Contents
Key Takeaways
Here you’ll get to know about YouTube Premium vs Free:
- YouTube Free provides access to a vast library of videos and user-generated content, but it is ad-supported.
- YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience, background playback, offline downloads, access to exclusive content and original series, and YouTube Music.
- YouTube Free does not provide an ad-free experience, offline playback, access to exclusive content, or premium benefits.
- YouTube Premium’s monthly subscription fee is $11.99, but it can be a worthwhile investment for those who value ad-free viewing, offline access, and additional features.
YouTube Premium vs Free: For over a decade, YouTube has remained a highly popular platform for video content. Its extensive collection of videos and user-generated content has made it a preferred source of entertainment, education, and information for millions of individuals worldwide. However, YouTube introduced a paid subscription service known as YouTube Premium, which offers additional features and benefits. The question is, does the cost justify the advantages?
This article aims to compare YouTube Premium with the free version of the platform, delving into the offerings and limitations of each option. By the end of this piece, you will have a clearer understanding of the value provided by YouTube Premium and whether or not it is a worthwhile investment for you.
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YouTube Free: What You Get
YouTube offers a free version of its platform called YouTube Free, which provides users with a range of features and content. Here’s what you get with YouTube Free:
Access to all videos and user-generated content
With YouTube Free, you can access a vast library of videos and user-generated content. You have the freedom to explore a wide range of topics and interests. Whether you’re looking for educational videos, music videos, or entertaining vlogs, YouTube Free offers it all. You can watch popular videos from around the world and discover new content creators.
Ad-supported experience
While enjoying YouTube Free, you’ll have an ad-supported experience. This means that advertisements will be shown before or during some videos. These ads help support the creators and keep the platform free for everyone. Although ads can be a minor interruption, they play a crucial role in sustaining the availability of diverse content on YouTube.
Basic features such as commenting, sharing, and liking
YouTube Free provides you with basic features to enhance your viewing experience. You can leave comments to engage with the video creators and other viewers. Sharing videos with friends and family is easy, allowing you to spread the content you love. Additionally, you can express your appreciation by liking videos that resonate with you.
YouTube Premium: What You Get
YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service offered by YouTube that provides an enhanced and ad-free experience on the platform. By subscribing to YouTube Premium, you get access to a range of additional features and benefits. Here’s what you get with YouTube Premium:
Ad-free experience
YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience, which means you can enjoy your favorite videos without any interruptions from pesky advertisements. No more waiting for those annoying ads to finish before you can watch your desired content.
Background playback and offline downloads
With YouTube Premium, you can play videos in the background while using other apps or when your phone screen is turned off. Additionally, you have the option to download videos and watch them offline, even without an internet connection. This feature is perfect for long trips or areas with limited connectivity.
Access to exclusive content and original series
YouTube Premium gives you access to exclusive content and original series created by talented creators. These shows are only available to YouTube Premium subscribers, offering unique and entertaining content that you won’t find anywhere else.
Access to YouTube Music and YouTube Originals
In addition to ad-free videos, YouTube Premium also provides access to YouTube Music, a music streaming service with millions of songs. You can listen to your favorite music without interruptions and enjoy personalized playlists. Moreover, you get access to YouTube Originals, a collection of original movies and series produced by YouTube.
As a YouTube Premium subscriber, you gain access to premium benefits and discounts on various Google services. This can include discounts on YouTube merchandise, Google Play Music, Google Nest devices, and even Google Store products.
YouTube Free vs Premium: What You Don’t Get
Here’s what you don’t get:
Ad-free experience with Free
If you’re using YouTube for free, you might have noticed those pesky ads that pop up while you’re watching videos. With the free version of YouTube, you won’t be able to enjoy an ad-free experience. These ads can interrupt your viewing pleasure and can be a bit annoying, especially if they appear frequently. However, if you upgrade to YouTube Premium, you can say goodbye to those ads and enjoy uninterrupted videos.
Offline playback and downloads with Free
One great feature of YouTube Premium that you don’t get with the free version is the ability to watch videos offline. With YouTube Free, you can only watch videos when you have an internet connection. But with YouTube Premium, you can download videos to your device and watch them later, even if you don’t have an internet connection. This is particularly useful when you’re on the go or in an area with limited or no internet access.
YouTube Premium also offers access to exclusive content and premium benefits that are not available with the free version. With YouTube Free, you won’t be able to access certain original shows, movies, and documentaries produced by YouTube itself. Additionally, YouTube Premium provides access to YouTube Music Premium, which lets you listen to music ad-free and download songs for offline listening. These premium benefits enhance your overall YouTube experience and are not available with the free version.
Cost Comparison: YouTube Free vs Premium
When comparing the cost of YouTube Free and YouTube Premium, it’s important to note that YouTube Free is available to users at no cost, while YouTube Premium requires a paid subscription. Here’s a breakdown of the cost comparison between the two:
The monthly cost of YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service offered by YouTube that provides additional features and benefits compared to the free version. Subscribing to YouTube Premium comes with a monthly cost. As of now, the monthly subscription fee for YouTube Premium is $11.99.
Value for money of YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium offers several advantages that can make it a worthwhile investment for those who frequently use the platform. Let’s explore the value for money provided by YouTube Premium:
- Ad-free experience: With YouTube Premium, you can enjoy videos without any pesky ads interrupting your viewing experience. This uninterrupted viewing can enhance your overall enjoyment of the content.
- Offline viewing: YouTube Premium allows you to download videos to watch offline. This feature is especially useful when you have limited or no internet connectivity, such as during travel. You can save your favorite videos and watch them whenever and wherever you want, even without an internet connection.
- Background playback: Another benefit of YouTube Premium is the ability to play videos in the background while using other apps or when your screen is locked. You can listen to music or podcasts on YouTube without needing to keep the app open, providing greater convenience.
- YouTube Music Premium: Subscribing to YouTube Premium also includes access to YouTube Music Premium, a separate music streaming service. You can enjoy ad-free music, background play, and offline listening with a vast library of songs.
Considering these features, YouTube Premium can offer good value for money for individuals who heavily rely on YouTube for entertainment or educational purposes. The ad-free experience, offline viewing, and additional music streaming options enhance the overall user experience, making the monthly subscription cost worthwhile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, YouTube Premium offers a range of additional features and benefits compared to the free version of YouTube. While YouTube Free provides access to a vast library of videos and user-generated content, it is ad-supported and lacks features like ad-free viewing, offline playback, background playback, access to exclusive content, and YouTube Music Premium.
YouTube Premium, on the other hand, provides all these benefits for a monthly subscription fee. Whether YouTube Premium is worth the cost depends on your usage patterns and the value you place on ad-free, uninterrupted viewing, and enhanced features.