YouTube increases prices for Premium subscriptions in the USA
YouTube raised Premium prices in USA. Individual and family plans are more expensive – European impact still unclear.
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YouTube has increased the prices for its various subscription packages in the USA without prior notice. YouTube Premium now costs $15.99 instead of the previous $13.99. The annual price has risen from $139.99 to $159.99. For the family plan, the price increases from $22.99 to $26.99 – an increase of four US dollars per month. It is not yet clear if and when the price adjustments for ad-free YouTube will also reach the European market. The video platform follows a general trend in the industry, as Netflix has also raised its prices in the USA again.
The last price increase in the USA was three years ago. In October 2022, the Google subsidiary increased the Family Plan from $17.99 to $22.99; in July 2023, the individual subscription followed from $11.99 to $13.99.
Lite subscription also affected
After the current price increase, the price for the Lite subscription in the USA also increases from $7.99 to $8.99. The stripped-down subscription variant, which YouTube has offered since March 2025, offers ad-free viewing on most videos as well as background playback and downloads. The same applies to the student subscription, which also rises from $7.99 to $8.99. The Music Premium subscription package now costs $11.99 instead of the previous $10.99, and the Music Family Plan increases from $16.99 to $18.99.
Videos by heise
Those who subscribe to YouTube Premium via Apple devices will pay even more: for the individual subscription, $20.99 per month will be due in the future – five dollars more than when subscribing directly via the YouTube website or Android.
Existing YouTube customers in the USA are informed of the price increase via email, various US media reported, although some have not yet received the notification. The new prices will take effect for existing customers on June 7, 2026. In the email, YouTube explains the increase by stating that the company wants to continue to deliver "great service and features." The decision was not made lightly. The higher costs are intended to improve the Premium offering and support creators on YouTube. They receive compensation from Premium viewers for the lack of advertising revenue.
(mki)
