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Quick answer: No. The $13.99 figure was the U.S. individual monthly price after YouTube’s July 2023 increase. YouTube confirmed another U.S. increase on April 10, 2026; as of August 18, 2026, the reported individual price is $15.99 per month. Existing subscribers generally encountered the change on their next billing cycle, with many changes beginning in June 2026.
What changed, and when
YouTube, owned by Google, raised U.S. YouTube Premium prices in April 2026. New subscribers pay the updated rate, while existing subscribers were promised at least 30 days’ notice and moved to the new amount on their individual renewal dates. The exact date depends on the account’s billing cycle.
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- July 2023: Individual Premium rose from $11.99 to $13.99 per month.
- April 10, 2026: YouTube announced the next U.S. increase.
- June 2026 billing cycles: Many existing subscribers began seeing the higher charge.
- August 18, 2026: $15.99 is the reported current U.S. individual monthly price.
Sources: TechCrunch, Investing.com, and 9to5Google.
U.S. plan prices after the 2026 increase
| Plan | Before April 2026 | Reported current price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium Individual | $13.99/month | $15.99/month | $2 (about 14.3%) |
| YouTube Premium Family | $22.99/month | $26.99/month | $4 (about 17.4%) |
| YouTube Premium Lite | $7.99/month | $8.99/month | $1 (about 12.5%) |
| YouTube Music Premium Individual | $10.99/month | $11.99/month | $1 (about 9.1%) |
| YouTube Music Premium Family | $16.99/month | $18.99/month | $2 (about 11.8%) |
These are reported U.S. prices, not worldwide rates. Apple or other app-store billing, taxes, promotional terms, grandfathered pricing, and third-party bundles can produce a different charge. YouTube TV is a separate live-television service and is not included in this table.
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Why YouTube says it raised prices
YouTube said the increase would help it continue improving Premium and supporting creators and artists. The company did not publish an itemized cost or feature that independently explains the exact dollar amounts, so that is YouTube’s stated rationale rather than a verified breakdown of the increase.
What full YouTube Premium includes
- Ad-free playback for most YouTube videos.
- YouTube Music Premium access.
- Offline video and music downloads in the YouTube and YouTube Music apps.
- Background playback on supported mobile apps.
- Picture-in-picture benefits for some music content.
“Ad-free” does not remove creator-embedded sponsorships, branding, merchandise links, or similar integrations. Ads or promotions can also appear in some live events and Primetime Channels. Background playback is not available in the Shorts player, and feature availability varies by device, content, language, and country. See YouTube’s feature guide.
Premium Lite is cheaper, but it is not full Premium
Premium Lite costs a reported $8.99 per month in the U.S. It is aimed at people who mainly want fewer ads on ordinary long-form videos. It does not include YouTube Music Premium, and ads may remain on Shorts and music-related content. Some other full-Premium features are also absent. Compare the functions you actually use rather than treating Lite as simply “Premium with fewer ads.”
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
When the Family plan makes sense
YouTube’s Family plan supports up to six individual accounts, but members must live in the same household as the family manager. It is not permission to share one subscription with unrelated friends in different homes.
| Household users | $26.99 divided equally |
|---|---|
| 2 | $13.50 each |
| 3 | $9.00 each |
| 4 | $6.75 each |
| 5 | $5.40 each |
| 6 | $4.50 each |
The calculation assumes every member uses the service equally; it does not change YouTube’s household eligibility rule. Details are in YouTube’s plan guidance.
Student and annual options
Student membership
YouTube offers full-time students at approved higher-education institutions a student membership. Eligibility is checked annually by a third-party verification service, and membership can last up to four years. YouTube’s general plan page does not provide a universal U.S. student price, so check the live student sign-up flow before subscribing.
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Annual prepaid membership
Reporting lists a U.S. individual annual price of $159.99, equivalent to about $13.33 per month when divided across 12 months. This is an upfront prepaid term, not a monthly plan. Prepaid plans do not automatically renew, are for individual users, may provide up to 24 months of access, and cannot be paused. Confirm the current amount and availability at checkout.
How to see your actual renewal price
- Sign in to the YouTube account that holds the membership.
- Open Purchases and memberships or the membership-management area.
- Select YouTube Premium.
- Check the plan, next billing date, and upcoming charge.
- Review YouTube’s price-change email.
- If you subscribed through Apple, a carrier, or another partner, check that provider’s subscription page too.
You can start at YouTube’s paid-membership page. Menu labels vary by device and account.
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Should you keep, change, or cancel?
Full Premium is strongest if you
- Watch YouTube daily and regularly encounter ads.
- Listen to long videos, podcasts, or music with your phone locked.
- Need offline downloads.
- Already use YouTube Music.
- Can fill a qualifying household Family plan.
Premium Lite may fit if you
- Mainly watch long-form videos.
- Do not need YouTube Music or the complete Premium feature set.
- Accept ads on some categories, including Shorts and music-related content.
YouTube Music Premium may fit if you
- Primarily want music streaming.
- Do not need ad-free access to the wider YouTube video catalog.
Cancellation may fit if you
- Watch only occasionally.
- Rarely use downloads, background play, or YouTube Music.
- Do not consider $15.99 a month worthwhile for your viewing habits.
Cancel through YouTube’s membership-management page. Cancellation generally stops renewal while preserving access through the paid period. Some plans can be paused, but availability varies. Confirm the final access date and any refund terms shown during cancellation; a price increase does not automatically guarantee a refund.
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- Redemption: Online
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Important exceptions
- Billing platform: Apple and partner billing can show different prices from direct web checkout.
- Taxes: The displayed amount may not be the final charge everywhere.
- Promotions and bundles: A temporary offer or carrier bundle can alter the price.
- Geography: All figures above are for the United States.
- Family sharing: All members must satisfy the same-household requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $13.99 still available for YouTube Premium?
It is not the reported standard new U.S. individual monthly price as of August 2026. Some accounts may display another amount because of promotions, grandfathered terms, taxes, or third-party billing.
Does YouTube Premium remove every advertisement?
No. Creator-inserted sponsorships and some live-event or Primetime Channel promotions can remain, and feature behavior varies by content and device.
Is YouTube Premium Lite the same as Premium?
No. Lite costs less but excludes YouTube Music Premium and can show ads on Shorts and music-related content.
Quick Recap
Is YouTube TV included with YouTube Premium?
No. YouTube TV is a separate live-TV subscription.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
