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Choosing between YouTube Music Premium vs YouTube Premium can be confusing, especially with so many streaming options available. Both services come from the same platform, but they offer different features and experiences. YouTube Music Premium focuses entirely on music, while YouTube Premium covers a wider range of content including videos and music. This article breaks down how each subscription works, what features they include, and who each one is for.
YouTube Music Premium At A Glance
YouTube Music Premium is a paid music streaming service that works separately from the main YouTube video platform. The subscription removes ads from music playback, allows offline downloads of songs and playlists, and lets music play in the background while using other apps or when your screen is locked.
The service gives you access to official music videos, live performances, and some podcasts, but all these features only work within the YouTube Music app. If you watch regular YouTube videos, you’ll still see ads since YouTube Music Premium doesn’t affect the main YouTube experience.
YouTube Music Premium works best for people who mainly stream music and already have other ways to watch videos. At $10.99 per month, it costs less than the full YouTube Premium package.
YouTube Premium Explained
YouTube Premium is a comprehensive subscription that covers all YouTube content. It includes YouTube Music Premium as part of the package, so you get both music streaming and ad-free video viewing under one plan.
The service removes advertisements from every video you watch while signed into your Premium account. This works across the YouTube main app, web browser, smart TVs, and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
YouTube Premium also includes premium features for YouTube Kids, background video playback, and offline video downloads. You can save videos on your device for viewing without an internet connection, and videos continue playing when you switch apps or turn off your screen. If you want to learn broadly about YouTube and social media in general, do check out SNS Journal.
Key Differences Between YouTube Premium And YouTube Music
The main difference is scope – YouTube Premium includes all the features of YouTube Music Premium plus ad-free video viewing across all of YouTube. YouTube Music Premium only affects music content within the YouTube Music app.
What Each Service Covers
YouTube Music Premium removes ads from music, podcasts, and music videos in the YouTube Music app. It allows background music play and offline music downloads. However, regular YouTube videos still show ads, and you can’t download or play videos in the background.
YouTube Premium removes ads from all YouTube content – music, regular videos, and YouTube Kids. It allows background play for both music and videos, plus offline downloads of any YouTube content. The service also includes all YouTube Music Premium features at no extra cost.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | YouTube Music Premium | YouTube Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $10.99 / month | $13.99 / month |
| Family (up to 6 people) | $14.99 / month | $22.99 / month |
| Student | $5.49 / month | $7.99 / month |
- YouTube Music Premium: $10.99 per month for individuals, $14.99 for families (up to 6 people)
- YouTube Premium: $13.99 per month for individuals, $22.99 for families (up to 6 people)
- Student discounts: YouTube Music Premium costs $5.49 monthly, YouTube Premium costs $7.99 monthly
The price difference between individual plans is only $3 per month, making YouTube Premium better value if you watch YouTube videos regularly.
Does YouTube Premium Include YouTube Music
Yes, YouTube Premium includes full access to YouTube Music Premium at no extra charge. When you subscribe to YouTube Premium, you automatically get all YouTube Music Premium features like ad-free music, offline downloads, and background play within the YouTube Music app.
This means YouTube Premium subscribers don’t need a separate YouTube Music Premium subscription. You get both ad-free video viewing across all YouTube platforms and premium music streaming features under one plan.
YouTube Music Premium as a standalone service doesn’t include YouTube Premium video benefits. If you only subscribe to YouTube Music Premium, you’ll still see ads on regular YouTube videos and won’t be able to download or play videos in the background.
Which Subscription Offers Better Value For Gamers
Gamers often stream music during long gaming sessions or watch tutorials and gameplay videos. Both services allow background music play without ads in the YouTube Music app, which works well for listening to playlists or game soundtracks while playing.
YouTube Premium provides extra benefits for gaming content. It removes ads from gaming tutorials, reviews, livestreams, and walkthrough videos on the main YouTube platform. You can also download these videos for offline viewing and minimize them while they continue playing.
If you frequently watch gaming content on YouTube, the ad-free experience across all videos makes YouTube Premium more valuable than YouTube Music Premium alone. The ability to play videos in the background while gaming or using other apps is particularly useful for tutorial viewing.
Free Trials And How To Switch Between Plans
Both YouTube Music Premium vs YouTube Premium offer free trial periods to new users. The standard trial length is one month, though this can vary by region or during promotional events. You can start a trial through the YouTube website or app while logged into a Google account that hasn’t used a trial before.
Switching between the two services is straightforward through your Google Account subscription settings. Upgrading from YouTube Music Premium to YouTube Premium keeps your music downloads and playlists while adding video features. Downgrading from YouTube Premium to YouTube Music Premium removes video benefits but maintains music access in the YouTube Music app.
If you cancel either subscription, offline downloads become inaccessible until you resubscribe. Regional pricing varies by country, so monthly costs depend on where your account is billed. Beyond free trials, there are other methods to save. We’ve covered them in detail in our article on how to get YouTube Premium for free
Safety Tips Before Subscribing
Account sharing outside of official family plans violates YouTube’s terms and can result in limited access or account suspension. Only add trusted family members through the official family plan process.
Be cautious of online offers for discounted or “lifetime” YouTube Premium accounts. These often involve stolen accounts, unauthorized payment methods, or phishing attempts that can compromise your Google account security.
Official subscriptions are only available through YouTube or Google websites. Avoid entering your account information on unofficial sites or buying access from unauthorized sellers, as this can result in permanent bans from Google services.
Choose The Right Plan For Your Entertainment
The choice between YouTube Music Premium vs YouTube Premium depends on how you use streaming services. YouTube Music Premium focuses on music with ad-free listening, downloads, and background play in the YouTube Music app for $10.99 monthly.
YouTube Premium covers all YouTube content including music, regular videos, and YouTube Kids with ad removal, background play, and offline downloads for $13.99 monthly. Since it includes YouTube Music Premium at no additional cost, it offers better value for users who watch videos and listen to music.
For gamers who watch tutorials, reviews, and gameplay content, YouTube Premium’s ad-free video experience provides clear benefits over music-only streaming. The small price difference makes it worthwhile for anyone who uses both YouTube services regularly.
