How Much Does YouTube Premium Cost in the UK?
YouTube Premium costs £12.99 per month in the UK for individuals, making it one of the pricier streaming subscriptions available. The service bundles ad-free YouTube viewing, background play, offline downloads, and full access to YouTube Music Premium. According to Ofcom's 2025 Online Nation report, YouTube is the most-watched video platform in the UK with 57 million monthly users — more than any streaming service.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | £12.99 | Ad-free YouTube, YouTube Music Premium, downloads, background play |
| Family (up to 6 members) | £22.99 | All Individual features for up to 6 household members |
| Student | £7.99 | All Individual features (requires SheerID verification) |
| YouTube Music Premium Only | £10.99 | Ad-free YouTube Music only, no YouTube video benefits |
YouTube Premium's price increased in the UK in late 2025, rising from £11.99 to £12.99 for individuals and from £17.99 to £22.99 for families. The Family plan allows up to 6 members at the same household address, working out at £3.83 per person — the best value option. According to Google's 2025 earnings report, YouTube Premium surpassed 100 million global subscribers.
For a comparison with other UK streaming services, visit our guide to UK Streaming subscriptions.
Does YouTube Premium Auto-Renew?
Yes, YouTube Premium automatically renews on the same date each month. Google charges your payment method on file — typically a credit card, debit card, or Google Play balance. Unlike some competitors, YouTube Premium does not offer an annual billing option in the UK, so you are charged monthly every time.
According to a 2025 Google Consumer Survey, 78% of YouTube Premium subscribers joined primarily for ad-free viewing rather than the music benefits. Your billing date and payment details are available at YouTube Paid Memberships. Google sends a receipt email after each charge but does not send advance renewal warnings.
Using Prunely to track your YouTube Premium renewal ensures you are always aware of the upcoming charge, especially given the relatively high monthly cost.
How to Cancel YouTube Premium in the UK
Cancelling YouTube Premium takes under 2 minutes. There is no cancellation fee, and you retain Premium benefits until the end of your current billing period. After cancellation, your YouTube experience reverts to the standard ad-supported version.
Step-by-step cancellation
- Go to YouTube Paid Memberships and sign in
- Click Manage Membership next to YouTube Premium
- Select Deactivate or Cancel Membership
- YouTube will show what you will lose — review this summary
- Select your cancellation reason
- Click Continue to Cancel and then Cancel Membership to confirm
- You will receive a confirmation email from Google
After cancelling, your YouTube Music playlists and downloads are preserved but become inaccessible for offline play. According to Deloitte's 2025 Digital Consumer Trends report, 26% of UK consumers who cancelled a video subscription cited cost as the primary reason — and YouTube Premium's £12.99/month price point was specifically highlighted as a pain point.
For alternative streaming options, see our guides to Netflix UK subscription and Amazon Prime Video UK subscription.
Is YouTube Premium Worth It in 2026?
YouTube Premium's value proposition is unique: it enhances a platform you likely already use for free rather than providing a separate content library. If you watch YouTube frequently — the average UK user watches 45 minutes per day according to Ofcom — the ad-free experience and background play can significantly improve daily usage. The inclusion of YouTube Music Premium adds further value if you would otherwise pay for a separate music streaming service.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ad-free viewing across all YouTube content | £12.99/month is expensive for a platform that is free with ads |
| YouTube Music Premium included (replaces Spotify/Apple Music) | No exclusive video content beyond YouTube Originals |
| Background play and offline downloads on mobile | No annual billing discount available in the UK |
| Family plan covers up to 6 members at £22.99/month | YouTube Originals have been scaled back significantly |
| Works across all devices seamlessly | Price has increased twice since 2023 |
Compared to Netflix at £4.99–£17.99/month, YouTube Premium offers a fundamentally different experience — user-generated and creator content versus produced shows and films. Apple TV+ at £8.99/month includes Apple Music in the Apple One bundle for a similar total cost. If you already pay for Spotify or Apple Music at £10.99/month, switching to YouTube Premium effectively gives you ad-free YouTube for an extra £2/month.
Track Your YouTube Premium Subscription with Prunely
Prunely lets you add your YouTube Premium subscription to track your renewal date and monthly cost. Set custom reminders so you are notified before each charge. Track YouTube Premium alongside all your other subscriptions — streaming, music, cloud storage, and more — without connecting a bank account. Prunely is free for up to 5 subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does YouTube Premium cost in the UK per month?
YouTube Premium costs £12.99/month for individuals, £22.99/month for families (up to 6 members), and £7.99/month for verified students. There is no annual billing option in the UK. YouTube Music Premium as a standalone service costs £10.99/month without the YouTube video benefits.
Can I get a free trial of YouTube Premium in the UK?
Yes. YouTube typically offers a 1-month free trial for new subscribers in the UK. The trial includes all Premium features. You must provide a payment method, and the trial auto-renews at £12.99/month unless cancelled. Each Google account is eligible for one trial only — previous subscribers are not eligible.
Does YouTube Premium include YouTube Music?
Yes. YouTube Premium includes full access to YouTube Music Premium at no additional cost. This means ad-free music streaming, offline downloads, and background play for music. If you currently pay £10.99/month for YouTube Music Premium separately, upgrading to YouTube Premium for £12.99/month adds ad-free YouTube for just £2 more.
Can I share YouTube Premium with my family?
Yes. The YouTube Premium Family plan at £22.99/month covers up to 6 household members. Each member gets their own individual account with ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music. All members must reside at the same household address — Google verifies this periodically using location data.
Is YouTube Premium worth it if I use an ad blocker?
Ad blockers remove adverts on desktop browsers but do not work on YouTube's mobile apps, smart TVs, or gaming consoles. YouTube has also intensified its detection of ad blockers since 2024, showing warnings and limiting video playback for users with blockers enabled. YouTube Premium provides a consistent ad-free experience across every device.