, of course, as a thank you for being a YouTube Premium subscriber, you’ll also get exclusive access to certain features that are only available to YouTube Premium subscribers. So if you’re looking for the best possible YouTube experience, subscribing to YouTube Premium is the way to go.

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How Much Does YouTube Premium Cost?

A YouTube Premium membership costs $11.99/month in the U.S., and the price may vary depending on your country of residence.

If you’re currently paying for a YouTube Red membership, your membership will automatically upgrade to YouTube Premium at the same price.

You can also sign up for a free 30-day trial of YouTube Premium to see if it’s right for you. After the trial ends, you’ll be charged monthly unless you cancel your subscription.

The Student plan is the most affordable at only £6.99/$6.99 a month, but you’ll need to prove your student status annually to keep it.

A Family plan would cost you £17.99/$17.99 per month. You may divide this cost across as many as five members of your immediate family, bringing the per-person cost down to as little as £3.60.

It’s essential to keep in mind, however, that YouTube has a strict age requirement of 13+ for everyone in the household.

You can check out all three YouTube Premium plans risk-free for 30 days with the 1-month trial included. To avoid being charged, you must terminate your free trial before the payment date.

What Are Some Disadvantages of YouTube Premium?

While YouTube Premium does offer some great benefits, there are also a few disadvantages that users should be aware of.

One of the biggest drawbacks is the cost. At $11.99 per month, YouTube Premium is one of the most expensive streaming services.

In addition, there are a limited number of countries where YouTube Premium is available.

Another downside is that ads are not entirely eliminated on YouTube Premium. Users will still see some ads, although they will be shorter and less intrusive than standard YouTube ads.

Finally, some content creators have expressed displeasure with YouTube Premium, meaning subscribers can only see their videos.

YouTube Premium is a great service for those who can afford it and don’t mind a few ads. However, it’s not perfect, and users should be aware of its limitations before signing up.

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Is YouTube Premium the Right Choice for Content Creators?

While some content creators have embraced this new model of YouTube, others are hesitant, wondering if it is the right choice for their channel.

There are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to sign up for YouTube Premium.

First, it is essential to consider whether your audience would be willing to pay for your content. If you have a large and loyal following, there is a good chance that they will be ready to support you financially.

Second, you need to decide if you are comfortable with the idea of making your content exclusive to YouTube Red subscribers. Remember that this could limit your audience and make it more challenging to grow your channel. Finally, consider the financial benefits of signing up for YouTube premium. Though the platform takes a percentage of your earnings, you may find that the increased revenue is worth it.

Ultimately, whether or not YouTube premium is the right choice for content creators depends on their circumstances. Those who can generate enough revenue from ads may not need to switch to the premium model, but those struggling to make ends meet may find that YouTube premium provides the financial support they need.

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Why Is Regular YouTube Better for Content Creators?

While many YouTubers have found success on the platform, some have questioned whether YouTube Premium is worth it for content creators. After all, YouTube Premium has several restrictions, including a lack of ad revenue and the inability to use certain features. So, why stick with regular YouTube?

For one thing, regular YouTube is still the best place to reach the most people. Over two billion people log in to YouTube monthly, and the vast majority are not paying for a premium subscription. That means content creators who want to reach the widest possible audience will need to stick with regular YouTube.

In addition, YouTube Premium can dissuade people from watching certain types of content. For example, many educational channels rely on ads to support their work, but those ads are not allowed on YouTube Premium. As a result, content creators who want to produce educational videos may find it difficult to justify switching to YouTube Premium.

Ultimately, regular YouTube is still the best platform for content creators who want to reach the widest possible audience and that for free.

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What is YouTube T.V.?

YouTube T.V. is a streaming service that offers live T.V., on-demand content, and Cloud DVR storage. YouTube T.V. is available in select markets in the United States and works with Roku, Apple T.V., Chromecast, Android T.V., Xbox One, and select smart T.V.s.

A YouTube T.V. subscription includes up to six accounts per household and costs $50/month. The service offers a 7-day free trial. YouTube T.V. has partnerships with major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN. YouTube T.V. also offers a la carte channels such as Showtime and Starz. In addition, to live T.V. and on-demand content, YouTube T.V. includes Cloud DVR storage.

Subscribers can record programs and access them from any device. YouTube T.V. is a convenient way to watch live T.V. without a cable or satellite subscription. The service offers a good selection of channels and makes it easy to record and access programs from any device.

What Is YouTube Music?

YouTube Music is a streaming app for music videos on YouTube. It includes a mix of official music videos, live performances, and user-generated content.

YouTube Music is available for free with ads or as an ad-free subscription with additional features like offline listening and background playback. YouTube Music is part of Google’s broader effort to take on Spotify and other music streaming services.

YouTube Music is available as a standalone app or an add-on to a premium subscription.

Final Verdict: YouTube vs. YouTube Premium Which One Is Better?

When it comes to streaming services, there are two clear leaders: YouTube and YouTube Premium. Which one is the better option? It depends on your needs.

YouTube is a great option if you’re looking for a free, ad-supported service with a massive library of content. However, YouTube Premium offers several advantages, including ad-free viewing, offline downloading, and access to exclusive content.

YouTube Premium is the clear winner if you’re willing to pay a monthly fee.

However, if you’re on a budget and need to look for mass audience views, YouTube is a perfectly acceptable option. Either way, you’ll have access to an incredible amount of content.