YouTube has officially launched its ‘Premium Lite’ subscription plan in the United Statesoffering users an affordable alternative to enjoy ad-free video content. Priced at $7.99 per monthPremium Lite delivers most of the core ad-free viewing benefits of YouTube Premium but at a reduced costmaking it ideal for users who prioritize ad-free streaming over extra features.
The new YouTube Premium Lite plan is tailored for users who mainly want to remove ads from their YouTube experience. It applies to a wide range of video categories including:
However, Premium Lite does not include ad-free access to YouTube Music contentnor does it support offline downloads or background playback — features that are only available in the full YouTube Premium plan, which costs $13.99 per month.
YouTube introduced Premium Lite as a budget-friendly option after running tests in select European markets starting in 2021. The idea was to offer an experience free of mid-roll and pre-roll ads without bundling it with YouTube Music or advanced playback features that not all users need.
The new plan aims to cater to:
Users who primarily watch videos and don’t use YouTube Music
Viewers looking to avoid constant ad interruptions
People already subscribed to separate music services like Spotify or Apple Music
As of 2024, YouTube has a global subscriber base exceeding 125 million across YouTube Premium and YouTube Musicincluding trial users. This expansion is part of the platform’s long-term vision to provide customized subscription options for different user needs and budgets.
Following its launch in the US, YouTube Premium Lite is set to expand to several international markets in the coming weeks, including:
Thailand
Germany
Australia
YouTube has confirmed that additional regions will be added later in the yearas the company continues to refine and expand its subscription models based on user feedback and market demand.
While the Lite version is attractive for those who want fewer interruptions, it does come with certain limitationsincluding:
No YouTube Music access
No offline video downloads
No background playback support
Possibility of seeing some “non-interruptive” ads while browsing or searching
YouTube has clarified that these non-video ads may still appear occasionally during navigation on the platform, but in-video advertisements will be removed for subscribers.
If you’re someone who:
Watches a lot of non-music content on YouTube
Gets annoyed by frequent ad interruptions
Uses another service for music streaming
Doesn’t need to download videos or play them in the background
…then YouTube Premium Lite may be the perfect subscription for you.
The lower price point opens up the door to premium features for more users, especially those who previously hesitated to pay for a full Premium membership.
