YouTube Premium Lite Just Landed in the US: Cost & Benefits
Do you know those annoying moments when you’re watching a meditation video in Zen mode, and suddenly a toothpaste ad interrupts your session? YouTube has just launched its Premium Lite version in the US (, which promises to help you avoid these ads—but with some limitations.
Below, you’ll learn about the features and benefits of YouTube Premium Lite, its cost, availability, and how it differs from other YouTube subscriptions—helping you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
What is YouTube Premium Lite?
It’s a stripped-down version of YouTube Premium, available in the US since 5 March, 2025. Lite is cheaper and reduces ads but doesn’t guarantee a completely ad-free experience. If you choose this version, you will still see ads on music-related content (before, during, or after a video), in Shorts and while browsing.
But what does YouTube consider “music content”?
This includes videos where music is the main focus, such as official music videos, covers, or dance videos.
💡 Learn more about YouTube Premium, its subscriptions plans and new 2025 features in our article:
Who is Premium Lite for?
Premium Lite is ideal for you if you use YouTube casually rather than a professional tool or your primary music platform. It could be a good option if you mainly watch videos like vlogs, movies, documentaries, tutorials, or guides without ads, and if the additional features of YouTube Premium – such as background play – are not as important to you.
Wondering which content will be ad-free? YouTube remains somewhat vague, stating that Premium Lite is best “for those who want to watch most videos ad-free, whether it’s gaming, comedy, cooking, or learning”.
Cost and Availability
YouTube Premium Lite costs $7.99 per month, while the full YouTube Premium subscription is twice as expensive at $13.99 per month.
However, Premium Lite isn’t available worldwide. After an extended testing phase, it’s currently offered in select countries, including Germany, Thailand, and Australia.
Comparison: YouTube Premium Lite vs. YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium offers complete ad-free viewing, including for music videos, along with downloadable content and background play. This means your video continues playing even if you exit the YouTube app. Additionally, you get access to the YouTube Music app, a strong competitor to Spotify and Apple Music.
On the other hand, YouTube Premium Lite is more affordable and designed for users who want to enjoy videos without interruptions but can do without the additional features.
If you’re still unsure which subscription is better for you, you can test both plans for free for one month.
💡 Note: Students are eligible for special discounts, and there’s also a family plan that supports up to five accounts.
In the table below, you’ll find a quick overview of all the features compared.
| Feature | YouTube Premium Lite | YouTube Premium |
| Ad-free viewing | Limited | ✅ |
| Background play | ❌ | ✅ |
| Offline downloads | ❌ | ✅ |
| YouTube Short without ad interruptions | Limited | ✅ |
| YouTube Kids without ad interruptions | Limited | ✅ |
| YouTube Music without ad interruptions | ❌ | ✅ |
| Price | $7.99/month | $13.99/month |
| Best suited for | Casual video viewers | Heavy video users |
How to Subscribe and Cancel Your Subscription
Is this version right for you? Follow these three steps to subscribe to YouTube Premium Lite.
Subscribe
➡️ Go to your YouTube settings on mobile or desktop.
➡️ Navigate to the subscription options.
➡️ Select YouTube Premium Lite and complete the payment.
Cancel
Canceling is just as easy. If you want to upgrade to YouTube Premium instead, go to “Paid Memberships” and choose “Premium”.
Even without features like background play and downloads, YouTube Premium Lite strikes a balance between free YouTube with ads and a fully ad-free experience. You can try it free for a month to see if it fits your needs!
